Check out previous episodes here.
Mark Townsend (he/him) is an Independent priest, a celebrant, magician, and author of several books including ‘The Gospel of Falling Down’
I had a wonderful conversation with Mark about his life and experiences as a Church of England (and now independent) priest and celebrant and about the ministry of being f**k ups for Christ! We spoke about the privilege of being alongside people in their vulnerable and transitional moments, about how our own vulnerabilities and mistakes are the root and strength of authentic ministry.
https://www.marktownsendministry.co.uk
Jude reads from ‘The Wild Offering Oracle – a 52 Card Deck on Giving it all to God!’ by Tosha Silver, and published by Hay House.
Genevieve (they/them) is the founder of Queer Christians Brighton https://www.facebook.com/queerchristiansbtn
Instagram: @queerchristiansbtn
I had a wonderful, frank, moving conversation with Genevieve about issues relating to inclusion (or lack of it) in the church, and what it means to be affirmed and affirming. As part of their work with Queer Christians Brighton, (UK) Genevieve is currently ‘reviewing’ inclusive churches, ‘Trip Advisor’ style for their followers.
Content Warning for a frank discussion of mental health, suicide, and ‘conversion therapy’
Support Resources
Grassroots – Suicide Prevention- Find help now
Galop – The UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity
UK based LGBTQ+ Christians seeking inclusive church might want to look at One Body One Faith and Diverse Church
MindOut Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer Mental Health Service – UK
LGBTQ- Inclusive Organisations listed on Stonewall UK
Resources for LGBTQ People of Faith listed on Stonewall UK
had a great conversation this week with Stuart Delony. We cover quite a bit of ground from talking around what it means to ‘walk out’ the path of Jesus to the purpose of preaching, to the role of ministry, to worship being more than a good song!
Stuart describes himself as a storyteller, seeker, sojourner, question-asker, and provocateur. He’s a former pastor and the creator and host of Snarky Faith Radio, a podcast for the spiritually disenfranchised. It’s a space to irreverently wrestle through life, culture and spirituality. Stuart has a Masters of Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary and lives in Chapel Hill, NC with his wife and kids.
Website: www.SnarkyFaith.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/snarkyfaith
Twitter: @snarkyfaith
Instagram: @stuartdelony
I had a delightful conversation in this episode with Marc-Henri Sandoz Paradella, who is a psycho-spiritual counsellor, meditation teacher and author of the book Toxic Jesus. Marc lives in Lausanne, Switzerland, and was an evangelical pastor before he began to ask questions…
An experience of cancer in 2018, which caused him to have his leg amputated, led to what he describes as a ‘reverse epiphany’ where the idea for ‘Toxic Jesus’ was born.
We talked about the understanding of Grace, about an authentic (non-bypassing) spirituality and about finding ways back to faith after ‘deconstruction’.
Marc’s website is https://en.marchenrisandoz.com/
The book ‘Toxic Jesus’ can be found in all the usual online outlets.
I read the poem ‘Buddha in Glory’ by Rainer Maria Rilke which you can read here https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/R/RilkeRainerM/BuddhainGlor/index.html
Marc read quotes from ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ (Thus Spake Zarathustra) a treatise by Friedrich Nietzsche, and from the Apocryphal ‘Gospel of Thomas’.
We’re back!
The first episode of FUBF for 2022 with Mairtin McNamara.
I spent a wonderful, gentle and mindful hour speaking to Mairtin, who is an Irish martial artist and movement practitioner living and working (as an engineer) in Antwerp, Belgium.
Mairtin spoke about his early immersion in Catholicism, and about giving the ‘perfect’ confession. Our conversation moved into compassion, what it means to be ‘decent’ in our interactions, and how our spiritual practice informs all of that. A rich and engaging conversation that I am sure will give you food for thought.
I shared the poem ‘How to Be Alone’, by Padraig O’Tuoma. A Poetry Film by Leo G Franchi of Padraig reading his poem can be found here https://youtu.be/HgZT6UJocRs
Mairtin shared one of his own poems ‘Walls’ which you can see at https://www.instagram.com/p/CARLml_BEo5/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR0DXLTliK4J5xOWJDDDxgoKSu85BMxuN0wsVAJw7uF9DEdY4YF9YH9AxGw
He is also running a weekend workshop – “Re-Awakening, Care & Touch” – with Rachel Blackman in Brighton on 30th April & 1st May 2022 link below.
Advent Reflections
A slight detour for FUBF for a few weeks. Indulge us.
For the period of Advent ( and of course Hanukkah and The Winter Solstice) a few previous guests are recording reflections on the themes of hope, healing, reconciliation, and forgiveness.
This is our fourth and final ‘reflections’ episode for the period of Advent and Midwinter, and it is a wonderful double feature!
