If you listened to the series, you know a bit about church planting. Yet, each church has unique needs. Back in 2016 Reverend Maggie returned to Cincinnati straight from seminary and found herself thrust into a neighborhood that needed more than a pulpit. What begins as homework club grows into a fragile, radiant community called Iglesia Episcopal del Espíritu Santo.

Between language gaffes and late-night shifts, Maggie learns to be a guest, not a host: earning trust by staying, sharing meals, helping parents fill out passport forms for kids, and offering a safe space as politics darken.

This addendum follows one priest’s quiet experiments in hospitality, the joys and heartbreak of grassroots church planting, and the lessons she carries forward about listening, belonging, and what it means to build sanctuary in frightening times. Lessons the church must apply now.

Resources:

East Bay Sanctuary

Immigrant Defenders Law Service (IMMDef)

This is the chaotic, joyful birth of new church, St. Lucy’s! Everything does not go as planned. And some things, elder Abbey has not had to think about – The Many Children! How do you mesh spiritual traditions with rambunctious toddlers? Well, this episode you get to hear how the crew handled it, corralling babies behind an altar rail, and ultimately discovering- you have to feed the kids!

Tune in to hear all about this wacky and wonderful launch day, and what the team has learned since. It’s warm, imperfect, and full of hope. With joy on the inside, joy on the outside, oh what a change we can make.

If you find this show entertaining or thought provoking, please rate it wherever you listen.

If you’re ever in the San Francisco Bay Area come visit us at St. Lucy’s- Sunday Night at 5:00 pm. Find more info at Stlucyschurch.org

You’re also welcome to email me your kind regards at abbeynormalpodcast@gmail.com

Music: Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can

Blue Dot Sessions: Palms Down, Goose and Hutch, Betany, Caveman, Donnalee, Gallant Fantasie, Brass Buttons, Leaf Spot, A Little Powder, Town Market

What's coming on The Faithful Resistance