The Living Church Podcast

What does faith have to do with fiction? Can romance teach us something about God's presence in imaginary worlds?Today’s episode is a conversation with novelist H.S. Cross, recorded live at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Savannah, GA, as part of their Sunday Night Sessions. We talk with Heather about 1920s Oxford; love stories and their theological significance; what it’s like to create and then watch your creations surprise you. We discuss the importance of play; why skipping the hard parts risks a story no longer feeling “real”; and the need to “Hold your nerve and not rush the ending.” And finally, since her novel is a messy and complicated romance, in some parts, as she puts it, “rated R" for sexuality, what does it mean, in this kind of story, to “tell the truth” or to get caught “writing while Christian”?H.S. Cross has been a tutor and a writer and is the author of three novels: Wilberforce, Grievous, and her latest novel, Amanda.Now rock your best Oxford bags and handkerchief hemline. We’re heading to the 1920’s where we’ll meet a couple of God-haunted lovers, the woman who created them, and discover what faith has to do with fiction. We hope you enjoy the conversation.From this episode:Watch this conversation on YouTubeAmanda and other books by H.S. CrossAssociate for Youth and Young Adults job posting at St. John’s Savannah (October 2025)Related podcast episodes:Christmas chat with Heather CrossMusic and ministry with Jon JamesonFrom the ads: Shop Living Church BooksAttend a Living Church eventOther events you might enjoy:Nashotah House intensive course on “The Prayer Book Tradition” (January 2026)The Anglican Way Conference (February 2026)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this engaging discussion, Daniela Augustine, a Professor of Theological Ethics and Honorary Senior Research Fellow, and Peter Casarella, a Professor of Theology at Duke Divinity School, delve into the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. They explore its impact on modern social and political life, discussing the tensions between church authority and imperial politics. The conversation touches on the relevance of Nicene theology to human equality and the continuous work of the Spirit in transforming society. Their ecumenical perspectives foster rich insights into how Nicaea's legacy continues to resonate.

Join Abram Van Engen, a humanities professor and author of Word Made Fresh, as he dives into the transformative power of poetry for the Church. He passionately defends poetry as relational and meaningful, challenging the idea that it's esoteric. Abram shares how Scripture is rich with poetic elements, emphasizing its role in worship and personal encounters. He offers practical tips for reading and appreciating poetry, highlighting its ability to connect us across experiences and enhance our spiritual lives.

Today we're talking tea. Why? Well, we’re an Anglican podcast. Need we say more?Knowing how to share and make a good cup of tea translates around the globe. Whether it’s hospitality or work-life balance, tea has played a significant role in leadership, conversation, and parish life. Today we meet an amazing Christian woman who knows all about tea, why it's special, and how God can use tea time as an opportunity for ministry and leadership lessons. Her name is Jackie James.Jackie is a certified Tea Sommelier and founder at The London Tea Merchant. She’s also the former owner of the London Tea Room in St. Louis, Missouri.We’ll hear today about her journey from a Jesus Freak preacher’s kid in the U.K. to a businesswoman in midwest America.We'll learn a bit about the slow art, challenging business, and fascinating science of tea, and where she has found God at work in it all. How can we stop and share time? How do you run the show, and let things go? How can unlearning self-preserving habits with difficult staff members lead to strength, vulnerability, and grace?Now get your scones and Victoria Sponge cake ready, because we’re about to have a "jam" session on finding the Lord’s work in a hot cuppa.We hope you enjoy the conversation.SPECIAL discount code LTMSHOP for 5% off at the London Tea MerchantAttend a Living Church eventGive to support this podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Join Derek French, pastor of Nazareth Moravian Church, and Bishop M. Blair Couch, a leader in the Moravian Church, as they explore the rich history of the Moravians. They dive into the legacy of Jan Hus and the church's unique commitment to Christian unity. Personal stories unfold, including transformative moments like being struck by lightning. The discussion highlights the Moravian Church's emphasis on pastoral care in leadership and its welcoming community atmosphere, showcasing how collaboration enriches worship across traditions.

