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Refugia

Refugia

By Debra Rienstra

Host Debra Rienstra interviews a different guest each week, exploring the idea of refugia from a variety of perspectives, from biology to worship to politics. Refugia are places of shelter where life endures in times of crisis. We’re exploring what it means for people of faith to be people of refugia.
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#12 Baselines and Soul Work: Hillary Scholten on Immigration Reform and the Urgency of Creating Good Policy

RefugiaNov 29, 2019

00:00
26:51
#31 Artful Wildness: Biologist Dave Koetje Reflects on Season 3

#31 Artful Wildness: Biologist Dave Koetje Reflects on Season 3

Dave Koetje returns as co-host to reflect on what we’ve learned about refugia church from our guests this season.

Nov 20, 202226:53
#30 Fortress Press Roundtable: Sharon Delgado and Talitha Amadea Aho on Sentinel Experiences, the Clash of Kingdoms, and Caring Well for Young People in Crisis Times

#30 Fortress Press Roundtable: Sharon Delgado and Talitha Amadea Aho on Sentinel Experiences, the Clash of Kingdoms, and Caring Well for Young People in Crisis Times

Fellow Fortress Press authors Sharon Delgado and Talitha Amadea Aho discuss writing books during a pandemic, young people's spiritual hungers, and the resources the church can offer during a climate crisis. 

Nov 13, 202248:03
#29 Climate Hospitality: Karyn Bigelow and Avery Davis Lamb on Creation Justice Ministries and Resilient Church Communities

#29 Climate Hospitality: Karyn Bigelow and Avery Davis Lamb on Creation Justice Ministries and Resilient Church Communities

The executive directors of Creation Justice Ministries explain how faith-based climate organizations can bring people together, inspiring churches and individuals to build social cohesion and work toward a livable and just future.

Nov 06, 202248:26
#28 Becoming The Refuge: Rev. Gerry Koning on Sensory Sanctuaries, Poo-Sniffing Dogs, and the Transition to a New Kind of Church

#28 Becoming The Refuge: Rev. Gerry Koning on Sensory Sanctuaries, Poo-Sniffing Dogs, and the Transition to a New Kind of Church

Rev. Gerry Koning describes the process of moving from an ordinary, traditional congregation to a refugia church focused on "all abilities, all creation, all nations."

Oct 30, 202248:55
#27 God is Still Speaking: Rev. Jim Antal on Communal Vocation, Golden Rule 2.0, and Our Urgent Moral Challenge

#27 God is Still Speaking: Rev. Jim Antal on Communal Vocation, Golden Rule 2.0, and Our Urgent Moral Challenge

Rev. Jim Antal recounts his long experience in climate activism and shares his conviction that Christians, and people of all faiths, are called to a communal vocation at this crucial moment in history.

Oct 16, 202252:10
#26 At School in Community: Ruth Padilla DeBorst on Intentional Christian Community, Resisting the Allure of Empire, and Planetary Gardening

#26 At School in Community: Ruth Padilla DeBorst on Intentional Christian Community, Resisting the Allure of Empire, and Planetary Gardening

Theologian Ruth Padilla DeBorst describes life in Casa Adobe, an intentional Christian community in Costa Rica, and discusses what faithful living can look like as we seek to resist complicity in the abuses of empire.

Oct 09, 202235:39
#25 Houses of the Future: Rabbi Dean Shapiro on Biblical Stories, Renewed Ritual, and Facing Climate Change as Religious Communities

#25 Houses of the Future: Rabbi Dean Shapiro on Biblical Stories, Renewed Ritual, and Facing Climate Change as Religious Communities

Rabbi Shapiro, founder of an interfaith clergy training program called The Joseph Project, discusses how religious ritual and story bind us together and help us strengthen community in times of crisis. 

Oct 02, 202254:02
#24 The Arc of Movement History: May Boeve on Bridging Refugia through Global Connection, Leveraging Prophetic Speech, and Looking into the Abyss with Faith

#24 The Arc of Movement History: May Boeve on Bridging Refugia through Global Connection, Leveraging Prophetic Speech, and Looking into the Abyss with Faith

350.org co-founder and Executive Director May Boeve describes the joy and challenge of connecting climate activists across the globe, scaling up climate solutions, and drawing on faith to drive courage and prophetic speech.

Sep 25, 202243:10
#23 Purple Zone Refugia: Leah Schade on Climate Crisis Preaching, the Prophetic Church, and the Trickster Christ

#23 Purple Zone Refugia: Leah Schade on Climate Crisis Preaching, the Prophetic Church, and the Trickster Christ

To open Season 3, homiletics professor Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade considers the prophetic role of churches amid the climate crisis, as well as the challenge of working for long-term transformation through preaching and structured dialogue.

