YES!!! Apologies, I should have specified. This will be made available afterward on all of our typical channels: substack, YouTube, Apple podcasts, etc.
Thank you all so much for tonight's conversation. Very encouraging. I am really hoping there is a way to connect with each other in common locations? I am in Annapolis and noticed several folks from DC in the chat tonight. I am available to try to do email lists or go over contacts to try to connect people who would like to meet more often. Now on top of the loneliness and cognitive dissonance there is this extreme grief.
I was unable to attend this live (working stiff, west coast, anyways, Canadian so what am I doing here?) but it so reminded me of another group I'm part of -- and the comment stream IS so very precious to know that you're not alone, that neighbours who think you're nuts are not the last word. Diana's final word, that this is the end of the beginning, was sobering, but I leave you with two watchwords that are used as sign-offs over in this other space: "We're gonna get through this!" and "We. Shall. Prevail."
And a Narnia mash-up (bits from Silver Chair and Last Battle) that I recall to comfort myself more and more these days: we are between the paws of the true Aslan and whether we live or die he will be our good lord.
I hope you do more of these. I hope they're conducted in ways/times that I can do without booking off work. But I found the ability to replay it in youtube comforting and encouraging. You should know that the NAR has made inroads into Canada as well and I have numerous dear ones who are its adherents and are rejoicing at what just took place among you. We have our own battles (at the ballot box) to fight. But you have friends and kindred spirits north of 49ºN as well as allies of your foes. Just so you know.
Props to and care for all four of you -- and to the rest of this community. ...ank
When dark moments spread,
They only prove to display
How great the light is ... 俳句
(as @haikujester, one of my trademarks is ersatz haikus)
Hey guys!!! I cannot tell you how grateful I am for you four doing the hard work and being the face for all us people in the cheap seats...Kristin, YOU are the reason i have been introduced to awesome other Christian voices speaking out even beyond these other 3 of your fellow hosts. I was exposed to your J&JW book a couple years ago and listened on audible...the info contained within tells much of my story. Raised in Carroll, IA 5th generation Catholic here, 11 of us 14 kids left the catholic church around the time I was 17 in 1987, out of that frying pan into the fire of GARBC fundamentalism. Fast forward, I had 11 kids of my own within the abusive church structure and abusive marriage, divorced finally after 24 years, God graciously designed me to not throw Jesus out with the bath water, by some miracle lol, and gave me a wonderful female soulmate and committed exclusive intimate partner; I've have been same and opposite sex attracted since puberty and likely before...that gives you a little bit of a feel for my life...ANYHOW, question, or concept I need to hear from the likes of you on: for the people who are so dejected by the outcome of the election that they are contemplating ditching gathering anymore in their church because they just cannot reconcile sitting shoulder to shoulder with multiple fellow congregants who likely voted for Trump, though not knowing who they even are because it's not being addressed directly...not that preaching for or against political candidates by name ought to have necessarily been done from the pulpit...it's just the disconnect...the cognitive dissonance...(I don't even have the capacity to put my internal visceral knowing of "this just isn't right!!" into words these days-i think sometimes i am fighting dissociation so i feel i am not making sense...cant find appropriate descriptive words to describe or even verbalize what i am attempting to convey...) I dont even know what exactly i am trying to ask...so just hoping the Holy Spirit can convey to you what is needed here, because I am certain there are many in this same boat...I know you guys are not pastors. I know you dont aspire to be our gurus. I just know God has put you 4 as big brothers and sisters many are needing to look to for grounding. Thank you...thank JESUS for you!!
please comment or address what of this post you can even decipher
I registered but missed the live event. Clicking the zoom link w/ password yields a message “Webinar over.” I cannot find webinar on YouTube. Please advise
What I’m about to share may be difficult to hear, and I say this after days of reflection and prayer. I’ve been grappling with the election results and what they reveal about how America views Black people and other non-white individuals in positions of leadership and power. Watching your YouTube discussion on the election, I was struck by the reality that so many white Christians voted to elect someone whose actions reflect dishonesty, criminality, racism, and values that seem far from Christian. This isn’t just disheartening—it’s a reminder of the deep-seated issues of racism that persist in this country.
We often describe America as a melting pot and a beacon of hope for the world. But in practice, that vision doesn’t hold true. Many white Christians sit back, staying silent about the corruption, greed, sexism, and racism that stain our society. And when they do address these issues, it’s often superficial. The Gospel calls us to love, show mercy, grace, compassion, and care for one another—yet, too often, that care is reserved for those who look like them.
So, here’s the question: Do we as Americans, particularly white Christians, truly believe in God’s words, or is this just Sunday lip service? Time and again, the same corrupted officials are voted into power, keeping the country from making real progress. And the people who most frequently commit acts of violence or plot harm against America are white Americans. Despite this, we elected Trump. So now, we’re left asking: What’s next? How do we move forward in a way that truly aligns with the values we profess to hold?
Great discussion. Made me wonder whether being a Christian makes one more able to identify accurately, to look at squarely, the horror of our situation. Including Jamar's reminder that some people allow themselves to become agents of evil. My take: https://happening-here.blogspot.com/2024/11/its-ugly-we-carry-on.html
I really hope the Convocation will be available as a recorded session for those of us who are not available in that time frame.
YES!!! Apologies, I should have specified. This will be made available afterward on all of our typical channels: substack, YouTube, Apple podcasts, etc.
