Ordinary Time #13: Southside Solidarity | @kaleophx

WARNING: In this sermon, I challenge the idea of penal substitutionary atonement and present a non-violent way to view the crucifixion. In traditional seminary experiences, students are often taught the different ways cultures and denominations view the crucifixion, but that's not something everyone is familiar with. So before you listen to this, just know this may rearrange the furniture in in your head and spiritual belief system. If you would like more resources as you explore this idea, please check out the links at the bottom of this sermon!

Ordinary Time #8: Written-Out Slaves | @kaleophx

A decolonial reading of this text, therefore, challenges us to recover and reclaim the forgotten lives in the text and the context. A recovery of these forgotten lives is by ‘hearing to speech’ their voices, which is an affirmation of their existence in society.

Eastertide #6: We Still Have Each Other | @kaleophx

On this sixth Sunday of Eastertide, Pastor Erin guides us through John 17:1-11. Jesus is departing his disciples giving them the task of continuing his work of liberation and continuing his politics of a non-violent way of resistance to oppression and corrupt government.

Faith In Action Faith Forum - Feb 2022 (Washington D.C.)

A Recap of my trip to the Faith In Action Faith Forum February 2022 in Washington, D.C.

I also had the opportunity to share a reflection at the Corazón AZ Rise + Vote Town Hall meeting and a few people asked me for a copy. The audio is a recording of that event!

MLK Sunday 2023: From Rage to Shout

I still feel the tension of the life and work of Dr. King because he was assassinated for saying things that I’m going to say to you today. I still feel the tension of rage, courage, confusion, uncertainty, And the responsibility of Truth-telling, which sometimes feels like shouting in the fire. I still feel the tension of the reality that we are the continuation of a story Dr. King couldn’t finish telling…

Advent #1: Watchmen...Stay Woke! | @kaleophx

In this sermon, we begin the first Sunday of Advent, and I guide us through the work of Wilda C. Gafney, Fleming Rutledge, and the parable of the doorkeeper in Mark 13:34-37.

Truthsgiving: A Trial of Tears | @kaleophx

“Truthsgiving, coined by Indigenous activist Christine Nobiss is meant to dismantle common misunderstandings about Thanksgiving with...well, the truth. Some say Thanksgiving is celebrated at the expense of Native peoples, and while America celebrates a day of thanks with feasts and football, many Native Americans continue to live with disparities and economic hardships…”

Pushing Out White Supremacy | @kaleophx

We're on week 7 of our journey through the work of Oscar Romero and the way he preached the Good News of Jesus among the poor and oppressed of El Salvador.⁠ In this episode, we reflect on Romero's homily from April 9, 1978 and are guided through Luke 24:13-35 as we discuss the importance of pushing back on the line of tolerance for White Supremacy.

Will You Join God's Work of Liberation? | @kaleophx

We're on week 4 of our journey through the work of Oscar Romero and the way he preached the Good News of Jesus among the poor and oppressed of El Salvador.⁠ In this episode, we reflect on Romero's homily from February 24, 1980, and are guided through Isaiah 43:14-21. God has always been in the business of liberation and tearing down systems of oppression. ⁠Can you see what God is up to today? Can you see the story He is telling? Will you join Him in the work of liberation?⁠

Return to Beauty | @kaleophx

What Oscar Romero had hoped for the Salvadorian people is that those in power would see and understand that, like the earth, we are one people and belong to one another. And like Jesus, have empathy for our country’s most vulnerable (the poor). Romero wanted his listeners to see that as God’s good creation we are responsible for our neighbors. So, to bring harm to someone else is actually bringing harm to ourselves.

A Greenhouse Contradiction: Nurturing Spaces of Peace for Communal Flourishing | @kaleophx

Jesus, Howard Thurman, and MLK all lived in contradiction to the world they were living in. We must also do so if we want to create spaces of peace for communal flourishing. BUT…it starts with a seed in a greenhouse. I could think of no better way to gift the world with who I am than by sharing this message I gave last Sunday called The Greenhouse Contradiction. It strongly represents who I am as a pastor and the community we are growing @kaleophx.

Our Primary Opportunity | Rise + Vote Town Hall - July 2022

What is the language of a decolonized faith? How do I marry my faith with my desire to see social and political change? Where is Jesus in relationship to the oppressed and marginalized?

I had the opportunity to share a reflection at the Corazón AZ Rise + Vote Town Hall meeting and a few people asked me for a copy. Below is a transcript!

Epiphany #3 - Liberation in Genealogy | @kaleophx

On the weekend of MLK Day, my husband and I had the privilege of having dinner with one of our city’s matriarchs, Linda Morris, and this sermon was inspired by her. Click here for a recording from that gathering and a transcript of my message notes.

Advent #2 - Vote & Make Crooked Places Straight | @kaleophx

The coming of the birth of Jesus was indeed a threat to political power, authority, and rule. But to those experiencing oppression, the coming of Jesus was a gift of hope and liberation.

Julius Jones, Kyle Rittenhouse, Truthsgiving, and the Persistent Widow | KALEO PHX

After the heavy week of Julius Jones, Kyle Rittenhouse, and ASU Multi-cultural center, I spoke at Kaleo Phx on Sunday, November 21, 2021. This is a recording from that gathering and below is a transcript of my message notes.

Jesus Stories - Miracles at the Table | KALEO PHX

Participating in a shared experience gives us the opportunity to partake together in joy, in belonging, and in community.

Stained Glass: The Incarnate | KALEO PHX

In order for something to be reconciled, you have to give a full account of what was done. Everything must be accounted for. So for us to truly see racial reconciliation, we must give an account of every racial injustice that has happened in our country. Which is messy...difficult...hard...but it must be done if we are to build multi-ethnic communities of healing. A flourishing church. A highly incarnational church.

Church History IS Critical Race Theory | KALEO PHX

To not acknowledge the history of something, is to perpetuate the existence of something. This is why Critical Race Theory is important. I spoke at Kaleo Phx on Sunday, June 6, 2021 and this is a recording from that gathering. Click to see is a transcript of my message notes.

Advertising, BLM, CRT, and the Formation of Repetition | KALEO PHX

I never would have thought 5 years ago that I would be a pastor and the topics in my sermon would be these. The work that we're doing at Kaleo Phoenix, I truly believe, is a move of the Spirit and I'm blessed to be a part of it. I spoke at Kaleo Phx on Sunday, May 16, 2021 and this is a recording from that gathering along with a transcript of my message/notes.

Building Beloved Community | KALEO PHX

How would Jesus address the injustices shown towards Daunte Wright, Caron Nazario, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery? How would Jesus create space to comfort the communities hurting from the loss of life? How would Jesus address the dangers of White Supremacy? How would Jesus create space for racial reconciliation? I spoke at Kaleo Phx on Sunday, April 18, 2021, doing my best to address these things in humility and love. This is a recording from that gathering. Below is a transcript of my message/notes.

Millennials In Ministry