Have you ever wondered how even the smallest acts can ripple out and create significant impacts?
In this episode, Melissa has a conversation with Marycelis Otero, a candidate for Holy Orders to the Priesthood in The Diocese of Atlanta. Marycelis shares how viewing life through a faith-based lens can transform our seemingly minor contributions into monumental movements. By drawing parallels to the biblical story of the feeding of the 5,000, she reveals how each of us possesses unique gifts that can be harnessed to serve a greater purpose in God's plan. Listen in for the full conversation.
Marycelis Otero is a Candidate for the Holy Orders to the Priesthood in The Diocese of Atlanta. Originally from the Islands of Puerto Rico, Marycelis is in the final year of her Masters in Divinity for the Episcopal and Anglican Studies Program at Emory's Candler School of Theology. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Mass Communications Technologies with a minor in Strategic Communications. In her career, Marycelis has worked as Associate Producer for Day1, a ministry of the Alliance for Christian Media. She has supported the Office of Ethnic Ministries of The Episcopal Church, and she is the translator for the For Faith Devotional. Currently, Marycelis serves as a seminarian at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, where she supports both the English and Spanish-speaking populations. Marycelis enjoys listening to audiobooks, watching movies, and especially investing her time creating experiences with her husband and their sons.
Ever wonder how to keep your spiritual roots strong amidst life's storms? The balance between spiritual renewal and daily demands can actually be a divine opportunity. What might happen when we slow down daily to open ourselves up to God?
In this episode, Melissa and a conversation with The Rev. Bonnie Underwood, Rector of All Saints Warner Robins. Melissa and Bonnie discuss spiritual practices, what gets in the way, and how sitting with God in the morning sets up to live our faith out in the world. Listen in for the full conversation.
The Rev. Bonnie Underwood joined All Saints in 2018. Prior to becoming a priest, Mother Bonnie had a diverse business career including 20+ years as a business executive; experience as a small business owner; and service in the United States Marine Corps, as both an officer and enlisted Marine. Bonnie enjoys reading, movies, and travel with her husband Jess, and especially spending time with their 6 adult children and 5 grandchildren.
This July, we are featuring special guests from across The Diocese of Atlanta for Summer Shorts!
How can you live fully into the spiritual reality of being "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by God? Join us as we welcome The Rev. Rhett Solomon, Associate Rector at Holy Trinity Parish in Decatur, Georgia. to share his inspiring journey from the Baptist Church to The Episcopal Church.
In this episode, Melissa has a conversation with Rhett about Ephesians 1:3-14. They discuss St. Paul's letter offering profound insights on God's enduring covenant and presence, and provide practical guidance on embodying this truth through prayer, faith, and community. This episode isn't just about theology; it's about finding ways to stay deeply connected with God and others, even amidst life's challenges. Listen in for the full conversation.
A native of New Jersey, Rhett Solomon traveled to Atlanta in the fall of 1999 to attend Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2003. After graduating Morehouse, he discerned whether to pursue doctoral work in Political Science or a call to ministry. After much prayer and consultation, he pursued active ministry. A licensed and ordained Baptist minister, Rhett served at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, from 2005 – 2008, during which time he was admitted to the MDiv program at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, a program he completed in 2009.
In the summer of 2020, Rhett earned his ThM (Master of Theology) from Candler School of Theology. He was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on December 19, 2020 and was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on June 26, 2021.
Rhett currently serves as Associate Rector at Holy Trinity Parish, where he oversees Children, Youth, and Adult Formation.
