In this fifth episode of season 4 of Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community, we speak with Episcopalians committed to the Beloved Community about the texts for the Easter Vigil. The texts covered in this episode are Exodus 14:10-31, 15:20-21, and Luke 24:1-12. Our guests this week are:
The energetic Nick Gordon, the United Thank Offering‘s Julia Chester Emery intern working with the Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care team. He is a college student attending New York University and is a Vestry and altar guild member at St. John’s in the Village Church in New York City. He is also a current member of the Diocese of New York’s Committee to Elect a Bishop and Antiracism Committee.
The Rev. Lydia Simmons, from Lead, South Dakota, missioner for Camp and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of South Dakota and rector of Christ Church Episcopal in Lead. Her labradoodle puppy, Luna, loves to contribute to all aspects of her ministry, including in the background of most conversations!
Prophetic Voices is hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, The Episcopal Church’s staff officer for Racial Reconciliation. For more information visit Becoming Beloved Community.
Find the episode online or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community
Across our church and our society, we are having profound dialogues about race, truth, justice, and healing. Coming this Advent, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community explores where that dialogue intersects with our faith. Join us and our invited guests as we share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice.
You’ll hear ancient texts interpreted in new ways, find fodder for preaching and teaching, and make present day connections to the prophetic voices of the Bible. This podcast will help us rethink how we hear, see, and interact with the lectionary readings, refocusing from the rush of the Christmas season to the voice crying out in the wilderness.
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
This is the weekly bulletin insert from the Episcopal Church, the 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year C).
Introduction: Life Transformed–The Way of Love in Lent
The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption. Throughout Lent, come along with us as we explore Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent, produced by Hillary Raining and Jenifer Gamber. You can find resources mentioned below at iam.ec/lifetransformed.
Week 1
Sunday, March 13
Today’s Practice: Watch the Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining’s video at iam.ec/lifetransformed for Week 2. The topic is based on the practice “Pray” and is titled, “Israel’s Deliverance at the Red Sea.”
Today’s Prompt: What passage of scripture is important to you Why?
Read: “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.” –Isaiah 40:8
Thursday, March 17
Today’s Prompt: Take 20 minutes in contemplative prayer today.
Read: “As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.” –Matthew 4:18-22
Friday, March 18
Today’s Prompt: Intentionally smile at least ten times today.
Read: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” –Philippians 4:4
Saturday, March 19
Today’s Prompt: Where are you being encouraged to “show up”?
Read: “Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” –Matthew 25:44-45
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
In this fourth episode of season 4 of Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community, we speak with Episcopalians committed to the Beloved Community about the texts for Good Friday. The texts covered in this episode are Psalm 22 and John 18:1-19:42. Our guests this week are the following:
Betty Peterson, who serves at-risk babies and moms as a nurse and social worker for the Brightstart program. She comes to us from the Orthodox faith tradition and attends Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she is a chanter.
Dr. Enid LaGesse, who is here because of the sacrifices of her enslaved ancestors and those of the Anacostan and Piscataway on whose stolen sacred land she now lives. Enid brings more than 30 years of diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership experience to her current role as the co-chair of the Race and Social Justice Committee for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She facilitates workshops on anti-racism, intersectionality, and interfaith dialogue.
Prophetic Voices is hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, The Episcopal Church’s staff officer for Racial Reconciliation. For more information visit Becoming Beloved Community.
Find the episode online or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community
Across our church and our society, we are having profound dialogues about race, truth, justice, and healing. Coming this Advent, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community explores where that dialogue intersects with our faith. Join us and our invited guests as we share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice.
You’ll hear ancient texts interpreted in new ways, find fodder for preaching and teaching, and make present day connections to the prophetic voices of the Bible. This podcast will help us rethink how we hear, see, and interact with the lectionary readings, refocusing from the rush of the Christmas season to the voice crying out in the wilderness.
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
This is the weekly bulletin insert from the Episcopal Church, the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year C).
