Church Potluck Podcast

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas! This is the final day of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar. In this short, reflective episode, I return to a family ritual: reading Luke’s nativity story and pondering what it truly means that God enters God’s own creation—“puncturing time and space” in the most humble and human way imaginable.

From the machinery of empire to the stillness of a manger, from fearful shepherds to Mary’s quiet pondering, this episode invites listeners to reflect on four simple but profound themes: God’s humility, human emotion, ordinary faithfulness, and the power of shared witness. It’s a gentle, joyful closing to Advent—and a reminder that the good news moves forward not by force, but by telling the story. Emmanuel. God is with us. Merry Christmas!

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24/12/2025

As Christmas draws near, this episode of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar turns to one of the most beloved and awe-filled traditions of the season: Midnight Mass. Dale is joined by Dr. Christy Snider, our resident Catholic, to explore why this service holds such deep meaning—not only for Catholics, but across many liturgical Christian traditions. Dr. Snider describes Midnight Mass as the turning point from Advent anticipation to Christmas celebration, when darkness gives way to light and the story of Christ’s birth is proclaimed in its fullest form. From darkened sanctuaries and candlelight to the procession of the Christ child, incense, and carefully chosen Scripture readings, Midnight Mass embodies the proclamation that “the light shines in the darkness.” The conversation reflects on childhood memories, family rituals, and the quiet power of worship at the threshold of Christmas, inviting listeners to rediscover Midnight Mass as a moment where reverence, beauty, and hope come together to mark the birth of Emmanuel—God with us.

22/12/2025

In today’s episode of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar, Dale is joined once again by Rev. Dr. Valerie Loner, pastor of Rome First United Methodist Church, for a joyful and surprisingly theological conversation about the Blessing of the Animals. Often associated with St. Francis of Assisi and typically celebrated in October, this beloved ritual takes on fresh meaning when viewed through the lens of Advent and Christmas. Dr. Loner reflects on the delight, holy chaos, and deep gratitude that surround these blessings—from dogs and cats to goats and goldfish—and explains how they remind us that God’s covenant extends not just to humanity, but to all living creatures. Connecting the practice to the nativity itself—where animals were present at Christ’s birth—this episode invites listeners to rediscover Christmas as a celebration of God’s love for all creation, and a reminder of our responsibility to care for it with joy and reverence.

Download at churchpotluck.org or wherever you get your podcasts. 

21/12/2025

In this episode of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar, I am joined by Rev. Chris Barbieri for a moving and compassionate conversation about the Longest Night Service, sometimes called Blue Christmas or The Darkest Night. Set near the winter solstice, this service creates sacred space for those who carry grief, loss, or heartache during a season often filled with forced cheer and nonstop celebration.

Download at churchpotluck.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Chris explains how the Longest Night acknowledges the pain many feel at Christmas—whether from death, illness, fractured relationships, job loss, or memories tied to the season—while still gently holding onto the promise that light will return. Drawing on his experience as a hospital chaplain, he shares a powerful adaptation of the service designed for come-and-go participation, inviting people to name their losses, light candles, and be surrounded by prayer without pressure or performance. This episode offers both pastoral wisdom and practical guidance, reminding listeners that Advent makes room for honesty, tears, and waiting—and that joy, when it comes, is deeper when grief has been named.

20/12/2025

In this episode of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar, Dale is joined by the evocative and thoughtful Dr. Michael Bailey for a reflection on why sacred Christmas music often resonates more deeply than secular songs. Rather than appealing to nostalgia or piety, Dr. Bailey suggests that the emotional power of this music flows from the mystery of the Incarnation itself, which gives sacred Christmas music a unique depth and weight.

Drawing on his Unitarian upbringing and artists like Nick Cave, Dr. Bailey explores duende—that aching sense of longing found in great art—and connects it to Advent’s themes of yearning and hope. The conversation invites listeners to hear Christmas music anew, especially sacred songs that hold joy and sorrow together as they echo the human longing for God with us.

Download at churchpotluck.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

11/12/2025

What happens when the Christmas story is no longer something we just think about, but something we step into?

In this episode of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar, Dale is joined by Ginger Binkley, a longtime friend and ministry partner from Mount Tabor United Methodist Church, to reflect on the beauty and purpose of live nativity scenes. Together, they explore why churches continue this centuries-old tradition—one that reaches back to St. Francis of Assisi’s 13th-century vision of bringing the Nativity to life—and how a small, rural congregation has embraced it in a powerful, modern way.

Ginger shares how the idea was born, the surprising ways the project came together, and why the live nativity has become such a meaningful act of faith for both the church and the wider community—from handcrafted sets and donated costumes to a real donkey named Elvis.

