John Shelby Spong was the Episcopal Bishop serving Newark from 1976 - 2000. He published 26 books and gave as many as 200 talks per year including in the years after his retirement. A fierce advocate for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and people of color during his life, he sought a new Christianity for the modern world that moved away from Biblical literalism.
Rev. Yarnall gave a talk in tribute to Bishop Spong on February 6, 2022.
John Shelby Spong's website is ProgressingSpirit.com which is produced by ProgreesiveChristianity.org
The late John Shelby Spong (1931 - 2021) spoke annually at Unity of New York. Here are three of those talks, available only as audio:
The Samaritan Woman and Moving Beyond Creeds - 12/7/2014 - Search the pages of this Audio Library for the date if the right page doesn't come up.
The Shadow of Moses in the Gospel of Matthew - 12/6/2015. Search the pages of this Audio Library if the right page doesn't come up.
Matthew's Most Powerful Resurrection Story (EASTER TALK) - 3/27/2016. Search the pages of this Audio Library for the date if the right page doesn't come up.
Joseph - the Strong, Silent Type - Myth or History? - Talk at Unity of Dallas 7/31/2015
"Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God" - Teilhard de Chardin
Every spiritual tradition speaks of the importance of Joy. This is not meant to be a concept to talk about or something that feels "pleasant" to us. I believe we are meant to LAUGH. Out Loud.
Here are some clips that make me laugh, which I offer as part of a healthy humor diet. For more on humor and spirituality, see my 3/14/2021 talk “Laughter Allowed During Lent! Details at 11…” – which you can find on the Video & Audio page.
I have highlighted a few entries in BOLD FACE that I find especially funny.
Enjoy!
Recent Saturday Night Live Favorites
Surprise Party featuring Kristin Wiig
Judy Grimes (Just Kidding) featuring Kristin Wiig
Penelope (A little bit better than everyone…) featuring Kristin Wiig
Bronx Beat featuring Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler)
Weather Lady Dawn Lazurus featuring Vanessa Bayer
Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation with at a Party featuring Cecily Strong
Professional Pizza Eater featuring Melissa McCarthy
Salad Dressing Taste Test featuring Melissa McCarthy
Just Desserts Game Show featuring Melissa McCarthy
Other Comedy Resources...
Victor Borge – Inflation and Punctuation
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Three Quaker men visited Nazi Germany in 1938 to negotiate on behalf of Jewish citizens. Read this remarkable story of how the love Quakers showed Germany after World War I helped save lives twenty years later.