beloved community

In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the “beloved community” with Dr. Charles Montgomery. Framing a theological case for reconciliation, Dr. Montgomery describes the spectrum from denial to polarization to minimization to acceptance to adaptation, in which we move from a monocultural mindset to a Kingdom-oriented interculturalism. This, he asserts, is simply a part of discipleship. Besides being a pastor, spiritual director, and diversity consultant, Dr. Montgomery’s rich background includes a B.A. in Mathematics from Morehouse, a Master of Divinity from Emory University and a PhD in Ethical and Creative Leadership from Union Institute University.

The Elemental Leaders Podcast is designed to help you become more effective in your leadership!

From inspiring stories to practical tips and strategies, we explore various aspects of church leadership and provide insights that you can apply in your own life and work. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, our podcast offers valuable information and resources to help you achieve your goals and lead with confidence.

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Tinasha LaRayé is an actor, poet, pastor, activist and a powerful force of goodness in this world. She joins the Tent to kick off our first episode in a new series on Love.

Has anything we make been interesting, useful or fruitful for you? You can support us by becoming a Fellow Traveller on our Patreon page HERE.

To walk with God is to believe what God says about you on your best day and your worst day. In the bible, Jesus shares a story of two men. One man that had done very well goes into God's house and puts himself in the center.  And the other man brings his sin and shame to God calling himself unworthy. Jesus says the sinner is justified.

In this episode, Melissa has a conversation with Bishop Wright about what it takes to follow God. That we are beloved and that living out belovedness is what we are call to do if we really want to follow Jesus of Nazareth. They discuss self-centeredness and other-centeredness. Listen in for the full conversation. 

Before listening, read For Faith.

After a six-week break, Ken welcomes back Betsey Newenhuyse for their regular Beach Talk. Betsey first shares her response to Ken's summer series - TRUTH QUEST. She notes that she felt as though she had been invited into Dr. Martin Luther King's "Beloved Community." They reflect on the beginnings of their podcast conversations, nearly two years ago. When they last met in July 2022, things were looking grim as the mid-term elections approached - both the House and the Senate looked as though they would flip. But the tide appears to be turning. The Dobbs v Jackson decision by the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade triggered a backlash against a partisan court. The legal woes mount for the former President (Mar A Lago search warrant and more) who is also the presumed leader of his party. Legislative advances for climate change, student debt, health care, and infrastructure seem to be turning the nation toward optimism as inflation flattens, housing costs level off, and gas prices drop. Betsey shares her plan of action as election day approaches and the two compare notes on the joys of grandparenthood.

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In this episode of a Brave Space Podcast, Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing and podcast host, Chelsi Glascoe concludes Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month by reviewing the powerful program, Celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander month program (Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed1BWYsYwIk&t=3013s). 

This recap inspired conversation and deep reflection on the power of racial groups uniting together. Dr. Martin Luther King said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” 

What causes racial groups to fight alone? Does working together dilute individual cultural distinctiveness? What is the change of heart, mind, and effort required to live braver and become healed? Tune in to discover such wisdom now!

In our last episode "The Black Woman From the Lens of a Black Man with Special Guest Bishop Rob Wright" we were empowered by Bishop Wright's narrative of the Black woman and recognized the refreshing impact their lives have on others. The question after the podcast however was, why was this type of conversation so rare?

In this episode, we're expounding on how the presence or lack of affirmation from African-American men affects African-American women. We'll also identify a few social and historical barriers for this type of positive dialogue and discuss how we can bravely honor one another and heal.

As always, thanks for inviting and being a part of our brave space. If after the podcast, you are interested to learn more about us, visit centerforracialhealing.org.

If you would like to receive information about upcoming programs, the work of the Center, and other helpful resources directly to your inbox, sign-up for our weekly newsletter here: shorturl.at/bcCUY

"...Dr. Catherine Meeks is the most courageous person I know...". That's from your producer, Easton Davis. 

