Posts in advocacy
10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On Climate - Faith and Our Responsibility to the Earth

In this episode, the Faith Commons team discusses how faith traditions call us to care for the planet and address the urgent challenges of climate change. Drawing on Jewish and Christian teachings, they explore how public policy can promote renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and protect vulnerable communities already facing the impacts of a changing climate. As Election Day approaches, this conversation challenges us to reimagine our role in environmental stewardship and the concrete steps we can take to safeguard the Earth for future generations.

What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.

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10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On Family

In this episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rev. Dr. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim dive into the complexities of family and what it means to support families in today’s world. From the diverse family structures seen in religious texts to the modern policies needed to uplift all families, they discuss how faith calls for a broader, more inclusive understanding of family. The conversation covers essential topics like childcare assistance, paid leave, and family unity, urging voters to reflect on how public policies can strengthen families in all forms.

What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.

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10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On Healthcare

In this episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rev. Dr. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim reflect on the role of healthcare in a faith-driven society. From the holistic healing ministry of Jesus to the ethical teachings of Maimonides, the discussion highlights the importance of universal healthcare access and the intersection of faith, medicine, and policy. As Election Day approaches, this episode invites voters to consider healthcare policies through the lens of compassion and justice, addressing issues like prescription drug costs, maternal health, and public safety.

What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.

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10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On Education

In this episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rabbi Nancy Kasten, Rev. Dr. George Mason, and Mara Richards Bim examine the vital role education plays in shaping our values and beliefs, both as individuals and as a society. They reflect on the importance of public education, the separation of church and state, and the influence of faith on education policy. As the election approaches, this episode encourages voters to consider how their religious convictions can inform their decisions about educational equity, government oversight, and the protection of diverse perspectives in our schools.


What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.

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10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On Labor

In this inaugural episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rev. Dr. George Mason is joined by Rabbi Nancy Kasten and Mara Richards Bim to explore the significance of labor through the lens of faith. As we reflect on Labor Day, the discussion delves into how religious traditions emphasize the dignity of work, the necessity of rest, and the importance of fair labor practices. This episode challenges listeners to think critically about how their beliefs can shape their voting decisions on issues related to labor and employment. Join us as we kick off this series with a conversation that invites you to see voting as a powerful way to live out your values and contribute to a just and compassionate society.

What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.

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Growing Hope: Joppy Momma's Farm

George Mason joins in conversation with Kim High, the passionate founder of Joppy Momma's Farm—a grassroots initiative tackling food insecurity in South Dallas. Kim shares her inspiring journey from corporate life to community farming, driven by her personal battle with diabetes and a leap of faith. Joppy Momma's Farm is not just feeding a community but also preserving the rich heritage of one of Dallas's historic Freedmen's towns. 

Joppy Momma's Farm vows to empower, educate, and create greater opportunities for health, wellness, and self-sufficiency through sustainable, regenerative agriculture. Kim's work is a testament to the power of faith in action.

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Empowering the Masses: Tammy Johnson on Food Security and Community Transformation

In this Good God episode, Tammy Johnson—Executive Director and Founder of Empowering the Masses in South Dallas—shares her inspiring journey from childhood poverty to leading an organization that addresses food insecurity through its CommUNITY Market, offering nutritious and culturally appropriate food to those in need. 

Empowering the Masses provides career training and certification programs, equipping individuals to increase their earning potential and engage more deeply with their neighbors. Discover how faith, dignity, and practical support are transforming lives and entire communities in South Dallas.

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Building a Food Justice Future: Transforming South Oak Cliff

Join host George Mason as he visits For Oak Cliff to discuss food security, access, and justice in Southern Dallas. Meet Julianna YeeFoon and Raven Shankle, leaders in the community's fight against food apartheid, and explore For Oak Cliff's innovative approaches to creating a sustainable and equitable food system. Discover how partnerships, education, and a vision for food sovereignty are transforming lives and neighborhoods.

For Oak Cliff's mission is to provide culturally responsive initiatives in South Oak Cliff to liberate the community from systemic oppression, create a culture of education, and increase social mobility and social capital.

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Courageous Conversations: Sandy Ovalle Martínez on Responding to Social Injustice with Courage

Meet Sandy Ovalle Martínez, Sojourners' Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing. A mujerista theologian and an organizer, Sandy oversees mobilization and activist engagement around different justice areas including climate and environmental justice, immigration, women and girls, and peace and nonviolence.

