Theology Live Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Our guest this episode is writer, teacher, and Episcopal priest, the Rev. Katherine Bush. Katherine is a lifelong Memphian, as well as a graduate of Rhodes College and Virginia Theological Seminary. She has served parishes in the Diocese of West Tennessee, and currently works as the Chaplain at St. Mary's Episcopal School. This evening we will reflect on the role of poetry as it relates to our current political, social, and theological moment. In particular we will discuss poems related to the themes highlighted by Wendell Berry's Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front, and his plea to practice resurrection.

This episode was recorded on April 12, 2018 which marked Yom HaShoa, Holocaust Remembrance Day. We welcomed guest Micah Greenstein, Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel in Memphis. Micah has served Temple Israel for 26 years, 16 of those years as its Senior Rabbi. We reflect on the importance of Yom HaShoa, particularly as it relates to our current political and social climate, as well as the presence of rising antisemitism in Europe and America.

Our Guest this episode is the Rev. Becca Stevens. Becca is the founder and president of Thistle Farms, the largest social enterprise in the United States run by survivors of human trafficking and the commercial sex trade. She is also the author of 13 books and works as an Episcopal priest and chaplain at St. Augustine's Chapel in Nashville.

Our guest this episode is the Rev. Winnie Varghese. Winnie currently serves as the Priest for Justice and Reconciliation at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City. Winnie is the author of Church Meets World, Editor of What We Shall Become, a regular contributor for the Huffington Post, and is a leading voice in The Episcopal Church, particularly around issues of social justice.

[update: on December 20, 2017 the Confederate statues discussed in this episode were removed from two parks in Memphis.] Join us as we talk to Tami Sawyer about Take 'em Down 901, the movement for the removal of two Confederate statues from public parks in Memphis. Tami is a writer, speaker, activist, and the Director of Diversity and Cultural Competence with Teach For America Memphis. She is currently running for Shelby County Commissioner in District 7.

Our guest for this episode is the Rev. Virzola Law, Senior Pastor of Lindenwood Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. In this, Rev. Law's second appearance on the podcast, Meredith interviews her on the legacy of beloved community, a concept espoused by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., which amplifies the work of non-violence and reconciliation during the Civil Rights era, with a vision toward a more peaceable future.