Consider the Stars with David Wilkinson

Consider the Stars with David Wilkinson

Today we learn from a theologian and astrophysicist about how priests can navigate science and faith. “Consider the stars,” God says to Abraham. The psalms and canticles, too, recommend we look up, beyond our own planet, to consider the grandeur and mystery of God’s handiwork. You could also say, in a way, that’s what science does, whether it’s looking upward and outward or down and in. Today we hear from a fellow stargazer and foremost leader in the area of Christianity and science, specializing in resourcing leaders for engagement in and conversations about the scientific topics of our day. As we learn, you don’t have to be an expert to be an advocate for good scientific work, or to point out where God is at work, even in some of the most complex and controversial issues your parishioners are dealing with, like AI or life on other planets. Our guest is the Rev. Dr. David Wilkinson. David is Principal of St Johns College and Professor in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Durham, England. His background is in theoretical astrophysics and systematic theology. David is also a Methodist minister, has been an ecumenical canon at Durham Cathedral, and is the Project Director at Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science. Today we’ll talk about: * Surprising and fruitful intersections between ministry and science. * How the average parish priest can enter difficult science-related conversations. * Theological implications of space travel, living on other planets, and UFO/UAP phenomena. In our bonus segment, we call up New Testament scholar Wesley Hill for a teaser of his talk at our Radiant Pages conference, all about the non-Pauline epistles and their place in Christian life. The Rev. Dr. Wesley Hill is an author, speaker, and professor, and currently serves as Associate Professor of New Testament at Wycliffe College Toronto. He has several new books in the works, including a theological commentary on the Johannine Epistles. From the episode Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science [https://www.eclasproject.org/] Andrew Davison on UAPs/aliens [https://www.christianitytoday.com/2023/12/ufo-uap-alien-extraterrestrial-astrobiology-theology-christ/] John Polkinghorne’s One World [https://www.amazon.com/One-World-Interaction-Science-Theology/dp/1599471116] NASA website [https://www.nasa.gov/] From the ads Register for Radiant Pages [https://livingchurch.org/events/radiant-pages/] - Apply TLCPOD10 for 10% off Give to support this podcast [https://livingchurch.org/give] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands]

Newsdesk on ACC Gathering in Ireland

What happened at the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Belfast, and why does it matter? In July, our editor, Mark Michael, returned from a gathering of Anglicans that happens every three years: a meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC). This year’s was June 27- July 5, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and also marked the first 100 days or so of Archbishop Sarah Mullally’s ministry as Archbishop of Canterbury. We pulled together a special episode of the newsdesk to talk about what Mark brought back from this international Communion reunion, who was there, what people were hoping for, and what came of it. We’ll particularly discuss the reception and discussion of a document from the InterAnglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith, and Order, known as the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals (NCPs). Two principal proposals in the NCPs were hotly debated at the Anglican Consultative Council meeting: a proposal to limit the powers of the Archbishop of Canterbury and share them among other primates, and proposal to removing communion with the See of Canterbury as a primary marker of Anglican identity.  Special thanks to Mark Michael, our editor, and the Matthew Olver, our executive director and publisher, who joined me at the newsdesk. In our bonus segment, we go from the Communion gathering to vestry meeting. How do you nurture vestry members in their capacity as spiritual leaders? Retired Episcopal priest and retreat facilitator, the Rev. Dr. Marc Smith, has some tips. From this episode Podcast episodes: Newsdesk on developments in Gafcon’s Global Anglican Communion [https://livingchurch.org/podcasts/newsdesk-eastertide-treats/] Questions for Gafcon [https://livingchurch.org/podcasts/questions-for-gafcon/] (Winner of Episcopal Communicators Polly Bond Award) Websites & documents: The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals [https://www.anglicancommunion.org/the-nairobi-cairo-proposals/] Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order [https://www.anglicancommunion.org/inter-anglican-iascufo/] Anglican Consultative Council Standing Committee Resolution [https://du1vcq2i9949a.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Standing-Committee-Resolution-ACC-19-FINAL-4-July-2026.pdf] Statement from Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches [https://du1vcq2i9949a.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GSFA-Statement_ACC-19_July-2026.pdf] Living Church articles: Mullally Calls ACC to Deepened Hope and Trust [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/mullally-calls-acc-to-deepened-hope-and-trust/] Anglicans Challenged to Plant 1 Million Churches [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/anglicans-challenged-to-plant-1-million-churches/] ACC Members Walk in Derry’s Paths of Peace [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/acc-members-walk-in-derrys-paths-of-peace/] ACC Members Doubtful About Nairobi-Cairo Proposals [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/acc-members-doubtful-about-nairobi-cairo-proposals/] Mullally on Nairobi-Cairo Proposals: ‘We’re Not There Yet’ [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/mullally-on-nairobi-cairo-proposals-were-not-there-yet/] ACC Debates Nairobi-Cairo Proposals, Elects Leaders [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/acc-debates-nairobi-cairo-proposals-elects-leaders/] Archbishop Mullally: The First 100 Days [https://livingchurch.org/commentary/archbishop-mullally-the-first-100-days/] From the bonus Vestry Reflections: Cultivating Spiritual Growth in Church Leaders [https://churchpublishing.org/products/9781640657809-vestry-reflections] Marc’s website [https://www.revmarcdsmithphd.com/] TLC’s review of Marc’s book [https://livingchurch.org/books-and-culture/book-reviews/the-vestrys-vocation/] From the ads Give to support the ministries of The Living Church [https://livingchurch.org/give] Same Old Song podcast [https://thesameoldsong.fireside.fm/] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands]

