God’s Love in Our Ordinary Lives with John Derksen

In this episode, John reflects on Scripture,  his own life, and how the spirit reveals God’s love in our ordinary lives.

Pentecost and Participating in the Final Judgement with Caleb Ratzlaff

Recorded on June 23rd 2021. In this message, Caleb explores the expansive and equalizing work of Pentecost, suggesting that the birth of the church is the beginning of the final judgement. As such, we are called to participate in the judging how to live in response to God's spirit of love and justice in the world.

In the Pentecost story we discover that the equitable distribution of wealth and the destruction of social hierarchy are the first areas of our life together that we are to seek to respond appropriately to God’s work of love amoung us. A work we are witnesses to in the life of Jesus Christ.

Religion Free Sacredness with Will Klassen

Will begins by introducing a story he wrote about heaven to the lectionary verses for May 9th 2021. Here he talks about finding the sacred in the ordinary asking us, like the angel asked the disciples at the ascension, why we look toward heaven? The important stuff, Will argues, happens in the substance of daily life. 

Why Can’t We Be Friends? with Caleb Ratzlaff

Leaning on an insight by Casey Overton, an activist and contributor to enfleshed.com, Caleb reflects on how the song "Why Can't We Be Friends?" by WAR sheds light on the meaning of John Chapter 15. 

In John 15 we read:  “And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” So how do we know that you’re abiding in love, living the love commandment?  In this world, in Christ’s world, when essential workers ask for a living wage, they get it, when the homeless ask for better living conditions, they’d receive it, or maybe when addicts ask for a clean drug supply, it would be given to them.

The Community of Creation with Justin Eisinga

Using the lectionary verses, Justin asks the question, “if we are to look within our own tradition to find the resources to love the land again, we must read the Bible with bent towards foundational teachings of harmony and care for all of creation.” Justin encourages us to find ways to include creation within our worship, not only as an representative for the divine, but as an active participant, guiding us into the love of Christ.

Cahoots Festival: https://www.cahootsfest.ca

Wild Church Network: https://www.wildchurchnetwork.com 

Getting Angry in the Name of Jesus: Acts 3 and 4 with Caleb Ratzlaff

Recorded on April 25th, 2021 Caleb discusses Acts chapters 3 and 4. Jesus replaces the question “Who is the Greatest?” with the question “Who is my neighbour?” In Acts we see the disciples continuing this story, embodying what it means to be Jewish followers of "the way." The healing of the cripple on the door step of the wealthy elite confirms  Jesus’ authority to (re)interpret the Jewish story. Being an act of true charity that addresses the root causes of inequality, the healing also continues Jesus' story by challenging oppressive regimes. 

Rather than false charity we, like Peter and John, need to pursue societal change that works to make poverty and oppression unimaginable. Acts of justice that challenges systems of oppression are always done in the name Jesus.

The Ban, Nazis, and Mennonites with Tom Friesen

Carrying Narcan on the Road to Emmaus with Caleb Ratzlaff

Recorded at Westview on April 4, 2021: The challenge for us is to recognize the resurrected Christ without the need to be confronted by the crucifixion, something the male disciples fail to achieve. We pray our eyes are opened to the ways we participate in systems that benefit some at the expense of others before this abuse brings our world crashing down around us. And we can start this work by putting aside our own expectations about how the world should look long enough to appreciate the complexities of addiction.

Rather than asking with the male disciples, "who is the greatest?" let's let the questions "who is our guest? who is not at the table? who is the one that serves?" guide the world we live in.

Mystical Hope with Grazia Shepard

Recorded on March 28th at Westview's zoom service. Grazia shares from her heart, thinking through mystical hope, what it's meant to her this Easter, and how this Easter is different from others. 

Choose Mystic Hope for Lent with Caleb Ratzlaff

Recorded at Westview on Feb. 14, 2021: Mystic hope is difficult to grasp, but it’s more than simply a desire for good outcomes, it’s a way of being in the here and now that holds on to life, however fragile and vulnerable it might be. The woman who anoints Jesus for burial finds a way to hold on to life even when she knows it’s about to be snuffed out.