Welcome

Summary

This week we continue our conversation with the Rev. Alan Bentrup he provides great advice on what a new clergy person should do in their first 60 days, we rant a bit about politics and the church, we wrestle with missional questions and we offer this last episode of the year as a blessing. 

I celebrate my  birthday all month so if you would like to support this work directly, send me money: $bassoon12 – Cash app and @tamara-plummer on Venmo. Don’t have money or looking for other ways to support? Please share this podcast with a friend or on your social media, write a positive review or come on the show and share your story.

Share your thoughts by emailing me, your host, Tamara Plummer @pursuingcall on instagram or tamara@pursuingcall.com. Visit the website, pursuingcall.com to learn more about what I got going on in the world of theological thought.

Buy a present for a friend, support this work and support a local book store! You can’t go wrong: Check out my store at https://bookshop.org/shop/pursuingcall

This episode is sponsored by

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Summary

On this Solstice I get to share a conversation I had with the Rev. Alan Bentrup whom I have know since his seminary days when he and some friends started the conference Missional Voices. He is now a parish priest and dad of two. We walk through the ways that his priestly call intertwined with his personal life and training up leaders for the church of today.

I love the solstice because I was born on the 19th so super close and I love the night. The darkness is beautiful because so much is born from that space. So let me know how you embraced this short day and long night.

Also, this will be the only season I say it, but if you want to support this work directly, send me money. $bassoon12 – Cash app and @tamara-plummer on Venmo. Other than that, I do this podcast because its fun and I love sharing the voices of all kinds of people, getting us all to talk about our faith out loud in ways that respects the dignity of every human being.

Share your thoughts by emailing me, your host, Tamara Plummer @pursuingcall on instagram or tamara@pursuingcall.com. Visit the website, pursuingcall.com to learn more about what I got going on in the world of theological thought.

Buy a present for a friend, support this work and support a local book store! You can’t go wrong: Check out my store at https://bookshop.org/shop/pursuingcall — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pursuingcall/message

Transcription

Summary

In this post lockdown life, I get to speak with Rev. Andrew Durbridge, Rector of St. Luke and St. Matthew about what it is like to run a parish in the heart of Brooklyn. We explore the challenges, the opportunities and the highs. If you want to visit the church, check out their website: https://stlukeandstmatthew.org/

Homework:

What does worship look like for you these days and where are finding spaces for communal ritual?

Share your thoughts by emailing me, your host, Tamara Plummer @pursuingcall on instagram or tamara@pursuingcall.com. Visit the website, pursuingcall.com to learn more about what I got going on in the world of theological thought.

Looking for more resources on anything we’ve talked about in this or other episodes? Check out my store at https://bookshop.org/shop/pursuingcall — This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pursuingcall/message

Transcription

Summary

We continue our conversation with Harmeet (@harmeet_kamboj) this week as we dive deeper into their exploration of gender and the expansiveness of the divine. We learn more about constructive theology, Queering one’s tradition and other random side tracked thoughts as is common. 

You can check out Harmeet’s article in The Revealer here: https://therevealer.org/issue/october-2022-special-issue-trans-lives-and-religion/

Homework:

What about your sacred texts creates a more expansive understanding of the Divine? What might another religious practice have to show you or teach you about the divine presence?

Share your thoughts by emailing me, your host, Tamara Plummer @pursuingcall on instagram or tamara@pursuingcall.com. Visit the website, pursuingcall.com to learn more about what I got going on in the world of theological thought.

Looking for more resources on anything we’ve talked about in this or other episodes? Check out my store at https://bookshop.org/shop/pursuingcall — This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pursuingcall/message

Transcription

Summary

This week we get the opportunity to speak with Harmeet Kaur Kamboj (@harmeet_kamboj) an inter-faith practitioner/activist and all around awesome human! While this isn’t a part of our official Union Theological Seminary series, they are an alumn… so prepare yourselves. This is part 1 of a two part interview. In this interview we focus our conversation on what Sikhi religious tradition is all about and how it informs their work as an interfaith leader. We also explore the ways that interfaith work can support and fuel a deeper faith within our own traditions. You can also check out Harmeet’s zine: https://linktr.ee/faithinfullcolor

Homework:

Who might be a companion for your faith journey that lies outside of your own religious tradition?

Share your thoughts by emailing me, your host, Tamara Plummer @pursuingcall on instagram or tamara@pursuingcall.com. Visit the website, pursuingcall.com to learn more about what I got going on in the world of theological thought.