Sep 18, 202252:43
Refugia Podcast Season 3 Trailer

Refugia Podcast Season 3 Trailer

We're back! Join us for Season 3 of the Refugia Podcast starting Sept. 18.

Sep 04, 202204:10
#22 Living Together in a World of Wounds: Dave Koetje and Summing Up Season 2

#22 Living Together in a World of Wounds: Dave Koetje and Summing Up Season 2

Biologist Dave Koetje returns to reflect with host Debra Rienstra on major themes from Season 2.

Nov 28, 202045:40
#21 Infrastructures of Holiness: Fred Bahnson on Arks, Intercessory Forests, and Gregarious Hermits

#21 Infrastructures of Holiness: Fred Bahnson on Arks, Intercessory Forests, and Gregarious Hermits

Writer Fred Bahnson explores the distinction between arks and refugia. He describes his visit to the church forests of Ethiopia and his involvement in the community garden movement, and he ponders the role of metanoia and mystical connection in a refugia faith. 

Nov 14, 202052:32
#20: Imaginative and Messy: Kathryn Mae Post on Religion Journalism and Reconstructing Faith

#20: Imaginative and Messy: Kathryn Mae Post on Religion Journalism and Reconstructing Faith

Kathryn Mae Post describes her own process of reckoning with a faith crisis, engaging in anti-racism work, and starting out in religion journalism at a time of major cultural and religious transition.

Nov 07, 202037:05
#19 Love Thy Downstream Neighbor: Tim Van Deelen on Sorrow, Anger, and Conservation Biology.

#19 Love Thy Downstream Neighbor: Tim Van Deelen on Sorrow, Anger, and Conservation Biology.

Wildlife biologist Tim Van Deelen reflects on the spiritual challenges of wildlife conservation and considers the call to value the commons and engage in strategic activism. 

Oct 31, 202042:17
#18 Where Beauty is Happening: Katerina Parsons on International Development, Ripple Effects, and Hunger for Deep Roots

#18 Where Beauty is Happening: Katerina Parsons on International Development, Ripple Effects, and Hunger for Deep Roots

Katerina Parsons reflects on refugia in international development settings, on engaging in advocacy and activism as a young adult, and on feeling restless and place-starved at once.

Oct 24, 202041:30
#17 Dreaming of Eloheh: Randy Woodley on Following the Harmony Way

#17 Dreaming of Eloheh: Randy Woodley on Following the Harmony Way

Randy Woodley brings Christian and indigenous worldviews into instructive conversation, describing his quest to establish Eloheh Farm, a place where people can reconnect with land and recover indigenous farming practices.

Oct 17, 202038:59
#16 Kites and Kingfishers: Ruth Harvey on Iona Community and Emerging Patterns

#16 Kites and Kingfishers: Ruth Harvey on Iona Community and Emerging Patterns

Ruth Harvey describes how times of crisis spur people toward new ways of imagining and organizing community. She reflects on how the Iona Community models refugia as places we move in and out of, located and dispersed.

Oct 10, 202039:32
#15 Momentum into the Next Thing: Bill McKibben on Fighting Overwhelming Odds and Praying Through Mental Static

#15 Momentum into the Next Thing: Bill McKibben on Fighting Overwhelming Odds and Praying Through Mental Static

Bill McKibben reviews some recent good news in the climate fight and reflects on an ethic of human solidarity, the demands of activism, and holding on to Christian faith. Also: the book of Job, refugia, and the delights of vernal pools.

Oct 03, 202039:54
#14 Sacramental Cats and Hungry Deer: Dave Koetje on Refugia Amid COVID

#14 Sacramental Cats and Hungry Deer: Dave Koetje on Refugia Amid COVID

Biologist Dave Koetje talks with host Debra Rienstra about how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered his ideas about refugia. Also: Zoom worship, garden pests, and stepping-stone refugia.

Sep 26, 202039:51
#13 Important Dying: Dave Koetje and Summing Up the Refugia Series

#13 Important Dying: Dave Koetje and Summing Up the Refugia Series

Biologist Dave Koetje returns to reflect with host Debra Rienstra on everything we’ve learned over the course of the last twelve episodes. 

