Thursdays at the Table Podcast

Bishop LaTrelle Easterling invites United Methodists to draw up a seat at the proverbial kitchen table as she engages difference-makers in insightful conversations about topics that matter. This podcast sets the table for truth-telling with humor, candor, unbridled honesty, and a spirit of hope. In the sharing of our stories, we rediscover the sacred and what makes us vital – living into the fullness of all that God calls us to be. Truth be told, these are conversations you won’t want to miss.
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Episode 1: The courage of our voice
In this episode of Thursdays At the Table, three leaders in The United Methodist Church talk about racism and the realities of white supremacy. They share stories with Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of bearing witness to lynchings, confronting how racism was woven into their own histories, and how their privilege affects the ways they are learning use their voices to advocate for justice. In a candid and courageous conversation, Bishop Easterling talks with David Abbott, Director of Stewardship for the United Methodist Foundation of New England; Dr. David Scott, Director of Mission Theology for the denomination’s Board of Global Ministries; and Bill Waddell, an attorney from Arkansas who provides legal counsel to The United Methodist Church. Together, they explore the personal and cultural intersections of whiteness, privilege, racism, Scripture, and justice. Learn more and listen now. episode 2: A textured Gospel
In the second episode of Thursdays At the Table, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling explores the importance of a variety of theological perspectives with guests the Rev. Drs. Shively Smith, an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Theology, and Theresa Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel at Princeton University. Theology or “God-talk” is not situated in one culture, people or time. Rather, all of creation extols the glory and represents aspects of the Divine and therefore needs to speak into this conversation. To privilege one group over another de-centers those whose voices are often excluded and attempts to wrongly make one experience, culture or worldview normative and limits our understanding of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Bishop Easterling and her guests delve into “the radical boldness of saying yes,” and the importance of “possibility models,” and interrogating the text. Together, they explore overcoming biblical illiteracy and moving beyond a fairy-tale faith to capture the truth and implications of the Gospel message through the lived life of Jesus. Episode 3
Coming March 2 |