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  • Proverbs: "Common Knowledge" about Lady Wisdom

    Proverbs: "Common Knowledge" about Lady Wisdom
    2025/07/16
    Today we discuss the book of Proverbs which consists mostly of line after line of aphorisms – wisdom sayings (perhaps, common knowledge?). While it is mostly saying after saying, sometimes even ones that conflict with one another, there is a structure to it.The early part of the book frames this book as predominantly the wisdom of Solomon, passed along and written down later by others. The book is written in the format of a parent or teacher to a child (specifically a son) or a student. Of the Hebrew scriptures, this book is not really mentioned in the Gospels and New Testament. This is at least in part because it was one of the latest books added to the scriptures. We discuss why this is the least favorite book of both Rick and Elliot, mostly for its simplistic view of the world that doesn’t hold up to lived life. We spend some time discussing “the fear of the Lord/God” and the ways in which fear is understood in the Bible in various ways. Mostly in Proverbs we are dealing with awe and reverence rather than terror or horror. Rick discusses that Wisdom (Greek: sophia) is personified as a woman, who was present for and active in the creation. In our episode on the Gospel of John we talked about the Logos and you’ll note the similar language used to talk about Jesus the Christ. This is particularly interesting because it raises the question: are “sophia” and Christ one and the same? Elliot notes that some interesting debate about the nature of God can be found in Rick’s sermon from Trinity Sunday, when he talked about the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Rick notes that Proverbs 8 was used as a proof text by both sides, Arius and Athanasius, in the major arguments during that Council.As we begin to close out, Elliot makes a recommendation of very approachable book about the Old Testament, “Getting Involved with God” by Ellen F. Davis. Davis is also a resource for another writer brought up at the end of the episode. Natalee brings up the 31st and final chapter of Proverbs, and in particular “the Proverbs 31 woman”. We talk about how this particular section of the Proverbs is not attributed to Solomon, but rather to King Lemuel's mother. The text describing the Woman is an Hebrew acrostic poem – which we cannot tell in our English translations. Natalee notes the writings of Rachel Held Evans writings on Proverbs 31 woman found in the book, “A Year of Biblical Womanhood” as well as on Rachel’s blog. Interestingly, Rachel Held Evans grew up in the town where the Scopes Monkey Trial was held in 1925 (100 years ago this month even!) and wrote about that in her book, “Evolving in Monkey Town” which has since been renamed, “Faith Unraveled: How a Girl Who Knew All the Answers Learned to Ask Questions.” You can find more at https://rachelheldevans.com/. And with that, we come to the proverbial end of the line. *wink*Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠ If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org. Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ https://stdavidschurch.org/.
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    37 分
  • Job: Does suffering have a point?

    Job: Does suffering have a point?
    2025/07/09

    On today's episode...

    Today we talk about the Book of Job, starting with a quick chat on where the book came from, and what we know about its piecemeal composition. You’ll notice that the text starts and ends with prose and has a middle section of poetry. These sections were not all written at the same time.

    Why was Job written, what is the major question it is here to answer, and how does it answer this question? How is Job’s answer in tension with the other answers offered both in our Wisdom literature and the other scriptures we’ve read through so far and upcoming?

    What or who exactly is the cause of Job’s suffering? In our discussion we briefly review the origins of Satan, suggesting a book of the same name: “The Origins of Satan” by Elaine Pagels.

    We get into the ways that Job’s friends deal with his suffering and a discussion on how we can deal with the emotions of suffering when we encounter it – especially the grief of others. Rick offers a resource, a book by Megan Devine called “It’s okay that you’re not okay.” Elliot also mentions an article by Parker Palmer on the “On Being Project” called “The Gift of Presence, the Perils of Advice.”

    We get Rick’s favorite quote, Elliot points out the most sarcastic phrase in the Bible, and then we wonder – but does this story solve the problem of evil and suffering? And do we find this scripture satisfying in its answers?

    Quick correction – we’re actually 36 episodes in, not 34! Whew, that went fast!

    Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

    A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠

    If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

    Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

    You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ https://stdavidschurch.org/.

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    1 時間 8 分
  • Back Track: The Gospel of Luke

    Back Track: The Gospel of Luke
    2025/07/02

    We're on a break this week, so we offer you this re-run (or as we call it, a back-track) of our episode on the Gospel of Luke. We're reading through Luke in our Sunday morning lectionary currently, so we thought it was a good time. Here are the details from our first time through:

    On today's episode...

    We discuss the Gospel of Luke!

    Here how Luke, a synoptic Gospel, is both like, but also very different from Matthew and Mark which we’ve already discussed.

    We go over some Christology – the theology of Jesus – eventhough we didn’t mean to!

    And of course, we go down a few rabbit holes and mention afew spoilers – especially regarding Acts, which is likely written by the same author as Luke.

    Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s EpiscopalChurch in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

    A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on ourwebsite at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠

    If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use yourn recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

    Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill.Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

    You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’sworship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠⁠stdavidschurch.org⁠⁠⁠.
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    47 分
  • Psalms Part 4: Sing along with Rick

    Psalms Part 4: Sing along with Rick
    2025/06/25

    On today's episode...

    The Rev. Rick Morley comes to you solo today with a shortepisode on how to pray the Psalms. He gives an in-depth discussion about the Psalter included in the Book of Common Prayer and then gives a demonstration of using SingtheOffice.com. You can check it out if you also want to learn to sing the psalms in Gregorian Chant.

    We’re taking a break next week and then we’ll be back onJune 9th with our episode on Job.

    Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

    A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on ourwebsite at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠

    If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

    Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill.Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

    You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’sworship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/.

