Episode 10: #LoveHeals: Bishop Laura Ahrens and Becca Stevens
Today's podcast was recorded in Plantsville, Connecticut, at the annual meeting of the Episcopal Church Women. Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms, was the guest speaker. They have a fabulous website and extensive social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Check them out (and shop for great stuff and to support their work): https://thistlefarms.org/
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Before her presentation, ECCT's Bishop Laura Ahrens delivered a sermon at a celebration of the Eucharist. We decided to package the sermon and the talk together. The sermon comes first and is about 13 minutes) followed by Becca's talk, about 30 minutes, including some great music.
Bishop Laura's sermon was taken from the Gospel passage about "abiding in God's love." She began by sharing an experience while out on a run in New Haven: She she met a homeless man who recognized her as a runner, and shared some of his karate moves with her. The way he recognized and affirmed her ("you're a runner!) reminded her of how Jesus sees people - welcoming all, getting to know them and include them as companions. It encouraged her to be curious about the stories of others and see the world as God sees it. Then she talked about diners and the many kinds of people and conversations that take place there. What she had learned from Becca Stevens, she said, was that a diner can also be a place where a person might come to rest from their trafficking life. She asks, "I wonder how ... our participation, in God's mission, calls us to share God's love with others, so that they might abide in safe shelters and restful places, as well as the loving arms of God." |
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Becca Stevens talk, which follows the sermon on the podcast, started by showing a TV interview by Jenna Bush, which we didn't include because of audio quality, length, and copyright. In the podcast we start where she says hello to everyone and shares that she was born in Milford, Connecticut, living there very briefly before her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee.
Becca begins by expressing her thanks and admiration for the Episcopal churchwomen, and in particular, for their annual church fairs. "I know it was the women of the church that gave me such strength, and faith, in my life," she said, adding that everything she needed to learn about running her multi-million-dollar organization she she learned at church bazaars, run by Episcopal Church Women. You need to listen to how she explains how they work and why it's life-giving! It's much more than raising money - it about an "economy of love" - and the Church Women taught her that. |
Then she went on to describe how she used those lessons as she started to work with the women who are "survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction." From getting a safe place to live and healthy food, to meaningful work. Thistle Farms is known for its many products - bath and body lotions in particular - created by its residents. "The Episcopal Church Women reminds us that justice is the platter upon which our worship needs to be served," Becca said.
You may not be able to attend or consider another gathering of Episcopal Church Women in the same way, after hearing this! Becca, who is an ordained Episcopal priest, is married to songwriter Marcus Hummon. Their son, Levi Hummon is also a songwriter (you need to hear why he chose than instead of priesthood).
Becca plays a song he wrote, and performed with Alison Krauss,"Love Heals," which is a tribute to the women of Thistle Farms. (We include it with her permission). Or find it here on YouTube.
The podcast end with a witness and a song by a Thistle Farm-er, a survivor named Doris who now works with the organization. You can find it here, too, on YouTube, or on our Facebook page!
We think you’ll not only enjoy this podcast but be blessed as well, and inspired by the work of church women, Becca Stevens, Levi, and Doris, and so many others.
You may not be able to attend or consider another gathering of Episcopal Church Women in the same way, after hearing this! Becca, who is an ordained Episcopal priest, is married to songwriter Marcus Hummon. Their son, Levi Hummon is also a songwriter (you need to hear why he chose than instead of priesthood).
Becca plays a song he wrote, and performed with Alison Krauss,"Love Heals," which is a tribute to the women of Thistle Farms. (We include it with her permission). Or find it here on YouTube.
The podcast end with a witness and a song by a Thistle Farm-er, a survivor named Doris who now works with the organization. You can find it here, too, on YouTube, or on our Facebook page!
We think you’ll not only enjoy this podcast but be blessed as well, and inspired by the work of church women, Becca Stevens, Levi, and Doris, and so many others.
You can find this episode and others on our website coffeehour.org. Be sure to like us on Facebook, and give us a follow on Instagram and Twitter.
In Christ and Coffee,
Karin & Alli
In Christ and Coffee,
Karin & Alli