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Welcome to All things… Episcopal where we talk about anything and everything related to the Episcopal church. This podcast was designed with young people ages 18-39 in mind and a place to learn more about The Christian faith with the Episcopal lens.
All Things Episcopal is a podcast about the Episcopal Church aimed at young people
>> Clare: Hello, everyone. Welcome to All Things Episcopal, where we talk about anything and everything related to the Episcopal Church. This podcast was designed with young people in mind and as a space to learn more about the Christian faith with the Episcopal lens. So in traditionally Episcopalian greeting fashion, the Lord be with you. Hey friends. Welcome back for another episode of All Things Episcopal. And today we're actually going to do another segment of Holy and Human stories from Young Adults in the Pews. I have two young adults with me who are actually college students and they attend Kansas State University. We have Kelsey Phillips and Alex Buck here to talk to us about their experience with the church and everything and anything that relates to being part of the Episcopal Church and their experience with it. So welcome to All Things Episcopal, Alex and Kelsey.
Alex Buck and Kelsey were both born into the Episcopal Church
So, Alex, we're going to start off with you and I would love for you to tell us a little bit about yourself, how you found yourself in the Episcopal Church and go. All right.
>> Alex Buck: So, yeah, my name is Alex Buck. I am a, uh, senior here at K State studying architectural engineering. And then, so I was actually born into the Episcopal Church, baptized as an infant and then, uh, grew up in the church. Grew up in Kansas City at St. Andrews and uh, yeah, then joined, uh, K State Canterbury when I started college, the help of Brandon Kermer who I knew from St. Andrews and just, uh, had a great time in the Episcopal Church and really enjoyed being there.
>> Clare: Kelsey.
>> Kelsey Phillips: So, yeah, I'm Kelsey. I'm a junior here at K State and I'm studying integrative human sciences which is hopefully pre counseling therapy of some sort. I am also a cradle Episcopalian, which is super awesome. So I was baptized as an infant as well and just grew up in the church. I initially went to Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City and then when I was about 10, we moved to Kansas and then I went to St. Thomas and just did all things youth programming at St. Thomas and then stayed involved up through college. So it's been good.
>> Clare: I love it. And also I feel like I'm kind of in the presence of like Episcopal like richness right now because it's rare that you meet young adults and college students that are cradle Episcopalian that are still part of the church. So I feel extra, um, extra humbled to be in your presence, to be honest, because I grew up unchurched, as some of you might know. Um, so yeah, I'm learning from you just as much as hopefully you learn from me. Okay, so you both were more or less born into the Episcopal Church. And also for our listeners, I want this to be noted that while both of them, these two students are Canterbury, uh, participants, they're both peer ministers and Alex grew up in the Diocese of West Missouri and Kelsey grew up in the Diocese of Kansas. So this is a true representation of Midwest Episcopal experience.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Yeah.
>> Clare: So I, I think it's pretty cool.
Alex and Kelsey talk about what drew them to stay involved in church
The other thing that I, I want to know about is what drew you to stay involved in the church or what made you come back if you ever had a time where you were like, yeah, this really isn't for me, but it doesn't really sound like you took a pause.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Yeah.
>> Clare: Alex, let's start with you.
>> Alex Buck: So I think that, um, it was really easy for me to stay in as a youth and as a child coming up through the church, um, a great youth programming. When I was through high school, middle school, the, I would say the main, like, inflection point was when I started college and like, not really sure where things were going to go. Um, and then getting introduced to Canterbury was really great. And just like, like having a place that was very, uh, how should I say, Just like calm and lots of kind people around was one of the things that really helped me to stay. And also just having a place that was very open and accepting, it's really great.
>> Clare: Kelsey, what about you?
>> Kelsey Phillips: I think kind of to echo what Alex said, I mean, the youth programming that I experienced was incredible. I think that that was like the big hook for me. I was kind of involved in everything I could possibly be doing in terms of youth programming. But I think that, uh, the more I stuck with it, the more I was taught how like, my faith could be a grounding point for me and like truly a central rock in my life. And I would also say that, uh, a little bit post Covid, when I was still in high school, but especially coming into college, there were some points where I was like, not really sure, like exactly where I want to be, that sort of thing, or I'd take like pauses where I wouldn't see like the church community as often. And I would always just hit a point where I was like, I need to go back and like reground myself. And it hasn't failed yet. So I mean, that's just kind of where I operate from.
