Send us a Text Message.SummaryIn this episode, RomComm takes a spin in the host's chair and welcomes Canon Megan to discuss the upcoming 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church. We explain that the General Convention is both an event and an entity where bishops and deputies come together and to vote on legislation that determines the rules and direction of the church for the next three years. We preview some hot topics that will be addressed at the convention, including canons and constitution amendments, prayer book revisions, and, of course, elections. Throughout our conversation, we emphasize the importance of the convention as a time for prayer, discernment, and the celebration of the church's values and mission. KeywordsEpiscopal Church, General Convention, legislation, governance, prayer, discernment, LGBTQ+ inclusion, disciplinary process, provincesTakeawaysThe General Convention of the Episcopal Church is a gathering of bishops and deputies who vote on legislation that determines the rules and direction of the church for the next three years.The convention addresses a wide range of topics, including canons and constitution amendments, prayer book revisions, policy statements, and the governance of the church.The convention is a time for prayer, discernment, and the celebration of the church's values and mission.Key issues that will be discussed at the convention include LGBTQ+ inclusion, the disciplinary process, and the role of provinces in the church and, of course, the elections in the House of Deputies and of the next presiding bishop will be major moments in the convention.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.SummaryIn this episode, we dig into the idea of building community across difference, rooted in the scripture of 1 Corinthians. We delve into the challenges of unity, the impact of metaphors on our thinking, the dehumanization of others, and the importance of humility and love in our interactions.Keywordscommunity, unity, scripture, metaphors, dehumanization, humility, love, differences, redemptionTakeawaysBuilding community across difference is a challenging but essential aspect of faith Metaphors shape the way we think and interact with others, influencing our perceptions and behaviors.Dehumanizing others is a form of blasphemy, as it denies the inherent value and image of God in every person.Humility and love are foundational to engaging with others, embracing differences, and seeking unity.The message of Christ crucified calls us to love, respect, and honor all people, regardless of differences or disagreements.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.CW: Discussion of suicidal thoughts.SummaryIn this episode, we talk with Teddy and Carson, two recently confirmed teens who share their faith journey and experiences with the Episcopal Church in Central New York. They discuss their baptism, confirmation, and the impact of their faith on their lives. The conversation delves into their personal journeys, inner struggles, and the significance of their commitment to their faith.Keywordsfaith journey, baptism, confirmation, Episcopal Church, personal growth, commitment, inner strugglesTakeawaysThe significance of personal faith journeys and the impact of faith on individual livesThe role of baptism and confirmation in the Episcopal ChurchThe inner struggles and commitment involved in embracing faithThe importance of personal growth and maturity in one's faith journeyAI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.SummaryIn this episode, we explore the changing nature of what it means to be church in today's world. We discuss the beauty and opportunities of adapting to new ways of worship as well as the challenges that come with any change. Through it all, we emphasize the importance of being open to the movement of the Holy Spirit and finding joy in community. Keywordschurch, faith, worship, adaptation, Holy Spirit, community, relevance, transformationTakeawaysThe church must be ever changing and adapting to new ways of worship, community, ministry, and engagement.The importance of finding joy in community and meeting people where they are.The church should strive to be relevant and valuable to the world, engaging with people in meaningful ways.The ongoing transformation and growth of the church.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.SummaryIn this conversation, we enter into the story of Pentecost and explore the importance of meeting people where they are as we proclaim the message of God's faithfulness. What does it mean that the disciples were not trying to "do" anything on the day of Pentecost but were instead caught up in the movement of the Holy Spirit? What is the impact of meeting people where they are and how can we extend an invitation to all come as they are? Our conversation leads us to enter into the tension between tradition and the need to think differently about how God is calling us to speak in the language of the present, a conversation we'll dig into more deeply in our next episode. We end with a call to be a living and relational proclamation of God as we all speak of faith. KeywordsPentecost, speaking in different languages, proclamation, Holy Spirit, meeting people where they are, tradition, thinking differently, living proclamationTakeawaysThe story of Pentecost teaches us the importance of speaking in different languages to proclaim the message of God's faithfulness.The disciples were caught up in the movement of the Holy Spirit and were not trying to do anything.Meeting people where they are and inviting them to come as they are is a powerful way to share the message of Jesus.There is a tension between tradition and the need to think differently about how God is calling us to speak in the language of the present.We are called to be a living and relational proclamation of God, sharing the love of Jesus in our everyday lives.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.In this special episode of Speaking of Faith with Bishop DeDe, RomComm takes the host's mic and has a conversation with Canon Megan Castellan, Adam Eichelberger (our Program Coordinator and Secretary of Convention), and Lay Leader Karen Anderson about diocesan ministry and how it is lived out in the Diocese of Central New York. The guests discuss the practical aspects of diocesan ministry, the role of the diocese in organizing and supporting local churches, and the importance of collaboration and resource-sharing. They also highlight specific ministries within the diocese, such as racial healing, substance use disorder support, pride ministry, and youth engagement through Dungeons and Dragons. The guests emphasize the need for inclusivity, valuing every individual, and creating a beloved community.TakeawaysDiocesan ministry involves organizing and supporting local churches within a geographic region.The diocese helps churches pool resources to do things they cannot do individually.The Diocese of Central New York focuses on creating a world healed by love and aims to live out this vision through various ministries.The diocese encourages creativity, inventiveness, and collaboration in ministry.The diocese values inclusivity and aims to make everyone feel valued and welcome.The diocese is committed to racial healing, substance use disorder support, pride ministry, and youth engagement.The diocese seeks to educate and acknowledge its history, lament for past wrongs, and work towards creating a beloved community.Individuals in the diocese are encouraged to get involved in ministry and can reach out to the diocesan office for support and guidance.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, in the light of the anti-war protests erupting across the diocese and across the country on college campuses, we dig in to what it means to speak of our faith in times of conflict. Bishop DeDe emphasizes the importance of speaking about faith in ways that promote understanding, respect, and healing, rather than further division. The conversation highlights the need to engage with compassion, empathy, and a commitment to justice, acknowledging the complexities of issues and the necessity of listening before speaking. The discussion encourages listeners to consider how they can speak about faith in ways that promote peace, dignity, and solidarity with all people, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.SummaryIn this episode, we speak of our faith by exploring the reality and concept of a calling of faith. We discuss how all of God's people - not just those who take holy orders - have a calling and bust some myths about the idea of a calling.  Having a calling is not about "getting it right," but about being in a relationship with God and growing in faith. Calls are ever-evolving, so we talk about how we always need to be tuned in to the Spirit to see where we're being called next. We conclude with encouragement and a reminder to seek and live out your calling in your community.TakeawaysEveryone has a calling, regardless of whether they are ordained or not.A calling is not about choosing the right occupation, but about being in a relationship with God and growing in faith.Repentance and change are integral parts of the calling journey.Calling is a lifelong pursuit and evolves as we grow in our relationship with God.Living out our calling involves being a source of blessing to those around us.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.CW: Mention of suicidal stateSummaryIn this podcast episode, Bishop DeDe is joined by Kevin and Becky, transgender persons in our diocese, to discuss their experiences, especially as it relates to their church lives. Becky, a priest, shares her journey of transitioning and finding acceptance in her current church, while Kevin talks about the struggles he faced in a non-accepting denomination. They also discuss the impact of legislation on the transgender community, including bathroom laws and restrictions on medical care. The conversation highlights the importance of support and understanding from church communities and the need to respect the dignity of every person, as we've discussed several times on this podcast in the light of our baptismal covenant.TakeawaysThe importance of acceptance and support from church communities for transgender individualsThe impact of legislation on the transgender community, including bathroom laws and restrictions on medical careThe need to respect the dignity of every person, regardless of their gender identityThe role of allies in advocating for transgender rights and educating othersAI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.Summary In this episode, Bishop DeDe and RomComm are joined by the