Train Wrecks for Jesus
Revs. Mark Townsend and Maggy Whitehouse are both ordained vicars ... and self-confessed f**k ups for Jesus. From spoonerisms at weddings, through breakdowns, divorce, failed emigration, shark attack (truly!) and back down to everyday stupidity and forgetfulness, we’ve lived and worked with the humiliation of failure for most of our lives. But every time we have fallen short, Grace and goodness have been the result even if it has only been the justified reduction of our egos. And this is our message - that it’s okay to be a Christian catastrophe (or any other kind of catastrophe for that matter). In fact, it’s pretty much essential in order to understand what Jesus was all about. Today we share some of our stories, have some laughs and we hope you will join us in future sessions by sharing your own f**k ups for Jesus (or Buddha or Krishna or ... or ... or). Remember, the cracks are where the light can get in. PLEASE NOTE: ABUNDANT USE OF THE F-WORD.
Listen on:
Episodes
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Monday Dec 19, 2022
We're starting a new practice with this episode - each time, either Mark or Maggy will do a short homily and then we'll move into discussion. Don't worry! They'll be short and relevant and hopefully risible :-)
Today we are talking about the value of brokenness, about how even the great Thomas Merton was sometimes a mess - and we look at the new 'Harry & Meghan' documentaries.
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Today's meanderings potter through the rise in male suicides, political correctness to star-gazing and the moment Maggy thought she had totally blown it on a Webinar.
Mark and Maggy are writing a book called either 'Train Wrecks for Jesus' or 'Fuck Ups for Jesus' (still debating that one!) and we'd love to hear from you via email about your own stories about the good intentions that paved the path to either location. :-) Please let us know at mw@treeoflifepublishing.co.uk. Thanks!
Wednesday Sep 14, 2022
Wednesday Sep 14, 2022
Mark and Maggy share their thoughts on the events of the last week, with the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III
Wednesday Aug 17, 2022
Wednesday Aug 17, 2022
The title of this episode is a quotation from Fr. Richard Rohr and two slightly knackered priests today discuss how God is in every last aspect of creation - from the cow pat you just trod in, through the mosquito that bit you, through the ice cream you just scoffed to the deathbed you sat beside to the newborn baby in your arms.
Friday Jul 15, 2022
Friday Jul 15, 2022
Mark and Maggy look at the concept of the immaculate conception of Mary and the concept of 'the only good woman is a dead virgin.'
We agree that anything that makes us separate - as orthodox Christianity often does - is NOT according to the teachings of Jesus who was the consummate allower. Inclusivity not exclusivity and transformation rather than transaction.
Friday Jul 08, 2022
Friday Jul 08, 2022
True religion includes and draws together. False religion divides and tears apart. Which do you think the overturning of Wade vs Roe represents? Mark and Maggy discuss.
Tuesday May 24, 2022
Tuesday May 24, 2022
Today, Mark and Maggy return to the topic of Holy Communion and what it means to them and meander on into discussion their favourite spiritual authors (currently Phil Redmond's 'Merrily Watkins' series and Catherine Fox's 'Lindchester Chronicles.' Then we look at the importance of having your own sacred space and how to conduct ceremonies with meaning for those who still feel the pull to the rituals of the Church.
Wednesday May 11, 2022
Wednesday May 11, 2022
Two exhausted vicars today, rambling about the challenges and privileges of doing this work for our daily bread. Mark and Maggy discuss the life of the 'non-stipendiary,' the world's need for the 'good' to give for free and touch on both the Eucharist and the tribulations of Christmas.
Book referenced: 'Proof of Life' by Eben Alexander.
Nomad podcast: Barbara Brown Taylor – Finding God in the faith of others.
Friday Mar 18, 2022
Friday Mar 18, 2022
Today, Mark and Maggy discuss the importance (and otherwise!) of clerical robes and share stories of magic and mystery in the Holy Land.
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Hello and welcome to 'Train Wrecks for Jesus' - two British vicars who are searching for the magic and mystery in the heart of their faith.
Rev. Mark Townsend was ordained as an Anglican and Rev. Maggy Whitehouse as a Liberal Catholic. They are both, now, independent sacramental priests, learning that it truly is through the cracks - f**k ups - that the light gets in. Warning: much profanity in this episode!