Dec 06, 201938:32
#12 Baselines and Soul Work: Hillary Scholten on Immigration Reform and the Urgency of Creating Good Policy

#12 Baselines and Soul Work: Hillary Scholten on Immigration Reform and the Urgency of Creating Good Policy

Hillary Scholten, an attorney who worked for the DOJ under President Obama and then provided legal representation for migrant workers in Michigan, considers how government policy, people of faith, and the larger community can intersect to create healing refugia spaces.

Nov 29, 201926:51
#11 Jazz on the Dunes: David Jellema and the Colony at Lost Valley

#11 Jazz on the Dunes: David Jellema and the Colony at Lost Valley

In this episode, we travel out to the shore of Lake Michigan and back in time. Jazz musician David Jellema recounts the history of the "artist intelligentsia retreat" founded by his father and uncle.

Nov 22, 201941:07
#10 Do the Next Right Thing: Kate Kooyman on Refuge, Refugees, and Stewarding Citizenship

#10 Do the Next Right Thing: Kate Kooyman on Refuge, Refugees, and Stewarding Citizenship

A pastor and education team leader at the Christian Reformed Church’s Office of Social Justice, Kate Kooyman sorts out some confusing matters of immigration policy and explores how people of faith help immigrants and refugees go beyond refuge to community integration.

Nov 15, 201941:06
#9 Keep All the Pieces: Tim Van Deelen on Wildlife Conservation and the Ghost of Aldo Leopold

#9 Keep All the Pieces: Tim Van Deelen on Wildlife Conservation and the Ghost of Aldo Leopold

Tim Van Deelen, professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explains how the term refugia is used in the context of wildlife conservation, along the way telling stories about grizzlies, black-footed ferrets, wolves, and Aldo Leopold.

Nov 08, 201950:11
#8 Dying and Rising: Jeff Chu on Composting, Evolving Faith, and Pop-Up Refugia

#8 Dying and Rising: Jeff Chu on Composting, Evolving Faith, and Pop-Up Refugia

Journalist and recent seminary graduate Jeff Chu ponders the intersection of theology and farming. He also describes the Evolving Faith Conference and other places of healing and fresh imagination for people who are, for whatever reason, feeling on the margins of the church.

Nov 01, 201937:53
#7 Through Pain to Freedom: John Witvliet on Prayer, Lament, and Refugia in Worship

#7 Through Pain to Freedom: John Witvliet on Prayer, Lament, and Refugia in Worship

John Witvliet, Director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, explores how Christians can create refugia spaces in worship through thoughtful public prayer and courageous practices of lament.

Oct 25, 201931:27
#6 Kitchen Table Refugia: Christina Edmondson on Higher Education, Social Media, and Discipleship for Discernment

#6 Kitchen Table Refugia: Christina Edmondson on Higher Education, Social Media, and Discipleship for Discernment

Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin University and co-host of the Truth’s Table podcast, Christina Edmondson reflects on the potential for refugia on college campuses and on the virtues and difficulties of virtual refugia.

Oct 18, 201940:33
#5 New Generation Rising: Kyle Meyaard-Schaap on Young Evangelicals and the Climate Crisis

#5 New Generation Rising: Kyle Meyaard-Schaap on Young Evangelicals and the Climate Crisis

Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, takes stock of how the church is doing in addressing climate change and describes how young Christians are leading the way, finding refugia through intentional action.

Oct 11, 201937:51
#4 Sacred Vessels: Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk on the Arts, the Holy Spirit, and Sanctuary Spaces

#4 Sacred Vessels: Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk on the Arts, the Holy Spirit, and Sanctuary Spaces

Studio artist and art educator Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk reflects on art and risk-taking, sacred spaces pedagogy, vessels, and pokey things.

Oct 04, 201936:27
#3 Seedbed to Be a Blessing: Steve Bouma-Prediger on Refugia in Scripture

#3 Seedbed to Be a Blessing: Steve Bouma-Prediger on Refugia in Scripture

Steve Bouma-Prediger, professor of religion at Hope College and “ecotheologian,” reflects on examples of refugia in the Bible and the virtues necessary to fulfill our God-given, human responsibility to the earth.

Sep 27, 201942:35
#2 The Great Laughter: Jamie Skillen on Humility and Hope

#2 The Great Laughter: Jamie Skillen on Humility and Hope

Jamie Skillen, professor of environmental studies at Calvin University, overviews the sometimes tense relationship between Christianity and environmentalism and urges us to aspire toward an “eschatological stewardship.”

Sep 20, 201934:40
#1 Little Pockets: Dave Koetje and Defining Our Terms

#1 Little Pockets: Dave Koetje and Defining Our Terms

Dave Koetje, professor of biology at Calvin University, helps lay the groundwork with some definitions.

Sep 06, 201922:37