Most Christians won't be part of a monastic community. But that doesn't mean they're not influenced by one.How do those who have taken the habit live their vocations from the monastery into the world around them? And what about the rest of us? What can we learn, whether lay or ordained, from the disciplines and wisdom of monastics? Today we’ll hear from three Anglicans whose vocations have been shaped by Benedictine monasticism in different ways. We'll learn about the 6th-century Rule of St. Benedict and how it continues to discipline and nurture Christian life in the 21st century. Our first guest is Sister Greta Ronningen. Sr. Greta is a co-founder of Community of Divine Love, an Episcopal monastery in the Benedictine tradition located in San Gabriel, California. She is also an Episcopal priest, prison chaplain, retreat leader, and writer, and the author of Free on the Inside: Finding God Behind Bars.Our second guest is the Rev. Canon Bryan Biba. Bryan is assistant rector at Christ Church Anglican in Savannah, Georgia, and canon for leadership for the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America. He is also an oblate of the Order of St. Benedict at St. John’s Abbey, a Roman Catholic monastery in Collegeville, Minnesota.Our third guest is Annie Hodges. Annie is a supply chain manager by day and an Episcopal podcaster by night. With her sister Kate Greer, she hosts The Average Episcopalian podcast, tackling the mystery of faith with reason and humor through the lens of the church they love.Whether you’re into wimples, cinctures, and Birkenstocks, or following Jesus without the telltale garments, here’s to holy habits of all kinds. We hope you enjoy the conversation.Attend a Living Church eventBook Bryan mentioned: Benedictine Daily PrayerBook Annie mentioned: St. Benedict's ToolboxGive to support this podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

How can church leaders pursue justice with discernment and theological depth? Pastors often find themselves in a frustrating place when it comes to pursuing justice in their parishes and communities. There's often a divide or at least a tension between two groups: those who do not want to overthink or "overtheologize" it until the moment to act is past; and those who feel wary of action without substantial, theological, and contextual discernment pieces to help.With respect to all the practical concerns here, this is a false divide. Hopefully, today's conversation might help us start to find a way across.We'll talk about leadership, Christian freedom, and political will; challenging presuppositions about authority and building and empowering community bit by bit; various angles and ways of being strategic; and a bit about Catholic social teaching that might help Anglican and Episcopal leaders get "unstuck" from fixed religious and politcal categories to discern more holistic paths of faithful action.Our guests are The Rev. Canon Natalie Arendse and Dr. Elisabeth Kincaid. Natalie is currently chaplain to Whitsunday Anglican School in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. She is honorary Canon in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and former head of St. John's Leadership Academy in Cape Town, a formation program for lay and ordained leaders. Elisabeth is director of Baylor University's Institute for Faith and Learning and Associate Professor of Ethics, Faith and Culture at George W. Truett Seminary. She's also author of the new book, Law from Below: How the Thought of Francisco Suárez, SJ, Can Renew Contemporary Legal Engagements.Now grab your thinking caps and your work boots as we discover a bit more about how prayer and politics, bible studies and social justice, can (and do) go together.Give to support this podcastRegister for a Living Church ConferenceAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Grace Sears, past president and archivist of the Daughters of the King, shares her inspiring journey from a prayer group member to a leader within this impactful organization. She reveals the power of simple service and prayer among women, and how their roles strengthen church communities. Grace discusses navigating challenges in ministry, the importance of unity across denominations, and the enriching experience of leadership. Personal anecdotes highlight the transformative power of faith and how prayer guides women through various life seasons.

Anthony Ball, Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See, shares his wealth of experience in ecumenical ministry. He discusses the pivotal role of pilgrimage and small acts in fostering Christian unity. The conversation highlights the Centre's mission to build bridges between Anglicans and Roman Catholics while serving the disadvantaged in Rome. Ball imagines Christianity a century from now, emphasizing hope, love, and community as central themes for future generations.

What do bluegrass, bourbon, and Bible have in common? How about a group of Hillbilly Thomists? Today, we share an episode from the Signal Award-winning podcast, No Small Endeavor. Produced by PRX and Great Feeling Studios, No Small Endeavor explores what it means to live a good life.In this episode, you’ll hear from the Hillbilly Thomists, the Billboard-charting bluegrass band made up entirely of Catholic Dominican Friars. They talk about their theology and vocation, as well as how they manage life on the road as priests who have taken a vow of poverty. Plus, they give live performances of some of their finest songs.When they are not contemplating, studying, and preaching, the Hillbilly Thomists are writing songs. They've released four albums includingHillbilly Thomists, Living for the Other Side, Holy Ghost Power, and Marigold. Marigold spent 3 weeks on the Billboard bluegrass charts, debuting at #2. The friars also have a Christmas album in the works.Proceeds from album sales, donations, and merchandise sales allow the friars to continue to produce and perform music, while providing ongoing support to the formation of friars at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.Thanks to No Small Endeavor for sharing this episode with us.For other episodes like this one, follow No Small Endeavor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app.Learn more about the Hillbilly ThomistsLearn more about No Small EndeavorAttend a Living Church conferenceGive to support this podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands