Firstchurchotago - Podcast Details

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Dear Sophie: Letters on GriefGrowing out of God Like us, our faith needs to grow and develop. If it doesn't, it can become restrictive and stifling. Often, we have a conception of faith that is fixed and concrete. Grief can ask some pretty unforgiving questions of us. Rather than doggedly hold to a particular way of seeing things, there may be more life in letting our grief break things down and then see what we can build out of the rubble. Dear Sophie: Letters on Grief is brought to you by The Common, a community of curious humans from First Church who gather to work out how...2024-04-1811 min

Dear Sophie: Letters on GriefCornered by SufferingIn this letter, we explore how suffering likes to get us on our own, amplifying our pain and isolating us from our support. The challenge is to find ways to reach out when our impulse is to curl up and hide. Dear Sophie: Letters on Grief is brought to you by The Common, a community of curious humans from First Church who gather to work out how to make the best of the outrageous privilege of being alive. If you want to know more, or connect, just email dearsophie@firstchurchotago.org for more details. 2024-04-1211 min

Dear Sophie: Letters on GriefThe Meaning Behind the MeaninglessnessIn the last letter, we explored how grief and suffering are not always part of God's plan. They don't automatically have redemptive meaning. In this letter, we are working out what that meaningless means about the world, our pain and what God is up to. Dear Sophie: Letters on Grief is brought to you by The Common, a community of curious humans from First Church who gather to work out how to make the best of the outrageous privilege of being alive. If you want to know more, or connect, just email dearsophie@firstchurchotago.org for more details. 2024-04-0411 min

Dear Sophie: Letters on GriefWhat does it all mean?The question of meaning is never far from the human struggle with suffering. The conviction is that if we can simply find a meaningful interpretation of our pain, then our pain will be worthwhile. However, this can result in us living as if everything were 'meant to be.' And this, friends, maybe an even bigger problem. Dear Sophie: Letters on Grief is brought to you by The Common, a community of curious humans from First Church who gather to work out how to make the best of the outrageous privilege of being alive. If you want to know...2024-03-2813 min

Dear Sophie: Letters on GriefRuth's StoryIn this episode, Malcolm tells the story of his friend Ruth, who after years of pretending, found a way to make room for who she really was and what she was really feeling, and found that it also made room for others to be similarly authentic. Authenticity like this makes room for grief too. Dear Sophie: Letters on Grief is brought to you by The Common, a community of curious humans from First Church who gather to work out how to make the best of the outrageous privilege of being alive. If you want to know more, or connect, j...2024-03-2109 min

Dear Sophie: Letters on GriefWords for the WrestleIn this episode, we explore an ancient form of Hebrew poetry that gave voice to complaint and protest, yet didn't lose sight of faith or hope: these are the Psalms of lament. Jesus prayed them, and they kept his faith in God alive when God went AWOL. Dear Sophie: Letters on Grief is brought to you by The Common, a community of curious humans from First Church who gather to work out how to make the best of the outrageous privilege of being alive. If you want to know more, or connect, just email dearsophie@firstchurchotago.org for more...2024-03-1413 min

Dear Sophie: Letters on GriefWrestling with GodThere are more ways to be faithful than we think. We're used to think of kneeling to pray, or being accepting and content as the same as being faithful. But there is also room for argumentation, and protest and fighting for what you need and don't want to lose. Dear Sophie: Letters on Grief is brought to you by The Common, a community of curious humans from First Church who gather to work out how to make the best of the outrageous privilege of being alive. If you want to know more, or connect, just email dearsophie@firstchurchotago.org f...2024-03-0711 min

Dear Sophie: Letters on GriefAt a Walking PaceLots of life can be a rush. We try to jam as much in as we possible can. In today's episode, we're explore how grief is a big handbrake on hurry. Its a reminder that the process of grief is more important than any destination. Dear Sophie: Letters on Grief is brought to you by The Common, a community of curious humans from First Church who gather to work out how to make the best of the outrageous privilege of being alive. If you want to know more, or connect, just email dearsophie@firstchurchotago.org for more details.2024-02-2915 min

