Listening for Clues On the Journey with Jon & Lauren

Discover Advent in Everyday Moments: LOVE
This video includes prayers, discussions and interviews focusing on spirituality, love, and faith. The main speaker introduces Bishop Robert W. Ihloff of the Episcopal Church, who stresses the importance of living the faith and accepting others regardless of their beliefs. Father Jeff Hual explains his meaningful involvement in the Syrian refugee crisis initiated out of love and friendship, which included providing wheelchairs and education materials. The video also features Dr. Dorothy Adamson Holley, a Developmental Psychologist who integrates psychology and spirituality in her work, shares her philosophy that love plus forgiveness equals freedom.
00:18 Opening Prayer
00:40 Introduction to Right Reverend Robert W. Ihloff
01:21 Discussion on the Future of the Church
04:41 Introduction to Father Jeff Hual and His Ministry
05:06 Father Jeff's Involvement in the Syrian Refugee Crisis
10:39 Introduction to Dr. Dorothy Adamson Holley
11:57 Dr. Holley's Philosophy on Love, Forgiveness, and Freedom
12:21 Dr. Holley's Reflections on the George Floyd Incident
13:44 Closing Thoughts
Listening for Clues is pleased to present our new series, "Good News!" featuring weekly conversations with people who are making a difference, large or small. We want everyone to know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how. So, our listeners and viewers can experience the good news and go out and make a difference themselves.
Listening for Clues invites you into conversations that discover clues, rather than solutions to life’s problems. Join the journey with Jon Shematek and Lauren Welch, Episcopal deacons, as we explore whatever lies ahead. Check our website Listening for Clues.
© 2023 Listening for Clues

Discover Advent in Everyday Moments: Joy
In this video, we interact with some inspirational figures - Dr. Sharon Runge, Executive Director of Kenya Connect (USA), Reverend Henrietta Wiley, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Towson, Maryland, and Markiesha E. Wilson, a human capital consultant. Dr. Runge speaks about the work her organization is doing in rural Kenya and her personal journey of embracing opportunities. Reverend Henrietta Wiley, shares her view on joy as a divine gift and expresses how her priesthood opened a 'floodgate of joy' for her. Finally, Markiesha E. Wilson emphasizes the role of faith in overcoming life's challenges, her experiences navigating the corporate world, and the journey of writing her book, 'In the Climb, Eight Audacious Actions to Overcome Life and Climb the Corporate Ladder with Joy.' Join us to learn from these women as they recount their experiences and share their insights.
00:15 Introduction to Dr. Sharon Runge and Kenya Connect
01:06 Personal Experiences and Impact of Kenya Connect
01:58 Cultural Exchange and Connection with Kenya
04:56 Introduction to Reverend Henrietta Wiley
05:42 Joy and Spirituality in Henrietta's Life
11:45 Introduction to Markiesha E. Wilson
12:57 Faith and Spirituality in Markiesha's Life
13:54 Markiesha's TED Talk Experience and Her Faith
15:27 Markiesha's Book and Final Thoughts
Listening for Clues is pleased to present our new series, "Good News!" featuring weekly conversations with people who are making a difference, large or small. We want everyone to know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how. So, our listeners and viewers can experience the good news and go out and make a difference themselves.
Listening for Clues invites you into conversations that discover clues, rather than solutions to life’s problems. Join the journey with Jon Shematek and Lauren Welch, Episcopal deacons, as we explore whatever lies ahead. Check our website Listening for Clues.
© 2023 Listening for Clues

Discover Advent in Everyday Moments: PEACE
In this three-part video, orchestra teacher Pat Aaron discusses her musicianship at her church, where she performs either solo, with a pianist friend, or as part of a quartet or trios. She reflects on how performing music provides a deeply spiritual and emotional experience, not just for her, but for those who are listening. The video highlights the beauty of connecting with people through music and the sense of calm and unity it brings within the community.
The conversation takes a deep turn as the priest, the Rev. Dr. Brandt Montgomery, school chaplain, shares his personal struggles of racial prejudice at a previous school, including an incident with KKK literature. Despite these challenges, his story reflects resilience, forgiveness, and an ever-abiding faith in the 'wideness of God's love and community’.
Priest and author the Rev. Mary Luck Stanley reflects on her personal relationship with God, the omnipresent, during times of crisis and happiness. She articulates a theory that during stressful periods, humans tend to experience tunnel vision, making it difficult to see the presence and work of God in their lives. In hindsight, as healing occurs and with the passage of time, the perspective tends to broaden, and God's grace can be seen in those stressful situations. She further talk about her book “Grace in the Rearview Mirror,” being an invitation for readers to retrospectively examine their lives, share those experiences, and see God's work in their past, even in difficult times, providing a sense of catharsis and eventually leading to strengthened faith. The book is recommended for those seeking personal spiritual growth and could be used as part of a book group activity.
Highlights:
00:00 intro
00:43 Pat Aaron
05:25 Brandt Montgomery
09:48 Mary Luck Stanley
16:30 Ending
Listening for Clues is pleased to present our new series, "Good News!" featuring weekly conversations with people who are making a difference, large or small. We want everyone to know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how. So, our listeners and viewers can experience the good news and go out and make a difference themselves.
Listening for Clues invites you into conversations that discover clues, rather than solutions to life’s problems. Join the journey with Jon Shematek and Lauren Welch, Episcopal deacons, as we explore whatever lies ahead. Check our website Listening for Clues.
© 2023 Listening for Clues