In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Dr. Meeks. She shares her own story of personal memoir, purpose, the work of racial healing, and her recent award: The President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Volunteer Service Award medal. Specifically to the work of racial healing, they talk of how The Gospel points us in the direction of this important work and beloved community.

Dr. Meeks will be preaching and teaching at the National Cathedral, this Sunday and Monday, May 22-23. 

Watch her preach this Sunday at The National Cathedral: https://cathedral.org/

Read about her award: https://episcopalatlanta.org/news/presaward/

Learn more about the Center for Racial Healing: https://www.centerforracialhealing.org/

This episode is in response to the recent hate crime and killing of ten black people in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York that took place on May 14, 2022. 

In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright reflect on a speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Cornell College in Iowa on October 15, 1962. A lecture in which Dr. King addresses the hate we have for one another. A hate because of fear. A fear because we don't know one another. Not knowing one another because we fail to communicate. Failing to communicate because we are separated. These are tough conversations, and we invite you to both listen, share, and be in conversation with people about these very things. Because these are hard but holy conversations. 

In this episode, Chelsi and Dr. Meeks have the honor of hosting our special guest, Bishop Rob Wright. He is the first African American to be elected as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, serving from October 2012 to the present. Tune in to hear his narrative of the Black woman and how it influences his relationships with his family and beyond. This dynamic conversation will give you hope and guidance on how to restore the respect, love, and honor in your life and relationships.

As always, thanks for inviting and being a part of our brave space. If after the podcast, you are interested to learn more about us, visit centerforracialhealing.org.

If you would like to receive information about upcoming programs, the work of the Center, and other helpful resources directly to your inbox, sign-up for our weekly newsletter here: shorturl.at/bcCUY

The Black Family has been heavily impacted over centuries from rape, reconstruction, the great migration, the prison industrial complex, and so many other factors - most notably impacting black women. Did you know more than 70% of black women are unmarried? But why?

In this episode, Chelsi and Dr. Meeks discuss the black woman and how falsehoods have infiltrated the culture surrounding black women. They break down how we dismantle these bad narratives and take back the black woman as a powerful woman of our society.

As always, thanks for inviting and being a part of our brave space. If after the podcast, you are interested to learn more about us, visit centerforracialhealing.org.

If you would like to receive information about upcoming programs, the work of the Center, and other helpful resources directly to your inbox, sign-up for our weekly newsletter here: shorturl.at/bcCUY

A simple definition of trauma is "anything that happened, that was not supposed to happen." In this episode, we'll be discussing racialized trauma which deserves an in-depth definition and discussion. In this episode you will learn: 

• What is racialized trauma?
• How do people respond to racialized trauma? What are a few examples?
• How do we become aware of our own racialized traumas?
• How to be brave and become well after the awareness of racialized traumas?

As always, thanks for inviting and being a part of our brave space. If after the podcast, you are interested to learn more about us, visit centerforracialhealing.org.

If you would like to receive information about upcoming programs, the work of the Center, and other helpful resources directly to your inbox, sign-up for our weekly newsletter here: shorturl.at/bcCUY

In this episode, Dr. Meeks and host, Chelsi Glascoe reflect and celebrate the past four years of The Center for Racial Healing. Tune in to hear the following: 

• Highlights of the major accomplishments and benchmark goals reached
• The evolvement of the Center over time and how we rose above all adversity, namely Covid-19
• Our strategy, plans, focus, and endeavors for 2022

As always, thanks for inviting and being a part of our brave space. If after the podcast, you are interested to learn more about us, visit centerforracialhealing.org. 

If you would like to receive information about upcoming programs, the work of the Center, and other helpful resources directly to your inbox, sign-up for our weekly newsletter: shorturl.at/bcCUY

In this podcast episode, we are continuing our series on "Women of First." Tune in to meet  The Rt. Rev. Diana D. Akiyama. The Rt. Rev. Diana D. Akiyama was the first Japanese-American woman ordained to the Episcopal priesthood, and she is the first Asian-American woman consecrated bishop in The Episcopal Church. Additionally, she is the first bishop to be consecrated at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in over a century. A trailblazer for sure. Join the conversation with Dr. Meeks and host, Chelsi Glascoe, as we learn and glean from Rev. Diana's brave journey. 

