Be Still And Go

“When you are praying to Jesus you are praying to someone who understands you because he is human and has experienced all things."What difference does it make to know that Jesus understands your suffering?//Matthew 21:1-11When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,“Tell the daughter of Zion,Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branche

"When we come together in the face of loss, when we discover empathy in the midst of grief, resurrection is possible, new life in the midst of what might feel like endless death."How have you experienced hope in the midst of grief?//John 11:35Jesus wept.//This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Threnody by Goldmund.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

“Nothing will ever change unless we speak to the injustices in the world.”What power and privilege do you possess and how can you best use it to fight injustices?//For those of us who live at the shorelinestanding upon the constant edges of decisioncrucial and alonefor those of us who cannot indulgethe passing dreams of choicewho love in doorways coming and goingin the hours between dawnslooking inward and outwardat once before and afterseeking a now that can breedfutureslike bread in our children’s mouthsso their dreams will not reflectthe death of ours;For those of uswho were imprinted with fearlike a faint line in the center of our foreheadslearning to be afraid with our mother’s milkfor by this weaponthis illusion of some safety to be foundthe heavy-footed hoped to silence usFor all of usthis instant and this triumphWe were never meant to survive.And when the sun rises we are afraidit might not remainwhen the sun sets we are afraidit might not rise in the morningwhen our stomachs are full we are afraidof

"We are thirsty for change."What changes do you want to see in our world?//“I am thirsty.” - John 19:28//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Bruce Lamb. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Aqueducts by Falls.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

Isaiah 50:4-9The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher,that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near.Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together.Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.//This episode was written and recorded by Phil Salmon. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, Neo by Brent Wood,

"What is justice if we can’t hear the judge? What is love without the voice of the lover?"These aren’t rhetorical questions. Love and justice are essential to our humanity.//This episode was written and recorded by Amanda Meisenheimer and Rebecca Stevens-Walter. It was originally published on March 16, 2019 as part of Season 3 of Be Still and Go. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. The spoken word portions were written by Amanda Meisenheimer. Vocals by Amanda Meisenheimer. Background vocals and acoustic guitar by Rebecca Stevens-Walter. Say Something was originally written by A Great Big World. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

“We are sacred possibilities, the image of God always ready to manifest in our skin.”What does it look like for the image of God to manifest in your skin?//Matthew 27:46And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. M. Barclay. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms, Chimera, and Burned by Podington Bear and Wanderlust by Cody Martin.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

"Lament is important because it reminds us to pay attention."What do you need to pay attention to today?//1 Corinthians 12:14, 20-21, 26Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many....there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Elle Dowd. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Seeking Clarity by Alex Fitch.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

“Like a grain of wheat falls into a compost pile, Jesus falls into the earth. The damp and still and timeless earth. The quiet earth, accept for the faint percussion of the blind critters who tiptoe over the beads of transforming matter.”When was the last time you really noticed the natural world around you?//John 12:20-33Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will ho

"No one should ever have to grieve or suffer alone."How can you come alongside people who are experiencing grief or suffering?//John 19:26-27“He said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’”//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Phil Tom. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms and Mortality by Podington Bear.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

"Our faith calls us to a practice of active hope."In your own words, how would you describe active hope?//Psalm 27:1-3The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall.Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Amy Lunde-Whitler. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Light in the Dark by Moments.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

"According to Jesus the way that we show that we belong to his movement is that we love one another and that we act out our love by being kind to one another."How has someone shown you kindness recently? How can you show kindness to someone today?//John 13:35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Cameron Trimble. The cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water was performed by Victory Boyd. This episode was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, Reflections by Wild Wonder, and The Darkness Cannot Harm You by Birds of Norway. Samples include audio from the 2001 film "Wit" featuring Christopher Lloyd and Emma Thompson.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.Visit w

"In paradise, we all have names."What are people calling you today? What will you hear when you enter paradise? What do you call yourself?//Luke 23:43“Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Amanda Meisenheimer. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Buona Sera by Sam BarshVisit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

"What happens when our inheritance is the fruit of stolen land and lies, built on a history of selective truths?"There's nothing simple about it.//This episode was written and recorded by Minister Charlene Wingate. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, Battle Hymn of the Republic by Bob Minner, John Brown's Body by Gloria Jane, and Rivers by Makenna Susan.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

“It’s not enough for me to sit on the sidelines and throw rocks but I need to be part of helping to do something, whatever I can."What is God calling you to be a part of?//This episode features a conversation with Dr. Ronald Lonesome and was originally released on March 15, 2020. Dr. Lonesome passed away in August of 2020 and was a part of The Riverside Church since the 1981. This episode was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms and Backwater by Podington Bear.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

"Black forgiveness is a continuation of the use of religion to console white fear, to ease white guilt, to atone for white sins, to coddle white fragility. Forgiveness for the crucified today, for people marked as Black by the European gaze, has always been used to calm Black anger, to chastise Black rage, to curb Black tears, to cool Black righteous indignation."How do you navigate the tension that you feel around forgiveness?//Luke 23:34Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.//This episode was written and recorded by Minister Richard X III. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Fading Light by Holiday on the Moon.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

"I pray that the weeping of my body will turn my salted tears into sweet waters for the birds, for the animals, for the trees, and for my children."What are you weeping for?//Jeremiah 31:15Thus says the Lord:A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Lineage by Shimmer.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

"The cross on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday is not a victory mark. It is a cold and it's a broken hallelujah. Because ours is a faith that resists triumphalism, resists any attempt to downplay or spiritualize suffering. Our hallelujahs and our hope are always rooted in the truth of suffering, not its erasure. And this is good news, that we are not part of a victory march. We are part of a beloved community, arm in arm, praying, loving, serving, rejoicing, weeping, forgiving, seeking justice, helping each other walk the mile and bear the load on our group walk to Golgotha and into new life."How have you experienced a cold and broken hallelujah in your life?//Joel 2:12-13Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart,with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;rend your hearts and not your clothing.Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful,slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Lynn

"The season of Lent invites us to journey with the weight of our humanity, our morality, the ashes we feel imposed upon our brow, a reminder that we are human and every human emotion - especially lament - is valid."What do you need to lament during this season?//Psalm 13:1"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?"//This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms and Hearts Aflutter by Podington Bear.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.

"Jesus has challenged the authority of oppressive regimes for 2000 years because love is undefeatable, justice is unavoidable, and what appears to be tiny and weak changes everything."What oppressive regimes need to be challenged in our world today?//Herod, O HerodHave you heard the newsA baby is born todayTo free all the captivesTo find the lost sheepTo bring hope and peace to people in needOh babiesMay be tiny and weakAnd babies change the worldCaesar, O CaesarRuler of RomeA baby is born todayTo feed all the hungryTo share the good newsTo speak to the ones who have nothing to loseOh babiesMay be tiny and weakAnd babies change the worldMagi, O wise onesA child is growingA child whose star you have sceneSo follow that starThe light up aboveTo find the young boy who will teach us to loveOh Children may be tiny and weakAnd children change the worldOh Children may be tiny and weakAnd children change the worldJesus was tiny and weakBut Jesus changed the world//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Amanda