Thank you all so much for tonight's conversation. Very encouraging. I am really hoping there is a way to connect with each other in common locations? I am in Annapolis and noticed several folks from DC in the chat tonight. I am available to try to do email lists or go over contacts to try to connect people who would like to meet more often. Now on top of the loneliness and cognitive dissonance there is this extreme grief.
Thanks again - SO MUCH - for all you four do!
I was unable to attend this live (working stiff, west coast, anyways, Canadian so what am I doing here?) but it so reminded me of another group I'm part of -- and the comment stream IS so very precious to know that you're not alone, that neighbours who think you're nuts are not the last word. Diana's final word, that this is the end of the beginning, was sobering, but I leave you with two watchwords that are used as sign-offs over in this other space: "We're gonna get through this!" and "We. Shall. Prevail."
And a Narnia mash-up (bits from Silver Chair and Last Battle) that I recall to comfort myself more and more these days: we are between the paws of the true Aslan and whether we live or die he will be our good lord.
I hope you do more of these. I hope they're conducted in ways/times that I can do without booking off work. But I found the ability to replay it in youtube comforting and encouraging. You should know that the NAR has made inroads into Canada as well and I have numerous dear ones who are its adherents and are rejoicing at what just took place among you. We have our own battles (at the ballot box) to fight. But you have friends and kindred spirits north of 49ºN as well as allies of your foes. Just so you know.
Props to and care for all four of you -- and to the rest of this community. ...ank
When dark moments spread,
They only prove to display
How great the light is ... 俳句
(as @haikujester, one of my trademarks is ersatz haikus)
Hey guys!!! I cannot tell you how grateful I am for you four doing the hard work and being the face for all us people in the cheap seats...Kristin, YOU are the reason i have been introduced to awesome other Christian voices speaking out even beyond these other 3 of your fellow hosts. I was exposed to your J&JW book a couple years ago and listened on audible...the info contained within tells much of my story. Raised in Carroll, IA 5th generation Catholic here, 11 of us 14 kids left the catholic church around the time I was 17 in 1987, out of that frying pan into the fire of GARBC fundamentalism. Fast forward, I had 11 kids of my own within the abusive church structure and abusive marriage, divorced finally after 24 years, God graciously designed me to not throw Jesus out with the bath water, by some miracle lol, and gave me a wonderful female soulmate and committed exclusive intimate partner; I've have been same and opposite sex attracted since puberty and likely before...that gives you a little bit of a feel for my life...ANYHOW, question, or concept I need to hear from the likes of you on: for the people who are so dejected by the outcome of the election that they are contemplating ditching gathering anymore in their church because they just cannot reconcile sitting shoulder to shoulder with multiple fellow congregants who likely voted for Trump, though not knowing who they even are because it's not being addressed directly...not that preaching for or against political candidates by name ought to have necessarily been done from the pulpit...it's just the disconnect...the cognitive dissonance...(I don't even have the capacity to put my internal visceral knowing of "this just isn't right!!" into words these days-i think sometimes i am fighting dissociation so i feel i am not making sense...cant find appropriate descriptive words to describe or even verbalize what i am attempting to convey...) I dont even know what exactly i am trying to ask...so just hoping the Holy Spirit can convey to you what is needed here, because I am certain there are many in this same boat...I know you guys are not pastors. I know you dont aspire to be our gurus. I just know God has put you 4 as big brothers and sisters many are needing to look to for grounding. Thank you...thank JESUS for you!!
please comment or address what of this post you can even decipher
I registered but missed the live event. Clicking the zoom link w/ password yields a message “Webinar over.” I cannot find webinar on YouTube. Please advise
We'll have the recording up by tomorrow--stay tuned and thanks for tuning in!
What I’m about to share may be difficult to hear, and I say this after days of reflection and prayer. I’ve been grappling with the election results and what they reveal about how America views Black people and other non-white individuals in positions of leadership and power. Watching your YouTube discussion on the election, I was struck by the reality that so many white Christians voted to elect someone whose actions reflect dishonesty, criminality, racism, and values that seem far from Christian. This isn’t just disheartening—it’s a reminder of the deep-seated issues of racism that persist in this country.
We often describe America as a melting pot and a beacon of hope for the world. But in practice, that vision doesn’t hold true. Many white Christians sit back, staying silent about the corruption, greed, sexism, and racism that stain our society. And when they do address these issues, it’s often superficial. The Gospel calls us to love, show mercy, grace, compassion, and care for one another—yet, too often, that care is reserved for those who look like them.
So, here’s the question: Do we as Americans, particularly white Christians, truly believe in God’s words, or is this just Sunday lip service? Time and again, the same corrupted officials are voted into power, keeping the country from making real progress. And the people who most frequently commit acts of violence or plot harm against America are white Americans. Despite this, we elected Trump. So now, we’re left asking: What’s next? How do we move forward in a way that truly aligns with the values we profess to hold?
Great discussion. Made me wonder whether being a Christian makes one more able to identify accurately, to look at squarely, the horror of our situation. Including Jamar's reminder that some people allow themselves to become agents of evil. My take: https://happening-here.blogspot.com/2024/11/its-ugly-we-carry-on.html
I registered but I’m being told capacity is full, and I can’t get in. Extremely frustrating!
Finally got in! ☺️
I tried to get on Tuesday's session, but it only took me back to the registration page. I never did get in.
Hi, Don, it's TODAY (11/7) at 5pm ET. Hope you can make it, but if you can't we'll send the recording around tomorrow!