Emmaus Way Podcast

In which Molly interviews Nidia Flores about her experience immigrating to the United States when she was a young child. Mark presents music by Anais Mitchell ("Why We Build the Wall"), Tracy Chapman, Mark Heard, Bruce Springsteen, and others.

In which Jim Thomas interviews Kurt Rhodes (of Questscope International) on the implications of borderlands encounters in light of his work in the Middle East. Tim Carless, Casey Toll, and Skylar Gudasz presents songs by Nick Lowe, ABBA, Roddy Frame, and Bob Dylan.

In which New Testament scholar Dr. Diane Lipsett leads us the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Specifically, how this encounter between an ancient Christian leader and an exotic, foreign, gender-bending God-seeker invites us to reflect on the fertile possibilities of wilderness spaces that alter perceptions of gender. Mark Williams presents songs by Bob Dylan, Mark Williams, Peter Himmelman, Tom Waits, and U2.

In which the community of Emmaus Way celebrates the sacrament of baptism of numerous individuals. The text is of the Ethiopian eunuch baptized by Philip. Mark presents songs by Bob Dylan, Rich Mullins, and Peter Himmelman.

In which Molly and Tim delineate an AFFIRMATION in response to the past three weeks of negation. This affirmation is one of Emmaus Way existing as a “Third Space.” They point to this “Third Space” as an area where Emmaus Way offers a unique experience, where we celebrate an Open Table every week and practice an open dialogue format. Musically this week, Skylar Gudasz leads us with powerful selections from The Velvet Underground, Richard and Linda Thompson, Bruce Cockburn, as well as her own “3000 Miles.”

In which Tim leads us in an examination of our final of three negations: Why we are not a "moderate" church. Our claim is that Emmaus Way inhabits a "third space," where we do not fit cleanly into binaries, but at the same time, our goal is not to make ourselves comfortable. Music is provided by Tim Carless, Dale Baker, and Casey Toll, who lead us through music by Tom Waits, Nick Lowe, Neil Diamond, and others.

In which Molly continues to look our sereis of three "negations." This week, Molly leads us in a discussion of why we are not a Mainline Church. Music is masterfully provided by the band Hardworker, with all original music. Their selections really shine in light of the dialogue this week.

In which Tim, Molly, and Ben begin a three week journey of looking at three "negations" of who we are as a community. This week, we look at why Emmaus Way cannot rightly be called an "Evangelical" church. Featuring poems by Paul Williams ("How To Tell the Truth") and Walter Brueggemann ("Prayers for a Privileged People").

In which the various speakers from the Summer Series "Why I Am..." gather on a Monday night to discuss their own reactions to the processof preparing for one of their dialogue. Also discussed is "what does it mean to forge a community of individuals who each bring their own identities?"

In which Molly and Tim lead the dialog together, inviting us to look forward into the beginning of our Fall series. Over the next several weeks, we will examine in more detail the negation of who we are as a community, not in order to cast aspersion on other religious identities, but rather to encourage us as a community in developing our sense of self and our missional calling. Brett Harris leads us in music after a long absence. Welcome back, Brett!

In which Molly leads us in reflecting upon the multitude of identities presented to the community over the Summer series. Music is thoughfully curated and performed by Skylar Gudasz and her band, featuring Casey Toll, Yan Westerlund, and Mark Williams. Skylar's powerful original composition "I Want to Be with You in the Darkness" serves as our Absolution.

In which Christine Folch, Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Duke University and dear co-minister at Emmaus Way, discusses the tragedy of the church's absence in mourning the "least of these" in society. She directs us to Mark 2:1-12 as an example of what she calls the essentials of church life: solidarity and vulnerability with one another. Mark W leads us (along with Dan Hall and Tim Carless) in songs from Bob Dylan (With God On Our Side), Patty Griffin, U2, Dog Named David, and an original.

In which Emmaus Way's Lead Team reflects upon how it operates and makes decisions. What is the role played by Lead Team? What does it mean to reach consensus? Is consensus the same thing as unanimity? Several decisions from the past 2-3 years are examined in greater depth. Mark leads us in three songs, including "We Can Work It Out," by the Beatles.

In which Ben Haas interviews Mark Williams in dialogue with the Emmaus Way community about Mark's history as a musician and as a person of faith. Mark discusses the history and economic drivers of the "Christian Music Industry" as well as examining his own story. Interspersed throughout the evening is Mark's take on Rich Mullins's "Boy Like Me / Man Like You," Marc Cohn's "Things We've Handed Down," Counting Crows' "Round Here," and Mark's own "Almost."

In which Ben Haas continues our discussion of "Why I Am..." by examining his own history growing up in a fundamentalist Baptist church in the foothills of the NC mountains. Ben utilizes several song texts that his church used as well as a film clip from the movie "Junebug," directed by Phil Morrison.

In which Sarah Kate Fishback leads a dialogue explaining why she sees a life of spirituality lived through the lens of contemplative practice. Music is by Tim Carless, Dan Hall, and Billie Feather, and features songs by Nick Lowe, Leonard Cohen, Tracy Chapman, The Avett Brothers, and Cat Stevens. Also, Ben Haas more or less sings a solo.

In which Jim Thomas describes his personal history working in the mission field and his eventual disillusionment with how the Western church has interacted with Africa in particular. Jim then describes how he imagines these interactions might be reformed to preserve dignity and promote greater respect. Jeff Crawford leads us in music in his wonderfully inimitable style.

In which the luminous Kate Bowler, professor of History at Duke Divinty School, shares her motivations for studying the phenomenon of the Prosperity Gospel. Of particular note is how this intersects with her personal narrative of fighting serious illness. Mark Williams shares two songs with us that attempt to place suffering within a context of compassionate humanity and spirituality.

In which Molly explains the reasons she is so drawn to what is known as "Process Theology," and it spurs her on to great hope for justice in our world. Mark Williams and Dan Hall lead in music by Bruce Springsteen, Julie Miller, Peter Himmelman, U2, and Lucinda Williams.

In which Tim introduces our Summer Series, "Why I Am..." This week, Tim talks about the historical roots of Evangelicalism, and its relationship to social justice. Mark Williams and Doug Largent lead us in a thoughtful setlist of songs by Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Jann Arden, and Foo Fighters,