Dear Sophie: Letters on GriefShowing Up and Shutting UpGrief can make people say dumb stuff. In today's episode, Malcolm extols the virtue of silence in the face of suffering. Rather than silence being an absence, silence allows for a deeper, more compassionate kind of presence, which takes people's pain seriously. Dear Sophie: Letters on Grief is brought to you by The Common, a community of curious humans from First Church who gather to work out how to make the best of the outrageous privilege of being alive. If you want to know more, or connect, just email...2024-02-2210 min

A Field Guide to ForgivenessThe Boundary between Exclusion and EmbraceIn this episode, Malcolm talks to Phil Halstead, who has literally written a book on forgiveness. Phil is a theologian and a counsellor who engages with both spirituality and psychology to help people forgive. In this conversation, Malcolm asks him to reflect on some key insights from previous guests. If you have any questions that arise or would like to respond to this conversation, please email malcolm@firstchurchotago.org. 2023-04-081h 20

A Field Guide to ForgivenessLetting Myself off the HookIn today's episode, Malcolm talks with Darryl Tempero about why forgiving ourselves can be harder than forgiving other people. He explores the importance of community and finding the right people to hear our story and validate our experience. If you have any questions that arise or would like to respond to this conversation, please email ⁠malcolm@firstchurchotago.org⁠. 2023-04-051h 05

A Field Guide to ForgivenessForgiveness and the Actual N-Word Today Malcolm talks to Alofa Lale about learning forgiveness from her dad. Having heard in previous episodes about the harm parents can do, Alofa's story reminds of the possibility of a more beautiful kind of inheritance. Drawing on her Samoan heritage, Alofa offers an understanding of forgiveness that cares about relationships and community. Drawing on her faith, she operates from a conviction that people are loved but flawed - meaning forgiveness is an essential skill in our world. Oh, and she talks about forgiving someone who called her the n-word. A week ago. I know, right! If...2023-03-2951 min

A Field Guide to ForgivenessStarting with meIn today's episode, Malcolm talks with his cousin Teina. Teina's story begins with abuse and neglect, and for many years threatened to repeat that cycle, until she realised she needed to change and that she could change. She started by learning to love herself, and everything else, including forgiveness, flowed from there. If you have any questions that arise or would like to respond to this conversation, please email ⁠malcolm@firstchurchotago.org⁠. 2023-03-2259 min

A Field Guide to ForgivenessBreaking the CycleToday, Malcolm talks to theologian Murray Rae. Murray has written on forgiveness and sees it as a way of breaking out of the well-trod pattern of revenge. Murray draws on Jesus' example to offer us an insight into how forgiveness can open up a new sort of future for us, and for those who hurt us. If you have any questions that arise or would like to respond to this conversation, please email ⁠malcolm@firstchurchotago.org⁠. 2023-03-1557 min

A Field Guide to ForgivenessFacing up to the HurtIn today's episode, Malcolm talks to his friend Geoff, a record producer, originally from Wellington, now living and working in Nashville. In the wake of Geoff's recent marriage break-up, he discovered forgiveness was the path he needed to take if he was going to become the person he wanted to be. If you have any questions that arise or would like to respond to this conversation, please email ⁠malcolm@firstchurchotago.org⁠. 2023-03-081h 05

A Field Guide to ForgivenessGetting CuriousIn this episode, Malcolm talks to his friend Kim who works in the world of business consultancy and leadership development. She knows more about forgiveness than Malcolm does and learnt it by finding a way past her pain through curiosity. If you have any questions that arise or would like to respond to this conversation, please email ⁠malcolm@firstchurchotago.org⁠. 2023-03-011h 00