Rev. Canon Megan Castellan, the Canon to the Ordinary for Mission and Formation in the Diocese of Central New York. Together they discuss the “Infinite Dignity,” a document released on April 8 by the Roman Catholic Church. They explore the concept of embracing the dignity of all people and the implications it has for our world and affirm the importance of recognizing the innate value and worth of every human being. However, they also highlight a contradiction in the document's treatment of transgender and genderqueer individuals and assert that that contradiction not only undermines the message of inherent dignity, it further endangers and harms an already-vulnerable community. They emphasize the need for dialogue and understanding in addressing this issue as they assert that followers of Christ are called to engage in dialogue and share our testimonies of how we have seen the Spirit moving and present in the lives of transgender and genderqueer individuals.Read "You are Loved," the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York's written response to "Infinite Dignity."TakeawaysThe document "Infinite Dignity" released by the Roman Catholic Church affirms the inherent value and worth of every human being, but contradicts this message when it comes to transgender individuals.As followers of Jesus, we are called to honor the dignity of others and create a world where their value is upheld.The Episcopal Church welcomes and affirms transgender and genderqueer individuals, recognizing their inherent dignity and the importance of their lived experiences.We are called to engage in dialogue and share our testimonies of how we have seen the Spirit moving and present in the lives of transgender and genderqueer individuals.Our faith is a journey of constant discovery and deep knowing, and we are called to extend love, compassion, and understanding to all people.Keywords: faith, dignity, Roman Catholic Church, transgender, genderqueer, value, worth, embrace, human beings, violence, inequality, poverty, The Episcopal Church, theology, love, compassion, scripture, tradition, reason, LGBTQ+ AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.SummaryIn this episode, Bishop DeDe and RomComm discuss the story of Thomas' encounter with the risen Christ in the Gospel of John. They explore the concept of doubt in faith and how doubt can actually deepen our engagement with our faith. They highlight Thomas' absence when the disciples were gathered in fear and his insistence on physical proof of Jesus' resurrection. They emphasize how the desire for certitude can hinder our spiritual growth. They also discuss the transformative power of doubt and the invitation it offers to explore and experience the mystery of God.Keywordsfaith, doubt, Gospel of John, Thomas, resurrection, certitude, certainty, relationship, transformation, healing, wholenessTakeawaysDoubt is not a sign of weak faith, but rather an invitation to engage more deeply with our faith.The desire for certitude can hinder our spiritual growth and prevent us from fully experiencing the mystery of God.Doubt is a doorway to healing and transformation, as it allows us to question, explore, and be open to new understandings of God.Resurrection is not just an end-of-life reality, but something we can experience in our lives today.Speaking about our faith is an invitation to encounter the mystery of God and share our own transformative experiences.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.SummaryIn this episode, Bishop DeDe discusses the significance of Maundy Thursday and the humanity of Jesus. She explores Jesus' response to fear and anxiety and reads from John chapter 13, which focuses on the washing of the feet. Bishop DeDe emphasizes the moments of sacrifice and suffering in Jesus' life and the hope of resurrection. She also highlights the relatability of Jesus' fear and anxiety and the importance of community and God's presence in times of loss. Bishop DeDe concludes by discussing the significance of foot washing and the importance of honoring our bodies.TakeawaysMaundy Thursday is a time to reflect on the humanity of Jesus and his response to fear and anxiety.Jesus' sacrifice and suffering are central to the Easter narrative and remind us of the hope of resurrection.We can relate to Jesus' fear and anxiety and find comfort in knowing that God is always with us.Foot washing is a symbolic act that represents servitude, inclusion, and healing in our relationships.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, we delve into the complex and often overlooked topic of the Doctrine of Discovery. Join Bishop DeDe and guests Bishop Douglas Lucia of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and Bishop Lee Miller II of the Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as they uncover the historical origins and far-reaching implications of this legal principle founded in previous church teaching, which has profoundly shaped the course of history and continues to impact Indigenous communities worldwide.Our hope is to shed light on this critical aspect of history and its relevance in contemporary issues of social justice, human rights, and reconciliation. Whether you're familiar with the topic or hearing about it for the first time, this episode promises to provoke thought and ignite conversations about the enduring impact of the Doctrine of Discovery. Join us on this journey of understanding and reflection as we confront the past and strive for a more equitable future.