Sermon: Shiny Objects

Lyn Smith Gregory is the great-grandniece of the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith. She left Mormonism and faced a brutal backlash. You won't want to miss this episode. Mentioned in this Episode: The Economist Article on Family Estrangement Forthcoming book by Lyn Smith Gregory: We Were Smiths: Escaping the Shadow of Joseph Smith’s Mormon Legacy Find Lyn on Instagram and Facebook: @lynsmithgregory This episode was written and produced by Rev. Julia Matallana Freedman Instagram: @juliadfreedman TikTok: @revjulz89

It's launch day for J. Dana Trent, and she shares her story of growing up as a preschool drug dealer in her new memoir, Between Two Trailers. We discuss her process of coming to terms with the difficult characters in her life story, mental health and the Church and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). We hope you enjoy our conversation and we invite you to share this episode with anyone who might be interested in trauma-informed spaces, the effects of childhood trauma and the general raw approachability of someone like J. Dana Trent. Recommended: The CDC on Adverse Childhood Experiences The ACEs Quiz J. Dana Trent's Memoir, Between Two Trailers Between Two Trailers Book Club Kit

Hi Friends, This is a sermon written for a specific context. However, I think you will find it meaningful in a variety of situations. I ask the question: "Why did Jesus have to die" and invite listeners to live into the liminal space between death and resurrection. This episode was written and produced by Rev. Julia Matallana Freedman (instagram: @juliadfreedman)

In our conversation about Elmo and Social Connection, Rev. Julia interviews Yolanda Santiago-Correa, the Program director for the Hispanic House of Studies at Duke Divinity School. Yolanda is working toward her PhD. in Cultural Studies and shares a lot of great insight on this cultural phenomenon that we saw through Elmo and his viral tweet a couple of weeks back. We hope you will find this conversation interesting and uplifting. Find Yolanda on Instagram: @afrolatinetheology and @majestadprieta Online: afrolatinetheology.com Tik Tok mentioned in the episode: @cat.janice This episode is written and produced by Rev. Julia Instagram: @juliadfreedman

This is an Episode written and preached for a specific context. While it was written and delivered for Advent 4 2023, you will enjoy the topics of Mary, Barbie and how we challenge the patriarchy in this sermon for any time of year. This episode was written and produced by Rev. Julia Matallana Freedman. Instagram: @juliadfreedman

This is a sermon on Matthew 21:33-46, the nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. I write my sermons to fit a particular place and location, but I know that the message for this particular community can be just as meaningful in other places and locations. Please share this episode with your friends as you build coalitions and find ways to resist the status quo in your own communities. May the Lord continue to bless your daily work for justice. Peace, Rev. Julia

Noemi Uribe has personal experience with the effects of religious abuse from their time at Hillsong Boston. They share more about their journey of healing and recovery. Please take care while listening as we briefly mention suicidal ideation and childhood sexual abuse.

This is a sermon written and preached on the Sunday after a school shooting in Texas and the mass shooting in Buffalo, NY.  Sources:  The Atlantic, "No Parent Should Have to Live Like This." https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/school-gun-violence-robb-elementary-uvalde/638422/ Commentary on Judges 19-20: https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/concubine-of-levite-bible Chinese Symbols, Emily Chang: https://social-legacy.com/mobile-biosphere-day-14-the-chinese-word-for-crisis/ The Official Stance of the Episcopal Church on Gun Violence: https://bishopsagainstgunviolence.org/

This is a sermon written for and delivered on Transfiguration Sunday. 

In this episode Julia explores the themes of choice, interdependence, and love in Book 6, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. With particular focus on the Horcruxes.  ****WARNING: this episode contains spoilers! To continue the conversation find me on twitter: @JuliaDMatallana