Introduction: Life Transformed–The Way of Love in Lent
The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption. Throughout Lent, come along with us as we explore Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent, produced by Hillary Raining and Jenifer Gamber. You can find resources mentioned below at iam.ec/lifetransformed.
Week 1
Sunday, March 6
Today’s Practice: Watch the Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining’s video at iam.ec/lifetransformed for Week 1. The topic is based on the practice “Turn” and is titled, “Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ.”
Today’s Prompt: Where can you go and intentionally provide kindness?
Read: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” –Matthew 5:4
Tuesday, March 8
Today’s Prompt: Where can you go and intentionally provide kindness?
Read: “Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’” –Isaiah 2:3a
Wednesday, March 9
Today’s Prompt: Where do you see the seven practices of the Way of Love in this story?
Read: “But finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus.” –Luke 5:19 and following
Thursday, March 10
Today’s Prompt: Who has taught you to live a Jesus-filled life? Who have you taught?
Read: “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” –2 Cor. 4:16
Friday, March 11
Today’s Prompt: What is most meaningful to you in worship?
Today’s Prompt: How do you incorporate rest in your life?
Read: “Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” –Jer. 6:16
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
This is a message about change is from the Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel, eighth bishop of the Diocese of Olympia. It is for the start of Lent in 2022.
The point of Lent is this, that entered into intentionally, prayerfully, with a committed discipline and practice, if we do it that way, one thing seems certain: we will be changed. There’s no way around it.
Greetings, Diocese of Olympia and all who may be watching.
It is indeed hard to believe that this will be our third Lent in which one of our main overarching themes and topics of daily life is this ongoing pandemic. These last three years have been a rollercoaster, to say the least, up and down, feeling that this long disruption will soon end, only to have it not end, but even worsen. All the while we learn, we grow, we lament and we keep on keeping on.
As this Lent approaches, we are still there. Again, I have great hope, as I know many of you do that this will be the final turn, the final rush on that rollercoaster before we safely return to home base. But what is true, what is always true about humans living through a time such as we have is that when we do return to that home base, we will not find it the same, nor will we find ourselves the same.
As one colleague told me just as we entered into this pandemic, he said, we will be changed. And indeed, that’s true. Now, none of us would’ve manufactured a pandemic to get that to happen in our collective lives, but that is what was handed to us. And yet the church’s tradition was to build in just such a time every year in our yearly journey and rhythm of prayer, and that time is Lent.
The point of Lent was just what my colleague said was kind of the point he was taking from the pandemic. The point of Lent is this, that entered into intentionally, prayerfully, with a committed discipline and practice, if we do it that way, one thing seems certain: we will be changed. There’s no way around it.
You’ve heard me say many times what I once heard Elizabeth Wheatley say, that she felt people didn’t really fear change, but they are filled with terror at the thought of being changed. Lent is the time each year where we’re called to stretch, to bend, to enter willingly into that place where we don’t just experience change, but where we ask for it, hope for it, expect it.
So however that will work for you in every way you can, I invite you to the observance of a holy and prayerful Lent, whether it’s reigniting your prayer life or by studying and reading our Lenten books, or perhaps by reading one you have not been able or willing to read until now, taking time for yourself to think and feel and be still and know God is God, and perhaps in the process knowing yourself in ways you never have before.
So let’s lean into it, Olympia. Lent is here, we are here and we are different. May we change even more, moving ever closer to perfection in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Beloved, I wish you a blessed, holy, and life changing Lent.
Bishop Greg Rickel
The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel was elected bishop on May 12, 2007, and became the eighth Bishop of Olympia in September 2007. He embraces radical hospitality that welcomes all, no matter where they find themselves on their journey of faith. He envisions a church that is a safe and authentic community in which to explore God’s infinite goodness and grace as revealed in the life and continuing revelation of Jesus Christ.
Church of the Redeemer
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The Rev. Phil Hooper, SMMS, curate at Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne, in the Diocese of Northern Indiana.
The Rev. Shug Goodlow, Diocesan Missioner for Racial Reconciliation and Justice in the Diocese of Missouri. Shug serves as the assistant rector at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Ellisville. When not involved in church matters, you’ll find her working in community theatre productions.
