1 Pres Pod

Tasha and Phil discuss the ways spiritual friendships develop in faith communities and the power they have in our lives. Are we family to each other? Friends? Both? Their dog Maggie also makes a brief appearance.

Tasha interviews Michelle Santoro, associate director of philanthropy for the organization Undue Medical Debt. Every year First Pres gives away 100% of the Christmas Eve offering to an organization that can make positive change in the community. This year, the Christmas Eve offering will go to Undue Medical Debt. In their work, they collect millions of dollars of people's medical debt and work to forgive it. In Sebastian county alone, they can collect $11.5 million in debt and forgive it for only $40,200. This forgiveness would affect 6,800 folks...talk about making a positive change in our community! Watch our socials and listen in worship for more details as we get closer to Christmas Eve and into the new year. How much of the debt can FPC forgive? We. Shall. See. Until then, look into this group for yourself: www.unduemedicaldebt.org

Tasha and Taylor discuss the end of Taylor's class on the Old Testament--what she learned from it and how it has affected her faith life. The two also discuss why the Old Testament matters and how it is actually a good thing that there are very few heroes in the Bible.

Tasha and Phil discuss how gratitude is part of the Christian walk. They share practices they use and the power of gratitude for our everyday living.

Tasha and Rham talk about discernment. How do we discern if God is working in our highs and lows or if it was just us going off on our own? What can we ask ourselves to try to discern God's way for us a little better?

Tasha interviews Jean Koljeski, co-director of the St. John's Sack Lunch Program. They discuss the history of the program, the need it meets, and how it has changed Jean's life and outlook. If you are concerned about food insecurity in our area, listen to this conversation to find out tangible ways to help your neighbors.

Tasha and Taylor talk about what is taught in seminary. Then they share insights from a book Taylor is reading for a class on spiritual disciplines called Liturgy of the Ordinary by author Tish Harrison Warren.

Tasha and Phil talk about how being "spiritual but not religious" has been the mainstay of religious shifts for the last 30 years but that mainstay seems to be shifting again. Generation Z appears to show themselves as a group who are interested in having both authentic faith and being a part of an authentic community.

Tasha meets with Joe Riddle, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, to learn what needs this not-for-profit meet in our community, what its values and goals are, and ways we can become involved.

Tasha talks with Rham as he brings a question lots of people are asking right now: Is the world about to end? Between dates set for the rapture and talk of end-time-signs, what are we to believe? What does scripture say? How can we respond?