Utah Epodcopalians

Better Angels: A Safe Forum for Political Conversation

Safe and respectful political conversation! This episode of Utah Epodcopalians highlights St. Luke’s 14-year program of promoting meaningful civic dialogue in a safe environment, through "Project for a Better Understanding" and now "Better Angels" workshops. Better Angels workshops are a place to be who you are and to share in listening. This new Epodcopalians episode features The Rev. Charles Robinson, Rector of St. Luke’s Park City, who has been a voice of reasonable dialogue at this highly charged political time. He and podcast host, Craig Wirth, explore rhetoric and how to create a tone of respect. For more information about Better Angels, go to this link: https://www.better-angels.org/

Sunday School

Kids are back in school and that also means "church school." On this timely episode of Utah Epodcopalians we talk Sunday School with St. Paul's (SLC) Russ Pack. Russ just finished 27 years teaching and directing Sunday School and youth programs at the urban congregation.

 

He's seen children and curriculum change as the world has changed. There are also vital changes and emphasis on the ways we handle safety and inclusivity. Despite all the changes through time, "Church School," is an all-important ministry in our church and with those who have children. 

 

The Fifth Gospel

It is difficult to visualize the steps of Jesus or the stories of the Bible in a land halfway around the world. However, The Rev. Canon Mary June Nestler is an expert in Biblical history and in the land in which the Books of the Bible take place.

 

The powerful settings of Biblical stories are often called “the Fifth Gospel,” because of the powerful images of the geographic locations that serve as a backdrop to Bible verses. Canon Nestler is the Course Director at St. George’s College in Jerusalem. After a decade as a priest in Utah, she moved to Jerusalem to fulfill a life-long calling to the Holy Land. She joins the Utah Epodcopalians to describe the land and to help promote a diocesan pilgrimage to Israel.

Gun Violence

What can or should a church do to combat gun violence? Bishop Scott Hayashi recounts The Episcopal Church’s decades of advocating laws to reduce gun violence as well as his own efforts to testify at the state legislature concerning guns. It's episode nine of Utah Epodcopalians.

Welcome the Stranger

"When you welcome the stranger, you welcome Jesus. The book of Hebrews in the New Testament says those who have welcomed the strangers have sometimes welcomed angels unawares." - Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry

Immigration is an issue that has divided our nation, separated families and caused great pain to many. On this episode of Utah Epodcopalians, The Rt. Reverend Scott B. Hayashi and The Rev. Dr. Pablo Ramos discuss the Episcopal church's stance on immigration and what we can do as individuals to follow Jesus and support those who are directly affected by this issue.

Our 152-Year History and Who We Are Now

Happy Birthday to the Episcopal Church in Utah! In July of 1867, The Rt. Rev. Daniel S. Tuttle arrived in Utah to bring the Episcopal Church to the "wild" west. He would also establish a faith of social justice that still drives much of the church's outreach today.

 

In episode seven of Utah Epodcopalians, Diocesan Historian Kurt Cook and Russ Pack of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salt Lake explore the common thread between our history and who we are now as a unique church in Utah.

 

Hunger and Homelessness

"When Jesus says, 'Let the little ones come unto me,' the 'little ones' are a sign of everybody who is on the margins. And so, it's the church's job to be welcoming and a source for mercy and compassion for all those people." - one of the many thought-provoking responses from The Very Rev. Tyler Doherty, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Mark. On this episode of Utah Epodcopalians we ponder the question - what is the role of the church in aiding those who are hungry and homeless?

Camp Tuttle and Youth Ministry

School's out for summer! That means it's time for Camp Tuttle, the Diocese of Utah's outdoor youth ministry to get into full swing. This episode's guests are Karen Gleeson, Camp Liaison/Youth Ministry Coordinator, and Melanie Lees, Camp Director...or as they're known at camp - "Shine" and "Mama Java." They highlight the overnight camps available for kids of all ages, as well as other programs for youth - not just Episcopal youth, but all youth. They discuss how Camp Tuttle and diocesan youth ministry help young people find God's love through connection with nature, new friends, and themselves. 

Utah Pride Festival

For this episode of Utah Epodcopalians, we are gearing up for the 2019 Utah Pride Festival! The Episcopal Diocese of Utah has participated in the festival and marched in the Pride Parade for many years.

This year's diocesan participation is being coordinated by St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Salt Lake City. The Rev. Kurt Wiesner, Rector at St. Paul's, as well as Christian Larsen, a member of St. Paul's Vestry and also this year's diocesan Parade Marshal, discuss the dynamics of the Utah Pride Parade and why it is such an important event in both the Episcopal community and the wider Utah community.

Culture and Faith

This episode considers how culture and faith are connected and explores the ways in which these concepts interact. Guests are The Rev. Michael Carney, Vicar at St. Elizabeth's in Whiterocks, Utah, and Forrest Cuch, a Ute, advocate and educator, and the Bishop's Warden at St. Elizabeth's.