Prophetic Voices is hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, The Episcopal Church’s staff officer for Racial Reconciliation. For more information visit Becoming Beloved Community.
Find the episode online or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community
Across our church and our society, we are having profound dialogues about race, truth, justice, and healing. Coming this Advent, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community explores where that dialogue intersects with our faith. Join us and our invited guests as we share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice.
You’ll hear ancient texts interpreted in new ways, find fodder for preaching and teaching, and make present day connections to the prophetic voices of the Bible. This podcast will help us rethink how we hear, see, and interact with the lectionary readings, refocusing from the rush of the Christmas season to the voice crying out in the wilderness.
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
Keep these things in mind when you attend in-person:
Bring your mask — People are at different levels of vaccination and comfort in groups. Please plan to wear a mask when in the building.
Eucharist — There will be a different procedure than what was used before the coronavirus. Those receiving communion will receive the Bread only. One household will communicate at a time, as cued by an usher or the celebrant. Please be patient.
Not everyone has been vaccinated yet or can’t be vaccinated, especially young children. Masks on until it is gone.
Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
Ash Wednesday
The first of the forty days of Lent, named for the custom of placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of worshipers at Ash Wednesday services. The ashes are a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality, and may be imposed with the sign of the cross. Ash Wednesday is observed as a fast in the church year of the Episcopal Church. The Ash Wednesday service is one of the Proper Liturgies for Special Days in the Book of Common Prayer (p. 264). Imposition of ashes at the Ash Wednesday service is optional.
Ashes blessed for use on Ash Wednesday as a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality. The Hebrew Scriptures frequently mentions the use of ashes as an expression of humiliation and sorrow. Ashes are imposed on the penitent’s forehead with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265). The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is optional.
Early Christians observed “a season of penitence and fasting” in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (Book of Common Prayer, pp. 264-265). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning “spring,” the time of lengthening days) has a long history.
Originally, in places where Pascha was celebrated on a Sunday, the Paschal feast followed a fast of up to two days. In the third century this fast was lengthened to six days. Eventually this fast became attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, in imitation of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness. The forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly.
In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265).
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
Here we are again, at the precipice of Lent. This year I am filled with an excitement for Lent. That is not maybe the response to Lent that you might expect. We think of Lent as a penitential season when we are thinking about the things that keep us from God, and when we give things up, which no one really likes to do. However, for me, this year, thinking about Lent, celebrating it with people for the first time in two years in the sanctuary, I am getting back in touch with what Lent was originally intended to be about—a preparation for joy.
Lent emerged in the early church out of a desire to prepare for the joy of the Resurrection. The church recognized that that joy could be best experienced, most fully realized, if people were not distracted when they began the journey through Holy Week to Easter. So, they began to set aside time to get themselves in order. The forty days before Holy Week were when people were to assess what was going to distract them from the joy of God’s love in the Resurrection, both at Easter and the mini-easter celebrated every Sunday.
Lent was never intended as a time of intentional suffering and misery. There’s more than enough suffering in the world already, far more than God intended. Instead, Lent is an invitation to discipline—which does not mean suffering or punishment—but learning. In Lent we are invited to learn about the things that are coming between us and Gods love and hope for us, and to put those things aside so that we are ready celebrate with joy the Paschal Feast.
Whatever you do to mark Lent this year, I pray that it brings you new learning and a fuller experience of the joy of God’s Love.
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
This is the weekly bulletin insert from the Episcopal Church, the Last Sunday after the Epiphany (Year C).
Introduction: Life Transformed–The Way of Love in Lent
The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption. Throughout Lent, come along with us as we explore Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent, produced by Hillary Raining and Jenifer Gamber. You can find resources mentioned below at iam.ec/lifetransformed.
Introduction
Sunday, February 27
Today’s Practice: Watch the Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining’s introductory video at iam.ec/lifetransformed. The video is titled, “An Introduction to ‘Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent.’”
