May 18, 2023 – With Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, a
renowned global scholar, and Professor of Theological and Social Ethics,
who holds a joint appointment at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
and Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP). Dr. Moe-Lobeda founded
the Center for Climate Justice and Faith at Pacific Lutheran Theological
Seminary to empower leaders in cultivating moral, spiritual, and
practical power for the work of climate justice in communities of faith
and in collaboration with others.

Dr. Moe-Lobeda’s current writing project is a series of seven volumes
addressing the urgent need for a new economic system, one which heals
from predatory economic life to an economy of life abundant for all, for
which she will write the introductory volume and engage other authors in
the subsequent six. The title is “Building a Moral Economy – Equitable,
Ecological, and Democratic: Roadmaps for People of Good Courage.”

We are also joined by returning, three-time Grammy-nominated musician
and vocal activist, Melanie DeMore, who states: “Life is for the seeking
and sharing of light, joy, and deep love for what moves you.” Melanie
has a remarkable voice, weaving the fibers of African American folk
music with soulful ballads, spirituals, and her own original music.
DeMore has served on the faculty of St. Paul’s School in Oakland, and is
a founding member of the critically acclaimed vocal ensemble Linda
Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir.

April 27, 2023 — In honor of Earth Week, we welcome the Rev. Canon Gilbert Otuo-Acheampong from Mampong-Ashanti, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Gilbert is the Canon Theologian of the Anglican Diocese of Asante Mampong in Ghana and is in the Bay Area pursuing his Ph.D. at the GTU in Berkeley. Together we will explore the topic of Radically Re-thinking Sustainability and the Church’s Mission to put the needs of people and the earth at the heart of church life. Gilbert’s degree in Agriculture and his love of theology and the Bible come together in his work which explores what Hebrew scriptures can tell us about sustainable agriculture today. And in this exploration of scripture, sustainability, and ecology, Gilbert is looking at how the church as a whole and we as people understand our connection to the earth. Come join us to hear how closely our concerns and questions about the planet echo with those of this area of Ghana and how we might learn from one another as we seek to reconnect to the earth as our mother.

Our Guest Musician, Betsy Rose, is a singer, songwriter and activist, whose music blends compassion and mindfulness, depth and humor, passionate activism and spiritually grounded perspective. In 2016, Betsy embarked on a 6 month solo journey through Asia and Africa, including Kenya and Liberia. singing with grassroots women’s and social justice projects, and with children. Betsy lives in Berkeley California with her partner; their son Matthew is an organic/regenerative agriculture farmer.

April 20, 2023 — In honor of Earth Week, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Rachel Mash from Capetown, South Africa, Coordinator of the world-wide Anglican Communion Environmental Network. Honored as a presenter at the United Nations and Parliament of the World Religions, she co-founded Green Anglicans, the Care for Creation movement of the Anglican Church, resourcing churches with liturgical and educational materials grounded in earth and justice theology. And she has been instrumental in the creation of the Communion Forest initiative to plant, protect, and restore forests globally.

Our guest musician for the evening is Kele Nitoto, a second generation African-American percussionist and singer. Born and raised in the Oakland Dance Culture, Kele Has studied with masters of many styles, becoming proficient in West-African, Congolese, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, and Afro-Haitian traditional music. He is a full-time teacher of traditional music to at-risk youth of incarcerated parents. Currently Kele performs with Wildchoir, and he is spearheading Oakland Hand Drums, an organization focused on rhythmic education and performance through a cultural and creative lens, which is currently holding classes and drum circles online

March 22, 2023 — Sacred Earth: Growing Beloved Community in an Expanding Universe, a conversation with Brian Swimme.

Bishop Marc Andrus, Dr. M. Paloma Pavel, and Professor Brian Swimme, Cosmologist and Astrophysicist, explore RELATIONSHIP being the fundamental building block of an ever more diverse cosmos. His newest book, Cosmogenesis: An Unveiling of the Expanding Universe, reveals the completely giving nature of the Universe, a cosmic love that allows the future to emerge, and our alignment with that nature as we give ourselves completely to whatever service we provide for our fellow beings. We learn that there is no such thing as “lifeless matter.” Matter, in its very structure and dynamism, generates life. As Brian’s mentor Fr. Thomas Berry stated: “The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects.”

Our guest musician and vocal activist is Melanie DeMore, who states: “Life is for the seeking and sharing of light, joy, and deep love for what moves you.”

March 1, 2023 — Leading Spiritual Teacher John Philip Newell is in conversation with Bishop Marc Andrus and Dr. M. Paloma Pavel and shares how Celtic spirituality—listening to the sacred around us and inside of us—can help us heal the earth, overcome our conflicts, and reconnect with ourselves.

His latest book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What our Souls Know and Healing the World, reflects on the long, hidden tradition of Celtic Christianity. He explains how this earth-based spirituality can help us rediscover the natural rhythms of life and deepen our spiritual connection with God, with each other, and with the earth.

The music of Cameron Newell, son of John Philip Newell, graces the webcast, providing traditional Scottish fiddle music inspired by the land and history.

Anne and Terry Symens-Bucher, Co-Founders of Canticle Farm

January 26, 2023 — Anne and Terry Symens-Bucher, Co-Founders of Canticle Farm will be our featured guests as well as members of their community in conversation with Bishop Marc Andrus and Dr. M. Paloma Pavel. Canticle Farm in Oakland is an urban garden, educational center, and community of intention experimenting at the intersections of faith-based, social-justice-based, and Earth-based nonviolent activism. As the founders acquired surrounding houses, they removed fences in the inner city, providing living spaces and work for activists, asylum seekers, recently incarcerated people, and many interested in community, justice, and growing food for their neighbors. They are growing food and faith while growing Beloved Community.

The featured musician is Poet/Musician Lu Aya who uses music and poetry in the struggle for human rights and justice in Colombia, Sudan, Palestine, Afghanistan and the US. He performs at rallies and in streets, in hospitals and on stages, inside prisons and in front of precincts. Lu’s work is to sing truth to power.

November 10, 2022 – Voices from COP27. In this webcast, Bishop Marc Andrus and Dr. Paloma Pavel, who are both part of the official delegation to COP27 from the Episcopal Church, interview other attendees from the global community sharing their passion for environmental justice, racial justice, and the Spirit.

Our musician will be Ronald Braman who serves as Lay Minister and Director of Music at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Reservation in Fort Hall, Idaho. Ron is Shoshone and he serves as one of the church’s indigenous representative to the United Nations.

December 13, 2022 – What arose from the UN COP27 meeting in Egypt?

Justice was mobilized into action. Specific accountability and funding began for Loss and Damage reparations for those nations who are now suffering most from our global climate crisis. Join us as we explore our part in this historic advancement of race and justice with Bishop Marc Andrus and Dr. Paloma Pavel, who were both part of the Episcopal Church’s delegation. In this webcast they will share some reflections as well as additional interviews from their time at COP27. Also, Bishop Marc Andrus interviews Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Rt. Rev. Michael Curry about the radical theological implication of God’s family including all of creation.

Our musician is Dent Davidson who is the Chapel Musician and Lecturer in Church Music at CDSP, and Associate Minister for Music at All Souls Parish, Berkeley.

October 13, 2022 — Our inaugural Video with the Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll, the founder and president of Green the Church, a national non-profit charged to educate the Black Church and lead in the creation of sustainable programs to undergird the work of creating green and efficient church buildings.

Our guest musician is Benjamin Mertz who was raised in the Episcopal Church and has served as music director in many congregations. He is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute (BECI), on the board of directors of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, and the founder/director of the Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers.