Forecast

Will, Jarel and Josh reflect on the journeys they have embarked on this season. Jarel describes the importance of cherishing every moment as a father, and Josh describes his journey towards becoming a teacher and reminding himself daily to give thanks for all things, particularly in the midst of his work. Will describes his spiritual journey away from traditional Christianity and, in relation, says farewell as a podcast co-host. This episode features original Christmas songs by James A. Tweedie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12/29/23 • 45:12

Composer Scott Stevens speaks with Jarel about working in the UK and now returning to the US and what he has learned about his work and faith. This includes his sources of strength and nourishment, such as being in nature, listening to the preaching and teaching of theologians and being involved in a Bible study.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11/5/23 • 49:38

Matt Chesney speaks with Will about his journey seeking wholeness after asking tough questions about how his church community treated his family growing up and about his experiences in the military. Building on those experiences, Matt has learned to move beyond cynicism to find a sense of purpose in the Christian understanding of servant leadership, using his strength to serve the people in his life.Editor's note: The views expressed on this Forecast, and all Forecasts, represent those of our guests and not necessarily those of the editors and co-hosts of Foreshadow. While we may not agree with everything our guests share, we believe it valuable to listen to and engage with their experiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10/24/23 • 36:17

Three graduates of Fuller Theological Seminary (California) reflect on how their experience studying theology was a pilgrimage. Mitchell, who has served in music ministry and will soon study law, explains how seminary transformed him and how he has changed from wanting to lead the church to wanting to serve people. Eric, a full-time artist and photographer, differentiates between complacency and contentment and reflects on the pilgrimage of the magi visiting baby Jesus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9/25/23 • 18:43

Josh reads some of the writings recently published on Foreshadow in conversation with Psalms 120 to 125: Orchard labyrinth, overgrown (poetry by Erin Clark), For Finding Your Way (poetry by J.E. Misz), Red Sea (poetry by Julia McMullen), A Liturgy of the Wilderness (poetry by Jessica Walters), Pearls of Ignatius (poetry by Bryant Burroughs), Invitation (poetry by Sheila Dougal), Rosary (poetry by Alina Sayre), Heart to Heart (poetry by Bonita Jewel), Advice for the Long Walk Home (poetry by Sheila Dougal) and That Person Whom You Know (fiction by Sandro F. Piedrahita).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9/10/23 • 78:17

Josh and Will explore the most recent Forecasts: 'The Perpetual Pilgrim: Paul Cornelius and Pilgrimage' (Ep 51), 'The Way of a Pilgrim: Prayer and Pilgrimage' (Ep 52), 'What Do We Do When We Arrive?' (Ep 53) and 'On the Camino: Pete Kelly and Pilgrimage' (Ep 54). Among other topics, they discuss leadership in a Christian context, how we can benefit from the Jesus Prayer and the purpose and meaning of devotional practices when arriving at a holy place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8/26/23 • 56:22

Last September, attorney Pete Kelly walked 500 miles with a friend on the Camino de Santiago, a historic Christian pilgrimage that ends in northwest Spain. Pete highlights the solitude and reflection that the Camino gave him even in the midst of sharing a journey with countless other pilgrims both living and dead. Hearing the diverse stories of other pilgrims sustained him through challenges along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8/14/23 • 30:18

What do pilgrims do when they arrive at their destination? Inspired by Psalm 134, Josh explores this question with a reflection on a recent visit to Holy Island, Northumbria, and in dialogue with three works recently published on Foreshadow: 'Asylum', a poem by Linda McCullough Moore, 'Found poem: Upon arrival at the Abbey', a poem by Erin Clark, and 'God Alone Suffices', a short story by Sandro F. Piedrahita. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7/30/23 • 50:40

This episode shares highlights from the spiritual classic The Way of a Pilgrim. The founding editor of Foreshadow connects these passages with works published on Foreshadow and with this year's theme of pilgrimage and worship. In the book, an unnamed peasant discovers oneness within himself and with others through continually calling on the Lord's name. On his journey to Jerusalem, the pilgrim describes the effects this prayer has on the people he meets and on his own experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7/16/23 • 46:13

Theological educator Paul Cornelius speaks from his experience of a transient life, which comes with challenges and opportunities for growth. Also important are our travelling companions, who push us to think differently. Paul then describes the need to develop skills to motivate people to join us when we have a vision and are in a leadership role. Finally, Paul mentions the people and texts that nourish him, including Christ as his primary frame of reference.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7/2/23 • 35:50

