Episode 104: with Rev Simon Ruth de Voil for Sunday 19 November

Politics in the Pulpit?

On this week’s episode of Politics in the Pulpit, Chris is chatting to Rev Simon Ruth de Voil.

Simon is an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister, trained to be a sacred presence outside the conventions of traditional religion. As a sacred musician, spiritual mentor and worship leader he incorporates chant, storytelling and mindful practice to create a space for profound connection and sacred witness. Simon provides music for worship, ceremony, and prayer in a wide variety of churches and non-religious spiritual communities. Simon is also an experienced workshop and retreat leader, drawing on 15 years of study, training, and practice that grew from his time living and working in Iona Abbey. Although influenced by many traditions, Simon's spiritual path and teaching is deeply rooted in Celtic Christianity, the wisdom of the earth, and in the Scottish land where he's spent most of his life.

Chris and Simon discuss preaching on the lectionary readings for Sunday 19th November:

Judges 4: 1-7
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11
Matthew 25: 14-30
Psalm 123

Some further resources from Simon, following on from this episode:

The 2 songs Simon sings in the episode:

Deep Peace by Bill Douglas (adapted by Simon) https://simondevoil.com/track/976529/deep-peace

Open my heart by Alexa Sunshine Rose https://alexasunshinerose.bandcamp.com/track/open-my-heart

Transgender day of remembrance prayers and resources:

• https://enfleshed.com/liturgy-library/
• A simple informal ritual I do with my folks each year is to take one of the names of a trans person who was murdered this year and I write a remembrance card to her and pray for her/them/him and their community for a year. I invite my parishioners to join me and always one or two do. This is a beautiful act of solidarity with my community as we remember the names and light candles on the 20th Nov of each year.
• Heart breaking song to pray with https://youtu.be/ouizOWFxuQI?si=_3mMRZnWGSNMLavg
• Transgender Day of Remembrance scripture suggestion = Acts 8:26-40 which is the story of Philip and the Egyptian Eunuch.
• And example of one of Rev Simon Ruth's TGDR Sunday services https://youtu.be/WggAp3p3vfM?si=0OjUEoCKkeLbBP_W
• Bad ass amazing speech by Dr Lourdes Ashley Hunter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HnnpRa2Ov8

You can find Simon's website here: www.simondevoil.com and his Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdBWe_jkzH4nqPUY3_pQA8w

‘Politics in the Pulpit’ is JPIT’s weekly lectionary resource, helping to equip preachers, ministers and worship leaders to unpack justice and peace issues in the pulpit. You can join in the conversation on Twitter/X at @pulpit_politics or using #PoliticsInThePulpit, or on our Facebook community – find the group here or from the Joint Public Issues Team’s Facebook page.