This conversation reflects on how live nativities cut through the noise of consumer Christmas, connect generations, and offer a sacred, embodied reminder that Emmanuel—God with us—entered the world not with spectacle, but with humility, stillness, and love.

Available at churchpotluck.org or wherever you download your podcasts.

(Note: Mount Tabor United Methodist's Live Nativity is this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, from 6-8 pm. You are welcome to drive thru or stop for snacks and beverages. The church address is 2341 Everett Springs Road NE, Armuchee, GA 30105.)

11/12/2025

What happens when the Christmas story is no longer something we just think about, but something we step into?

In this episode of the Church Potluck Advent Calendar, Dale is joined by Ginger Binkley, a longtime friend and ministry partner from Mount Tabor United Methodist Church, to reflect on the beauty and purpose of live nativity scenes. Together, they explore why churches continue this centuries-old tradition—one that reaches back to St. Francis of Assisi’s 13th-century vision of bringing the Nativity to life—and how a small, rural congregation has embraced it in a powerful, modern way.

Ginger shares how the idea was born, the surprising ways the project came together, and why the live nativity has become such a meaningful act of faith for both the church and the wider community—from handcrafted sets and donated costumes to a real donkey named Elvis.

This conversation reflects on how live nativities cut through the noise of consumer Christmas, connect generations, and offer a sacred, embodied reminder that Emmanuel—God with us—entered the world not with spectacle, but with humility, stillness, and love.

Available at churchpotluck.org or wherever you download your Podcasts.

(Note: Mount Tabor United Methodist's Live Nativity is this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, from 6-8 pm. You are welcome to drive thru or stop for snacks and beverages. The church address is 2341 Everett Springs Road NE, Armuchee, GA 30105.)

10/12/2025

On today’s Church Potluck Advent Calendar, I reflect on The Little Drummer Boy and how its meaning has changed for me over the years—from a dark claymation Christmas special in childhood to a surprisingly powerful moment during a college church Christmas service. What once felt like a simple, even childish song now strikes me as a beautiful reflection on humility, offering what we truly have, and trusting that grace responds to sincerity rather than perfection. Download at churchpotluck.org or wherever you download your podcasts.

08/12/2025

We’ve had a wonderful assortment of guests on the Church Potluck Advent Calendar these past several days — and I’m still scheduling folks! If you’d like to join me for a short, 10-minute conversation about an Advent or Christmas tradition that helps you prepare the way of the Lord, I’d love to include you! This could be a ritual that you do with your family, a book that really shaped your understanding of advent or Christmas, or an activity your church does that is meaningful to you.

Just email or message me with your idea, and I’ll send the details.

You can also listen to our most recent episodes at churchpotluck.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

03/12/2025

I just released one of the most personal Church Potluck episodes I’ve ever recorded. This Advent reflection is unlike our usual conversations—it’s just me, sharing the most sacred Advent moment of my life.

Thirteen years ago, during my wife Ingrid’s final days, the Berry College Choir came to our home after Lessons & Carols. They filled our house with sacred music, offering us hope, peace, quiet joy, and love in the middle of overwhelming grief. I’ll never forget the sense of God’s presence that night or the grace those students brought with them.

If you’re walking through a tender season, or if you simply need a reminder that light still breaks into the darkness, I hope this episode will be a meaningful companion for you this Advent.

I’d be honored if you listened. May we all find moments—large or small—where God feels near, comforting, and real.

A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity! Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety o...

30/11/2025

Day 2 of the Church Potluck Audio Advent Calendar! Today, Chaplain Jon Huggins talks about the colors of advent, and why purple is so central to the season. and tomorrow on day three, Julianne Bailey returns to talk about advent wreaths. Join us each day throughout advent and Christmas for 5–10 minutes as we learn about advent traditions throughout the world. Prepare the way of the Lord at churchpotluck.org or wherever you download your podcasts. And please share this with anyone you think would enjoy a daily Advent reminder!

29/11/2025

Happy Advent! 🌟
To help you celebrate this season of hopeful anticipation, Church Potluck is offering a daily Audio Advent Calendar! Each day from now through Epiphany, we’ll share a brief 5–10 minute “treat” highlighting an Advent or Christmas ritual from Christian traditions around the world.

Today’s episode features first-time guest Julianne Bailey talking about the beloved tradition of Advent calendars!
(And if you missed it, be sure to check out Chaplain Jonathan Huggins’s wonderful introduction to Advent from earlier this week.)

📲 Listen at churchpotluck.org or wherever you get your podcasts—and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss each day’s Advent treat!

Prepare the way of the Lord! 🎄✨