Chosen Community - Creation, Cultivation & Consent - 143

Irenicast - A Progressive Christian Podcast

In the final episode of the “relational” series, the Irenicast crew reflects on chosen community. We all need a chosen family to do life with. This is especially true for people in marginalized, oppressed groups like those who are LGBTQ+ and are those who minortized because of their race/ethnicity. Co-hosts discuss the formation and cultivation of chosen community, the distribution of power and the nature of consent -- as Allen puts it: it gets meta.

Surprise, surprise, the conversation takes a theological turn. Co-hosts wonder how is God reflecting, acting, creating (or none of the above) in relation to earthly communities of choice? Bonnie cites Jesus, “You did not choose me, I chose you.” Questions tumble into the conversation: Is it okay to choose some and not others? How does God act in the world, really? How many ways can we be triggered by God-language? Collectively, Jeff, Allen, Bonnie, Casey and Rajeev decide to defer the God in/as Community to another episode before wrapping up the episode with wisdom from Casey.

Casey reminds us to honor grief as we transition in and out of communal relationships. Growth requires change. Sometimes our chosen community which may have been life-giving for a time can become harmful to our well-being. Navigating a “leaving” of one’s community is often fraught with heartbreak and grief while at the same time it can facilitate relief and joy. Perhaps this deep shared experience is what holds the Irenicast chosen family together. We all know something about the complexities of “leaving”.

Jeff expresses gratitude to the Irenicast community -- you all -- who tune into the random and sometimes rambling conversations a.k.a. Irenicast podcasts. Thank you. The Irenicast team is humbled and honored to be on this sometimes crazy journey with you.

Pinky swear -- this will be your only chance to hear the segment, “That’s Not My Name”. Rajeev shares a little bit about his personal reclamation of his name, Rajeev, before the segment devolves into the revelation of everyone’s Pretentious Folk Singer name.

Chosen Community Conversation (01:05)

That’s Not My Name Segment (52:23)

RELEVANT LINKS

From Our Conversation on Chosen Community

• The Series SO far
  • Intrapersonal Intelligence – From Self Care to Self Aware – 140
  • Family Systems – Our Given Community – 141
  • Deconstructing with Kids – Two Young Adults Tell Their Parents What’s Up – 142
• LGBT culture in San Francisco
• HIV/AIDS in the United States
• The Woman Who Cared for Hundreds of Abandoned Gay Men Dying of AIDS
• “Third places” as community builders
• John 15:16 Common English Bible (CEB) - You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
• Matthew 12:48 Common English Bible (CEB) - Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
• Lisa Jane Miller (professor, researcher and clinical psychologist, best known as a research scholar on spirituality in psychology)
• Pose (TV Show)
• “The moment goodness knows itself, some of it is lost” -C.S. Lewis

From Our 'That’s Not My Name' Segment

• Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover)
• The Pretentious Folk Singer Name Generator
• Wu-Tang Names Generator

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IRENCAST HOSTS

Rev. Allen O’Brien, MAT | co-founder & co-host | [e-mail]

Allen is a venerator of emotionality. He thrives on education, peace, and interconnectedness— passions which permeate his work as pastor, writer, lover of all the things, and occasional vegan.

You can connect with Allen (@RevAllenOB) on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, GoodReads, & LinkedIn.

Rev. Bonnie Rambob, MDiv | co-host | [e-mail]

As a pastor, activist, educator, mom, and possibility artist, Bonnie invites people into newness. She loves climbing trees, knitting and hiking while conversing with friends about smashing the patriarchy.

You can connect with Bonnie on Facebook and at Parkside Community Church-UCC

Pastor Casey Tinnin, MTS | co-host | [e-mail]

Preacher, protester, everybody’s pastor. Casey geeks out on comic books, talking theology, politics, and sex. He’s most free when he is dancing, cooking with his partner Jose, or walking their dog Kole.

You can follow Casey on Twitter and Facebook, or you can check out his blog The Queerly Faithful Pastor or loomisucc.org

Jeff Manildi | co-founder, producer & co-host | [e-mail]

Chaser of tales and climax initiator, Jeff rises to the occasion, edging to a satisfying completion. Get your mind out of the gutter, we’re talking story, not sex. Jeff expresses his creativity by curating diverse ideas, energies and people.

Follow Jeff (@JeffManildi) on facebook, instagram & twitter. You can also listen to Jeff’s other podcast Divine Cinema.

Rev. Rajeev Rambob, MCL | co-host | [e-mail]

Rajeev loves thoughtful and provocative conversation over food and drink, most often with his family. He’s a loyal, smart-ass friend who believes in the power of spiritual journeys. Feminist, Anti-colonial, Process Theology-nerd.

You can follow Rajeev on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

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CREDITS

Intro and Outro music created by Mike Golin.

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