Wednesday, March 2
Today’s Prompt: Notice the pattern of your breathing. Pray for awareness of blessings.
Read: “Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.” –Genesis 2:7
Thursday, March 3
Today’s Prompt: How might you connect with others in the spirit of renewal?
Read: “He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.” –1 Kings 19:11-12
Friday, March 4
Today’s Prompt: How can you build pauses into the day to reflect on the work of the Spirit?
Read: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” –John 15:5
Saturday, March 5
Today’s Prompt: How does community help or hinder your growing in Christ?
Read: “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.” – John 1:12-13
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
Check out the 2022 Lent Madness bracket, and then go to Lent Madness every day of Lent to keep up with your favorite saint. You also can buy your very own Giant Bracket Poster from Forward Movement. Get one for everyone in your church and everyone on your street!
Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness was born on his blog Clergy Family Confidential which has subsequently moved locations and become Clergy Confidential.
The format is straightforward. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint.
32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket.
16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen
8 advance to the Round of the Elate Eight
4 make it to the Faithful Four
2 move to the Championship
The winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo.
The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer quotes and quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch.
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
In this second episode of season 4 of Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community, we speak with Episcopalians committed to the Beloved Community about the texts for Palm Sunday. The texts covered in this episode are Luke 19:28-40, and Luke 22:14-23:56 and Psalm 31:9-16. Our guests this week are the following:
The Rev. Jazzy Bostock, a priest in the Diocese of Hawaii serving St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church and Maluhia Lutheran Church, both on the west side of O’ahu.
The Rev. Winnie Varghese, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. She has served in multiple churchwide roles, including as a member of executive council and as voting secretary of General Convention.
The Rev. Jean Mornard, rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Huron, Diocese of South Dakota (home of the world’s largest ringneck pheasant!). She is originally from Duluth, Minnesota, and grew up in a suburb of St. Paul.
Prophetic Voices is hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, The Episcopal Church’s staff officer for Racial Reconciliation. For more information visit Becoming Beloved Community.
Find the episode online or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community
Across our church and our society, we are having profound dialogues about race, truth, justice, and healing. Coming this Advent, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community explores where that dialogue intersects with our faith. Join us and our invited guests as we share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice.
You’ll hear ancient texts interpreted in new ways, find fodder for preaching and teaching, and make present day connections to the prophetic voices of the Bible. This podcast will help us rethink how we hear, see, and interact with the lectionary readings, refocusing from the rush of the Christmas season to the voice crying out in the wilderness.
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The United Thank Offering (UTO) of the Episcopal Church offers Lenten-based activities for adults and children around 40 days of gratitude.
The 40 Days of Gratitude Lenten Journal
The 40 Days of Gratitude Lenten Journal is designed for at-home use for adults to deepen their spiritual practice of gratitude during Lent. Each week, it will focus on practicing gratitude for a specific topic based on scripture. The recommendation is to print it out double-sided and stapling it on the long edge, so that it functions as a book.
Lenten gratitude lessons for children
Lent is a great time to focus on gratitude because it is a season of the church year that asks us to reflect on what God has done and is doing in our lives. UTO’s Lenten resources for children include an introductory lesson about gratitude, a craft for the 40 days of Lent, and a closing lesson. There are two versions – one designed for use at home, and the other designed for use by Faith Formation leaders.
Gratitude Resources
Gracious God, source of all creation, all love, all true joy: accept we pray these outward signs of our profound and continuing thankfulness for all of life. Keep each of us ever thankful for all the blessings of joy and challenge that come our way. Bless those who will benefit from these gifts through the outreach of the United Thank Offering. This we ask through Him who is the greatest gift and blessing of all, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The UTO has created a vast collection of resources to encourage gratitude throughout The Episcopal Church and beyond. Find these digital resources on Gratitude Resources.
United Thank Offering
The United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through UTO, individuals are invited to embrace and deepen a personal daily spiritual discipline of gratitude. UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for those blessings and make an offering for each blessing using a UTO Blue Box. UTO is entrusted to receive the offerings, and to distribute the 100% of what is collected to support innovative mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal Church and Provinces of the Anglican Communion.
