Description

Do you feel like your spiritual journey has left you longing for a deeper connection in a fast-paced world? In the rush of daily life, spirituality can often feel distant or difficult to grasp, leaving us yearning for something more. This is where the power of community comes in. Within a spiritual community, the search for meaning takes on new depth, offering a space where we can explore our beliefs alongside others who share our quest. It’s in this collective experience that you find not only support and encouragement but also a renewed sense of purpose and belonging, reminding you that your spiritual journey is both personal and communal, deeply enriched by the presence of others.

In this episode, we talk about connection, community, and their role in a spiritual and healing journey with a returning guest, Rev. Lizzie McManus Dail. Lizzie has lived all over the world with her boots now rooted in Austin, Texas, where she is living her dream as the founder of Jubilee Episcopal Church. Lizzie is passionate about the evangelism of a God who makes each of us for joy, which is why you might see her doing silly dances and talking about church history on Instagram and TikTok with her 80K followers. 

As a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, Lizzie brought a passion for intersectional feminism and queer theology to her studies at Duke Divinity School and Seminary of the Southwest. It was her time in both Massachusetts and North Carolina that brought her into the Episcopal church, where she was ordained in 2020. While grateful for her academic formation, she still swears most things she learned about being a priest she learned from 5 plus years of working in the service industry and access to the arts in her public high school.  

Tune in!

What You Will Learn:

• [00:01] Intro and a bit about our guest today, Rev. Lizzie
• [05:54] What spirituality is and how it differs from religion 
• [09:56] Why community is important in maintaining and deepening spirituality
• [15:36] How to make spirituality less strange, unpredictable and chaotic
• [17:47] How a spiritual community helps celebrate our differences from a place of love
• [26:42] Tips on how to balance spiritual practices with communal activities
• [31:01] Doing the work and figuring out your spiritual identity
• [33:06] The role rituals and ceremonies play in building a deeper connection with others
• [38:43] Chandler's confirmation and why it was so special to her 
• [44:18] How community has influenced Lizzie’s spiritual journey 
• [50:36] Steps to deepen your spiritual connection through community
• [56:26] Wrap up and end of the show

Standout Quotes:

“The church teaches us to disagree with dignity and how to be in community.” [18:47]

• “Church does not replace therapy, church does not replace all the other modality of healing, church is just part of it.” [29:47]
• “The biggest thing about deepening your spiritual connection through community is making that leap and giving it a chance.” [53:33]
• “Give church a try, be open-minded and open hearted, if it’s new and different, not new and toxic, it’s okay, let it teach and lead you and see what unfolds.” [51:18]
  

Let’s Connect

Chandler Stroud

Website: https://healingheroespodcast.com/

Mixing, editing and show notes provided by Next Day Podcast.