With God’s Help:
Faith-filled Conversation in Uncertain Times
Bishop Shannon Duckworth hosts a five-part podcast series that explores the promises of the Baptismal Covenant as a guide for navigating this moment in our national life. Each episode features a guest who joins Bishop Duckworth in reflecting on one of the Covenant’s core questions, offering thoughtful and practical insights on how to speak the truth in love, pursue justice, and remain grounded in faith.
Upcoming Zoom Conversation!
Episodes Out Now!
“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being??”
from the Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer
In this illuminating conversation, The Rt. Rev. Shannon Rogers Duckworth (Diocese of Louisiana) welcomes The Rt. Rev. Jeff W. Mello (Episcopal Church in Connecticut) to explore Jesus’ call to honor the dignity of every human being, what it means to truly serve the entire diocese as a bishop, and the freeing invitation to love one another even before we know if we like each other. They also reflect on how reciting the Baptismal Covenant aloud each week has reinforced its importance as a clear guide for daily living.
“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?”
from the Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer
Bishop Shannon Duckworth (Diocese of Louisiana) and Rev. Ollie V. Rencher (Rector of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Memphis) examine what it means to live with courage, kindness, and strength. In this candid conversation, these longtime friends contemplate prayer, intentionality, and how they work to stay grounded in the face of the sin of racism and the lifelong journey of racial healing.
Bio:
Since July 2018, the Rev. Ollie V. Rencher (“Ollie”, “Father Ollie”, “Father Rencher”) has served at GSL after service in the Episcopal Dioceses of North Carolina (Charlotte: St. Peter’s), West Tennessee (Memphis: Church of the Holy Communion), and Mississippi (Oxford: St. Peter’s & The University of Mississippi). He collaborates with fellow members of the GSL Clergy-Staff Team, the Bishop, Wardens, Vestry, Treasurer, parish ministry committees and teams, and GSL School (Head of School, Leadership Team, Board of Trustees) on Church-School interrelated operations; serves as lead clergy contact and resource for Administration, Worship & Music, and Stewardship (parishioner giving of time, talent, and money).
“Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”
from the Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer
Join Bishop Shannon Duckworth (Diocese of Louisiana) and Bishop Anne B. Jolly (Diocese of Ohio) for a rich conversation about the challenges of being human in today’s complex world. As both colleagues and friends, they explore the tension between honoring ancient traditions and embracing fresh ways of thinking, the importance of deep listening and rootedness, and how building connections and reaching outward bring new vitality to the church.
Bio:
The Rt. Rev. Anne B. Jolly is the twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. The first woman to serve as Bishop Diocesan, she was consecrated Bishop Coadjutor on April 29, 2023 and began serving as Bishop Diocesan on July 1, 2023. Prior to her election, she served as President of the Standing Committee in the Diocese of Chicago and as the ecclesiastical authority during an interim period between diocesan bishops. Ordained to the Priesthood in 2014, she served parishes in Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, and South Carolina, served on the board of the Episcopal Parish Network and on the World Missions Board for the Diocese of Texas. She received her B.A. from Furman University and her M.Div. from School of Theology at Sewanee.
“Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?”
from the Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer
Join Bishop Shannon Duckworth and Br. Angel Gabriel Roque, BSG for a thought-provoking conversation exploring the Baptismal Covenant as a communal “pacto” rather than a contract, the ongoing call to begin again when we fall short, and the truth of God’s enduring love.
Bio:
The Rev. Deacon Angel Gabriel Roque was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He currently serves as Diocesan Missioner for Youth and Young Adults and Director of Camp Stoney for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. A seminarian at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, he is pursuing an M.Div. with a focus on Spiritual Direction (Class of 2026).
Angel has served diverse communities, as a youth pastor, chaplain, and night manager at an Episcopal shelter, and co-founder of two Latinx Episcopal ministries. He has contributed nationally through the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music and the Council for Safe Church and Communities. A Certified Recovery Peer Specialist, Angel supported youth during the opioid crisis and pandemic, offering care around HIV prevention, trauma, and addiction.
He also has a background in the classical arts and culinary management and continues to create when time allows. Angel lives in Austin with his dog, Koko, and is a life-professed member of the Brotherhood of St. Gregory.
“Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
from the Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer
Join Bishop Shannon Duckworth and Rev. Ed Bacon for an engaging conversation inspired by this question from the Baptismal Covenant: “Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?”
Their conversation delves into choosing love over fear, being part of a faith community, and the power of centering prayer. In this episode, they offer thoughtful reflections and practical wisdom on speaking the truth in love, pursuing justice, and staying grounded in faith, especially in uncertain times.
Bio:
Ed Bacon is an Episcopal priest, speaker, and author of 8 Habits of Love. Now, after decades of leading churches, he travels from his Alabama home, teaching across all spiritual paths as well as in non-religious contexts how our Oneness in Love overcomes our separateness in fear. He also works to help save the Pando forest in southern Utah.