>> Clare: No, I, I so appreciate that, that you said that, Kelsey, about the church being a place of grounding. And you kind of touched on this as well, Alex, that I think more and more people are looking for a, uh, sense of grounding in life because life is just chaotic and it's hard being human. And to know that there is a place that provides a steadiness, a calm, like almost a certainty. Specifically, within our liturgy of, um, Holy Eucharist, it's the same liturgy every week. It's just, you know, the sermon changes depending on what's happening in the world, and the readings change. But the words that are said in our Eucharistic prayer or the collect for purity, it opens up almost every Holy Eucharist, which I think is. Is beautiful.
Alex says being Episcopalian means sticking true to tradition while accepting change
Um, I also want to talk about what it means to identify as an Episcopalian, specifically. Alex, why don't we start with you first?
>> Alex Buck: Yeah. So to me, being Episcopalian has, like. I didn't always knew what. Know what it meant. I, um, for a while, it's just like, you know, it's where I go to church. Um, but the more I've realized, it's like sticking true to tradition while accepting change in the right way. So, you know, you mentioned the liturgy. Um, we've, you know, had that same liturgy for so long, but then we're also so open to accepting all sorts and conditions of people and, um, you know, just opening our doors to, uh, change and thinking critically about what is the best way for us to carry on God's work in the world.
>> Clare: So good. So good and so true.
Alex says the Episcopal experience is such a. immersive experience
>> Kelsey Phillips: All right, Kelsey, that was great. Alex. I don't know that I can top that kind of definition or identification. Um, what I kind of think, when I think what it means to be an Episcopalian. Well, when I was younger, I definitely thought I go to the church with the hardest name to pronounce ever. Like, nobody can ever say it when I tell them what it is. Um, but as I got older, I think the more I reflected, even on my childhood, the Episcopal experience is such a. Like an immersive experience. It's almost like, I think it's supposed to be like this, but it's a way of life in a sense, because it is so far extending. As Alex mentioned, it, like, is a place for you to, like, ground yourself in tradition. But also the church, like, extends out into the real world. And I think I saw that a lot through youth programming, doing social justice work. It really kind of like, opened my eyes so that I could see that, you know, not only was the church somewhere that I could find community and I could find love, but it was also a place where the whole world was being. Being invited to that. And I think living out that kind of mission is what being an Episcopalian means.
>> Clare: Again, so good.
>> Kelsey Phillips: So good.
>> Clare: And that's a great segue.
Are there specific Episcopal beliefs or practices that really resonate with you
Into, like, are there any Episcopal beliefs or practices that really resonate with you? Kelsey, you mentioned that being in the church, specifically the Episcopal Church, is a grounding point for you. Are there specific beliefs or practices that really speak to you as an Episcopalian from your Episcopal formation?
>> Kelsey Phillips: Let's see. I think that a big grounding point for me has definitely been using compline, um, as kind of a form of prayer. I mean, that's like kind of every youth and young adult's go to favorite thing, you know, but it really is how we, you know, concluded and sometimes even opened, but concluded every, you know, event correlated with the church that I went to throughout my formative years. And so it's become a thing where when I say the words of compline, especially with other people in the room, like, there's just, like, a thick air of peace. So that. That definitely really resonates with me. And another thing I was thinking about was on the Episcopal website, when you go and you look at it, they have, like, a little mission statement, and it's to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. And I really, really like the unity part of it. That definitely resonates with me because I feel like that's what the church is all about. It's, uh, togetherness, you know, no matter who you are, where you come from. Yeah.
>> Clare: I'm gonna say one thing, and then I want to hear from Alex real quick. I love that you brought that up, because that is actually the answer to what is the mission of the church? It is to reconcile all persons and creation back to God. I mean, that's a cliffnotes version of it. But what you said is more actually like what our catechism says about the mission of the church, like, what the point is. So I love that you said that. All right, Alex, what about you?
>> Alex Buck: So I was thinking more when I'm going to church, and the one thing that always sticks with me is the procession in and at my home church. It's, like, always, like, super big, and they're playing the big music through the organ. And the thing I always like to do is, like, look at all the acolytes. And now I like looking back and, like, see who I can still recognize. And then the other thing is the. The music I love or Henry, it's just, like, partly because it's what I grew up hearing, but it's just great music that is rooted in tradition and, um, a lot of texts that come straight from the Bible. And so I feel like that's something that, you know, if I go to church after feeling down for a while and I hear my favorite hymns, I'm like, pump right back up. Like, I'm feeling great.