In this 50th Forecast, the co-hosts discuss the last four episodes. In response to the conversation with Matt Bickett, they discuss how the journey to God is not only an ascent into fulfillment but also a descent into ourselves and into mystery. In response to the conversation with Linda McCullough Moore, they discuss her poem 'Asylum' and the motivations behind going on a pilgrimage. In response to the conversation with James Bishop, they discuss how pilgrimages can mark turning points and how art (specifically music) can mark such journeys. In response to the conversation with Alan Altany, they discuss inner journeys, or 'pilgrimage[s] of going nowhere'. Also in this episode, they introduce Foreshadow's theme for next year.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6/18/23 • 49:58

Religion professor Alan Altany describes how, as a young man, he wrestled with doubt, panic and anxiety - but how that ultimately led to a deep faith. He reads his poem 'From Here to Eternity', discussing the relationship between the sacred and the secular in his life and writing. Finally, he notes how writers such as Flannery O'Connor, Thomas Merton and Fyodor Dostoyevsky have strengthened and nourished him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6/4/23 • 61:53

Musician James Bishop describes his journey five years ago of walking over half of the Pacific Crest Trail in California. Most of this time was spent in solitude, during which he emptied his thoughts and concluded that meaning in life only comes from the quality of one's relationships with others, the world, oneself and God; the greatest of all that remains is love. This five-month hike inspired a collection of songs that he is releasing, and on this episode, he performs one song, 'Wrecking My Body', about the danger of being stuck in his mind and how that has impacted his participation in society and church.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5/21/23 • 39:28

Author and mentor Linda McCullough Moore reads and discusses her poem 'Asylum', reflecting on the choices and circumstances that have brought us to the present moment. She describes her experience on pilgrimage to Northumbria, UK, and the importance of connecting with the landscape and fellow pilgrims. For Linda, the spiritual journey is not only about mentally assenting to doctrines but primarily about engaging one's heart with God, other people, the world and oneself. Linda's faith, she says, depends on being connected with her local church through small groups and with God through prayer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5/7/23 • 34:59

Church musician Matt Bickett explores the roots of his family and wider Appalachian culture through visiting the gravesites of his ancestors in eastern Kentucky. He connects this journey with his theological study of St Gregory of Nyssa, who taught that perfection is possible only through God's grace and requires an ascent into God and at the same time a descent into mystery. Matt describes the contributions Appalachian culture can make for oppressed communities in other locations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4/23/23 • 55:10

Will, Jarel and Josh review the first three conversations of the season. In response to the conversation with Ryan Keating, they discuss intentionality and attentiveness in worship and our daily lives. In response to the conversation with Jessica Walters, they discuss being fully human and alive in Christ as the goal of our faith as well as the church's engagement with the arts. In response to the conversation with Roger Belbin, they discuss the strengths and weaknesses of communal participation and how joining communal activities can draw us out of ourselves towards those around us.Note: the quote commonly attributed to St John Chrysostom in this episode may be an interpretation of his Homily 50.4 on the Gospel of Matthew.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4/10/23 • 42:27

Roger Belbin describes a pilgrimage he and his late wife used to go on in honour of St Alban, the first martyr of Britain, joining their local church and culminating in a worship service. He also describes walking portions of the Camino de Santiago in France and Spain. Roger reads a poem recently published on Foreshadow about virtual worship during the pandemic and describes the influence that a devotional book and music have on his faith.Link to Roger's poem: https://www.foreshadowmagazine.com/magazine/worship-in-covid-times Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3/26/23 • 23:37

Poet and writing professor Jessica Walters describes her journey from a tradition that overemphasised external achievements, such as rote Bible memorisation, to a contemplative reintegration of scripture and personal involvement, faith and creativity, word and silence. One of her formative experiences was working in solitude as a medic in the forests of British Columbia. Illustrating her journey, she reads two of her poems, 'The Sunday Blues' and 'A Liturgy of the Wilderness'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3/13/23 • 40:18

Pastor, poet and winemaker Ryan Keating reads and describes two original poems about wine and communion soon to be published on Foreshadow. Then he describes how he has, in retrospect, understood his exilic journey to Cyprus as a pilgrimage, one in which he has discovered deep wells of healing. Finally, he shares how ancient Christian prayers and cooking with his family have provided nourishment.Links to Ryan's poems:And Lift Them (for victims of the recent earthquakes in Turkey; Agape Review): https://agapereview.com/2023/02/17/andliftthem/​Overshadow Me (Agape Review): https://agapereview.com/2023/02/17/overshadowme/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2/27/23 • 37:32

To introduce the new season, co-hosts Jarel, Will and Josh each answer the two questions that they plan to ask their guests this year: 1) Can you describe a physical or spiritual journey (or both) that you have been on? and 2) What are the text(s) that strengthen and nourish your faith and life? These questions follow the theme for this year, 'Songs of Ascents: Pilgrimage and Worship', exploring the journeys we take in search of wholeness in God and the resources that fuel us.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2/13/23 • 40:00

