Toil and Trouble

This is the messy middle: a church being born amid political turmoil, attacks on the vulnerable, and communities in despair. The St. Lucy’s team navigates the turbulent climate in early 2025, leading to some reality checks. They face questions about how they can support those with religious trauma, those who are grieving, and those who are afraid. And do it all while processing their own grief and feelings of inadequacy. As many seek solace, there is an increased demand for churches to not simply offer belonging but also, protection. Tune in for an intimate, unpolished conversation about what faithful resistance looks like today. Links: Martin Luther King Jr. “Loving Your Enemies” sermon Intro Song: “It May Be Time to Close Your Eyes” Derek Webb Executive Orders: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”;  “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation”; “Establishment of the White House Faith Office”; “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias” Data: Child Homelessness; Gender-Affirming Medications Among Transgender Adolescents in the US “A Service of Prayer for the Nation Homily” Bishop Mariann Budde House Resolution 59 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the sermon given by the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde was a display of political activism and condemning its distorted message. Book: “The Exvangelicals” by Sarah McCammon