>> Clare: I love that for you.
What are your favorite parts of the Episcopal worship service or liturgy
So you mentioned the worship service. What are your favorite parts of the Episcopal worship service or liturgy? And we'll start with Alex and then go to Kelsey.
>> Alex Buck: I, uh. Part of what I like is what you said earlier with, like, the repetition of it where we start the same way, we go through the same things. I'm a very, like, step by step person. I like lists. Uh, I like systematic ways of doing things. So I really. I really love that our services go in such a way like that.
>> Clare: Kelsey, what are you.
>> Kelsey Phillips: I think I agree with Alex. I think, um, the repetition is 100% grounding. I think there's two parts of the service that really have kind of always stuck out to me, ever since I was young, and I still really appreciate them. And the first one is the reading of the gospel. I mean, who doesn't love the gospel? It's the freaking gospel. Like, um. But I really appreciate how it is. Like, the priest processes out into the congregation and reads it. Kind, um, of like they're being surrounded by everyone. I really like that image. And then I also like reading the psalms together. I did it responsively a lot at my first church, and now it's kind of like in unity at St. Thomas. And I just really like that idea of reading with other people. It kind of makes me feel, like, uplifted and, like, I have people, like, with me. Like, they've got. They've got me. Yeah.
>> Clare: Oh, I. I love that you touched on that. Because it all depends on your context. So liturgy is more or less prescribed, and how it's presented to a congregation can be different depending on the context that you're in. So you said that your first, uh, parish, they read it responsibly. And, um, the parish that you've been a part of, St. Thomas, reads it together in unity. But the cathedral that I work at, the choir sings it, so it's. It's different. And so I love that our liturgy can be universal to all contexts, but how it's carried out fits the context. So it's almost like unity within.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Or.
>> Clare: Sorry. Yeah, Unity within uniformity. I think I'm, um, thinking that correctly or communicating that correctly.
Is there a moment during a service that feels especially meaningful to you
I also want to know. So we. We talked about your favorite parts. Is there a moment during a service that feels especially meaningful to you? And we'll start with Alex.
>> Alex Buck: For me, it's this one, uh, sermon on Christmas Eve when I don't remember how old I was, but maybe like 10 or 11. And I felt like it was one of the first times that I, like, really started to feel God's presence in my life. Because before that, I, like, had my own idea of what God was. And I had gone to children's chapel and started going to youth group, but I don't know if I really understood and stood it until then. It was when priest was giving a sermon and he was talking about his Christmas Eve with his. With his family in Springfield and just talking about how his whole family was together and everything that they would do on Christmas Eve. And I don't really know what it was about it, but that was, like, the first time that I, like, truly felt content in church and, uh, really felt happy with myself, with being there, so.
>> Clare: Good, because that's what it's about, is being in a space where you can be your most authentic self and give your heart over to that. I love that you said that, Kelsey.
>> Kelsey Phillips: I think. I don't know that I have one specific memory like Alex does, but I think that no matter, like, where I'm attending church, like, I've attended Episcopal churches in several different states. No matter where I am, you know, whether I'm at camp and we're doing church there, that sort of thing, the music is always the part that, like, really resounds the most to me. It's like, where I can feel God the most. M. I think that that's interesting because the Episcopal Church has so many different types of music that it presents as part of its service. But he's always there in it, I think, particularly our big mega Eucharist of a high Wye during summer camp for the. For the diocese. Uh, the music there is incredible because it's youth voices and it's songs that everybody knows, and it's like, nobody cares if you can sing or not. Everybody's singing loudly. I think that that is, like, just true joy and love in that moment.
>> Clare: Shout out to Mother Karen for organizing Mega Camp in the Diocese of Kansas. Yeah, she. She does an amazing job with thinking about liturgy, and I can definitely echo the music at camp.
>> Kelsey Phillips: It's.
>> Clare: It's so good.
>> Kelsey Phillips: So good.
