"How can we do this alone?" Julie Hoplamazian is an Episcopal priest serving at St. Michael’s Church in New York City. She is a dog lover, an avid puzzler, and loves a good story, whether on stage, page, or screen. Julie is also the founder of Faith on Pointe, a ministry that exists at the intersection of ballet and theology, teaching ballet as a s…

"I've lived my whole life in a state of fear." Christine Johnson is Music Associate at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. She is Mutti to two amazing sons, a classical soprano, and an avid backpacker and fisher. Join us every morning in Advent for Meeting Fear, an aural Advent calendar of daily reflections on fear and how it affects our relatio…

"Fear makes us afraid of engaging. Jesus leads us into community." The Rev’d Jennifer M. Creswell is the part-time vicar of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in North Portland. Join us every morning in Advent for Meeting Fear, an aural Advent calendar of daily reflections on fear and how it affects our relationship with God. Listen at dailyadvent.podbea…

"The season of Advent is a time of questions." Sebastian, Annie, and Eleanor are kids at kids at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, OR. Join us every morning in Advent for Meeting Fear, an aural Advent calendar of daily reflections on fear and how it affects our relationship with God. Listen at dailyadvent.podbean.com or wherever you listen.…

"The fears I now carry because of cancer have also been a catalyst." Karen Tiegs is a a Supply Priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Oregon. Including her own, she resides in a household with 11 heartbeats. Join us every morning in Advent for Meeting Fear, an aural Advent calendar of daily reflections on fear and how it affects our relationshi…

"You are never alone." Kristie Hendricksen, former Portland resident, comes to you from the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. She loves being outside and putting herself in odd situations – despite being terrified most of the time. Join us every morning in Advent for Meeting Fear, an aural Advent calendar of daily reflections on fear and how i…

"When mockery dethrones the terrible." Katie Hartsock's second poetry collection, Wolf Trees (Able Muse), received the Philip H. McMath Poetry Prize and was one of Kirkus Review's Best Indie Books of 2023. She is an associate professor of English and Creative Writing at Oakland University in Michigan, and lives in Ann Arbor with her family. “Throne…

"The fear not of falling, nor of jumping, but of watching." Jeremy Trabue lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and daughter. His son attends university in Houston, Texas. He has taught English at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon since 2003. He is the author of an introductory-level college textbook about poetry titled Listening to Po…

"Fear doesn't have to be the enemy of faith." Elizabeth Braatz has been a parishioner at Trinity Cathedral in Portland for five years. She is a newlywed and mama to a 9 month old 80-pound puppy named Blue. When she's not working, she loves to go to the gym, take walks with her family, play piano, listen to music, read, travel, and brainstorm how to…

"Fear brings friends. Hope shows up with reinforcements." The Rev. Meg Jenista is an RCA pastor, a PhD candidate in Public Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. She writes sermon commentaries for Center for Excellence in Preaching and serves as Program Director for Preaching Reformed Fellowship out of the Center for Public Justice. She spends mo…

"Speaking your feelings can help you calm down." Finlo, Max, Ryker, and Cora are kids at kids at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, OR. Join us every morning in Advent for Meeting Fear, an aural Advent calendar of daily reflections on fear and how it affects our relationship with God. Listen at dailyadvent.podbean.com or wherever you listen.…

"This is a time to breathe." The Rev. Jo Ann Jaén Lagman is Missioner for Asiamerica Ministries for the Episcopal Church, helping identify, encourage and support Asians and Asian Americans leaders across the church. A physician by training, she previously served as rector of St. David’s in Aurora, IL. Join us every morning in Advent for Meeting Fea…

"Good can come even from very scary things." The Rev. Melissa Bruckart Adzima has served as the Rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Longmont since 2019. She is the mom of two feral princesses, 8 and 6, and they are known to be spicy or extra spicy in their daily lives. She and her husband, Alan, started dating in sophomore year of universit…

"Fear need not control us." The Very Rev'd Brendan Barnicle is the Interim Dean at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, OR, having previously served as Rector of St. Stephen’s in Portland and St. Francis of Assisi in Wilsonville, OR. Before entering priesthood, Brendan worked in investment banking for over 20 years, and he has a keen interest in faith an…

"Fear strips us of imagination." The Rev'd Canon Christopher Craun (she/her) joined the Episcopal Church of Western Oregon’s staff in December of 2021 as the Canon to the Ordinary, after being the Rector of a bilingual/multicultural congregation in Portland for twelve years. In her current role she consults with congregations in transition, assists…

"It may be Christmas out there, but it's Advent in here." The Rev'd Canon Dana Colley Corsello has served as Vicar of Washington National Cathedral since 2017. Since her ordination in 1999 and with her husband, Andrew, she has also served parishes in Tuxedo Park, NY, Richmond, VA, and San Francisco. Her proudest achievements are her beautiful sons …