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    19 分
  • Psalms Part 3: Psalms in your everyday with Sister Kristina Frances

    Psalms Part 3: Psalms in your everyday with Sister Kristina Frances
    2025/06/18

    On today's episode...

    We welcome to the podcast Sister Kristina Frances, Superior of the Society of St. Margaret in Duxbury, MA. Sister Kristina talks with us about the Psalms, praying and singing them in everyday life, and talks to us about the life of a member of an Episcopal Religious Order.

    Hear her dispel some myths you may have picked up from popular culture and discuss the benefits of adding periods of silence to your daily life. (Observe that asterisk not just in the Psalms perhaps…)

    Sister Kristina offered us several resources for ways to add prayer into daily life, including the Daily Office resources from Forward Movement, the Society of St. Francis, and the Mission of St. Clare. She also shared her favorite book with us, "Cats in the Belfry," and we laughed about a YouTube video containing silent monks.

    If you want to learn more about Religious Orders, how to become a part of one, or just where you might be able to visit on retreat, check out all the resources linked from the Episcopal Church’s website under the section for Religious Orders and Christian Communities.

    Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

    A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠

    If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

    Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

    You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ https://stdavidschurch.org/.
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    1 時間 14 分
  • Psalms Part 2: Music and Poetry

    Psalms Part 2: Music and Poetry
    2025/06/11

    We have a guest on the pod today, Elaine Sonnenberg Whitelock, St. David’s Director of Music. After an introduction to Elaine, we have a conversation on how Psalms are used musically in worship. Thanks to Elliot, we get several musical terms defined and we talk about favorite Psalms and Psalm settings.

    In today’s episode you’ll hear clips of sung Psalms out of several of St. David’s worship services this year, directed by Elaine and sung by St. David’s Adult Choir or soloists. You can find the following at these links:

    Introduction: Psalm 104 during Pentecost Sunday worship on Sunday, June 8, 2025

    https://www.youtube.com/live/lsSxiAcaq3Q?si=BUw21fTo1wbvsmns&t=1096

    Psalm 84 “How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place” from the Brahms Requiem sung at St. David's Easter Choir Concert on Sunday, May 4, 2025

    https://www.youtube.com/live/3s6hBsvVyzI?si=oOEowq0JY0XWPrQ2&t=1162

    Psalm 51 from Ash Wednesday Worship on March 5, 2025

    https://www.youtube.com/live/egJg8hVEooA?si=APu5oq9v6MrqqmHs&t=2519

    Psalm 22 arrangement by Peter Hallock at Maundy Thursday worship on April 17, 2025

    https://www.youtube.com/live/SMr6GFdUYQs?si=L9ijCxt5mX7nKpZp&t=4373

    There is also a very brief clip of the tune, Blaenwern, used with the hymn text, “Love Divine All Loves Excelling,” by Charles Wesley.

    Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

    A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠

    If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

    Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

    You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ https://stdavidschurch.org/.

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    54 分
  • The Psalms: The Bible's book of intrusive thoughts?

    The Psalms: The Bible's book of intrusive thoughts?
    2025/06/04

    Today's episode is part one of our June series on the book of Psalms.

    Psalms is one of the longest books of the Bible – though, as we discover – not THE longest.

    Who wrote the Psalms, and why do we (mistakenly) think it was King David?

    We discuss what a Psalm is and the different styles and types of Psalms that are compiled into the book, from Psalms of praise to court psalms to imprecatory psalms – similar to the rage prayers of the Rev. Elizabeth Riley, an Episcopal priest, TikTok personality (@theRevRiley), and author of “Rage Prayers.”

    We talk about how the Psalms are broken into five books, mirroring the five books of the Torah, and how the poetry style of the Psalms is frequently parallelism. What is the most important Psalm? Did you know that there are other "psalms" in the Bible – but we don’t usually call them that.

    We end with our best tips for reading the Book of Psalms, and hope that they help you this month!

    For this episode, Elliot references “The Book of Psalms” by Robert Alter, as well as our New Oxford Annotated NRSV Bible, as always.

    PS: The Feast Day of St. Dunstan is May 19th.

    Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

    A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠/

    If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

    Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

    You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ https://stdavidschurch.org/.

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    58 分
  • Esther: Keeping the Faith, Adding new Traditions

    Esther: Keeping the Faith, Adding new Traditions
    2025/05/28

    In the Book of Esther, we’re back to one simple story, from start to finish, a bit like the Book of Ruth. Though much bloodier than Ruth, this is a story you might find in a Children’s Bible, especially if you have “Bible Storybook from The Bible App for Kids” by YouVersion and OneHope like Natalee does.

    We talk about the origins of the book of Esther, where and when it was probably written, and especially discuss the novelistic style of its writing. A work of historical fiction more than objective history, Esther is full of fools, comedic overreactions, reversals, and ultimate triumph for the Jewish people. This story’s goal is to tell a tale to explain the festival of Purim.

    Did you realize that Purim is the only Jewish religious tradition authorized by a woman? We celebrate that and discuss Purim traditions, including masquerade and hamantaschen, before we jump down a rabbit hole with Rick. Rick’s rabbit hole includes the Septuagint, the Masoretic texts, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. We also learn that Rick is a Dead Head.

    We end the episode by discussing the controversial nature of Esther and follow an unexpected turn to Martin Luther, who hated the book of Esther. Find out why and then have some fun with us in the Martin Luther insult generator, which surprisingly leads us back around to Esther.

    Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

    A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠

    If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

    Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

    You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ https://stdavidschurch.org/.

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    1 時間 9 分