A Field Guide to ForgivenessIntroducing the Unforgiving PastorJoin us as Malcolm sets up the journey we'll take, describing his mastery of unforgiveness alongside the growing conviction that it is just making him an unpleasant human If you have any questions that arise or would like to respond to this introduction, please email ⁠malcolm@firstchurchotago.org⁠. 2023-02-2214 min

First Church of OtagoSunday 31 JanuarySermon on Mark 1:21-28 from First Church of Otago, preached by the Rev Ed Masters 2021-02-0218 min

First Church of OtagoSunday 24 JanuarySermon on Mark 1:14-20 preached at First Church of Otago by Rev Ed Masters 2021-01-2620 min

First Church of OtagoSunday6 December - Isaiah 40:1-11 & Mark 1:1-8Sermon on Isaiah 60:1-11 & Mark 1:1-8 from First Church of Otago. Preached by the Rev Ed Masters 2020-12-0817 min

First Church of OtagoSunday Nov 29: Is 64:1-9 & Mark 13:24-37Sermon on Isaiah 64:1-9 & Mark 13:24-37 from First Church of Otago. Preached by the Rev Ed Masters 2020-12-0120 min

First Church of OtagoSunday Nov 1: Matt 23:1-12Sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 preached at First Church on Nov 1.2020-11-0317 min

First Church of OtagoSunday 25 Oct - Matt 22:34-40Sermon on Matt 22:34-40 preached by Rev Ed Masters 2020-10-2517 min

First Church of OtagoSunday October 18 - Matt 22:15-22University Chaplain Rev Olivia Dawson preaching on Matt 22:15-22 2020-10-1918 min

First Church of OtagoSunday 20th September SermonSermon on Exodus 16:2-15. Preached by Rev Ed Masters on Sunday 20th September 2020 at the First Church of Otago 2020-09-2200 min

First Church of OtagoPathways and the future of the ChurchSome thoughts on the paths we build and the future ministry of the church 2020-04-3000 min

First Church of OtagoReflecting on 1 Peter 1:3-9A chance to listen to the Scriptures and reflect on what God is saying to you through the words of 1 Peter 1:3-9, as you listen to the Jamaican spiritual classic All my trials played by Richard Brown on the organ 2020-04-1600 min

First Church of OtagoGood Friday ServiceA simple service of worship for Good Friday whilst we are in lock down. Includes Richard Brown playing variations of Were you there when they crucified my Lord?2020-04-0900 min

First Church of OtagoJohn 13: Jesus predicts his betrayalAn opportunity to reflect on John 13 where Jesus discusses his betrayal and teachings with his disciples. Includes the music "Go to Dark Gesthemene" played by Richard Brown.Go to dark Gethsemane,You who feel the tempter's pow'r;Your Redeemer's conflict see;Watch with Him one bitter hour;Turn not from His griefs away;Learn of Jesus Christ to pray. 2020-04-0800 min

First Church of OtagoPalm Sunday MeditationAn invitation to reflect on the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. Take some time to listen to the Scriptures being read, beautiful music and talk to God.2020-04-0300 min

First Church of OtagoPsalm 13 - Honesty with GodA reflection on Psalm 13 and the invitation to be bluntly honest with God. Music from the wonderful Richard Brown 2020-04-0100 min

First Church of OtagoThe mind of Christ - Philippians 2Join us as we reflect on Paul's call to the Philippian church and consider the ways in which we can be formed as people and a community. Includes Richard Brown playing the Servant Song.2020-03-2800 min

First Church of OtagoFirst Church Dunedin - A time for preparation: March 25, 2020Our second podcast, reflecting on Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:15-19.Includes the hymn Love divine played by Richard Brown 2020-03-2500 min

First Church of OtagoFirst Church Dunedin - God's Love Endures March 21, 2020In times of uncertainty, we are reminded that God's love endures forever. Join us for First Church's first ever podcast as we seek to continue our life of following God in this unusual season.2020-03-2000 min