Through a Glass Brightly with Léonie Seliger

What mysteries wink at us from the bright colors of stained glass? “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12). Here St. Paul is talking about how the spectrum of the full human being is revealed—will be revealed—in the light of the face of Christ. But in our modern world of clear mirrors, transparent windows, and electric lights, seeing through glass is not usually done very darkly. One place that St. Paul’s image still comes alive, however, is in the stained glass window. Stained glass can be darkening and illuminating at the same time. And as we learn from our guest today, what stained glass doesn’t reveal of the outdoors, with unmediated sunlight, it makes up for by illuminating what's indoors. By dimming with color and pattern, it can actually bring the beauty of the church into better focus, both with literal light, and through the stories it tells. Where does stained glass come from? And why did it become so important to Christians? What can we read in stained glass, what do we often miss? And how, if you’re a steward of stained glass windows yourself, can you take better care of them? Our guest is Léonie Seliger, the stained glass artist responsible for the conservation of the stained glass windows of Canterbury Cathedral. Léonie joins us to talk about: * The origins and theology of stained glass.  * The limits and complexities of the art, and how they open up creative possibility. * What to pay attention to when taking care of stained glass in your church. * A few inside stories about the stained glass in Canterbury Cathedral. Léonie is Director of The Cathedral Studios of Canterbury, which makes, designs, and preserves stained glass for churches all over the world. She is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and an ICON accredited conservator/restorer. Today we scale the scaffolding for an up-close look at one of the oldest Christian art forms and what it reveals about Church history, human longings, and life in Christ. From this episode Thomas Becket miracle window project at Canterbury Cathedral [https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/what-will-you-discover/miracles-and-masterpieces/] Canterbury Cathedral Studios website [https://www.thecathedralstudios.com/] All Saints parish in Tudeley, Marc Chagall windows [https://www.visitstainedglass.uk/location/church-of-all-saints-tudeley] From the ads Give to support the ministries of The Living Church [https://livingchurch.org/give] Same Old Song podcast [https://thesameoldsong.fireside.fm/] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands]

Newsdesk on Magnifica Humanitas, Mozambique, Myanmar

In today’s newsdesk roundup, Editor Mark Michael, Executive Director Matthew Olver, and podcast host Amber Noel provide coverage and commentary for three top news stories affecting the Anglican world. Story number one: Magnifica Humanitas. Pope Leo’s first and recent encyclical is a special, even unique, papal letter. And its topic, artificial intelligence, as well as its tone, are urgent. The letter asks not just “What is the church’s response?” but “What is our human choice?” We also discuss a series of Anglican responses from our online blog, Covenant, especially touching on humans as sub-creators and Anglo-Catholic social movements. In the next two stories: We look into ongoing coverage of jihadist persecution and interfaith resilience in the Diocese of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. We also learn about the Anglican church in Myanmar, through their post-colonial witness to unity and the life of an Anglican seminary. In our bonus segment, we chat with our freshly retired Associate Editor, Douglas LeBlanc, about highlights and challenges of his long career as a religious journalist, including some surprising wisdom for friendships across the aisle. Douglas LeBlanc served as Associate Editor of The Living Church magazine. He's also written for Christianity Today, among many other publications, and served at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center. He and his wife, Monica, live in Virginia with their cats, Mittens and Finn, and attend St. Matthew’s, Henrico. From this episode Magnifica Humanitas and Anglican response: Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas [https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html] "Outsourcing Our Humanity" [https://livingchurch.org/covenant/outsourcing-our-humanity-ai-human-identity-and-vocation/] "Why Magnifica Humanitas Matters" [https://livingchurch.org/covenant/why-magnifica-humanitatis-matters/] "An Anglican Reception of Magnifica Humanitas" [https://livingchurch.org/covenant/an-anglican-reception-of-magnifica-humanitas/] "Magnifica Humanitas and Anglican Christian Socialism" [https://livingchurch.org/covenant/magnifica-humanitas-and-anglican-christian-socialism-we-have-been-here-before/] Cabo Delgado:  "Mozambican Christians Reject Religious War" [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/mozambican-christians-reject-religious-war/] "Schism Threatened in Mozambican Church" [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/schism-threatened-in-mozambican-church/] "Persecution Deepens in Cabo Delgado" [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/persecution-deepens-in-cabo-delgado/] Myanmar:  "Singing Praise in the Blackouts" [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/singing-praise-in-the-blackouts/] From the bonus TLC honors Doug LeBlanc’s long career [https://livingchurch.org/news/news-episcopal-church/douglas-leblanc-closes-long-career-on-the-godbeat/] From the ads Register for Radiant Pages [https://livingchurch.org/events/radiant-pages/] - Apply TLCPOD10 for 10% off! George Sumner’s book, In Season and Out [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H2Q6LHPK?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tpbk_3&storeType=ebooks] Join the mission at Saint Francis Ministries [https://saintfrancisministries.org/join-our-mission/] Subscribe to The Living Church magazine [https://sub.livingchurch.org/sub/?f=paid&p=LCM] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands]

