We are journeying through Lent with a podcast season entitled “Tarry with Me Awhile: Learnings from the Black Church.” We will use Dr. Selina Stone’s book, Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith, as a guide. Black spirituality has much to offer us in understanding the practice of tarrying as a Lenten practice. Together we will seek a deeper understanding of waiting on God in the liminal space—where the resurrection feels far off, and our deaths and suffering are present.

In this inaugural episode of season 26, Ruth sits down with Dr. Selina Stone, herself. Dr. Stone, a lecturer in theology and ethics at the University of Edinburgh, shares her journey and the inspiration behind her book. They discuss the profound concept of 'tarrying' as a spiritual practice, its roots in Black Pentecostal traditions, and its significance in contemporary faith practices. Dr. Stone highlights the intersection of spirituality and social justice, the role of women in leading spiritual spaces, and the transformative power of waiting on the Holy Spirit. We conclude with a guided 'tarrying moment' accompanied by the music of Julian Davis Reed, emphasizing reverent waiting in the presence of God during the Lenten season.

Over on Patreon this week Ruth and Selina discuss self-examination within the context of tarrying and how we can view tarrying as both a communal and a solitary practice. Become a $10/month patron to receive all the bonus episodes this season.

Dr. Selina Stone is a lecturer in theology and ethics in the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, UK. She is a theologian whose work is focused on the questions of justice, power, and healing within the church and in our shared life nationally and globally. Prior to her work at Edinburgh, Dr. Stone was based at Durham University and in the theological education sector. She is a trained community organiser, a preacher, and the author of several books, the latest of which, A Heavy Yoke: Theology, Power and Abuse in the Church, will be published in summer 2025 by SCM Press. She is the host of the Sunday School for Misfits podcast.

Music this season is provided by Julian Davis Reed. Julian Davis Reid (TC20) is an artist-theologian from Chicago who uses sound and word to offer hope to the searching, presence to the sorrowful, and rest to the weary. A pianist, composer, and producer, his projects featured on this podcast are the two solo piano records Rest Assured (2021) and Beside Still Waters (2024) and his single Moan (Matthew 2:18) featuring Tramaine Parker, released on Inauguration Day 2025 on the project When Souls Cry Out. Julian steadily releases music under his own name and with his group The JuJu Exchange. You can learn more about his work at juliandavisreid.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith by Dr. Selina Stone

Azusa Reimagined: A Radical Vision of Religious and Democratic Belonging by Keri Day

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Returning from Lent- Music in Solitude

They Comfort Me from Beside Still Waters by Julian Davis Reid

Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes with each guest, exploring different practices associated with Lent, such as solitude, self-examination, confession, and more. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders. Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

*this post contains affiliate links

Episode Five - Mansions of Madness