One of the things that oftentimes is missed is the young adult voice in parish
>> Clare: Okay, so you all have talked about your experiences with your parish and growing up in the church. One of the things that oftentimes is missed is the young adult voice in the parish. I'm curious about yalls experience. Do you feel like your voice is. Is heard or valued in your parish and by larger extent, the diocese that your church belongs to. And we'll start with Alex.
>> Alex Buck: So I would say yes and no.
>> Kelsey Phillips: So.
>> Alex Buck: One of the places that I feel could do better are, for example, my home parish. Like, it's not necessarily to the fault of them, but there aren't a lot of young adults in that, uh, in that parish. And so just because of that, it's more difficult to be heard there. And it's not like they're doing something specifically to, you know, silence us, but there just aren't that many of us. So it's very difficult to voice opinions, especially if you're just a, uh, you know, regular Sunday attendee. However, I would say at the Canterbury House, a very specific example of our voices being heard is you, Claire, because we were a little worried about this year that me, Kelsey and Mason wouldn't be able to get everything done and very specifically asked for a, uh, campus missioner. And then here you are to help us. So that was.
>> Clare: That was helpful to you all.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Oh, yeah.
>> Clare: And I love my time with you all. It's. It's deeply meaningful. So I'm glad that it's mutually inspiring. Kelsey, what about you?
>> Kelsey Phillips: Uh, yeah, I think. I think I share, uh, a little bit of the numbers game issue with Alex. I have definitely witnessed that, uh, with other parishes in the Kansas and Missouri areas with voices. It's. It's hard when you don't have a lot of people to pack a punch to, like, kind of, you know, make it, you know, known what. What you guys are thinking, that sort of thing. But I think that I personally had a very blessed experience in that front. I don't know how many people listening are familiar with Kelly and Guardimo, but I did youth programming under them at St. Thomas. Also Barbara McCall, and then everything possible in the diocese with Karen, and all of those people are incredible advocates for youth. Um, they constantly ensure that you know, your voice, your thought is reaching the main stage. So I think that those channels are really, really important. Like Alex was saying, Claire, for us, you are one of those big channels. And I think that, uh, those positions are crucial to keep, uh, because it seems to be an effective way to kind of bridge the gap, I would say.
>> Clare: I feel so touched that, like, the presence of having a youth or not youth campus commissioner means something to you all, and that I get to be that person. It means a great deal to me. Um, and like I said, I love my time with you all. It brings me so much joy.
Rector looking to engage more with college and young adults is crucial
I do want to follow up with hearing heard in the parish. If there's one thing, and I'm kind of putting y' all on the spot here, if there's one thing that you would recommend to a rector that is specifically looking to engage more with college and young adults, whether it's currently in college or post college, what would you tell them?
>> Alex Buck: I feel like having a group, um, that's like, similar to youth group, almost. Like, for example, at my church, there's a season 30s group, which is great, but then, you know, there's a bit of a. There's a big jump between just out of college and in your mid-30s.
>> Clare: Yeah.
>> Alex Buck: So it was. It can be kind of difficult to fit into that group if you're 21, 22 years old. And, you know, I don't think it's something that is super easy to do, but if you're able to find some way to have just some sort of weekly group with early, uh, early to mid-20s folks, I m. Think that would be something that is very. Would be very much appreciated.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Yeah, I think I would echo what. What Alex had to say. I would also say that between a pastor or a priest and the young adults, the personal relationships are always incredibly important. I mean, we as college students are looking for mentors in our life. We're kind of at that point where it's really nice to have a guiding hand or somebody who's, you know, maybe has a little bit more life experience than us. Um, I think that that's. That's really beneficial, so developing that personal relationship. I also think that in that same vein, college kids are always looking for opportunities for exploration and that sort of thing. Uh, so I think that that's a big thing that I get from Canterbury is exploring my faith and, like, learning about it in an open and, like, safe environment, uh, where I don't feel, you know, that I have to think one certain thing. You know, I have the opportunity to, like, try out a lot of different things. So I think kind of offering those spaces for exploration is definitely crucial.
>> Clare: And I think, like, one of the ways that we can. You can do that, to Alex's point, like, through weekly groups, but also, like, retreats.
Have you all been involved in any ministry outside of camp or retreats
We kind of touched on this before with you, Kelsey, and you mentioning Mega Camp. Have you all been involved in any ministry outside of camp? Like retreats or Episcopal, like college young adult programs? In this case, outside of Canterbury? What was that like for you all? Or you can talk about Canterbury and how awesome it is, whichever.