Discover Advent in Everyday Moments: Finding HOPE
Advent One: Three Stories of Hope
In the face of adversity, it is often our resilience that shines through, guiding us towards hope and strength. St. Peter's Church in Ellicott City is a prime example of this unwavering resilience. As a church that has experienced its fair share of trauma and tragedy, it has emerged stronger and more determined than ever. In this excerpt from a Good News! podcast, we invite you to reflect on the profound lessons of resilience, hope, and faith.
The second excerpt focuses on Living Water Inclusive Catholic Community and Roman Catholic Womenpriests. The speaker gives the example of the inspiring story of a group of sisters who voted unanimously to see their work to completion, embracing the hope that lies in the seeds they have planted. Similarly, Living Water Inclusive Catholic Community, led by Pastor Gloria Carpeneto, is a stepping stone in the evolution of God's plan.
The third excerpt highlights the importance of empowering Gen Z in their passion for social justice and truth. Gen Z individuals are vocal about their beliefs and dedicated to making a difference in the world. The speaker suggests that the church should meet young people where they are, utilizing online platforms and digital evangelism to engage with them effectively. He shares his optimism for the future, believing that the church's involvement in these areas can benefit not only their own tradition but the entire body of Christ.

00:04 Intro
00:50 The Rev. Derek Miller
05:42 The Rev. Gloria Carpeneto
11:00 Brother Christian
16:05 Final Words from Derek
© 2023 Listening for Clues

Good News 2023 Season Closing
The Listening for Clues team, Co-hosts Jon Shematek and Lauren Welch, and Director Lynn Shematek, gather to reflect on creating twenty-one "Good News!" podcasts published since June 2023. They are humbled and grateful to have heard and shared the stories of remarkable individuals who are making a difference in the world, be it large or small. Even as the 2023 season draws to a close, plans are underway for even more to come in 2024. In this final episode of the year, they express thanks to their guests as well as their viewers and listeners. Watch or listen to this episode, and any others in the series at https://listeningforclues.com/
Stay tuned for information about their upcoming four-part program (to be launched on November 27): "Discover Advent in Everyday Moments.".
Highlights
0:00 GN 2023 Closer
00:18 Welcome
00:48 What Was It Like To Do the Podcast?
02:18 Our Guests
04:31 What's Next?
05:21 Thanks to Our Viewers and Listeners
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Captivate Audio Podcast PlaylistYouTube Podcast PlaylistsListening for Clues | On the Journey with Jon and Lauren
Listening for Clues is pleased to present our new series, "Good News!" featuring weekly conversations with people who are making a difference, large or small. We want everyone to know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how. So, our listeners and viewers can experience the good news and go out and make a difference themselves.
Listening for Clues invites you into conversations that discover clues, rather than solutions to life’s problems. Join the journey with Jon Shematek and Lauren Welch, Episcopal deacons, as we explore whatever lies ahead. Check our website Listening for Clues.
© 2023 Listening for Clues

In the Climb with Markiesha E. Wilson
We are honored to have Markiesha E. Wilson, a human capital consultant, leadership coach, and author of "In the Climb." Markiesha talks about how her vocation came to be, the power of forgiveness and her amazing book.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Markiesha's book "In the Climb" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Climb-Audacious-Actions-Overcome-Corporate/dp/1737622300
Markiesha's website: https://wilson-chapman.com/
Markiesha's email address: pursuejoy@wilson-chapman.com
Markiesha's Instagram address:https://www.instagram.com/wilsonchapmancoaches/?hl=en
The TEDX talk Forgiveness in the Workplace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EUHyo9N1iA
Listening for Clues is pleased to present our new series, "Good News!" featuring weekly conversations with people who are making a difference, large or small. We want everyone to know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how. So, our listeners and viewers can experience the good news and go out and make a difference themselves.
Listening for Clues invites you into conversations that discover clues, rather than solutions to life’s problems. Join the journey with Jon Shematek and Lauren Welch, Episcopal deacons, as we explore whatever lies ahead. Check our website Listening for Clues.
© 2023 Listening for Clues