Church of the Redeemer
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
In this first episode of season 4 of Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community, we speak with Episcopalians committed to the Beloved Community about the texts for Ash Wednesday. The texts covered in this episode are Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 103, and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21. Our guests this week are the following:
The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining, rector of St. Christopher’s Church in Gladwyne, Diocese of Pennsylvania, and creator of The Hive online spirituality and wellness digital community.
The Rev. Canon Lydia Bucklin, from Marquette, Michigan, and Canon to the Ordinary for Discipleship and Vitality with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan. She is also the director of the Mutual Ministry Initiative at Virginia Theological Seminary.
Sr. Madeliene Mary, prioress at the Community of St. Mary, Southern Province and a religious for 51 years. She is a spiritual director and helps people explore the connections between faith, care for creation, and Benedictine spirituality.
Prophetic Voices is hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, The Episcopal Church’s staff officer for Racial Reconciliation. For more information visit Becoming Beloved Community.
Find the episode online or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community
Across our church and our society, we are having profound dialogues about race, truth, justice, and healing. Coming this Advent, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community explores where that dialogue intersects with our faith. Join us and our invited guests as we share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice.
You’ll hear ancient texts interpreted in new ways, find fodder for preaching and teaching, and make present day connections to the prophetic voices of the Bible. This podcast will help us rethink how we hear, see, and interact with the lectionary readings, refocusing from the rush of the Christmas season to the voice crying out in the wilderness.
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
Ash Wednesday is just a few weeks away, falling on March 2, 2022. Episcopal Relief & Development’s 2022 Lenten Meditations will focus on the close to 3 million people whose lives are transformed by our work and the work of our partners each year.
The 2022 Lenten Meditations are organized into the following areas:
We hope that the 2022 Lenten Meditations will help you to seek and serve Christ in the world’s most vulnerable. May we continue to work together for lasting change.
Episcopal Relief & Development
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” — Matthew 25:40 (NRSV, extracted from our mandate 25:37-40)
For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.
We take our mandate from the words of Jesus, found in Matthew 25:37-40, that call us to feed the hungry, care for the sick and welcome the stranger.
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The devotion known as the Way of the Cross is an adaptation to local usage of a custom widely observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem: the offering of prayer at a series of places in that city traditionally associated with our Lord’s passion and death.
This version is taken primarily from the Book of Occasional Services 2018 of the Episcopal Church. Verses from the hymn “At the cross her station keeping” are added for optional use each station.
This presentation is meant for a simple, quiet devotion. Others may prefer other versions, including the multimedia version of the stations offered by Building Faith at Virginia Theological Seminary, based on the same Book of Occasional Services service used here. There are other versions, such as the Everyone’s Way of the Cross.
This may be used for personal devotions or by a group of people.
If used by a group, the presider at the service, whether clerical or lay, customarily leads the opening versicle at each station and reads the concluding collect (prayer). The readings (and the versicles and responses which follow) are appropriately assigned to other persons. Others in a group also say the text in italics, unless otherwise noted.
The pictures for each station used is from the set of Stations of the Cross used at Church of the Redeemer. The header image is of the Cross icon at Church of the Redeemer. The Christus Rex (Jesus wearing priestly garb on the Cross) is in the chapel at Redeemer. The outdoor cross is in the Memorial Garden.
Opening Devotions
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
¶ Presider and People:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
V. We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ:
R. In whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection.
Let us pray. (Silence)
Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Station: Jesus is condemned to death
At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And they all condemned him and said, “He deserves to die.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. Then he handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.
V. God did not spare his own Son:
R. But delivered him up for us all.
Let us pray. (Silence)
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Second Station: Jesus takes up his Cross
Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, All his bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword has passed.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Jesus went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter; and like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.
V. The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all:
R. For the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Let us pray. (Silence)
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Third Station: Jesus falls the first time
Oh, how sad and sore distressed Was that Mother highly blest Of the sole begotten One!