"What wonders await behind the veil of fear, terror, and the sublime." The Rev. Ryan Whitley is the Rector of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is a lover of all things horror with a particular fondness for horror and weird fiction from between 1875 and 1945. He hosts the Whiskey and the Weird podcast (now in its eighth se…

"I don't want to do something too scary." Robert, Emerson, and Grace are kids at Trinity Cathedral, Portland. Join us every morning in Advent for Meeting Fear, an aural Advent calendar of daily reflections on fear and how it affects our relationship with God. Listen at Daily Advent or wherever you listen.…

"It's okay to be scared by the thing – but don't be scared of the thing." Aimee Fritsch is a biker, cat mom, government gal, and postulant for the vocational diaconate in the Diocese of Oregon. She’s currently burning the candle at both ends as a policy analyst in the governor’s office, intern at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Eugene, student at Be…

"The reality of fear is not new." The Rev'd Bingham Powell is rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Eugene, Oregon. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, taking care of his chickens, or making music on oboe and English horn. Bingham recently received his doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary. Join us every morning in…

"Near misses." Jessica E. Pierce (she/her) is the author of Consider the Body, Winged. Winner of the 2024 Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry Prize from CALYX, she has also been a two-time finalist for the Pablo Neruda Prize from Nimrod, a finalist for the New Ohio Review’s NORward Prize, and a finalist for the MVICW Poetry Contest, for which she receive…

"I only talk to God when somebody's about to die." The Rev'd Dr. Ian Doescher is author of the William Shakespeare's Star Wars and Pop Shakespeare series and a pastor ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA. Join us every morning in Advent for Meeting Fear, an aural Advent calendar of daily reflections on fear and how it affects our relationship wi…

"Our response to fear is often control." The Rev'd Jeanne Kaliszewski loves Jesus, the Gospel of Luke, and the Book of Jonah. She has been a priest since 2019 and rector of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukie, Oregon since 2021. She graduated with an MDiv from the Church Divinity School in the Pacific in 2019, an achievement only possible because …

"Religion is at its best when it helps us move beyond our limits." Brandon Grafius is professor of biblical studies and academic dean at Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit. His most recent book is Scared by the Bible: The Roots of Horror in Scripture (Morehouse Publishing, 2025). He is the co-chair of the Society of Biblical Literature’s Bibl…

"Let our fear be diminished by the light." The Rev. Spencer W. Brown is Congregation Priest Associate at Washington National Cathedral, where he joined the Canon Vicar’s team in 2023. Spencer has served congregations in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. He shares his life with his husband, Lucas, and their dog, Cruella. They love watching horror mov…

The Christmas season is full of cheery Santas and shiny wrapping paper, but in that first year, Mary and Joseph faced scary times – much as we do today. In Meeting Fear, we will consider fear and how it affects our relationship with God. Join us every morning in Advent for this aural Advent calendar of daily reflections. Listen at http://dailyadven…

"She has been there all along." About the speaker: Nathan LeRud is the dean of Trinity Cathedral in Portland, OR, the oldest Anglican/Episcopal congregation in the Pacific Northwest. A fifth-generation Oregonian and native Portlander, Nathan holds a BA in English and Theatre from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA and an M.Div from the General Theo…

"The practice of using the word 'men' to stand in for all humankind hurts us all." About today's speaker: Elizabeth Schroeder is a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Tacoma, WA, and her work is in home health nursing. ________________________ Join us throughout the Advent season for Divine Feminine, a daily podcast Advent Calendar. How are we cha…

"She knows she couldn’t control what the dust / would become." — from "Eden: Diastasis Recti" About the speaker: Liz Harlan-Ferlo is Canon for Education & the Arts at Trinity Cathedral in Portland. Her writing, both poetry and prose, has been published in journals and magazines both online and in print. "Eden: Diastasis Recti" was published in Chri…

*Note: sound quality improves at 0:30* "Trinity dares to be different." Sermon by Elizabeth Braatz, Catechesis Class of 2024, recorded live at the 10:00am service on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22, 2024.By dailyadvent

"O Strength of Wisdom." About the speaker: Katie Webb serves as Canon for Cathedral Music at Trinity Cathedral in Portland. She is sought after as a clinician, guest conductor, and recitalist across the country, and she serves on the board of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in America. Her choral works are available through Selah. _________…

"We need to be careful, lest we trap our God like a genie we let out when we have wishes." About the speaker: Shana McCauley is the Canon Vicar at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, OR. Canon Shana consults for parishes in discernment, facilitates the new clergy group, and is the Dean of the Columbia Convocation for the Episcopal Church in Western Oreg…

"The humanity of women is too often sacrificed on the altar of the maleness of Jesus." About the speaker: Maria Gwyn McDowell is a priest in the Episcopal Church, a teacher, and public theologian in love with the God who calls all to liberation and compassion. Currently the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Tacoma, Washington, she brings a deep …

"Our own Divine Mother, carries us / still wrapped by her body, the Universe." — from "Advent Eve," Alla Bozarth About today's speaker: The Rev'd Alla Bozarth is an Oregon native who was one of the groundbreaking Philadelphia Eleven—the first women to be ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church in July 1974. Alla is also founder of Wisdom House,…