Clergy at the Movies with Abby Olcese

What are the best depictions of clergy in film? Today we swap Top 5 Clergy in Film lists with a celebrated film critic. A recipe for edification and entertainment! We all know of sloppy versions of the movie cleric—priests, monks, nuns, and pastors, either fanatical, evil, or milquetoast, lacking care or nuance on the part of those creating the role. But perhaps you’ve also seen thoughtful, even powerful, depictions of clergy that not only allow you to see a glimpse of yourself reflected sensitively onscreen, but even give you a glimpse of the kingdom. Today we explore depictions of clergy in film with writer, film critic, and erstwhile Episcopalian Abby Olcese. She and host Amber Noel share their Top 5 depictions of clergy in film, spill some behind-the-scenes tea on The Mission and Wake Up Dead Man, and generally have a really good time. They also share what they think Christian leaders might glean from spending time with onscreen clerics. SPOILER ALERT: Today’s conversation alludes to plot twists and endings, so if you’re averse to that, you have been warned! Abby Olcese is a writer and film critic based in Kansas City. She is the author of Films for all Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies [https://www.ivpress.com/films-for-all-seasons?srsltid=AfmBOorFU7PvWDv83y1hzrh8wM_F3E5QHJhyUeLDRuemmSgHX7GY65d1], the film editor for The Pitch Magazine in Kansas City, and contributes to publications including Sojourners Magazine and Rogerebert.com [http://rogerebert.com/]. In today’s bonus segment, we bring together some of the same themes of our film conversation—clergy, calling, suffering, and grace—by talking to one Pentecostal pastor about his own dark night of the soul and the dramatic and kooky interceptions of grace. The Rev. Chuck Noel is teaching pastor at RiverLife Church of God in Bradenton, Florida, and has served in pastoral and diocesan ministry in the Church of God for almost 50 years. His current research is in Pentecostal sacramental theology. (And yes, he is Amber’s dad.) From the episode Abby’s book, Films for All Seasons [https://www.ivpress.com/films-for-all-seasons?srsltid=AfmBOorFU7PvWDv83y1hzrh8wM_F3E5QHJhyUeLDRuemmSgHX7GY65d1] Amber’s review of First Reformed on Covenant [https://livingchurch.org/covenant/if-you-have-the-stomach-see-first-reformed-twice/] Abby’s Top 5: 5. Calvary [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234003/] 4. The Bishop’s Wife [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039190/] 3. First Reformed [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6053438/] 2. Wake Up, Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14364480/] 1. The Mission [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091530/] Amber’s Top 5: 5. Into Temptation [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1232824/?ref_=ttfc_ov_bk] 4. The Apostle [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118632/] 3. The Sound of Music [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/?ref_=ls_t_9] 2. First Reformed [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6053438/] 1. Calvary [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234003/] From the ads Register for Radiant Pages [https://livingchurch.org/events/radiant-pages/] - Apply TLCPOD10 for 10% off! George Sumner’s book, In Season and Out  [https://www.amazon.com/Season-Out-Reflections-Bishop-Churning/dp/B0H2Q6LHPK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FXPIUNMGI6OT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZD8NnhQyzsQfNcsA_X335UIXDPgjiNqJ5I9QBUZwQvcM2xJk-z-WYfYYRAk7QjtGDGeb84Wk1AYzfu_lkrpcupYA69UWrBIMX9N9TEpESIk.WLA7Nw6uWfkOCqVtsiNxGD18hVHQ3D-b1xxqd_NR0is&dib_tag=se&keywords=george+sumner+in+season+and+out&qid=1780585245&s=movies-tv&sprefix=george+sumner+in+season+and+ou%2Cmovies-tv%2C275&sr=1-1] Join the mission at Saint Francis Ministries [https://saintfrancisministries.org/join-our-mission/] Give to support this podcast [https://livingchurch.org/give] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands]