Election Week 2020 was a time of deep uncertainty and division in the United States. In this episode, recorded before a victory was announced for President-Elect Biden, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy discuss the road that led to this moment. In a world where the truth itself is contested, what is the role of liberal religion? And what does liberal religion have to show us about the path forward? This episode is also available on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/sSamlkkT698. Write back to us at po...
Nov 09, 2020•29 min•Season 2Ep. 3
On the eve of a momentous election in the United States, the founding figures, documents, and ideals of America are under scrutiny. In this episode, recorded October 30, 2020, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy offer a liberal religious perspective on civic engagement and what lies ahead for our country. What is the dream of America and how can we work together to see its fulfillment? This episode is also available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/DiFnliiUk0I. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org!...
Nov 02, 2020•32 min•Season 2Ep. 2
As news headlines swirl about religion and its role in public life, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy take a step back to examine the bigger picture. What is religion? How are religion and spirituality connected? And what is the role of community-building in religious practice? Enjoy this timeless conversation about the sociology of religion, presented from a perspective that centers equality and liberation for all. Hope & Heresy is also available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/1cjSDkXZOF0 !...
Oct 29, 2020•33 min
Welcome to Season 2 of "Hope & Heresy: Life on the Religious Left"! Our hosts, Reverend Sarah Lenzi and Reverend Peggy Clarke, wrestle with contemporary issues using history and theology as guides. This is a show for everyday people who want to reclaim religion and live meaningfully without arbitrary doctrine. In our season opener, Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah discuss the role of religion in politics. History provides a framework for understanding what "separation of church and state" m...
Oct 15, 2020•29 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Take Action/ Further Reading: NAACP We Are Done Dying campaign: https://naacp.org/campaigns/we-are-done-dying/ Equal Justice Initiative, "Tragic Death of George Floyd Reveals Continuing Problem of Police Violence": https://eji.org/news/tragic-death-of-george-floyd-reveals-continuing-problem-of-police-violence/ Alex S. Vitale, "The answer to police violence is not 'reform'. It's defunding. Here's why": https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/31/the-answer-to-police-violence-is-not-refo...
Jun 01, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This episode is also available to watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/XRjEUMWlXyk In today's episode, Sarah and Peggy return to the "recording studio" to discuss the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on New York City and the world. Since our last in-person recording session, our lives have altered dramatically and many of us have lost loved ones. In order to protect ourselves and each other from the threat of the coronavirus, we have adapted to once-unthinkable changes in our ways of being...
May 21, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In our last in-person recording session for now, Peggy and Sarah discuss the early days of COVID-19 in New York City. Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org! Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ) Produced by Amy Wilson Original music by Graham Clarke Design by Carol E. Wolf Recorded at Community Church of New York, Murray Hill, Manhattan
Mar 22, 2020•10 min
It's okay to talk about sex with your minister or in a religious setting, but many people find that difficult. From the time of Augustine, sex has been bound up with religion, power, money, and patriarchy. Join us for a warm and friendly conversation to untangle some of that history and how it continues to affect many people today. Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org! Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitari...
Mar 22, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Not all grief is encompassed by our conventional understanding. Labor laws often prescribe a certain amount of time for a certain type of grief, while social norms encourage us to understand grief as directly related to death. The conversation in today's episode touches upon many types of grief: the loss of a meaningful job, the transition of a child into adulthood, the decision to give a baby up for adoption. After listening to this episode, you might consider reaching out to a friend or loved ...
Mar 22, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 4
This is a shame-free zone. Today's episode won't tell you to quit Facebook or to get off the grid entirely, but it will encourage you to think deeply about technology as a tool, the progress of humanity, and how we use tech to relate to each other. Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org! Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ) Produced by Amy Wilson Original music by Graham Clarke D...
Mar 22, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3
"The revolution will be spiritual." Today's discussion illuminates the near future of climate change, theological understandings of humanity's relationship to the earth, and what can be done on an individual and community level to address this existential crisis. Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org! Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ) Produced by Amy Wilson Original music by ...
Mar 22, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 2
What is heresy and why is it necessary in today's conflicted and complicated world? The word "heresy" is challenging for many people, but the heretics in history have been critical to moving religious thought forward. On the inaugural episode of Hope & Heresy: Life on the Religious Left, Reverend Sarah Lenzi and Reverend Peggy Clarke discuss their choice to reclaim the word "heresy" as they embark on a project to examine contemporary topics through a liberal religious lens. Join us for this ...
Mar 22, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1