Roger Wolsey – who was the very first guest on the podcast returns with a really beautiful reflection on the Advent candle themes of hope, love, joy, and peace. Roger is a United Methodist pastor based in Colorado, and author of the book ‘Kissing Fish – Christianity for People Who don’t Like Christianity’
We then hear from Chris Brown – a UK-based freelance facilitator specialising in LGBTQ+ inclusion, mental health, and suicide prevention – who joined me back in episode 5. Chris reflects on this period of Midwinter and the themes of the Winter Solstice and ends with a lovely song/duet with Hannah-Rose Tristram.
Episode 1 with Roger Wolsey https://anchor.fm/fkdupbyfaith/episodes/Episode-1-with-Roger-Wolsey-e10htdr
Episode 5 with Chris Brown – https://anchor.fm/fkdupbyfaith/episodes/Episode-5—with-Chris-Brown-e127aio
Roger’s website: https://www.rogerwolsey.com
Chris’s website: http://www.chrisbrown.uk.com
Hannah- Rose Tristram’s website: https://getbrightonsinging.com
The FUBF theme music is by David Goodall https://soundsmove.com
The piano accompaniment of ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ is from the UMC https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/piano-accompaniment-recordings
In this, the third of our special episodes for the period of Advent and midwinter, we hear from Jack Mason-Goodall, who was a guest on episode 15. You can listen to that episode again here https://anchor.fm/fkdupbyfaith/episodes/Episode-15—With-Jack-Mason-Goodall-e187594/a-a6kk44k
Jude begins this episode with a reflection on candles, and Jack shares an utterly gorgeous reading of the poem ‘Until we Could’ by Richard Blanco. You can read more about the origin of the poem at ‘Freedom to Marry’ here http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/watch-freedom-to-marrys-until-we-could-by-inaugural-poet-richard-blanc
The FUBF theme music is by David Goodall https://soundsmove.com
The piano version of ‘O Come Emmanuel’ is by K. Jason French on Bandcamp https://kjasonfrench.bandcamp.com/track/o-come-o-come-emmanuel-solo-piano
In this second of our special episodes for the period of Advent and midwinter, we hear a wonderful reflection from Oskar Marchock. Oskar was my guest on episode 7 which you might want to listen to again here https://anchor.fm/fkdupbyfaith/episodes/Episode-7—With-Oskar-Marchock-e134alg
Jude shares the poem ‘O Radix’ by Malcolm Guite which you can read on Malcolm’s blog here https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/o-radix-a-third-advent-reflection-and-sonnet-9/
You can hear the episode of the Church Times podcast which features this and the other antiphons here https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/26-november/audio-video/podcast/listen-again-malcolm-guite-o-come-o-come-a-journey-through-the-advent-antiphons
The FUBF theme music is by David Goodall https://soundsmove.com
The piano version of ‘O Come Emmanuel’ is by K. Jason French on Bandcamp https://kjasonfrench.bandcamp.com/track/o-come-o-come-emmanuel-solo-piano
In this first, beautiful and mindful reflection, we hear from Dawn Lister, who was my guest back in episode 4. Dawn is a Yoga and Mindfulness teacher and co-owner of Anahata Yoga Centre in Leigh on Sea. She is a Mum and a writer who is currently working on a memoir about her experiences of growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness.
The poem Jude shares is ‘The Gift’ by Mary Oliver
The FUBF theme music is by David Goodall https://soundsmove.com
The piano accompaniment of ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ is from the UMC https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/piano-accompaniment-recordings
Samhain Bonus Episode
In this bonus episode for Samhain, I talk to Vicki McFall, who is a Scottish Wiccan/Pagan. Like me, Vicki has some reservations about people (In Vicki’s words, the ‘dabblers’) adopting or cherry-picking Celtic religious festivals (and other practices) who don’t always have the accompanying spiritual practice to keep them grounded, safe, and respectful. She also has a go at online ‘mediums’, makers of ‘spell candles’, and non-indigenous co-opters of indigenous sacred practices and objects.
Vicki’s common sense and straight-talking ordinary-ness shed some light on common misconceptions about Pagans, Wiccans, witches, and their practices.
Season 2 – Fortnightly on Mondays
Rachel Cotton is an Atheist Buddhist with Jewish roots, an autistic parent of autistic kids, and chair of Autistic Pride Reading. http://www.autisticpridereading.co.uk
In this fascinating conversation, Rachel very generously shares her faith history: her father’s Judaism; her own journey from Atheism to Tibetan Buddhism (indeed, both); her fear of death; and her love of archeology.
Jude shares Jane Hirshfield’s poem ‘To Hear the Falling World’ which you can read on Poetry Chaikhana https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/H/HirshfieldJa/ToHearFallin/index.html
Rachel shares Thich Nhat Hanh’s translation of the Heart Sutra https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/letters/thich-nhat-hanh-new-heart-sutra-translation
Jack Mason-Goodall is a psychologist and psychotherapist in training, who specialises in working with autistic children and families.
We covered a lot of ground in this uplifting conservation, but significantly, this was the first conversation (but most definitely not the last) on this podcast, about being F****d up by a yoga community!
Jude shares the poem ‘I Live in the Woods of My Words’ by Hannah Emerson https://hannah-emerson.com
Naomi Wood (she/they) is a Brighton-based writer, poet, performance artist, and workshop leader.
We had a fantastic conversation about (you guessed it) being Fkd Up by the Evangelical Church, about expressions of faith, finding the sacred in nature, and – of course – about poetry!
Naomi shares two spoken word pieces in the podcast. Jude shares Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Postcript’ at the top of the show.
Naomi’s website is http://www.naomiwoodmodel.com
Instagram @naomiwoodwrites and @iamnaomiwood
Brighton Feminist Bookshop https://thefeministbookshop.com/
Hammer and Tongue – poetry slam http://www.hammerandtongue.com/brighton/
In this lively conversation, multi-media artist, Jet Black, talks to me about her Jewish upbringing and the importance of being a culturally and ethnic (but not religious) Jew.
She shares candidly about the recent death of her mother, and the anxiety of choosing an appropriately Jewish headstone amidst a plethora of opinions.
Jude shares the poem ‘Freedom’ by Denise Levertov
Jet shares a verse from ‘Night Comes On’ by Leonard Cohen
It was an incredible treat to speak to poet John McCullough. John is an award-winning writer, poet, and creative writing tutor, who won the Hawthornden prize for literature in 2020 for his third collection of poetry ‘Reckless Paper Birds’.
In this episode, we talk about poetry (obvs!) as well as spirituality (and the connection between the two) about mental health, queer spirituality, more poetry, and John’s early church experiences as a choirboy.
I share John’s poem ‘Sometimes I am Visited by a Church of Rain’ which is from his second collection ‘Spacecraft’. John shares his poem ‘Soulcraft’ from his third collection ‘Reckless Paper Birds’. Both are published by Penned in the Margins and can be found in all the usual book-selling places.
https://www.johnmccullough.co.uk http://www.pennedinthemargins.co.uk/index.php/2017/12/john-mccullough
Olivia talks about her neurodivergent experience of feeling separate and about addiction, trauma, and finding healing through the Twelve Steps of Al Anon.
She remains just Olivia to honour Twelve Step anonymity.
Content/Trigger warning for a brief discussion of sexual assault.
Jude shares the poem ‘God Says Yes to Me’ by Kaylin Haught
Olivia shares ‘Desiderata’ by Max Ehrmann
Rachel Sparks is a dancer, dance teacher, and heart-centered embodiment educator. https://www.rachelsparksdance.co.uk In this gentle and intimate conversation with Rachel, she talks about love and loss, and about moving away from Evangelical Christianity towards a more holistic and embodied spirituality grounded in nature. Jude shares an excerpt from Kae Tempest’s poem ‘These things I Know’
In this episode, I chat with Mary Louder, who is an Osteopathic Physician and Integrative Medicine Practitioner living in Michigan USA. Mary talks about her FOUR (4!) baptisms, and how involvement with one faith group at university nearly cost her her medical career.
The poem shared at the beginning is ‘Sometimes’ by David Whyte, who can watch/listen to reciting the poem here https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=469467607104905 The song shared by Mary at the end is ‘The River Jordan’ by May Erlewine. You can listen to it on Youtube here https://youtu.be/-qszjgLWl1k you can read the lyrics here https://www.last.fm/music/May+Erlewine/_/The+River+Jordan/+lyrics
Season 1
The Happy Heretic (she/her) is an ex-Evangelical Instagrammer.
In this uplifting conversation, we talk about her journey from Atheism to Evangelical Christianity, to leaving the church, her journey in navigating her ‘deconstruction’ and the hope and healing she has found away from the church.
Find her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thehappyheretic_/
The poem she shared was from ‘Vulnerable AF’ by Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball of’Tank and the Bangas’ who you can see perform here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKzobTCIRDw
I had a wonderful conversation with Oskar Marchock (he/they) whose gentle modesty had me just introduce them as ‘Oskar’. In this, our third FKD UP BY FAITH for Pride month, Oskar talks about growing up Catholic in a multiracial Caribbean family, about Christianity, Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, about being queer and trans, and about the pleasures and meaning of Trinidadian food.
Jude shared this from the Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh“Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is a wonderful moment.”