>> Alex Buck: Well, Canterbury is awesome. Um, but I don't know I haven't been a part of anything specifically young adult but as a youth one of my favorite things, we used to go on a skiing retreat. M and those are some of my best memories associated with the church because the whole youth group would go, go out to Colorado and we just stay, stay in like a condo for two days and just get to hang out with each other, go skiing, have compliment at night, eat meals together, go uh, tubing. Just like all the things that uh, that youth love to do. Um, so that was always like one of my best memories.
>> Clare: 10 do recommend that ski trip around. It was pretty great.
>> Kelsey Phillips: I'm jealous. I'm jealous. I love ski. What about you? Yeah, I think that retreats are really, really beneficial. Um tool they kind of like put you in this like you know, extra targeted environment for like you know a several day period where you're kind of just like only focusing on your faith which is like really awesome and can help you build some really insane connections. I went to um, Mikra a bunch as a youth and I also went to Happening and then I have now continued to go back and staff those events as a young adult. And I think you know initially that was a like as a youth it was a great way to like make connections, build my faith. They give me leadership opportunities. Like I got to grow in so many ways as a young person. And then now going back three of my best friends, we don't go to college together at all but we all go and staff the events and that's like a place that I get to go see them again and they're incredibly you know, grounding and in God centered relationships. So I really appreciate that time. So I think yeah, ah, definitely, definitely the retreats are beneficial.
>> Clare: Mhm. 10 out of 10 recommend that too.
Do either of you ever feel tension between your beliefs and what others assume
So we talked um, I'm kind of going back to um, what you talked about Kelsey of a place of grounding and Alex you mentioned this of Canterbury in particular. Feeling like a place of calm, a place of peace. Um, our world is so noisy. Um, and there's a lot of tension in, in the world right now. I'm curious, do either of you ever feel tension between your beliefs and what others assume Christians believe?
>> Alex Buck: Yes.
>> Clare: Say more.
>> Kelsey Phillips: I.
>> Alex Buck: You know there is like this idea, the outside belief of Christians and um, even that certain uh, other groups of Christians have where I don't know how to say this super eloquently. Uh, I feel like people think that, that you are trying to like force a moral code of some sort on others and oftentimes oftentimes it's assumed that there's this moral code that's built on.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Hate.
>> Alex Buck: Where I, like, I just feel like there's a big disconnect between what others see as, or assume my beliefs might be and what they actually are, especially towards being accepting of others.
>> Clare: Yeah, I think that's, that's a big point of tension as, uh, people of faith is doing the proclamation of the gospel, like in our everyday life and as, Ah, St. Francis. At least I think it was St. Francis that said this. Proclaim the gospel always, and when necessary, use words. And I feel like Episcopalians in particular, we take that route of sharing the good news. We do it through our love and through our actions. And we are not one to say you're either with us or you're against us. We're much more about the. Yes. And in, um, expanding the table, which creates tension with our siblings in different Christian denominations and also what others assume Christianity is. So, yes, I resonate so much with what you said, Alex, and I think.
>> Kelsey Phillips: A lot of other people do too.
>> Clare: Kelsey, what about you?
>> Kelsey Phillips: I think Alex had a lot of good things to say there that I would definitely echo. I think it's hard. Obviously there's kind of been an infiltration of politics into the religious sphere.
>> Clare: Mhm.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Which I think as politics becomes more centered around what your values are, naturally people's values are based in religion, so this makes sense. So I think it's then important, as you said, to really demonstrate the angle that the Episcopal Church is coming from through the way that you act out your values. I would say that I, um, am not, maybe not met with so much tension by people that I talk to about being a Christian, but more wary. Curiosity is kind of how I would describe it. Yeah, they, you know, kind of take a pause. They. As someone who is a queer person in a Christian space, I get a lot of confused people. They're like, they're fine with that. Like, it's okay that you're gay. I'm like, yeah, this is where we got to take a step back and do some education on, on what it means to be Episcopal. Um, but yeah, I would say it's important to hook that curiosity that they have in a way that isn't, uh, you know, pushy or, or forcing a moral code, as Alex said, but in a way that's kind of like, yeah, this, this, this is what it means to be a Christian, and this does happen. This is a real thing. The way of love is real, you know, so good.