Looking for more resources on anything we’ve talked about in this or other episodes? Check out my store at https://bookshop.org/shop/purusingcall — This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pursuingcall/message

Transcription

Summary

This week I offer my sermon from Sermons that work: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermon/paradox-all-saints-day-c-tr-november-6-2022/

This is followed by an update about the podcast and a random rant about oppression in our world as per usual. 

I hope you enjoy.

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Summary

This week we continue our conversation with Monique J. Fortuné and learn more about her spiritual journey to seek ordination. In particular, we look at the ways that one can pursue their call even without institutional confirmation. Learn more about Monique’s work and follower her on all social media platforms: @mfortunebiz. You can also sign up for coaching sessions on communications through her company Fortuné and Associates.

Question of the week: Is suffering a choice?

Share your thoughts by emailing me, your host, Tamara Plummer @pursuingcall on instagram or tamara@pursuingcall.com. Visit the website, pursuingcall.com to learn more about what I got going on in the world of theological thought.

Looking for more resources on anything we’ve talked about in this or other episodes? Check out my store at https://bookshop.org/shop/purusingcall 

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This episode is sponsored by

· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pursuingcall/message

Summary

This week we speak with Monique J. Fortuné. While Monique wears a ton of hats, she really is good at finding space in her busy life for rest and spiritual self care. We talk about how she finds this balance, the revolutionary act of self care and the concept of self literacy. We also touch on why it is so important to care for self while doing the work of healing community. 

Episode Resources: 

Called to Be Multiple Episode with Monique https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-nrb3f-11efd56

46    Deus noster refugium 1God is our refuge and strength, *

    a very present help in trouble.

2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *

    and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;

3Though its waters rage and foam, *

    and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.

4The LORD of hosts is with us; *

    the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Too Heavy a Yoke by Chanequa Walker-Barnes: https://bookshop.org/books/too-heavy-a-yoke-black-women-and-the-burden-of-strength/9781620320662?aid=83940&listref=pursuing-call-reading-list

Homework:

What did you not do today? Congratulations!

What practices can you engage to increase your soul literacy today?

Looking for more resources on anything we’ve talked about in this or other episodes? Check out my store at https://bookshop.org/shop/purusingcall

Share your thoughts by emailing me, your host, Tamara Plummer @pursuingcall on instagram or tamara@pursuingcall.com. Visit the website, pursuingcall.com to learn more about what I got going on in the world of theological thought.

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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pursuingcall/message

Summary

This week we speak with Miguel Escobar, Executive Director of Anglican Studies of Episcopal Divinity School at Union. While we first met at congregants at St. Luke & St. Matthew we have both worked as lay leaders in the Episcopal Church. When Miguel recently told me that he was discerning priesthood because of his particular cultural context of working in a Latine congregation, I wanted to learn more…

Stay tuned at the end, as we wrap up this summer series with Union folks, I will be taking most of August off. In that time, I hope to think more about how to make this space useful. So let me know what you want to talk about, what you want to learn or introduce me to someone that I should absolutely interview!

Looking for more resources on anything we’ve talked about in this or other episodes? Check out my store at https://bookshop.org/shop/purusingcall

Share your thoughts by emailing me, your host, Tamara Plummer @pursuingcall on instagram or tamara@pursuingcall.com. Visit the website, pursuingcall.com to learn more about what I got going on in the world of theological thought.

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This episode is sponsored by

· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pursuingcall/message

Summary

This week we continue our conversation with James C. Jones, our Summer of Union series. James is Black, a Singer, Activist and a Mormon. In this section we talk more about his life as a musician, being a Black Mormon on mission, AfroPessimism and his call for Separatism as a healing act for racial justice. 

You can listen to James’ podcast Beyond the Block on all platforms where he and his co-host Derek Knox talk about the experiences and texts of the LDS Church and its impact or empowerment of the marginalized. You can also follow James on twitter @jamcjon. You can also check out the anti-racism training we talked about in the episode.

Looking for more resources on anything we’ve talked about in this or other episodes? Check out my store at https://bookshop.org/shop/purusingcall

Share your thoughts by emailing me, your host, Tamara Plummer @pursuingcall on instagram or tamara@pursuingcall.com. Visit the website, pursuingcall.com to learn more about what I got going on in the world of theological thought.

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This episode is sponsored by

· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pursuingcall/message