The Green Lectionary Podcast

Easter (John 20:1-18) with Rev. Dr. Xavier Johnson

Our gues for this episode is Rev. Dr. Xavier Johnson. Dr. Johnson teaches in the areas of homiletics and Black Church studies at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His research interests converge at the intersection of clergy leadership, black religion, social justice, and preaching. He is also the homiletician-in-residence for the EcoPreacher program hosted by Creation Justice Ministries in partnership with Lexington Theological Center in Kentucky and The BTS Center in Portland, ME. 

Maundy Thursday (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)

My guest is Rev. Hugh Hollowell. Hugh is the author of the new book "Food isLove". He is a writer, community organizer, and pastor of Open Door Mennonite Church. 

Palm Sunday (Matt. 21:1-11)

We are joined by Rev. Caleb Cray Haynes. Caleb is a board member of Creation Justice ministries, a co-founder of Nazarenes for Creation Care, host of the Eco_Christian Podcast and author of newly released book "Earthbound Christian: Flourishing Within Limits in an Age of Infinite Growth" 

"A Messy Christmas", Advent 4 (Matt. 1:18-25)

We are joined by Revs. Jonah Overton and Josh Scott. 
https://www.zaomke.org/
https://www.gracepointe.net/

Advent 3, "Resist with Joy" (Isaiah 35:1-10)

We are joined on this episode by Rabbi Yonatan Neril. 
Rabbi Yonatan Neril founded and directs the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, which reveals the connection between religion and ecology and mobilizes faith communities to act on climate change. In 2024 Yonatan co-organized a faith and ecology video campaign with Nas Daily, which received nine million views. He authored the bestselling book Eco Bible: An Ecological Commentary on the Hebrew Bible. He speaks internationally on religion and ecology, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos, multiple UN climate conferences, and the Parliament of World Religions. In December 2023 he initiated and co-organized the first-ever Faith Pavilion at a UN climate conference (COP28 in Dubai), which included 70 sessions with 325 speakers. Yonatan has also co-organized twelve interfaith environmental conferences in the U.S. and Israel. Yonatan is a member of the World Economic Forum's Faith In Action working group. Raised in California, Yonatan completed his M.A. and B.A. from Stanford University where he conducted research on renewable energy in India, and on genetically modified corn in Mexico. He received rabbinical ordination in Israel and lives with his wife, Shana, and their two children in Jerusalem. He enjoys hiking and being in nature.

"Lions, Lambs, and a Moral Economy" (Isaiah 11:1-10)

In this episode we are joined by Cr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda. 
 
Check out the first two books of the "Building a Moral Economy" series and the online toolkits that accompany the series at https://www.buildingamoraleconomy.org/. 
 
1. How have you read Isaiah 11 in the past? Have you ever considered where creation is in the text, or how it is acting? 
 
2. Cynthia and Derrick see the earth in verse 9 of Isaiah 11 as both a library and a teacher of God's wisdom. Have you ever considered the earth as a library of wisdom? As a teacher? If so, what have you learned? If not, how do you intend to approach the earth's cache of wisdom?
 
3.. Cynthia mentions that her western audiences can usually identify the injustice of our current economic system, but usually feel there is nothing to be done about it.  What do you think of your nation's economy? What can you observe about your local economy? 
 
4..  Isaiah Chapter 11, introduces a radical image in which Lion and Lamb cease to be predator and prey, and become bosom buddies. How does this image stretch your imagination regarding what is possible? What ways can you imagine your economy, global, naotional, or local,  

"Wide Awake", Advent 1 (Matt. 24:36-44)

Today, my guest is Rev. Dr. Lisa Graumlich. 
 
Rev. Dr. Lisa Graumlich stands at the crossroads of science and spirit in humanity's most critical hour. She champions the urgent need for robust and transparent science in our climate crisis. As a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Ecological Society of America (ESA), and Past President of the American Geophysical Union, she wields decades of climate research to understand our changing planet.
 
Ordained as an Episcopal deacon in 2004 and serving at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Tucson, Arizona, Graumlich bridges the worlds of rigorous science and sacred calling. She is building bridges between faith and reason communities as we forge an equitable, sustainable Earth where all people thrive.
 
Her career dedication to understanding global climate change now serves a sacred mission: awakening both scientific and spiritual communities to our shared responsibility for creation's future."
 
 
 
Discussion questions1. The love of creation is central to conservation. How can formal and informal learning be structured so that it invites people to learn about and engage with creation in ways that strengthen promote empathy and bonds of care between human beings and the more-than-human creation?2. In reference to the passage Matthew 24:36 – 44, the speakers encourage attitudes of watchfulness, awareness of the interconnectedness of creation and preparedness asways of living in these ecologically challenged times. In your context, how do you stay watchful and in what ways can you support collective preparedness?
3. Putting on the armor of light is an act of resistance against overwhelming despair and hopelessness. What thoughts come up for you in regards to creation, considering the level of ecological crisis predicted if people don’t change, as you reflect on how our biblical ancestors ‘put on the armor of light’ in their darkest times?
4. The concept of non-linear (faith based) values stood out as a response to the overwhelming non-linearity of the current ecological crisis. How does the understanding of theologians and faith leaders as pivotal to the healing of the earth affect yourconfidence as a person of faith, and what are the ways faith leaders need to change in order to partner with science and lead in this crucial moment?

"Invest in the Future" (Jeremiah 32:1-3, 6-15)

We are joined by Dr. Garrett Andrew. You can read his writing at www.garrettjandrew.substack.com

"A Grieving God" (Jeremiah 8:18-9:1)

Our guest for this episode is Debra Rienstra, professor of English at Calvin University and author of Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth.

"Stupid Children" (Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28)

In this episode for the second week of the Season of Creation, we are joined by Marqus Cole, Organizing director of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light.