Can faith like David's still conquer the giants of our modern world? The story of David and Goliath is a story that reminds us of the giants we battle today, such as hate, poverty, and scarcity. These struggles are rooted in spiritual wickedness, and spiritual practices taught by Jesus can help us defeat these modern-day giants.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about systemic evils and how radical inclusion and nonviolent activism can dismantle societal giants. They emphasize the need for bipartisan collaboration to achieve real progress. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
Have you ever wondered how asking the right questions can transform your faith journey? In The Episcopal Church, having questions of faith and not always having the answers is a part of common life together.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation inspired by Howard Thurman's Sermons on the Parables and the Collect of the sixth Sunday of Pentecost in The Episcopal Church. Together, they uncover how faith isn't about having all the answers, but about the ongoing process of believing, belonging, and becoming. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
Ever wondered how grace can act as the very grit that sustains us through life’s toughest storms? Grace is a tangible force that builds and strengthens communities, encouraging us to live fully in faith. In a world often divided by politics and ideology, how do we extend grace and kindness to those who anger or baffle us?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the grace of God, having a Kingdom perspective, and how grace brings forth resolve in life's hardest seasons. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
What if your family had to choose between paying for groceries or healthcare? For many in the US, this painful dilemma is a harsh reality. In today's episode, we're joined by Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, to unpack the staggering 50 percent increase in demand for food assistance over the past two years. Rising inflation and financial strain have left countless families, even those juggling multiple jobs, struggling to put food on the table.
Bishop Wright and Kyle have a conversation about the broader economic landscape of the US, the unwavering support of volunteers, and the faith based organization that stand alongside the growing work of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Listen in for the full conversation.
Learn more about the Atlanta Community Food Bank here.
As President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Kyle Waide leads one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the U.S. Working with a network of 700 community-based nonprofit organizations across 29 Georgia counties, Kyle and his team facilitate the distribution of $250 million in food and resources each year to approximately 700,000 neighbors facing food insecurity. During his tenure, Kyle has led the Food Bank through a decade of dramatic growth and expansion, quadrupling its annual output while launching multiple innovative initiatives to expand food access and increase food security.
Prior to joining the Food Bank, Kyle held several management roles at The Home Depot Inc. in disaster relief, corporate responsibility, community affairs and store operations. He also previously served as a founding member of the team that created and launched Charity Navigator, the nation's premier charity evaluation service. Kyle is a graduate of Harvard University and an alumnus of Teach For America. Kyle and his family attend All Saints' Episcopal Church in Atlanta.
Dismantling racism is holy and life-giving work. It is hard work, especially in a society divided on the issues of racism, power, and privilege. We thank God for The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, a unique and powerful expression of our commitment to becoming Beloved Community.
In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with The Rev. Greg Warren, Interim Executive Director of The Center for Racial Healing. They discuss Greg's purpose for stepping into his new call, new partnerships, and the work ahead. Listen in for the full conversation.
The Rev. Greg Warren most recently served as the Rector at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Conway, Arkansas, while also being chair of the Board of The Diocese’s Camp Mitchell. He also was part of The Diocesan Executive Committee for four years. Greg serves on the Board of the Seminary of the Southwest.
Prior to ordination, Greg worked many years in corporate settings, developing strategic communications and advertising for some of the largest brands in the US and globally. His work also included work in marketing and diversity and inclusion. Immediately before beginning seminary, he served as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion for Walmart.
If we start to see the way God sees, we start to look at how we handle the planet, conversations with others, money, and so many other spaces in life. For many of us, we've come to a settled sense on a lot of these things which limits what we allow in our consciousness. Freedom is deciding not to oppress seeing the world in a new way - this is divine!