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.In this conversation, Bishop DeDe and RomComm discuss the meaning and practices of Lent. They explore the historical and contemporary practices of fasting, prayer, and supplication during Lent and emphasize the importance of living intentionally and facing the fear of imperfection. They also discuss the significance of time and the invitation to live fully and authentically in the time we've been given. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability and courage during Lent and to utilize this season as a time of deep reflection and connection with God. The season of Lent invites us to live beyond fear, embrace vulnerability, and make the most of our time.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.SummaryThis conversation explores the concept of liturgy and its role in leading us to address social issues, particularly the historical and contemporary realities of the slave trade. The episode previews the Province II Slave Trade Lament and Repentance liturgy which we be live on February 14, Ash Wednesday, at 10 a.m. EST. That service aims to lead us to lament and repent for the evils of the slave trade as we follow the journey of Jesus to the Cross through the Stations of the Cross service. The importance of living out one's faith and actively engaging with the world is emphasized. Listeners are invited to participate in the liturgy and find healing and redemption in the journey with Jesus. TakeawaysLiturgy is a way for individuals and communities to worship and engage in a meaningful relationship with God.Addressing social issues and seeking healing and redemption can begin through liturgical practices.Acknowledging the historical and contemporary realities of the slave trade and working to heal the harms cause by it and our individual and societal complicity with it is essential for truth and integrity in living out our faith.Living out one's faith involves actively loving and caring for others, as well as speaking truth and seeking restoration.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:58 Understanding Liturgy02:21 The Importance of Liturgy in Addressing Social Issues03:48 Unspoken Realities and Historical Context05:14 Living Out Our Faith06:11 The Way of the Cross07:10 The Slave Trade Lament Liturgy08:08 Invitation to Participate09:20 Christ's Identification with the Hurting09:59 Living Lives of Joy10:27 Acknowledging Brokenness and Seeking Restoration12:20 Vulnerability and Imperfection in the Liturgy13:08 The Work of Absolution14:01 The Invitation to All15:02 Encountering the Love of God15:44 Closing BlessingAI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.This podcast episode focuses on the need for conversations about addiction and sobriety, particularly in light of a recent incident of driving while intoxicated. Deacon Kay, a bivocational deacon and licensed clinician, shares her insights and experiences in the field of social work. The conversation covers important considerations in discussing substance abuse and addiction, understanding substance abuse as a mental health condition, surprising facts about addiction, harm reduction approaches, warning signs of substance abuse, creating safer spaces in parishes, prevention and managing substance use, and the power of community in supporting those struggling with addiction. The episode concludes with a message of hope and encouragement to seek help and make positive decisions.TakeawaysSubstance abuse should be approached as a mental health condition rather than a moral failing.Harm reduction approaches, such as setting reasonable goals and providing resources, can be effective in supporting individuals in recovery.Warning signs of substance abuse include isolation, changes in behavior or mood, and physical symptoms.Parishes can create safer spaces by hosting support groups and providing resources like Narcan kits.It is important to move away from all-or-nothing thinking and embrace hope, focusing on health-oriented decisions and supporting one another in the journey towards recovery.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.Welcome to Season 2 of Speaking of Faith! In this first quarter of the year, we're focusing on racial healing and we're beginning by focusing locally on our relationships with indigenous peoples. In this first episode, we explore land acknowledgements and how they can do more harm than healing when they happen outside of true relationships. AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.In our final episode of our first season and of 2023, Bishop DeDe talks about how we can create more sacred space to create room for God during this season of Christmastide.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.In this final episode of our Baptismal Covenant series, we explore the last bidding in the Baptismal Covenant: "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?"AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

Send us a Text Message.In our penultimate episode in our Baptismal Covenant Series, we explore the next bidding: "Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?" AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.