Welcome

Summary

This week we speak with James C. Jones, in our Summer of Union series (mostly I somehow ended up speaking with folks in my Union network back to back so now its a series). James is Black, a Singer, Activist and a Mormon. We talk about his multiple passions and the decision to try to change systems from the inside. As a Black Mormon, he has dedicated himself to seeing the Church live into what it can be and not what it has been. 

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.

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. And if you feel so bold – I would love to hear your voice so leave a message: https://anchor.fm/tamara-plummer4/message

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Summary

We continue a conversation this week with my friend Kimberley Gordy. If you haven’t yet, go back and listen to part 1!

Homework this week:

Find a thought partner for your spiritual life. For the next three weeks make an appointment with someone you trust and explore one hard thing you are working through. The goal isn’t to solve anything. Just be a listening presence with a friend. Each will share and each will receive. And if you want to let me know more about what you explored, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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. And if you feel so bold – I would love to hear your voice so leave a message: https://anchor.fm/tamara-plummer4/message

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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

We begin a conversation this week with my friend Kimberley Gordy. She is more than a power house and rock of inspiration for so many people. Her spiritual strength and maturity is an example that we all can learn from. As she ends her seminary experience and heads into a hospital chaplaincy internship we dig deeply into her call and ask for some advice on how we too can sit in discomfort and walk through the hard stuff in order to celebrate who we are on the other side. There were so many references in this episode that I am just going to need to write a blog post about it later….

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. And if you feel so bold – I would love to hear your voice so leave a message: https://anchor.fm/tamara-plummer4/message

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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 take a stream of consciousness ride with Obri Richardson. We speak about so many things that I just didn’t know how to edit it down. So if you are an editor looking for some experience – let me know! 

In this week’s episode we talk about a variety of topics including trauma, toxic masculinity, literature as sacred text, Black men and so much more. The episode was recorded back in March. Since then Obri did finish his paper and graduate with an STM from Union Theological Seminary in New York. We obviously couldn’t stop talking and giving each other amazing recommendations. You can find almost all the books we referenced by visiting my affiliate link with https://bookshop.org/shop/purusingcall. At the end we also referenced Neichelle Guidry, so check her work out as well. 

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 thinking. And if you feel so bold – I would love to hear your voice so leave a message: https://anchor.fm/tamara-plummer4/message

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Summary

This week we get the privilege to speak with Melissa Crutchfield about her journey in faith and non-profit work. Just a reminder that the stories we share are our personal experiences, thoughts and opinions. They do not reflect a complete picture or necessarily represent the organizations we reference. So please do continue to support faith-based relief and development organizations! And we can investigate ways to support our orgs as they build better systems and navigate the complicated world of non-profit work.

What I want us all to reflect on is:

How do you balance faith and institution? How have you navigated the difficulties of feeling hurt by the institution that has brought you healing?

We know that our listeners may not always be able to catch all the books we talk about, so we have partnered with Bookshop to put them all in one place just for you! Use my affiliate link to get your reading list started: bookshop.org/shop/pursuingcall.

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 thinking. And if you feel so bold – I would love to hear your voice so leave a message: https://anchor.fm/tamara-plummer4/message

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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 Anna Darian (annadarian.com). This week we focus on her ministry of storytelling and so much more. There will be a little bit of discussion about abortion and we will continue to explore the intersection between her journey of being seen and providing space for others to tell their truth.

Homework this week: Read Audre Lorde’s essay Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power (just do some googles or buy the book),

We know that our listeners may not always be able to catch all the books we talk about, so we have partnered with Bookshop to put them all in one place just for you! Use my affiliate link to get your reading list started: bookshop.org/shop/pursuingcall.

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 thinking. And if you feel so bold – I would love to hear your voice so leave a message: https://anchor.fm/tamara-plummer4/message

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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 I speak with Anna Darian (@anna.darian on all the social medias) about her path on the road to storytelling as a spiritual practice. As she reflected on her journey, the story of her abortion became the center of the conversation. If you want to hear the story from her mouth, you can see it here: https://youtu.be/24MKDvkpTOI.

Also, the author I forgot to shout out is Candice Marie Benbow, you can pick up her book Red Lip Theology wherever books are sold or here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/665375/red-lip-theology-by-candice-marie-benbow-foreword-by-melissa-harris-perry/

We know it’s a heavy topic and on Mother’s Day, so there will be a lot of conversations and feelings. Just a huge love for my mama who always taught me that having sex wasn’t a sin and that the divine prays for me to have a choice about bringing more humans into the world.

Breathe deep, open your ear and open your heart. 

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 thinking. And if you feel so bold – I would love to hear your voice so leave a message: https://anchor.fm/tamara-plummer4/message

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This episode is sponsored by

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

Summary

This week we get to learn about Elizabeth Walker and her process of becoming a Doula, an older mom, and providing healing space in the secular context of college access programs. There is no homework this week, but I hope that you are able to receive her words with open heart and open ears. If there is a nugget that stands out from the conversation, please don’t hesitate to share!

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 thinking. And if you feel so bold – I would love to hear your voice so leave a message: https://anchor.fm/tamara-plummer4/message

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This episode is sponsored by

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

Summary

This week, we do something a little different. Using the three services of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil, I offer some moments of reflection. 

When have you felt alone in your sorrow?

When have you betrayed yourself?

What injustice have you witnessed or participated in or chosen to ignore?

What do you need to leave at the foot of the cross?

Where can you witness the possibility of resurrection and see that perhaps Christ is Risen?

As always, please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts by emailing me tamara@pursuingcall.com

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This episode is sponsored by

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Summary

We continue our conversation with Rev. Julie Hoplamazian as she explains how she developed faithonpointe.com and saw her ministry as a priest as an expression of her full self. We end with a fun movement activity and are reminded to celebrate the divine with our hearts, minds and body!

Homework this week:

Level 1 – Turn on some music and dance like no one is watching

Level 2 – Turn on some music, dance in front of a mirror, and enjoy what you see – no judgement zone!

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 thinking. And if you feel so bold – I would love to hear your voice so leave a message: https://anchor.fm/tamara-plummer4/message

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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