In this conversation, Sandy and George explore how individuals and communities can equip themselves to respond effectively to social injustice, drawing on the rich teachings of faith to guide their actions. They trace the historical roots of immigration and examine the role of religion in shaping attitudes towards human mobility. Finally, they reflect on how we can harness our faith to navigate uncertainty and step boldly into a world in need of courageous advocates for justice and compassion.

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Courageous Conversations: Father Michael Lapsley on Pain as a Pathway to Wholeness and the Spiritual Wound of Racism

Fr. Lapsley is currently the Director of the Institute for the Healing of Memories in Cape Town, South Africa. He is an Anglican priest and social justice activist who was severely injured by a letter bomb sent to him in Zimbabwe where he had been exiled by the South African government for his anti-apartheid work. He founded the Institute for the Healing of Memories in 1998 to seek to contribute to lasting and collective healing that makes possible a more peaceful and just future.

In this fourth episode of the Courageous Conversations series, George and Fr. Lapsley explore pain's role as a catalyst for healing and collective transformation. They discuss the intrinsic capacity within every individual for healing and the transcendent nature of pain that binds us together. Together, they confront the spiritual wound of racism, delving into the intricate process of intergenerational unlearning it necessitates.

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Restorative Farms: Community Supported Agriculture in South Dallas

George pays a visit to Restorative Farms where he meets with co-founder Brad Boa. He tours the farm and learns how this Community Farm is working to address the issues of food access by growing food and creating jobs for the community. Later, co-founder Owen Lynch joins George online and tells the origin story of Restorative Farms. 

In South Dallas where a population of people has to leave their community to get access to healthy food, Restorative Farms works to support systematically underdeveloped communities. The farm's focus is on food sustainability but is also creating a network of local farmers who are working their land in an environmentally responsible manner. The farm provides job opportunities and fresh food, ingrains a pride of ownership, and fosters collaboration. 

This episode is the fourth in the new series “More than Food for Thought: Community-Based Solutions to Hunger in South Dallas."

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City of Dallas: Sustainable Hunger Solutions through Food Distribution and Education

George pays a visit to the West Dallas Multipurpose Center where he tours the grounds, meets with Center Manager Ashley Hutto, and learns how the city of Dallas is addressing the issues of food access and insecurity.

In a part of the city where access to grocery stores and fresh produce is limited, the Center offers emergency food assistance, bilingual SNAP application support, a teaching kitchen, a Neighbors' Community Garden, and more. Follow along as George and Ashley explore the importance of seeking out sustainable and long-term solutions to hunger that arise from the community and maintain the dignity and independence of its members.

This episode is the third in the new series “More than Food for Thought: Community-Based Solutions to Hunger in South Dallas.”

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A different kind of Sunday Service: 4DWN's food rescue and recovery

This episode is the second in the new series “More than Food for Thought: Community-Based Solutions to Hunger in South Dallas.” In it, George introduces us to 4DWN’s Sunday Service and its leaders.

4DWN is a skate park, an organization, and a service-driven community that meets the needs of hundreds of kids and families each week. It creates upward mobility opportunities, and through its “Sunday Service” distributes with the help of its volunteers thousands of pounds of nutritious food—eliminating waste and feeding bodies, minds, and souls throughout this area food desert. It’s good for people, and good for the planet.

4DWN “is a metaphor, right? About four wheels down and rolling. It’s a sort of celebration of movement…all moving forward together.” - Rob Cahill

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Joey Darwin: A grocery store in South Dallas that nourishes body and spirit while nurturing autonomy and dignity

This episode is the first in the new series “More Than Food for Thought: Community-Based Solutions to Hunger in South Dallas.”

In it, George introduces us to Joey Darwin, Executive Director of Bridge Builders and the group’s South Dallas Community Market. Together, they explore what a grocery store would look like if the neighbors who shop there got to say what they needed and wanted.

In partnership with Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, that’s exactly what this market does; it offers nutritious food chosen by clients right in the community of South Dallas.

BridgeBuilders engages, equips, and empowers individuals, families, and communities in South Dallas. 

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Episode 81: Michelle Kinder Part 2

Michelle Kinder is back on Good God to talk more about the nonprofit sector and how to do even more good by giving voice to people whose voices aren't heard enough, if at all. If you work in the nonprofit world or you support a nonprofit of any kind, you won't want to miss this conversation.

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Episode 75: Marv Knox and Fellowship Southwest

In Christianity, it feels like denominational lines are becoming less important. Fellowship Southwest is a new organization that demonstrates this by connecting people of faith to the work of the church in the world, particularly these days to serve refugees on the border of the U.S. and Mexico. Marv Knox is the coordinator of Fellowship, and he and George talk about this new kind of organization today on Good God.

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