Kaj Jensen (they/them) is a genderqueer storyteller who calls the Pacific Northwest home. When not collecting stories, they spend time camping with their cat and spying on birds.In this our longest episode so far, Kaj shares their fascinating story of growing up as an Evangelical Christian, on a farm in the ‘middle of nowhere’ in the American midwest, where they asked their parents and pastor ‘difficult questions’ – like what happened to the dinosaurs? Kaj talks about queerness, community, and an authentic spirituality rooted in their love of nature.
Kaj’s website is kajjensen.com
The Poetry shared on the podcast is
The Way is difficult and very intricate – by Lalla
At the beginning of Pride month, I am delighted to talk to Chris Brown (she/her) who is a UK-based trainer and consultant specialising in suicide prevention, mental health, and equalities issues, especially LGBTQ+ inclusion. Chris tells her story of childhood and adolescence in an Evangelical CofE church, and the pain, separation and trauma caused by the imposed ideas of sin/redemption. Ultimately, given the church’s rejection of her sexual identity and expression, Chris chose ‘life’ rather than the church. She talks about healing in relationship, community and awareness of what inclusion actually means.
As with all episodes of FKD UP BY FAITH – content warnings for difficult and potentially triggering topics apply.
You can find out about Chris’s work at www.chrisbrown.uk.com
The opening reading was from Anam Cara – by John O’Donohue
The poem spoken by Chris was The Summer Day – by Mary Oliver
Affected by any of the issues? UK based LGBTQ+ Christians seeking inclusive church might want to look at One Body One Faith and Diverse Church
MindOut Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer Mental Health Service – UK
LGBTQ- Inclusive Organisations listed on Stonewall UK
Resources for LGBTQ People of Faith listed on Stonewall UK
Dawn Lister is a Yoga and Mindfulness teacher and co-owner of Anahata Yoga Centre in Leigh on Sea. She is a Mum, and a writer who is currently working on a memoir about her experiences of growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, which – like many ex-members of the JW organisation – she considers to be a cult. Dawn tells her fascinating – and sometimes difficult – story of childhood and adolescence in a Jehovah’s Witness family, about the process of leaving the church, and her long path to healing, wholeness, and forgiveness. https://anahatayogacentre.com Dawn and her business partner Daniel Groom also have a wonderful podcast called ‘From the Heart’ which you can find via their website or on all the usual channels. As with many stories of being FKD UP BY FAITH, some people might find aspects of Dawn’s story upsetting.
jUDE read the poem PRAYING – by Mary Oliver
Jax Bull is an interfaith minister, coach, counsellor and ‘iheart’ facilitator who lives in East London.
In this lively conversation, Jax shares about being mixed race, her deep connection to the ‘Readybrek Glow’ of God, her intimate relationship with Jesus, and her eventual break from a church where the Gospel wasn’t always preached as Love.
Jax’s website https://theserenitypractice.com/about
iheart – Innate Health Education and Resilience Training – is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping young people uncover their innate resilience and mental wellbeing. https://www.iheartprinciples.com
The Body is Like Mary
The body is like Mary, and each of us has a Jesus inside.
Who is not in labour, holy labour? Every creature is.
See the value of true art, when the earth or a soul is in
the mood to create beauty;
for the witness might then for a moment know, beyond
any doubt, God is really there within,
so innocently drawing life from us with Her umbilical
universe – infinite existence …
though also needing to be born. Yes, God also needs
to be born!
Birth from a hand’s loving touch. Birth from a song,
from a dance, breathing life into this world.
The body is like Mary, and each of us, each of us has
a Christ within.
– Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi
Translated by Daniel Ladinsky in his book, ‘The Purity of Desire’.
Revd Sheila Zeitsman is an ordained OneSpirit Interfaith Minister and faculty member for OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation.In this fascinating conversation, Sheila shares her story of growing up as a white African in Zimbabwe, her uneasy path to faith, her ordination as a Church of Ireland priest and her later ordination as an Interfaith minister. Sheila’s bio on the OneSpirit Website – https://www.interfaithfoundation.org/faculty
The Loving Kindness Song mentioned by Jude – sung by Jess Huetteman on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZwSMpjEb-M
Sheila’s Blessing was by John O’Donohue
May all that is unforgiven in you
Be released.
May your fears yield
Their deepest tranquillities.
May all that is unlived in you
Blossom into a future
Graced with love.
–John O’Donohue (“To Come Home To Yourself”; Benedictus/To Bless the Space Between Us)
My guest on this first episode is Roger Wolsey – USA based Pastor, who is best known as an advocate of Progressive Christianity. He is author of Kissing Fish (Christianity for People who don’t like Christianity)We talk about the state of Christianity in the USA, about what Progressive Christianity is, and about hope and healing for people who’ve been wounded by their faith, and about love.
Roger’s website https://www.rogerwolsey.com
https://www.facebook.com/KissingFishBook
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