Emmaus Way Podcast

In which we join Jesus in the Nazareth kickoff to his ministry (Luke 4:14-30), and look at the complexities of kinship upon returning home. Molly invites us into the truth captured by theologian Catherine Keller: “We are indelibly marked by our past…we do not exist outside of our relationships. We become who we are only in relation: we are network creatures.” And also, into the angst of reclaiming kinship when kinship among longtime network relationships requires speaking truth that doesn't want be heard. What does reclaiming kinship look like when lived inside this tension? Adam Barnard joins us once again, this time with music by Willie Nelson, Joe Pug, Brandi Carlisle, and David Karsten Daniels.

In which we continue an Epiphany series on kinship, and dialogue on why reclaiming kinship feels so challenging. Molly invites us to consider Martin Luther King’s legacy, and reflect on why some (or all) struggle to believe King’s that “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” We also hold that against Jesus’ first miracle (John 2:1-12), wondering together what dynamics of the Wedding at Cana might invite us into as a people reclaiming kinship. Adam Barnard and friends contribute songs by Andy Schauf, Hiss Golden Messenger, The Band, and J. Tillman.

In which we delve further into our Epiphany series on Gospel texts revealing Jesus' identity as Immanuel, God with us. Molly invites us into the story of Jesus' baptism in Luke 3, and asks where we feel akin (or not) to this text. And also, how a God in human form confronts and informs our ways of being in kinship. Our own Neal Curran contributes music from his band Infielder, alongside selections from Randy Newman, Iron and Wine, and Tom Waits.

In which we begin our walk through Epiphany—the festival of the revelation of Jesus—alongside gospel texts that reflect on Jesus’ identity as Immanuel, God with us. beginning with the revelation of the great star that the Magi followed. Molly leads us in dialogue around the Magi in Matthew 2, and we consider what epiphanies might be arising in our lives. What guiding stars are pointing us toward God's divine presence—a presence continually a deeper, more expansive kinship with all and for all?

In which old Eway friend (and long-time Director of Religious Coalition for a nonviolent Durham) Marcia Owen stops in to speak into Bearing Witness amidst violence. We ask ourselves what it means to be faithful within the growing normalcy of mass violence in our public spaces. Grappling with our own fear and lament, how do we walk faithfully among neighbors for whom public violence has long been a daily reality?

In which Rhody narrates her own decision to bear witness to, and sustain kinship with, the kids of Emmaus Way. Drawing on her experience growing up in a wonderful congregation in Virginia, Rhody guides us into conversation on what it means to bear witness across generational and familial lines within our church. We read the Lukan genealogy of Jesus (one of the frame texts for the kids’ Advent curriculum) and dialogue around the assumption it makes that we are givers and receivers of faith in a long, storied, and particular narrative context.

In which our long-time friend Tim Carless helps guide us into a conversation on Bearing Witness amidst our own considerable unknowing. After so much exposure to confident speaking about/for God, what different space might a posture of unknowing open for encountering God in our world? Ben guides a conversation in dialogue with pieces of Tim's life and creative work, as well as selections from Elvis Costello and poetry of William Blake.

In which Emmaus Way ordains Ben Haas as pastor in this congregation and gospel minister in our Durham community. The ten voices of Ben's ordination circle—comprised of fellow travelers from Emmaus Way and Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham—share why they've come supporting Ben. Adam Barnard and friends contribute musical selections from the "Eway canon," including Steve Earle, Mary Gauthier, Lucinda Williams, Sandra McCracken, and Sara Watkins.

In which Tim Conder returns(!) to engage us in dialogue around Bearing Witness and fictive kinship. Looking at the story of the Good Samaritan, we consider the role of kinship beyond familial ties and ask what it means to embody generous challenge and unyielding graciousness in this time and place. Adam Barnard contributes musical material from Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris, Hiss Golden Messenger, Margaret Glaspy, and Nick Cave.

In which Molly reflects on Bearing Witness to and within broken, frail bodies that may never be "healed." We take a look at Luke 13: 10-17, wrestle a bit with healing narratives, and wondering together if wholeness can in fact come without healing. What might it mean to witness to such a wholeness—however frail? Sus Long and friends lend one of her originals alongside selections by Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, Indigo Girls, and Iron & Wine.

In which our own Marie Curran reads and reflects from her essay "Kara, I Was Animal." As we start a new series on enfleshed examples of Bearing Witness, Reclaiming Kinship, Marie's work prompts us to consider bearing witness (or failing to) across socioeconomic lines, art's role in that redemptive possibility, and a where the gospel happens when if it's not happening to us. Neal Curran adds musical reflections Wesley Randolph Eader and Tom Waits.

In which we reflect on two months of Bearing Witness to tables as places of unexpected relationship, deep emotion, realized kindness, and interrupted assumptions. Which of these table encounters seem most comfortable to us? Which would we prefer to avoid?

In which Molly's asks us to consider what's most challenging about a Jesus who flips tables (in Matthew 21). Is it the idea of an upturned economic system, or that Jesus seems to be trying to save the people gathered from themselves? What kind of witness and kinship is this table encounter inviting us into? Adam Barnard contributes musical pieces from David Bazan, The Welcome Wagon, Josh Tillman, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan.

In which we consider Bearing Witness to tables as a place of realized kindness. Ben follows last week's story of Saul, Jonathan, and David into 2 Samuel 9, wherein David seeks out Saul/Jonathan's last surviving relative Mephibosheth. We ask ourselves about the difference in niceness and kindness, and how to embrace the latter amid the worst of what we've done to each other. Sus Long leads a musical set comprised of Lucinda Williams, Britt Daniel, Sturgill Simpson, Jill Jackson Miller, and The Eagles (of all people).

In which we consider Bearing Witness to tables as spaces of deep, powerful emotions. Molly engages us in dialogue on the story of Saul, Jonathan, and David from I Samuel 20, where a common table serves as setting for violent emotional clashes of power, jealousy, family, and friendship. Tim Carless contributes his own musical selections alongside others from Bob Dylan, Nick Lowe, and Loudon Wainwright III.

In which we continue our Bearing Witness, Reclaiming Kinship theme into a table of unexpected encounter. Molly engages us in dialogue on the woman anointing Jesus in Luke 7, and tables as spaces that break open our limited expectations. New musical friend Adam Barnard brings selections from Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux, The Velvet Underground, Phosphorescent, and Gregory Alan Isakov.

In which Molly invites us into the possibilities of our year-long community focus on Bearing Witness, Reclaiming Kinship. What would it look like to meet the angst of our present moment, as Father Gregory Boyle prompts, by "lifting each other out of our languishing isolation and rekindling a determination to show up"? What would it mean to "show up" with our broken selves in a broken world and simply bear witness: to God, to the Gospel, to our neighbor, to one another, to injustice, to love, to light, to hardship, to joy? Sus Long helps kick off the year with one original selection alongside songs by John Prine, David Bazan, The Elected, and Rich Mullins.

In which Tim offers his final dialogue on staff at Emmaus Way, in the form of a love letter to the community and 13 years of beautifully scrappy relationality. Sus Long sets the musical backdrop, with selections by Over the Rhine, Conor Oberst, and Patty Griffin.

In which Tim continues his closing weeks on staff at Emmaus Way with an intellectual history of ideas that defined our growth as a community. Music is from Jeff Crawford, and features one original alongside selections from U2, Sara Groves, Birdtalker, and Roman Candle.

In which we interrupt our weekly Sunday rhythm to make communal time to pause, pray, reflect, and claim hope for our dear friends Mark, Katrina, and Søren Williams.