>> Clare: See folks, this is Why I love my job. I get to hear from brilliant, wonderful theological young minds. It's fantastic. Fantastic.
Alex says it's easier to identify as an Episcopalian than Christian
Which brings me to.
>> Kelsey Phillips: A point, um.
>> Clare: Of tension and challenge that we might have and experience as Christians, particularly young adults. Have you ever felt like you had to defend your faith or distance yourself from it in public or online because people like to troll?
>> Alex Buck: I felt like sometimes it's been more difficult to confidently stand by the broad Christian turn, mainly because of, uh, hateful and destructive things that you see being done in our country under or supposedly in the name of God. So I've always felt very confident in my Episcopalian beliefs and labeling myself as an Episcopalian. But there have certainly been times that I feel a little uncomfortable or I have in the past felt uncomfortable openly proclaiming myself as a Christian just because of how I feel. Like that label has been attached to other things.
>> Clare: Preach. I think it's like, I love that you said that it's easier to identify as an Episcopalian than it is a Christian, because I think at least the majority of Episcopalians that I encounter, that's how they refer to themselves. Like when someone asks them, hey, what is your religious or non religious identity? And they're known Episcopalians, they'll say, oh, I'm Episcopal. They won't lead with, oh, I'm a Christian in the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement, as the former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church said. So, yes, it's yes, yes, yes. But it's also like, um, how do we work on that? How do we change the narrative a little bit and make people who are Episcopal feel a little bit more comfortable identifying as Christian first and Episcopal a second? Does that make sense? Kelsey, what about you?
>> Kelsey Phillips: I think that a lot of what Alex has to say are feelings that I share, but I think. I think I kind of have taken a different approach when I've been met with this, because I have so aggressively not wanted to, like, distance myself from that terminology. Like, like, it just feels like I don't want to have to be doing that. But that also means that in response, I'm doing a lot more defending of kind of, you know, like my own beliefs, that sort of thing. And oddly enough, doing a lot of defending to other people who identify as Christian. You know, uh, maybe on the defense isn't quite the right term, but definitely in discussion with and sometimes combative discussion. But I think that, yeah, I think that it is hard to strike a balance and that identifying as Episcopalian carries less of a immediate connotation as identifying as Christian does. You know, Compared to that. But I think that, uh, those kinds of discussions, even if for a while it is maybe kind of in this tense area, are ultimately what, you know, leads to growth for everybody involved. I think they're super, super important. So I think that's why I shy away from the distance side of things and I go more towards the defense side, because I want to have those discussions and I want to understand where other people are coming from, because that helps me reinforce my own values, my own thoughts, that sort of thing.
>> Clare: Yeah, the. The investment of, um, time and relationship in another is what helps us grow as individuals. But also, um, I would even dare and say, like, become more faithful. Um, yeah. Which is a stubbornly hopeful thing to do. Right. But also, like, as young adults, hopefully we're hopeful people because our. Our lives are just starting, so to speak.
What do you hope for the future of the Episcopal Church
Putting that in quotes, what hopes do you have for the future of the Episcopal Church? And go, Alex, why don't we start with you?
>> Alex Buck: One hope I have is that Episcopal Church will grow, um, and keep gaining youth. The hope I have is that I. Or, um, my dream, I should say, is that I could tell someone that I'm an Episcopalian, and the majority of people would know what that is, because most of the time I tell someone I'm a Christian, then I'm an Episcopalian, and they're like, well, I've never heard of that before. Or they're out, or they'll. They'll ask, oh, so are you Catholic, then? So there are Episcopal churches everywhere. I can go to, like, any city and find one or more Episcopal churches. Um, so I would just hope that we can continue to grow and, um, you know, keep gaining youth.
>> Clare: Same friend, same Kelsey.
>> Kelsey Phillips: What about you? Definitely a growth in numbers. Not to look at it from, like, an analytical perspective, but, like, you know, I think the numbers are an important part, and I. I don't want them to dwindle. But I also think that my kind of dream would be that more. I mean, uh, I don't think it really matters what age you are, but more people find the same kind of connection that I found in my young years within the church. Yeah, I think, you know, I was, like, educated in a way, through my church, kind of like, additionally to school. Like, I learned a lot about the world from it, and I would hope that a lot of other people come to have that experience through the Episcopal Church.
