Today’s discussion centers around intergenerational faith formation, exploring how churches can create spaces where all ages worship together while also addressing the unique needs of children. Bird emphasizes the importance of playfulness, openness, and the intentional inclusion of those on the margins.

Our conversation explores how key biblical narratives—such as the story of Jesus healing the man born blind—challenge traditional structures. Bird highlights the transformative power of embracing complexity, especially as those raising young humans, rather than seeking easy answers. We hope this episode is an invitation for you to remain present with their questions and to recognize the light of Christ in every aspect of family life.

In this episode of Bedtime Chapel, we welcome back Bird Treacy for a conversation on faith practices – in particular the power of music – and the ways we can teach and embody love in the world today. Bird, a licensed Godly Play instructor, shares insights on belief, prayerful attention, and how we can ensure our churches and homes combat antisemitism in biblical interpretation. We also discuss (the gifts and flaws of) authority in the Church, formal education’s role in ministry, and what it means to follow Jesus’s way of Love.

Bird Treacy shares practical tips for helping children develop prayer habits, from creating home altars to using creative prayer methods.  We also dive into ways to help kids engage with scripture, understand fairness and justice, and approach the language of fatherhood and sonship in the Gospel of John.

We welcome back Bird Treacy for a rich discussion about children's role in church, the Gospel readings for the first week of Lent, and Jesus' relationship with Jewish traditions. Bird gives us a good word about the theological depth of children and how churches should fully include them in worship rather than treating them as distractions.

Our conversation transitions into exploring the Gospel of John, focusing on Jesus' personal encounters with Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and the official. In an episode perfect for International Women’s Day – Bird highlights how these encounters reveal Jesus' unique ministry and his challenges to cultural expectations. We also discuss the significance of Jesus' Jewishness and how his deep knowledge of tradition enabled him to reinterpret it in ways that expanded access to God.

Join us for a great conversation with Bird Treacy, a licensed Godly Play trainer and children’s ministry leader, to explore how children experience faith. This is the first of FIVE episodes with Bird. Given her love for Godly Play, we spend a bit of the time at the beginning introducing the concept. Then dive into John’s Prologue and the deep (if complicated) significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God. We also discuss how faith communities can truly know and nurture children beyond admiration—offering them a space to be fully seen and loved.

Passing on the faith at home means taking on an “upside-down” way of life that embraces service, prayer, and ongoing relationship with God. This conversation shares practical ways to do all three at home. We talk about prayer as a way to notice where God is active in the lives of children, reorienting happiness to God’s dream, and the importance of a faith community that can shape our families.

If you’re concerned about faith sticking with your kids — this is the episode for you. We talk about nurturing children's faith through curiosity rather than memorization, the dangers of hypocrisy, and the importance of integrity in parenting. Including how caregivers can lead with love and patience, drawing parallels between Jesus’ journey and the challenges of modern faith and parenting.

As caregivers and parents, we seek to raise families who are committed to the way of Jesus. This is challenging in a world that celebrated worldly power and wealth. In this episode with the Rev. Dr. Ted Cole we dig into the prophetic, healing, and loving power of Jesus — something that’s very needed in our current age.

In our fourth and final conversation with Canon J. Sierra Reyes we delve into the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel of Mark. The embodiment of God’s intervention of Love through Jesus — what this challenges about ableism, how this can help us develop a hopeful disposition as parents, and the enduring (yet timely) reminder that we can find joy in the struggle.

When the world feels bleak, how do you find abundance through faith? 🌟 This episode goes into the value of modern-day miracles and modern-day truth tellers that remind us of John the Baptist -- aspects of our faith that are more important than ever.

In this conversation Canon Sierra, Natalie and James dig into a conversation about Mark 3 & 4. Sierra presents a powerful framework for thinking about the parables Jesus tells in his ministry as ways to get to know him, and ourselves, better by remaining curious. This leads us to talk about our responsible as caregivers and parents to “till the soil” of our children’s hearts without trying to control who they become. It’s helpful for any parent or caregiver who is wondering how to best develop a love for God in your home.

This is our first Bible Study with guest the Rev. Canon J. Sierra Reyes. And, y'all, SHE IS GREAT! She emphasized connecting our family to the strength and power of Jesus -- the power to heal, the power to nourish, and the power to work for justice.

This conversation with the Rev. Aaron and Elizabeth Ross reminded me of the simplicity that undergirds prayer and the ease that comes when we are connected to Spirit. If you are looking for balm in a very busy season of life -- there's literally no one better to learn alongside than Elizabeth, whose work focuses on encountering the sacred at home.

In addition to talking King Cakes we explore the readings for this week of Bedtime Chapel's nightly prayer service. We're about to encounter a series of readings that are very context-based. Aaron shares some powerful words on the importance of locating our own faith stories in our bodies and unique experiences.

Join us as we discuss the importance of engaging children as full and equal members in the church, what St. Joseph can teach partners about supporting one another, and John’s salvation metaphors.

Daily Office readings for Advent 4 and Christmastide 2024 with The Rev. Aaron and Elizabeth Ross. We had a powerful conversation about the way Christ calls us to lose ourselves for the sake of the Gospel and the importance of being present to the grief in our world today.

Daily Office readings for Advent 3, 2024 with Gary Commins. We discuss practical ways to integrate faith practices into your home, the importance of tenderness and vulnerability, and how one might proclaim the identity of Jesus in the 21st century.

Discussion of Daily Office readings for Advent 2 with Gary Commins - conversation focuses on how to relate ideas of shame, guilt, and evil in a family setting.

Discussion of Luke 20 & 21 with Gary Commins

How night prayer can shape our families and the Church.

Get to know the voices behind the podcast!