🌟 Dreaming Boldly in the New Year 🌟

As we step into a new year, let’s pause to reflect on dreaming, hope, and the power of presence. For many, especially those of us with marginalized identities, dreaming can feel out of reach. Yet the act of dreaming—of imagining a life rooted in hope, resilience, and possibility—is essential for creating a future where everyone can thrive.

Keywords: dreaming, hope, presence, interconnectedness, new year, resilience, compassion, active hope, gifts, community

Takeaways

1. Dreaming can feel inaccessible, especially for marginalized identities.

2. The new year offers fresh opportunities for re-imagining our lives.

3. Presence is a powerful gift we can offer to others.

4. Active hope requires action and engagement, not just wishful thinking.

5. Dreaming is interconnected with the web of life and community.

6. We can learn from nature about the importance of dreaming.

7. Believing in our dreams is essential for their realization.

8. Courage and persistence are necessary to turn dreams into reality.

9. Our dreams matter and contribute to the greater good.

10. We must support each other in believing in our dreams.

Chapters

00:00 Weathering the Storms of Life

05:47 Dreaming Boldly for the Future

12:06 The Power of Presence and Gifts

17:58 Active Hope and Courageous Dreaming

24:03 Interconnectedness of Dreams

30:01 The Wisdom of Nature and Dreams

36:01 Believing in Our Dreams

Music credit: “Love Had a Dream,” Amanda Udis-Kessler

https://queersacredmusic.com/track/2309090/love-had-a-dream

In this conversation, Shiloh Hoffman and Phoenix Bell-Shelton explore the complexities of thriving during the holiday season, particularly for those on the margins. They discuss the duality of holiday experiences, the importance of community, and the need for authenticity and joy amidst challenges. The conversation emphasizes the significance of personal narratives, rest, and ancestral wisdom in cultivating a thriving life. Ultimately, they hold space for all experiences during the holidays, reminding listeners that they are not alone.

Takeaways

• Thriving during the holidays is a birthright for everyone.
• The holiday season can evoke both joy and pain.
• Choosing joy is a conscious decision, especially in difficult times.
• Community and connection are vital for thriving.
• Personal narratives shape our experiences and perceptions.
• Rest is essential for mental and emotional well-being.
• Authenticity is key to thriving and feeling enough.
• Listening to ancestral wisdom can guide us in our journeys.
• Cultivating practices that support thriving is essential.
• We must hold space for all experiences during the holidays.

• Thriving Through the Holidays: A Journey of Authenticity
• Navigating Joy and Pain During the Holidays

• "Thriving is a birthright."
• "Rest is revolutionary."
• "You are not alone in this."

• Intro - “Hope Waits” v 1 - Amanda Udis-Kessler - https://queersacredmusic.com/track/2808216/hope-waits-for-us-at-advent-verse-1-for-week-1

• Outro - “Hope Waits” v 4 - Amanda Udis-Kessler - https://queersacredmusic.com/track/2808227/hope-waits-for-us-at-advent-verse-4-for-week-4

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In this episode of Revolutionary Prophecy, hosts Phoenix Bell-Shelton and Shiloh Hoffman explore the themes of love, justice, and community within the context of their Unitarian Universalist faith. They reflect on their journey together, the importance of connection, and the risks associated with being prophetic voices in ministry. The conversation emphasizes the need for revolutionary love in a divisive world and the significance of creating space for marginalized voices.takeaways

• Revolutionary Prophecy is about building a liberated society.
• Love is at the core of Unitarian Universalist faith.
• Connection and community are essential in ministry.
• Navigating change requires support and collaboration.
• Risk is inherent in advocating for marginalized voices.
• Revolutionary love can transform our world.
• The podcast aims to explore both joy and pain.
• It's important to reflect on our identities in conversations.
• The journey of faith is filled with milestones and growth.
• Together, we can prophesy new ways of thinking and feeling.

Music: If the Prophets Lived Today by Amanda Udis-Kessler

Samara Powers is a mom, a poet, and a non-theistic, non-binary, queer-positive, trans-positive relationship anarchist with a degree in English and a professional background in marketing and graphic design. Feel free to ask her about any of that. She is currently a full-time seminary student at Meadville Lombard Theological School and is a Certified Facilitator for the OWL Curriculum for Older Adults. She co-houses with two other moms in Gainesville, FL.

Samara Powers has a chapter on Prophetic Polyamory in Skinner House Book's forthcoming Queer Theology, an anthology of queer "theology" for Unitarian Universalism and beyond, edited by Rev. Lane-Mairead Campbell and Rev. Michael Crumpler. Skinner House links:https://www.uua.org/publications/skinnerhouse

https://www.facebook.com/skinner.house

Public Chaplaincy is an emerging area of ministry that brings spiritual care to arenas where pastoral services are not typically found. There are public chaplains under Rev. Karen Hutt’s supervision doing spiritual care in laundromats, city buses, shelters, coffee shops, public parks, and more. Stay tuned to developments, opportunities, and Public Chaplaincy news on the Facebook page. UU Public Chaplaincy link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089322236503

Reconnecting the Pieces: An Open Letter To My Oppressors

UU Ministerial Candidate and UUFF Intern Minister roddy bell-shelton biggs explores forgiveness and personal growth through an "Open Letter to my Oppressors." They share a story of resilience wherein, despite bullying and abuse, they find their inner light and decide to add their voice to the river of opposition and the ever-growing ocean of love as a member of Unitarian Universalism. And they invite us to reconnect the pieces of our lives to heal ourselves and others.

If nothing else, chaplaincy is heart-wrenchingly painful holy and spiritual work that leaves one to explore and make meaning of human suffering while believing in, praying to, and questioning everything they know about the very essence of all that is named and perceived as holy. Join us in worship as Seminarian and Aspiring Public Theologian; roddy bell-Shelton biggs shares thier experience interning as a summer chaplain at a level one trauma center in the hills of East TN.

Pete Cossaboon is a healer, teacher, and inspirational leader helping others find their authentic voice.  Through the transformative energy of Spiritual connection, we can find true peace, clarity, and passion for living on the edge of new beginnings. Pete’s mission is to help others find their authentic voice, leave the facade of victimhood behind, and become a voice of Love and transformation in the world.

The Four-Steps-to-Brilliance PDF 

Revolutionary Prophecy With  Amanda Udis-Kessler 

Amanda Udis-Kessler is a hymn-writer, songwriter, and composer, specializing in music and lyrics for liberal/progressive religious people and communities, including inclusive, social justice-minded Christians, Unitarian Universalists, and other open-hearted religious traditions. Amanda writes at the intersection of progressive religion, sociology ethics, and social justice to support human flourishing and ease human suffering. Amanda's religious music is used across the US, Canada, the UK, South Africa, and New Zealand.

You can learn more about her writings and her music at https://queersacredmusic.com/home as well as at https://amandaudiskessler.com/.