"How can I be created in the image of God if God is male?" About today's speaker: Charissa Simmons is Canon for Spiritual Formation at Trinity Cathedral in Portland. She is passionate about helping children to articulate their innate sense of God’s presence, and loves to create opportunities for children and adults to experience and wonder about Go…

"In the wilderness, we must encounter the past – and the unknown future." Sermon by Elaine Stewart Harris, Abbot of the Cornerstone Community at Trinity, recorded live at the 10:00am service on the Third Sunday of Advent, December 15, 2024.By dailyadvent

"God is both greater than gender and inclusive of all genders." About today's speaker: Heather Hill is Rector at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Hudson, WI. _____________________ Join us throughout the Advent season for Divine Feminine, a daily podcast Advent Calendar. How are we changed if we pray, "Our Mother, who art in Heaven," or, "We believe i…

"I remember that God is my Mother." About today's speaker: Jill Gidlund is a Godly Play Trainer based in the San Francisco Bay Area and she currently leads a Godly Play program at Bethel Community Presbyterian Church in San Leandro. Her work as a speaker and parent educator includes facilitating conversation and contemplation about nurturing childr…

"I was also made in God's image." About today's speaker: Tiffany McDonald is ordained in the United Methodist Church. She has served as a University Chaplain, solo pastor, and associate pastor, and is currently appointed to family leave. Tiffany lives in Minnetonka, MN with her husband and two daughters. She writes at redheadedrev.org _____________…

"Neither the human masculine or feminine is enough to reflect the vast power of the Trinity." About today's speaker: Chris Arnold is returning for his third year contributing to Trinity's Advent podcast series. He is a spiritual director in Wisconsin, and is an associate of two Trappist monasteries in Iowa. Click here to view the article referenced…

"God's love is like a mother's embrace." About today's speaker: Angela Furlong's call to ordained ministry follows a lifetime of secular profession as a teacher, a neurobehavioral specialist, and a linguist. She is also a wartime veteran. Angela is a passionate advocate for the marginalized and the oppressed, and tirelessly professes God’s uncondit…

"There's an insecure seventh grader inside all of us." About today's speaker: Katie Nakamura Rengers is an Episcopal priest currently serving in the Presiding Bishop's office of Church Planting and Redevelopment. She planted a coffee shop church called The Abbey, that uses hospitality, caffeine, songs and games to nurture community and belonging. W…

"O come, O Wisdom from on high, and teach us in her ways to go." About today's speaker: Peter Elliott is the retired rector of Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver, BC. He previously served as Director of Ministries in Church and Society with the Anglican Church of Canada, and he is the cohost of The Gospel of Musical Theatre podcast. _____________…

“And the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.” About today's guest preacher: Beth Ferguson is a member of the Trinity Cathedral community. In addition to her longtime work as a Godly Play instructor, she is co-leader of Trinity Catechesis, which runs from January to May every year. _____________________ Join us throughout the…

"Help us forgive each other as a mother forgives her children." About today's speaker: Henry Lebedinsky currently serves as Missioner for Music at St. Augustine's in-the-Woods Episcopal Church on Whidbey Island, Washington, and an active organist, harpsichordist, and conductor. He is co-director of the San Francisco Bay Area-based AGAVE and is in d…

"Why did we ever come to call God 'Father?'" About today's speaker: The Very Rev. Kate Moorehead Carroll is the tenth Dean of St John’s Cathedral in Jacksonville, Florida. She has authored eight books and films a daily devotion on YouTube. Kate’s podcast is called FindIt. _____________________ Join us throughout the Advent season for Divine Feminin…

"What does yes mean in the light of the Divine Feminine?" About today's speaker: The Rev'd Helen Dunn is Rector at St. Clement's Anglican Church in North Vancouver, BC, where she has lived since 2017. Helen has a BA in Pastoral Ministry from Briercrest College in Saskatchewan and a MA in Christian Theology from Durham University in the UK. She's an…

"The Church has actively ignored the fullness of how the Bible talks about God." About today's speaker: Robyn King is an Anglican/Episcopal priest. Robyn has served parishes in her home state of Montana and her adopted Province of Alberta, and she is co-host of The Accessible Altar. She and her spouse have a dog, two cats, and an apple tree that le…

"If the Trinity is Three-in-One, then Jesus is female, too." About today's speaker: The Rev'd Dr. Ian Doescher is author of the William Shakespeare's Star Wars and Pop Shakespeare series and a priest ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA. How are we changed if we pray, "Our Mother, who art in Heaven," or, "We believe in one God, the Mother Almigh…

"God is more than a binary gender." About today's speaker: A native of Spokane, Danae Ashley is an Episcopal priest who has served churches and led discernment and spiritual retreats across the United States since 2008. In helping others, she discovered that she needed to be committed to her own self-care and has been healed and supported through s…