In this season of A Brave Space Podcast with Dr. Meeks, we’re celebrating Women of First featuring trailblazers who are leading a new wave of change. Tune into the brave conversations centered on each womans’ personal story, purpose, and plan. 

We encourage you to consider how the shared wisdom is relevant in your life and how it can be implemented in your respective community to create a brave space for everyone.

Our first "Women of First" is the esteemed Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows. A native of New York City, she is the first black woman to be elected a diocesan bishop in the Episcopal Church and serves the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis.

Press play to listen and learn about Bishop Jennifer’s journey and defining moments that led her to break the mold and forge forward.  

The conversation continues with The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe about courage in the church. Dr. Dede Duncan-Probe is the 11th Bishop of Central New York and serves as a thought leader in building up sustainable ministry, encouraging people in their service of God, and sharing the vibrant love of Jesus by organizing and implementing healthy church systems. Tune in to learn how Dr. Dede authentically navigates relationships with self, God, the Church, and God's people with the bravery necessary to be honest, uproot, and build. To enjoy the full scope of the conversation, be sure to listen to Part I first. 

In this episode of the Brave Space Podcast with Dr. Meeks we discuss courage in the church as we aim to discover new ways to do the work of racial healing in our ever-changing world. Who better to enlighten this conversation than The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe? Dr. Dede Duncan-Probe is a thought leader in building up sustainable ministry, encouraging people in their service of God, and sharing the vibrant love of Jesus by organizing and implementing healthy church systems. Join the conversation and stay tuned for Part 2. 

The Center for Racial Healing serves as a brave space where people can tell the truth.

In Part 2 of Barbara Brown "Brave" Taylor, we continue the conversation with our special guest on the topic of bravery, how it is linked to wellness, and the ways in which wellness involves community. Listen in to connect the dots and learn Barbara Brown Taylors’ definition of wellness, how wellness affects the way we listen, learn, and receive others, and the vital role of beloved community in our journey.

Barbara Brown Taylor is a best-selling author, teacher, and Episcopal priest.  Her first memoir, Leaving Church, won an Author of the Year award from the Georgia Writers Association in 2006.  Her next three books earned places on the New York Times bestseller list.  Taylor has served on the faculties of Piedmont College, Emory University, Mercer University, Columbia Seminary, Oblate School of Theology, and the Certificate in Theological Studies program at Arrendale State Prison for Women in Alto, Georgia. Her latest book, Always a Guest, was released in October 2020 from Westminster John Knox Press.

The Center for Racial Healing serves as a brave space where people can tell the truth.

In this episode, Dr. Meeks and Chelsi gather to host a special guest, Barbara Brown Taylor,  a best-selling author, teacher, and Episcopal priest. In this 2-part episode, we will discuss Barbara Brown Taylors’ journey, audacity to leave the church for a life in academia, and courage to spread the love of Christ without limitations. Our conversation explores the following questions: “What does it mean to be brave?” And, “What is the cost of bravery?”

Barbara Brown Taylor is a best-selling author, teacher, and Episcopal priest.  Her first memoir, Leaving Church, won an Author of the Year award from the Georgia Writers Association in 2006.  Her next three books earned places on the New York Times bestseller list.  Taylor has served on the faculties of Piedmont College, Emory University, Mercer University, Columbia Seminary, Oblate School of Theology, and the Certificate in Theological Studies program at Arrendale State Prison for Women in Alto, Georgia. Her latest book, Always a Guest, was released in October 2020 from Westminster John Knox Press.

In this episode, Dr. Meeks and Chelsi continue the enriching conversation with The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers about the African-American woman’s journey to liberation and what it teaches us about self-care, beloved community and wellness. 

Canon Stephanie serves on the Presiding Bishop’s Staff as the Canon for Evangelism, Racial Reconciliation, and Creation Care and is the author of a groundbreaking book, "The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community."

Get your copy of "The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community" at Church Publishing.