Finding Belonging at Westview Centre4Women with Grazia Shepard

Recorded on June 28, 2020, Grazia Shepard shares her story on how she found Belonging at WC4W in the midst of her journey with mental health. 

Learning to Ally with Gomer in the Book of Hosea with Kyla Willms

Recorded on August 9th, 2020 Kyla imaginatively recreates the Book of Hosea from Gomer's perspective. Pointing out problems with Hosea's marriage metaphor, Kyla makes Gomer the central figure of the text, renaming the book, the Book of Gomer. 

Listening for Mercy with Jon Willms

Recorded on August 23, 2020, Jon Willms asks us to reflect on what we're searching for and helps us apply this to Hosea chapter 6. Leaning on contemplative exercises, we practise learning to listen differently and hear more with silence. 

Struggling to Find Salvation for the Oppressed in Hosea with Caleb Ratzlaff

Recorded on August 9, 2020, Caleb Ratzlaff reads Hosea Chapter 2. Here, Caleb reads the text asking who are the oppressed, the weak and the needy; what are they doing, how are they being treated? And then, he evaluates whether or not the narrative is liberating those who are suffering. 

As we read the Bible or consume any media for that matter, it's good to ask the questions - who are the vulnerable and the oppressed and; is this story helping or hindering their struggle for liberation? 

An Introduction to the Book of Hosea with John Derksen

Recorded at Westview Christian Fellowship on July 19, 2020 - John Derksen gives us an introduction to our series on the book of Hosea. John introduces us to the structure of the book, its major themes, and 4 reasons why it is significant to the history of Isreal. 

Are Greta Thunberg, Alok Vaid-Menon, and Ursula LeGuin Prophets like Amos? with Rosilee Sherwood

Reading Amos and MLK Together with Caleb Ratzlaff

Amos Convinces God to Repent But Fails to Persuade the Elites with Caleb Ratzlaff

Recorded at Westview Christian Fellowship on June 28, 2020 - Caleb Ratzlaff continues the series of Amos, revisiting the issue of God's punishment in the context of Chapter 7.

In Chapter 7, Amos convinces God to relent from punishing Israel with famine and drought. Unfortunately, Amos is not able to convince the religious, political, and business elite to relent from trampling the needy. The leaders of Israel exile Amos before he can persuade God to spare them from punishment. There will be bodies, many bodies says the Lord.

Justice, Punishment, and Anger in the Book of Amos with Caleb Ratzlaff

Recorded at Westview Christian Fellowship on June 7, 2020 - Caleb Ratzlaff introduces a series on justice in the book of Amos.

Amos is a colourful Apocalyptic prophet of the type that inspires much of Christ's words and actions. While exploring this theme Caleb also suggests three ways of grappling with a vindictive and punitive God.

Ted Grimsrud, a professor at Eastern Mennonite University, has a very helpful post on this topic up on his blog that can be found here: peacetheology.net/restorative-just…nt-justice-amos/

When the Church Lacked Biblical Authority (inspired by affirming churches everywhere) with Caleb Ratzlaff

Recorded at Westview Christian Fellowship on May 17, 2020 - Caleb Ratzlaff discusses Acts 15 - the moment the church affirms uncircumcised Gentiles.

Inspired by the experience of LGTBQ Christians, Caleb finds parallels between Westview's journey to be an affirming church and the early church's struggle to affirm uncircumcised Gentile Christians.

Spoiler: there's more biblical grounding for affirming LGBTQ Christians than there is supporting Paul's argument that circumcision wasn't always necessary.