>> Clare: Yeah. This is going to sound terrible, but, uh, I've been involved in Youth Ministry.
>> Alex Buck: For.
>> Clare: 12 years, but I never made the deep connection that our Faith helps us understand the world around us. Which is kind of ridiculous that I've never thought about that. I've always thought about it. As you know, our faith is what channels the why for what we do in the world around us, but not helping us understand the world around us. I did hear you correctly on that, right?
>> Kelsey Phillips: Yeah, totally.
>> Clare: Okay. Um, yeah, like, see, you learn something new in conversation all the time.
Where do you all see yourselves and your faith in particular going in the future
So we're talking about the future, we're talking about hope, sometimes being stubbornly hopeful. Where do you all see yourselves and your faith in particular going in the next five to 10 years? And it's okay if you don't have a specific idea.
>> Alex Buck: I'm hopefully in Kansas City and uh, still involved with my home parish. But I've uh, been much more involved with the Diocese of Kansas now than I was ever involved with West Missouri on the diocesan level. And I don't want to just like go away and be like, okay, see you guys. I don't know really what that means, but, um, I want to keep, uh, my friends in Kansas and still, uh, go to the church I've gone to all my life in Missouri.
>> Clare: Hey, that's the perfect Episcopal answer. It's the yes and. Yeah, it's the yes and. Which I think is brilliant and beautiful. Kelsey, what about you?
>> Kelsey Phillips: I mean, I would say stay tuned. I think everyone's faith journey is like a continuous process always and forever. I don't think that the Episcopal part is going anywhere for me. I think that's here to stay for good. That's my current stance at least. But yeah, in terms of I'll be here at Canterbury for another year and then after that, uh, after that I have, I have no idea where I'll be. But God will be with me. You can always count on that.
>> Clare: Um, so before we, we wrap up this episode, um, gonna do some rapid fire questions for you and hopefully they won't be too scary for you. Okay, um, so we'll start out with Alex and then Kelsey respond and then I'll go to the next class question.
First question. Would you rather Easter vigil or Christmas Eve service
First question. High church or low church?
>> Alex Buck: High church.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Also high church.
>> Clare: Favorite part of the liturgy.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Also the gospel. And we're two for two.
>> Clare: Okay. Uh, three. Scripture, tradition or reason? Pick one.
>> Alex Buck: Reason.
>> Clare: Mhm.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Alex, you can't keep taking my answers. Also reason.
>> Clare: Vestment, color you vibe with most.
>> Alex Buck: No cats.
>> Clare: Purple. Okay.
>> Kelsey Phillips: I'm tried and true. Green.
>> Clare: Okay.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Yeah.
>> Clare: Love it. Love a good ordinary time. Would you rather Easter vigil or Christmas Eve service?
>> Alex Buck: Easter vigil, Christmas Eve.
>> Clare: Love the diversity of thought. Uh, and then finally, church potluck must have funeral potatoes. Funeral potatoes. Okay. I don't know what that is. Can you tell me?
>> Alex Buck: Um, it's like, shredded potatoes that are, like, cheesy, and then they have corn flakes on top. Funeral potatoes might not be the most, uh, correct way of saying there might be a nicer way to say that.
>> Clare: Hey, it's an honest, authentic answer. Kelsey, what about you? Church potluck must have, I would say.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Somebody'S grandma's chili or soup or Mac and cheese recipe. Um, you know, one of those has gotta be there, and it's gotta be one that's, you know, been in the family. Okay.
>> Clare: Oddly specific.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Must.
>> Clare: Must be a family recipe. Well, thank you both so much for coming on the podcast. I adore my time with you and hearing your stories and just your theological rationale.
>> Kelsey Phillips: It's.
>> Clare: It's so good. All right, friends, stay tuned for more episodes of All Things Episcopal and our new segment, Holy and Human Stories from Young Adults in the Pews. Be well. Hey, friends, thanks for listening. Please like and subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. To learn more about all things Episcopal on the Diocese of West Missouri's communication Pages, please visit DIO Westmo uh.org podcasts.
>> Kelsey Phillips: Backslash.
>> Clare: And in the Diocese of Kansas, please visit edokformation.WordPress.com allthingsepiscopalpodcast. All things Episcopal podcast is a production of the Diocese of West Missouri and the Diocese of Kansas in association with Resonant Media. Sa.