#052: Of Womb and Tomb (with Kate Williams)

Kate Williams

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we hear that “there is a season for everything: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to laugh, and a time to mourn.” As pastoral ministers, we know that there is a need for pastoral ministry in all seasons of life. Our work calls us to be attentive and present in times of great joy and celebration as well as in times of great sadness and mourning. Sometimes we do better with the celebrating than the mourning.

Today, we’re discussing ministry to those who know the pain of loss. Specifically, we are talking about ministry to those who have struggled with the inability to conceive, who know the pain of losing a child before birth, and those who have faced their child’s death at the time of birth. How are we present to them? How do we minister in this time of deep and, often, isolated sadness? How can we accompany them on their grief journey? To explore these questions and more, we’ll speak with author and editor Kate Williams.

SHOW NOTES

You can learn more about Kate Williams by visiting the GIA Publications staff page.

You can order the book, “Of Womb and Tomb,” by visiting the GIA Publications website. Here you can also order the accompanying music collection, both in print and audio recording.

The music you heard in today’s episode: “Turn My Heart, O God” (Marty Haugen), and “I Have Been Anointed” (Steve Warner).

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode. 

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.

#051: Maintaining Unity in Good Times and In Bad (with Bishop Mark Seitz)

Bishop Mark Seitz

When we started publishing this podcast, our first guest was Steve Petrunak, the president of NPM. Now, we are ending our first year of weekly programs with another leader in our organization, our episcopal moderator. 

What’s an episcopal moderator do, you ask? Great question. We discussed the role with Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, the current liaison between NPM and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. We also discussed the current credibility crisis facing the Church, sex abuse, and the role pastoral musicians can play in bringing forth healing. We’ll hear all of this in today’s interview, and we’ll also hear from author Bill Huebsch about teaching grace to others in this week’s “Ministry Moment.”

SHOW NOTES

For more information about Bishop Mark Seitz and his work, visit the Diocese of El Paso website.

You can read Bishop Seitz’ letter to NPM members on the NPM website. You can access the 2019 Foley Lecture, given by Kim Daniels, on crisis and communication in the Church here.

You can find the book “Grace: God’s Greatest Gift” by author Bill Huebsch at Twenty-Third Publications.

The music you heard in today’s episode: “O How Blessed” (Dan Schutte), instrumental arrangement of “Blest Are They” (arr. David Feily), and “I Have Been Anointed” (Steve Warner).

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode. 

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.

#050: Physical Health and the Pastoral Musician (with Dr. Paul Schaefer)

Dr. Paul Schaefer

The most recent issue of Pastoral Musicmagazine is all about health. It contains perspectives on stress, finding and maintaining balance, forgiveness, healing, and more. I hope that, by now, you’ve had a chance to read through it.

To be honest, pastoral musicians are not known for effective health routines. We have stressful and emotionally-demanding jobs. We regularly spend hours sitting in meetings. Many of us don’t maintain regular or healthy eating habits. Even more of us find it difficult to find time to exercise. The list goes on.   

Today, we’re focusing on physical health. It’s time for our collective trip to the doctor for our annual check-up. We’ll talk about maintaining healthy habits, balance, and the unique physical health needs of musicians. To do so, we’ll speak with Dr. Paul Schaefer. We’ll also hear about personal renewal from Matthew Walsh in today’s Ministry Moment. 

SHOW NOTES

For more information about Dr. Paul Schaefer and his work, visit his biography page on the Lakeview Health website.

Today’s featured article was originally published in the December-January 1982 issue of Pastoral Music magazine. The most recent issue of Pastoral Music, titled “Musician, Heal Thyself: The Delicate, Necessary, and Elusive Art of Self-Care” was published in January of 2019.

The music you heard in today’s episode: “To Be Fishers of Women and Men” (Kathy Powell) and “I Have Been Anointed” (Steve Warner).

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode. 

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.