Meet my friends Emma and Glyn, remarkable shalom-activists with nearly 30 years of experience of creating Jesus-centred, world-embracing spaces for those that don’t fit within traditional Christian contexts. This includes those often seen as “socially undesirable,” as well as those who follow other spiritual paths often taken to be hostile to Christianity. This includes those who identify as pagan, wiccan, and druid. Such accompaniment has placed them on the margins of institutional church and led to the formation of Kasama, a relationship-focused, Jesus-presence ministry that also includes innovative (yet traditional) rituals (like hand-fasting and rites of passage). Their work is very much in the spirit and values of Anvil, the charity that hosts this podcast. Indeed, that’s why we are exploring ways to develop our ongoing partnership with them.
In the first half of our conversation they introduce themselves and share some of their religious background–Glyn growing up in the evangelical Salvation Army church, Emma having a more dramatic, charismatic encounter with Jesus, including ambivalence about how to connect that experience with her experience of nature (which had her labeled a witch). We also hear about their life of ministry with the socially marginalized and “undesirable”, from Tunisia to the Philippines. Throughout this journey, a running theme is how their encounter and relationship with Jesus led them to Jesus-like engagements with others, especially those outside of traditional church life and structures. Yet, paradoxically (perhaps), this produced alienation and marginalization with the institutional church environments in which they worked.
In the second half of our conversation we learn more about Emma’s and Glyn’s “Kasama,” a ministry of companionship and accompaniment with those who are socially “shunned” or seen as “polluted” (a very Jesus-y way of engaging, yes?). This includes those who identify as pagan, wiccan, and druid, leading (as you might guess) to significant friction and conflict with traditional Christian churches. At the same time, this relational engagement includes a number of innovative (yet traditional) ritual practices (like hand-fasting and rites of passage).
Near the end we have some conversation about the language and idea of “shalom,” and a bit more about their current work and dreams for it.
To connect with Kasama, visit their Facebook page here.
My dear friends Emma and Glyn Moreton. Thank you both for your honesty and frankness about all you’ve experienced…sending you all our love and blessings!!! Thank you Tim for a refreshing conversation with these two dear souls…😊👍👋🙏 Cheers Jeff Knight