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped; but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in human likeness. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is the Lord our God.
V. Surely he has borne our griefs:
R. And carried our sorrows.
Let us pray. (Silence)
O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Fourth Station: Jesus meets his afflicted mother
Christ above in torment hangs; She beneath beholds the pangs Of her dying, glorious Son.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
To what can I liken you, to what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What likeness can I use to comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? For vast as the sea is your ruin. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.
V. A sword will pierce your own soul also:
R. And fill your heart with bitter pain.
Let us pray. (Silence)
O God, who willed that in the passion of your Son a sword of grief should pierce the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary his mother: Mercifully grant that your Church, having shared with her in his passion, may be made worthy to share in the joys of his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us.
Fifth Station: The Cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene
Is there one who would not weep, ‘Whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
As they led Jesus away, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross to carry it behind Jesus. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
V. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me:
R. Cannot be my disciple.
Let us pray. (Silence)
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Sixth Station: A woman wipes the face of Jesus
Can the human heart refrain From partaking in her pain, In that Mother’s pain untold?
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
We have seen him without beauty or majesty, with no looks to attract our eyes. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not. His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of men. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.
V. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts:
R. Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Let us pray. (Silence)
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Seventh Station: Jesus falls a second time
Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, She beheld her tender Child, All with bloody scourges rent.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. For the transgression of my people was he stricken.
V. But as for me, I am a worm and no man:
R. Scorned by all and despised by the people.
Let us pray. (Silence)
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
For the sins of his own nation, Saw him hang in desolation Till his spirit forth he sent.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
There followed after Jesus a great multitude of the people, and among them were women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
V. Those who sowed with tears:
R. Will reap with songs of joy.
Let us pray. (Silence)
Teach your Church, O Lord, to mourn the sins of which it is guilty, and to repent and forsake them; that, by your pardoning grace, the results of our iniquities may not be visited upon our children and our children’s children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Ninth Station: Jesus falls a third time
O sweet Mother! fount of love, Touch my spirit from above, Make my heart with yours accord.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light. He has besieged me and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago. Though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes. “Remember, O Lord, my affliction and bitterness, the wormwood and the gall!”
V. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter:
R. And like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth.
Let us pray. (Silence)
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of his garments
Make me feel as you have felt; Make my soul to glow and melt With the love of Christ, my Lord.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And they divided his garments among them by casting lots. This was to fulfill the scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.”
V. They gave me gall to eat:
R. And when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
Let us pray. (Silence)
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the Cross
Holy Mother, pierce me through, In my heart each wound renew Of my Savior crucified.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him; and with him they crucified two criminals, one on the right, the other on the left, and Jesus between them. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was numbered with the transgressors.”
V. They pierce my hands and my feet:
R. They stare and gloat over me.
Let us pray. (Silence)
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the Cross
Let me share with you his pain, Who for all our sins was slain, Who for me in torments died.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” And then, crying with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And he bowed his head, and handed over his spirit.
V. Christ for us became obedient unto death:
R. Even death on a cross.
Let us pray. (Silence)
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Thirteenth Station: The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother
Let me mingle tears with thee, Mourning him who mourned for me, All the days that I may live:
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
All you who pass by, behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. My eyes are spent with weeping; my soul is in tumult; my heart is poured out in grief because of the downfall of my people. “Do not call me Naomi (which means Pleasant), call me Mara (which means Bitter); for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”
V. Her tears run down her cheeks:
R. And she has none to comfort her.
Let us pray. (Silence)
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
By the cross with you to stay, There with you to weep and pray, This I ask of you to give.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb.
V. You will not abandon me to the grave:
R. Nor let your holy One see corruption.
Let us pray. (Silence)
O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden, and rested on the Sabbath day: Grant that we who have been buried with him in the waters of baptism may find our perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Concluding Prayers
Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us: Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech you, O Lord.
Let us pray. (Silence)
We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
To Christ our Lord who loves us, and washed us in his own blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world around us. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