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Martin L. Smith's address to the House of Bishops in 1997. They discuss spiritual practices, various faith traditions, and how sacred awareness of the world around us leads to freedom. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
We should be losing some arguments with Jesus! If we are losing arguments with Jesus, we are being led by The Spirit.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about St. Paul's letter to the Romans. They discuss Paul's revelation that to follow God is to be led by Spirit, and that all are welcome into a relationship with Christ. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
What kind of offer can we make to the world as Christians? Have you ever considered the ripple effect of a simple invitation?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the power behind extending a hand of faith, inspired by the transformative encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian. In it they discuss offering ourselves to God through sharing our faith with others and Bishop Wright's own story of being a new bishop and extending the invitation of baptism to anyone and everyone! Their discussion ventures beyond the act of invitation to the core of authenticity, examining our own hesitations and encouraging a faithful, courageous approach to sharing Jesus's message. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
Lots of things give us a quick and cheap energy hit have adverse side effects. Growing closer to a loving God that welcomes all brings no adverse side effects! Instead of an energy supplement, taking up a spiritual practice revives not only our own self but also how we serve a loving God in our world.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the psalmist's words in Psalm 23:3 “God revives my soul…” They discuss the busy and fast-paced world we all face and what can happen when we rely on God instead of other things for revitalization. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
Peace be with you! These are the 4 words Jesus says when he enters the room to see the disciples for the first time since his death and resurrection. Jesus enters the space with grace. He says look. He says touch. And then He breaks bread. He shares peace over a meal.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about this first gathering with Jesus and his disciples after his resurrection. They draw parallels to the peace Jesus brings and how it is the peace we must seek to share with others in our world today. A peace that sees other, strive to touch/understand other, and gathers community - because to take up peace as Jesus did is to be in close proximity to neighbor. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
Happy Easter! As we reach the milestone of our 200th episode, we are taking a moment to reflect on the journey that started as an experiment during COVID. And three years later, For People has reached all 50 states, over 100 countries, and 6,000 cities, It has been downloaded 300,000 times. This podcast has become a beacon of insight on following the teachings of Jesus in the real world.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about how Mary Magdalene's story of steadfast faith in the resurrection narrative can inspire our lives. It's about the small but mighty acts of love that can echo through our existence, shaping our approach to challenges and darkness, just as she did outside the tomb. They discuss our own Good Fridays, how God uses evil for good, and steps we can take to grow in our faith during the 50 Days of Easter. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
Have we fashioned a Jesus who mirrors our own ideologies, unwittingly reshaping God to endorse our political agendas? On Palm Sunday, the same people that would shout "Hosanna", an exclamation of praise, and the same mob that should shout "crucify him!" a few days later.
In this episode Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Palm Sunday, it's relevancy to our world today, and how it keeps us honests as people of faith. They dissect the story of Palm Sunday, drawing parallels between the fickleness of ancient crowds and today's volatile public opinion. As we peel back the layers of our own convictions, we confront the unsettling reality that true discipleship may be at odds with the allure of making Christ into our own image. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
We all understand our lives as gift, but Jesus tells us to not cower at the fear of death! When this physical form comes to pass, there is an overwhelming reality that will embrace all of us. And that is why we call it faith!
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about death, as Good Friday approaches. They discuss Western culture's aversion to death, hoping to unearth a more enriched approach to life's inevitable conclusion. It might just be that modern society's tendency to distance itself from death's reality keeps us from living a fuller life. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 5 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Letting Go". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
God is using God's power to make sure that those of us who fall short, those of us in need of rescue, have a future available to us. God somehow uses all of our missteps to then help us craft a witness, a narrative whereby we can say to other siblings!
John 3:16-17 show all of us that God loves the world without the stain of condemnation. In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about our own power in everyday life, how we sometimes use it against people, and that ultimately God's mercy in our lives gives us the ability to practice mercy in our daily encounters. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 4 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Letting Go". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
The most adaptive challenge facing the church is for the organization that bears his name to actually put him first!. What is at the heart of following Jesus in our world today? If Jesus were here today would he recognize the church he founded?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the ways in which the church and her regular practices is perpendicular to the one we are to put first, a table-flipping-over Jesus, and steps to take to bring the church closer to her founder.
This episode is based on part 3 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Letting Go". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
We know God love us and wants us to know life that is not controlled by fear. What would it be like to get let go of some of that burden???
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about what it means to lay down the desire for control and embrace a life of faith and trust in God. They discuss Peter's control tactics, Jesus's response, and the vulnerability we can experience when we lay it all down before God. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 2 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Letting Go". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
Join us in keeping a Holy Lent! This Lent we invite you towards God, towards your self and towards one another using the theme, “Letting Go.” Since Jesus came to set the “captives free,” “Letting Go”of those things and ways that hold us back is central to the new and risen life in Christ that we celebrate each Easter. For the next five weeks, we’ll offer a video meditation on this theme with a study companion for you to make the meditations as personal and useful as possible.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Lent, this year's Lenten series themed "Letting Go", and the first meditation of the series "Letting Go... of the Familiar". What do you need to let go of this Lent to grow as a Christian and closer to God? Listen in for the full conversation.
Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
"When we create these wonderful communities, whether in church, in organizations, in institutions, and in schools, all of that is built around human dignity. If we put dignity at the core, we will be surprised how we can maximize the authenticity of our communities and the authenticity of our togetherness and allow for us really to be intentional about seeing each other's dignity." -Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright
In this episode, Bishop Wright is joined by special guest Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright, author and speaker. Beth-Sarah shares her powerful story of battling clinical depression, and how embracing our vulnerabilities can spark deep healing and foster genuine community. They have a conversation about dignity through the lens of the Baptismal Covenant, the acronym behind her book DIGNITY and the strategies used to create authentic community. Listen in for the full conversation.
Atlanta-based author and speaker, Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright writes to make a difference. She writes to develop the courage for transformation and change, in our communities, our institutions, and our lives. Beth-Sarah is the author of seven books. Her most recent book, The DIGNITY Lens Workbook: Implementing the Seven Strategies for Creating Authentic Community is a companion to her book DIGNITY: Seven Strategies for Creating Authentic Community. DIGNITY is a comprehensive lens through which to view and solve for insidious barriers to authenticity and narrow the gap between who we say we are and who we are in reality.
A former college professor at NYU and Spelman College, she currently serves as the Director of Enrollment Management at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Emory School of Medicine. She holds a PhD in Performance Studies from New York University, an MPhil in Anthropology from Cambridge University and a BA (magna cum laude) from Princeton University in Sociology and Afro-American studies.
Beth-Sarah is originally from Jamaica and has lived and studied worldwide, from Edinburgh, Scotland to San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is married to Bishop Wright, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and they are parents to 5 children.
What does God take pleasure in? At some point, we have to move in a direction that says I am in relationship with all that is - meaning we aren't in the driver seat! A huge appetite for control tells us God is not a part of our lives - and we are afraid of something - why not give up some of that?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about what God is unimpressed with, and it is our ability to love and have compassion that truly captivates God's admiration. In simple words, "healed people heal people". LIsten in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
As a society and world, we aren't a single idea away from a better world. What would get us there is a global commitment to loving everybody with dignity. If we are honest, there is a lack of will to love our neighbor!
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the Bible's profound ancient insights and reflect on how its teachings remain deeply impactful in our modern world - especially when it comes to love! Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
Obedience - the four letter word of the bible. Sometimes we've got to do what God is inviting us to do out of simple obedience and offer that as worship! The bible gives us an example of disobedience in Jonah. He wanted to give God some advice!
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the story of Jonah and obedience to God. They discuss the notion that our lives of faith come with a cost, as symbolized by the cross, while also celebrating the redemptive embrace of God's unending mercy. Listen in for the full conversation.
Before listening, read For Faith.
Dr. King dared to dream in the greatness of our nation. He defined that greatness in the "I Have a Dream" speech. It has to do with justice, freedom, and dignity for all people. He dared to believe that we are great enough be human family.
In this episode days before Dr. King's birthday, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the profound teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bishop Wright guides us through the depth of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, moving past its renowned finale to unearth the call for systemic change and justice within. King's deep-seated love for his country and unshakable dedication to The Gospel formed the cornerstone of his message, transcending the battle for civil rights to craft a blueprint for a most just world house.
Before listening, read For Faith.
Gifts with Marycelis Otero
21:47
Choose with The Rev. Bonnie Underwood
18:36
Signed, Sealed, Delivered with The Rev. Rhett Solomon
17:09
Defeating Giants
23:06
Questions
21:29
Grace-grit
21:22
Fighting Hunger with Atlanta Community Food Bank CEO Kyle Waide
24:11
The Work of Dismantling Racism with The Rev. Greg Warren
26:52
Freedom
22:48
Led
25:08
Offer
20:57
Revives
23:18
Look, Touch, Lunch
21:56
Easter Gift
21:26
King of Palms and Curses
22:42
Letting Go... of the Fear of Death
24:01
Letting Go... of Condemnation
22:20
Letting Go... of the Church
19:47
Letting Go... of Control
20:20
Letting Go... of the Familiar
23:40
DIGNITY with Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright
28:06
Unimpressed
22:33
Builds
21:34
Direction
18:47
More Than a Dream: Reflecting on Dr. King
22:18