Emmaus Way Podcast

In which our Fall series on our community vows continues. This week we look at our vow to pursue simplicity and sustainability. We ask ourselves, "how does fear prevent us from living out this vow?" Music is by Sus Long and Alex Treyz, and includes songs by The Byrds, Gregory Alan Izakov, Connor Oberst, and others.

In which Tim continues our series on fear by pointing towards our community vow "to foster proximity and mutuality." Questions arise from this intersection such as: How does fear operate in our lives to keep us apart from one another? How is fostering nearness and interdependence counter-cultural? Music features an original by Anne-Claire, who joins us for the first time this week, as well as songs by Tom Petty, Anais Mitchell, Alanis Morrisette, and Foo Fighters.

In which Molly leads a dialogue about the first vow of our "Minister's Liturgy," a series of vows or promises that many of us take to indicate our intent to live in beloved community together. This first vow is "to imitate Christ in thought, word, deed, and affection." This promise is explored in light of our framing question for the series, "what would we do if we were not afraid?" Music is by Mark, and features songs by Rebekka Karijord, Rich Mullins, Mark Heard, Ben Kyle, and John Mayer.

In which Molly launches our Fall series on fear, with the prompting question, "What would we do if we weren't afraid?" Our text is from the story of Moses being discovered as an infant by the Pharaoh's daughter. We also say farewell to the Rens family. Music is brought to you by Mark and Casey, and includes songs by Over the Rhine, Jason Harrod, Steven Foster, Julie Miller, and a traditional tune.

In which the community of Emmaus Way looks forward in hope and thanksgiving. Part of this is hosting an extended time of community reflection. Music includes songs by Alice Gerrard, Sam Phillips, Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, and Brian Wilson.

In our final night as a community meeting in the Reality Center in Durham, NC, we ask ourselves the following four questions: 1. How do we want to enter our new space? 2. How might we enter that space well? 3. How do we want space to impact who/what we are? 4. What kind of space do we want to be? Musically, Mark leads us in two longstanding Emmaus Way favorites: "Mission of My Soul," by Peter Himmelman, and "Peace," by Rich Mullins.

In which Tim leads us through our penultimate gathering at the Reality Center to dialog about geography. What does it mean to publicly meet where we do? What kinds of dialog might arise in one location versus another? How might our eyes see differently based upon where we locate ourselves geographically?

In which Molly closes out our sereis on "Alchemy" by examining "wind" (or perhaps "spirit"). Wind may be the most elusive of all the elements we've discussed this summer, and it lends itself to a fascinating dialogue. Sus Long offers up music by Hiss Golden Messenger, Gregory Alan Isakov, Bob Dylan, and two hymns (Holy, Holy, Holy and Breathe On Me, Breath of God).

In which Rhody leads us through a conversation on "stone," or "rock." What do we associate with "stone"? Hardness, coldness, inflexibility? Or maybe strength, safety, and an ability to endure? Music includes meditations on rock and stone such as Jimmy Webb's "If These Walls Could Speak," Buddy and Julie Miller's "Chalk," and Ingrid Michaelson's "Turn To Stone."

In which Molly continues our summer series on "alchemy" by looking at one of the most pervasive, and yet overlooked, elements in our Western world: dirt. What worlds are contained in a handful of dirt? Featured are poems by Jan Richardson and Walt Whitman, and readings from Wendell Berry and Lindsey Naylor. Music is brought by Rhody Mastin, and includes songs by Tom Waits and Sara Watkins.

In which we continue our summer series by looking at the element of water. How do we see the role and power of water played out in Scripture? What does our dependence on water suggest? Tim Carless brings a setlist centered around these themes, as well, with songs by Van Morrison, Kevin Ayers, Jimmy Cliff, Mark Knopfler, and an original Mr. Carless composed for a German TV show 20 years ago!

In which Rody explores the meaning and usage of bread in human culture. What are our associations with bread? When is bread used in the life of the church? How are our understandings of bread influenced by Western culture? Music is brought to you by Sus Long and Alex Treyz of the band Hardworker, and features a song by Kris Kristofferson, a poetic reframing of The Lord's Prayer by George Ella Lyon, an old Union song, an original, and others.

In which Molly leads us through a dialogue on "light." What do we associate with light? Hope? Being burnt? Truth? Mark explores these themes and others through a setlist comprising of Ben Harper, Bruce Cockburn, Pierce Pettis, The Smiths, Ashley Cleveland, and Indio.

In which our summer series of finding a present spirituality within the physical, day-to-day world continues, with Ben Haas facilitating a discussion around salt. Tim Carless brings songs by Julian Lennon, Mark Knopfler, the Rolling Stones, and an original composed especially for tonight: "Gomorrah Never Knows."

In which Tim continues our summer series on "alchemy," looking at the element of fire. What role has fire played in the development of cutures? How do we experience fire today? How did the ancients experience it? Musically, Mark leads us through a song cycle examining fire from many angles, to imagine together what themes emerge about fire.

In which Tim launches our Summer series, introducing us to ideas around incorporating the physical (created) realm into our understanding of spirituality. This week, Tim looks at the Creation story and asks us to imagine the layers of meaning inherent in the account.

In which Sus Long and Danny Nowell of the band Hardworker share with us a project they have undertaken for the past year with Duke Divinity, whereby they have held songwriting "classes" with women in a local prison, empowering the women to tell their own stories through song. On this night at Emmaus Way, Sus and Danny share some of the songs these women have written.

In which Molly closes out our series on "Realized Resurrection" by posing the question, "What might 'mission' look like in a world of realized resurrection?" In other words, where do we see God at work, despite the horrors of our world?

In which Tim takes a step back to explore how we might address the reality of suffering in the midst of "realized resurrection." In other words, the resurrection and birth of a new kingdom has begun, so why do we still experience suffering and sorrow? Mark leads us in music with meditations by Alice Gerrard, Sufjan Stevens, Kate Rusby, R.E.M., Vigilantes of Love, and Mark Heard.

In which Molly asks the question, "What might the spiritual disciplines of an Easter people look like?" Mark leads us with music by Jann Arden, Pierce Pettis, Ben Kyle, and others.