Shows
Holy Heresy!Through the Advent Doors 1: HopeThe "Through the Advent Doors" series explores the process of waiting in this season, and the new ways we can view the four Advent themes of Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy. The series takes influence from Jan L Richardson's book of the same name. In this episode, Rev. Laura Vail Fregin discusses "Hope" in the scope of current events.Sermon by Rev. Laura Vail FreginMusic: "Coventry Carol" performed by Grace Sheldon-WilliamsPodcast produced by the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
2022-11-2815 minHoly Heresy!Banned Books 4: "To Kill A Mockingbird"The "Banned Books" series explores the connection between historical censorship of texts in Christianity and the contemporary censorship of literature in today's schools and libraries. The series takes influence from classic literature that was at one time, or currently is banned. In this episode, Rev. Laura Vail Fregin discusses "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper LeeSermon by Rev. Laura Vail FreginMusic: "Love is Little" by David García Saldaña, recorded by Ryan HumphreyPodcast produced by the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
2022-11-0116 minHoly Heresy!Banned Books 3: "The Handmaid's Tale"The "Banned Books" series explores the connection between historical censorship of texts in Christianity and the contemporary censorship of literature in today's schools and libraries. The series takes influence from classic literature that was at one time, or currently is banned. In this episode, Rev. Laura Vail Fregin discusses "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret AtwoodSermon by Rev. Laura Vail FreginMusic: "Love is Little" by David García Saldaña, recorded by Ryan HumphreyPodcast produced by the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
2022-11-0116 minHoly Heresy!Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose 7: An Evolving PurposeIronically enough, while religion dims and even disappears from the scene in many cases, it is the philosophy and psychology that hold out against the notion of giving up, of abandoning ourselves to the dregs of life. Of seeing it as useless. Of surrendering to its challenges, depressed by its losses and deluded by its fruitless promises of success, of wealth, of power, of whatever brings us to the brink.The "Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose" series explores deep questions of faith in a changing world, and how we can understand the nature of faith in...
2022-10-3115 minHoly Heresy!Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose 6: Chancel Conversation with Rev. Stan MitchellIronically enough, while religion dims and even disappears from the scene in many cases, it is the philosophy and psychology that hold out against the notion of giving up, of abandoning ourselves to the dregs of life. Of seeing it as useless. Of surrendering to its challenges, depressed by its losses and deluded by its fruitless promises of success, of wealth, of power, of whatever brings us to the brink.The "Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose" series explores deep questions of faith in a changing world, and how we can understand the nature of faith in...
2022-10-1825 minHoly Heresy!Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose 5: An Evolving World (Part 2)Ironically enough, while religion dims and even disappears from the scene in many cases, it is the philosophy and psychology that hold out against the notion of giving up, of abandoning ourselves to the dregs of life. Of seeing it as useless. Of surrendering to its challenges, depressed by its losses and deluded by its fruitless promises of success, of wealth, of power, of whatever brings us to the brink.The "Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose" series explores deep questions of faith in a changing world, and how we can understand the nature of faith in...
2022-10-1714 minHoly Heresy!Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose 2: An Evolving GodIronically enough, while religion dims and even disappears from the scene in many cases, it is the philosophy and psychology that hold out against the notion of giving up, of abandoning ourselves to the dregs of life. Of seeing it as useless. Of surrendering to its challenges, depressed by its losses and deluded by its fruitless promises of success, of wealth, of power, of whatever brings us to the brink.The "Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose" series explores deep questions of faith in a changing world, and how we can understand the nature of faith in...
2022-09-2014 minHoly Heresy!Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose 1: An IntroductionIronically enough, while religion dims and even disappears from the scene in many cases, it is the philosophy and psychology that hold out against the notion of giving up, of abandoning ourselves to the dregs of life. Of seeing it as useless. Of surrendering to its challenges, depressed by its losses and deluded by its fruitless promises of success, of wealth, of power, of whatever brings us to the brink.The "Evolving God, Evolving World, Evolving Purpose" series explores deep questions of faith in a changing world, and how we can understand the nature of faith in...
2022-09-1413 minHoly Heresy!Conversations with Composers 2: Patrick Cassidy, David Harris, Rev. Laura Vail Fregin and Rev. Michael LehmanIn Conversations With Composers we talk with people who are creating new soundscapes that shape the ways we engage with life, art, and sacredness. In this first episode we speak with Patrick Cassidy about “The Mass”, his new major work for choir and organ. David Harris interviews Patrick, Rev. Laura Vail Fregin and Rev. Michael Lehman to discuss their role in helping to bring this work to life, and its theological, liturgical, and cultural integration with the services at First Church.
2021-12-061h 05Holy Heresy!Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul 7: Sacred JourneyThe Sacred Earth/Sacred Soul series explores deep questions of faith through the inspiration of Celtic faith leaders who were outcast and/or labeled heretics for their questions about spirituality and interconnection. The series centers on Celtic theologian J. Philip Newell’s book “Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul”. In this episode, Rev. Laura Vail Fregin closes the series with modern Celtic prophet Kenneth White who believes that there is a shining deep within all things that illuminates their journey and which he calls “the loveliness.”
2021-11-2918 minHoly Heresy!Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul 4: Sacred MatterIn episode 4, Rev. Laura Vail Fregin explores the sacred nature of the stuff that makes up the world around us, illuminating the works of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin that show that the glory of the divine can be found everywhere.
2021-11-2917 minHoly Heresy!Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul 1: Relearning What Our Souls Already KnowThe Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul series explores deep questions of faith through the inspiration of Celtic faith leaders who were outcast and/or labeled heretics for their questions about spirituality and interconnection. In the premiere episode, Rev. Laura Vail Fregin explores what it means to have curiosity about what we believe is sacredness, and how we can begin to question our beliefs in creative, constructive ways.
2021-11-2918 min