The Word As Resistance

On this episode, Rev. M Jade Kaiser (formerly Barclay) and Rev. Anna Blaedel talk through the scripture together, considering greed and riches in a multitude of forms. In their conversation, they weave in intimate reflections on sharing in life and chronic illness together and how forms of supremacy and collective possibility unfold in all of it.

As we continue our series on Disability Justice, Sarah Howell-Miller reflects on Luke 11:1-13 through an unexpected hermeneutical lens--the 2003 Disney/Pixar movie Finding Nemo--on disability as diversity, what it means to be disability's construction workers (per Amy Kenny), and how to build a world that can hold and meet all our needs.

What if sitting and listening is what Mary had spoons for? As we continue our series at the intersections of Racial Justice and Disability Justice, Sharon Fennema explores the connections between racialized capitalism and the ways of being in the world that are afforded value and acceptance in the story of Mary, Martha and Jesus in Luke 10. Check out "The Divine - dreams of disabled gods" online e...

What if we celebrated, not Independence Day, but Interdependence Day this week? Join contributor Nichola Torbett as she explores some of the fears, taboos, and blessings of having and acknowledging needs--our own and others--and working together to get them met. This episode places in dialogue Luke 10: 1-11 and 16-20 with some of the writings of disability justice organizer Mia Mingus.

In the second episode in our series on disability justice, Rev. Sarah Howell-Miller reflects on a tough text from Luke chapter 9. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

To begin our new #Disability Justice series, Rev. Anne Dunlap re-visits the story of the "Gerasene Demoniac" in Luke 8 and discovers the man from Gerasa is already whole, and Jesus's commitment to disability justice. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

This Trinity Sunday, Dr. Sharon Fennema explores the ways in which the mystery of the Trinity invites us to take a posture of wonder. This practice of wonder and curiosity not only helps us cultivate a growth mindset that counters the logics of supremacy, but also nourishes the roots of revolutionary love. Transcript available here: surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

Rev. M Barclay (they/them) finds the story of Pentecost rich with imagery of mutual interest. Differences are not a barrier but an opportunity to deepen into understanding and authentic relationships while working toward the common goal of collective liberation. Transcript with action links available here: surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

Rev. Margaret Ernst introduces us to the story of Lydia, a seller of purple cloth, through the lens of radical hospitality and mutual interest in collective liberation. For action, donate to Black Love Resists in the Rust, who are organizing on the ground in Buffalo against white supremacy and anti-Black racism, including coordinating mental health and emergency food support for their community im...

Join Rev. Kelsey Beebe for this exploration of Revelation 21: 1-6, mutual interest, belonging, and anti-imperialism. How do we bring the Beloved Community here and now? Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

Join Sharon Fennema for the story of the raising of Tabitha in Acts 9, with a direct connection to the importance of the resurrection work of abortion care. "What might be raised up in our midst if we recognized that to be a part of God’s body is to be invested in each other’s flourishing life, not to help or save someone, but because it is essential to our own flourishing." Transcript with action...

What happened to Paul on the Damascus Road? Was it a conversion experience, or was it something else? What does any of it have to do with white Christians mutual interest in joining in the fight for collective liberation? Join Rev. Anne Dunlap as she unravels the traditional reading of this story in Acts 9: 1-20. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

Join Nichola Torbett this week for the first in a series of episodes in which we explore our mutual interest, as white people, in dismantling white supremacy. This week, we meet up with Peter and the other apostles during a time when they were being heavily surveilled, policed, and frequently jailed. What can we learn from this passage about what it means to show up in the face of repression and t...

Mary Magdalene is a fierce, pissed off, visionary whose power and story have been silenced by the sexism and whorephobia of the church. Join Blyth Barnow and Chanelle Gallant in this incredible conversation and homage to the Original Bad Bitch Apostle. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

For Good Friday, join 7 of our contributors as they each reflect on one of the Seven Last Words of Jesus as he is executed by Rome, and the meanings of these Words for us as white anti-racist Christians. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

How might the imagery of Palm Sunday invite us to imagine new ways to resist and subvert oppressive systems? How can we continue to liberate our language from patriarchy? Join Rev. Sarah Howell-Miller as she leads us in a reflection on Palm Sunday and the potential of Luke 19:28-40 and Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 to help us plant seeds of liberation. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/s...

The story of the prodigal son - a beloved and complicated one. Drawing on both the work of Dr. Amy-Jill Levine and the writing of Mia Mingus, M talks through the ups and downs and all arounds of this passage including both its problem areas as well as one of many of its invitations into a more life-giving way together. Transcript available here: surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

How does white supremacy shape who draws our compassion and empathy? How do colonial logics limit our imaginations and what can we do about it? Join Dr. Sharon Fennema to explore how we might reimagine and re-sing Psalm 63 by expanding our practices of empathy and solidarity. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

Fighting antisemitism is key to our work of dismantling white supremacy. And fighting antisemitism during Lent, when the lectionary editors ramp up what they *think* the conflict is, is crucial. Join Rev. Anne Dunlap to learn what an alternative reading of Luke 13:31-35 might look like -- we might just find that the Pharisees are on Jesus's side. Resources to learn more about how to fight antisemi...

How can our Lenten practice contribute to collective liberation? And how might it inadvertently contribute to the shoring up of white supremacy? Join Nichola Torbett in this exploration of the relationship of personal spiritual practice to creating the world we long for. (Content note: This episode discusses relationship to food and fat phobia, with some reference to eating disorders.) Transcript...

Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten journey. Join Rev. Jean Jeffress as they explore what the prophet Joel has to do with ashes and weeping and God's love. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/

In this week's episode, Nichola Torbett gets real about the impulse toward supremacy and offers up an antidote in the scriptural concept of "glory." (Hint: It's not what Bruce Springsteen was singing about.) Be sure to stay for an embodied practice of glory. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

Love your enemies? Forgive them too? Luke 6:27-38 has be used to excuse harm for too long. Join Rev. Kelsey Beebe as she re-orients this text to ground it in the practices of restorative justice. Transcript available here: https://surj.org/our-work/surj-faith/twir/

This episode takes a big-picture view of what Paul is up to in 1 Corinthians 15. It's officially the "resurrection era." This helps Paul answer activist philosopher Grace Lee Bogg's critical question, "what time is it on the clock of the world?" For Paul, for Corinth, for all of us - on this episode, Rev. M Barclay wonders what it means to live in right-relationship to the era we find ourselves. h...

In Luke's telling of the call to the first disciples, Jesus says those who follow him will "catch people." Which people and how many when we're in the business of dismantling systems of oppression? In this episode, Rev. Seth Wispelwey also asks what our personal thresholds are, as white Christians, for determining when we leave "everything" and follow him. Do not be afraid! Transcript available he...