This final episode of Season 2 begins with Will responding to the previous episode on congregational singing, and then Will and Josh review the conversations from the second half of the season, offering their takeaways on vocation. They discuss how calling is both dynamic and grounded, and they review the three dimensions of calling that they developed in previous episodes, including their relation to the parable of the talents. In summary, we are called to be faithful to God in the midst of the joys, challenges and choices of daily life, as illustrated by the Virgin Mary's acceptance of her call to become the mother of Jesus.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11/7/22 • 61:38

People are singing less in church, and that's a problem, writes Episcopalian priest Benjamin Crosby in his recent article in Plough. Jarel and Josh discuss Crosby's article in light of their experience making music and singing for worship among churches, whether with worship bands or choirs. They explore the tension between being relevant to the dominant culture and providing a life-giving alternative that challenges or discomforts. Then they describe what the hymns 'Be Thou My Vision' and 'What Wond'rous Love Is This?' and the song 'Instrument for Noble Purpose' suggest about vocation.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10/24/22 • 69:35

In honour of the 25th anniversary of the death of singer–songwriter Rich Mullins, Josh speaks with Will Berry, an Episcopalian priest, about Mullins' life and music. They discuss five of Mullins' songs, each of which sheds light on vocation, with topics such as the priesthood of poetry, music at the heart of creation, joining the divine celebration that is already taking place, chanting the psalms, the pursuit of God and holiness, the net of God's grace and the spiritual life as a pilgrimage.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10/10/22 • 81:14

This episode begins a new series of Forecasts exploring the book Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art by Madeleine L'Engle. Josh speaks with composer Scott Stevens about 'Chapter 1: Cosmos from Chaos', which asks 'What is Christian art?' Among other things, they discuss how true art grapples with mystery and questions of life and death, the importance of making space to listen, the artist as the servant of the work, art as an incarnational activity, how art helps us remember our true glorious identity and the terrible things we will be asked to endure and where modern art fits in with all this.See supplements to this episode (memorable passages from the chapter and art) here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9/26/22 • 73:49

AJ Sealy speaks with Will about how he became a composer and the joys and challenges that have come with his career, from maintaining a work–life balance with his family to industry barriers as a person of colour to pursuing humility in an environment of acclaim and status-seeking. For AJ, vocation is about both composing music and how he composes himself as a person, cultivating goodness in his relationships with co-workers, loved ones and other people in his life.​​ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9/12/22 • 52:18

Valencio Jackson has been a student of engineering, an aquatics director and a music teacher -- but what unites these different jobs has been his approach to putting God and other people above himself. Will speaks with Valencio about the throughlines in his work, as well as his influences in serving God and other people. They also discuss challenges and joys Valencio has experienced in living in this way of journeying with people and keeping himself open to God's voice. Valencio Jackson is a music theory professor at the Mercer School of Music. You can learn more about his work here.Will Shine is a co-host of Forecast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8/29/22 • 40:19

Josh shares highlights of 'Chapter 5: Advice to Writers' from Echoing Silence: Thomas Merton on the Vocation of Writing edited by Robert Inchausti. Here, Merton describes the necessity of personal integration for contemplation (and, it is suggested, writing); the presence of play and delight in writing; how writers can reach and help others; the importance of contentment; and some tips on publishing. This episode also includes a poem read and written by Foreshadow contributor Matthew J. Andrews. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8/15/22 • 52:39

'There is no space for iceberg lettuce in the kingdom of God', says church planter Ryan Fasani. In addition to explaining why that is the case, he speaks with Will about how his experiences in ministry and his own soul searching have changed his understanding of his calling. One element of his self-understanding involves reconciling the demands of his work with paying attention to the people in his daily life, including developing his relationship with and witnessing the wonder of his children growing up. Although his work on the front lines of ministry is often misunderstood, he finds nourishment in finding like-minded people in his tradition who support him.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8/1/22 • 65:12

Pastor and writer Tim Harvey speaks with Josh about his calling of being a pastor. After describing how he first became a pastor and what it means to be one in his tradition, he describes supporting the vocations of members of his congregation, including helping people to find their vocations later in life. Then Tim explains how writing is also a calling for him, illustrated by the essay he recently published on Foreshadow, 'And by What We Have Left Undone', which he reads at the end of the episode. Finally, Tim describes the challenges of ministry and where he finds spiritual nourishment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7/18/22 • 67:52

Will and Josh continue to map an understanding of calling by reviewing the podcast season thus far. After answering a listener's question about finding one's calling later in life (including a response from Jeff Compton-Nelson), they develop their model of vocation, examine the relationship between vocation and career, discuss what it means to 'put God first', unpack the parable of the talents and explore the priesthood of all believers and the relationship between ordained and non-ordained Christians.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7/4/22 • 85:12