Surreal Church: So close and Yet so Far Away

Next Step #175: The Church today is so close and yet so far away. Fr. Vazken gives a view from the 8th floor of the medical building, looking over Little Armenia, watching a Pontiff and the children he visits. The weekly feasts of the Holy Evangelists comes as a reminder to The Gospel and The Mission of the Christian Church. In His Shoes and Armodoxy as expression of that mission today - hear how. (More on the visit of Catholicos Aram in last week's NS #174)
Music: "Vagharshapati Bar" by Khatchadour Avedissian
Ani's Bubbles: "The Sparrow at Starbucks"
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

This Episode is Sponsored by Nicholas & Janine Economides

First Step for Technology & Armodoxy

Next Step #174: Steve Jobs' Passing. Fr. Vazken reflects on Jobs, the visionary and the pioneer, bringing together some personal reflections from the early days of Silicon Valley and implications of those reflections for Armodoxy. "We are HERE because of him," says Fr. Vazken. Each step matters - first steps lead to the next steps. Politics in the Armenian Church: Why are members of the Armenian Church feeling disenfranchised? Catholicos Aram I visits the Southland - the office and the person, the custom of "achahampouyr." The Armenian Church at the abortion clinic - priorities for the Armenian church - don't throw out the baby with the Bathwater! A poem by Lory Bedikian - "Self Portrait with Crane" from The Book of Lamenting - brings together this episode about church - state - diaspora realities. A must hear!
Music: Switched on Bach by Wendy Carlos on Moog Synthesizer
Ani's Bubbles: Abbey & Meridith.
Pomegranate & I blog: A Song, A Dance, and a Blessing
In His Shoes Mission in an Armenian Village - A miracle with music by Gor Mkhitarian: http://youtu.be/IuNb4xSLPtI
Silicon Valley blog by Fr. Vazken
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

This Episode is Sponsored by Nicholas & Janine Economides

All Things Blessed and Blessings

Next Step #173: The great "blessing mystery" solved! What is a "Blessing"? Fr. Vazken reveals an answer 29 years in the making. Many blessings - including for water-wells and pre-werewolf adolescents. Exploring the nausea that comes with blessings over childbirth. The piece of sand spins inside this oyster to reveal a blessed pearl! Prayers offered for Abortion and Domestic Violence: applying what we have learned from Christ. Lessons for the Christian Church. Next Step reaches its 6th continent.
Music: "Blessings" by Gor Mkhitarian www.gormusic.com
Ani's Bubbles: May all your prayers be answered
29 Years in the Making: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
 
This Episode is Sponsored by Nicholas & Janine Economides

There's still time to Vote for the Next Step at the 7th Annual Podcast Awards (http://www.podcastawards.com/) in the category "Religious Inspiration"
Nominations close September 30, 2011.  Please get your votes in!
URL for Next Step nomination: http://www.blubrry.com/nextstep

Declaring What is Evident

Next Step #172: Twenty years of independence for Armenia gives cause to reflect on "declaring what is self-evident" and how to take the next step to actualize dreams of independence - personally and as an institution. Determining which laws are just and which are unjust. What is God's law and rules? A reading of the Declaration of Independence and Dr. Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham Jail. Just/unjust laws. Why you won't see things getting better in the Armenian Church. The role of institutions: maintaining and preserving the status quo. We know the problems - now what's the solution - When the door opened the first woman deacon entered - its time to do the same. The Centrality of Christ in the Church - if He's in the church, what is more important outside? If he's not, everything outside can be more important. Answering the argument and problem of language in the church - here it is!
New podcast - Compass at http://epostle.net
Music: "Mer Hayrenik" - National Anthem of Armenia. Watch video at http://youtu.be/je95_TmJd6s 
Ani's Bubbles: What Cancer Can Do.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

There's still time to Vote for the Next Step at the 7th Annual Podcast Awards (http://www.podcastawards.com/) in the category "Religious Inspiration"
Nominations close September 30, 2011.  Please get your votes in!
URL for Next Step nomination: http://www.blubrry.com/nextstep

Ecclesiastical-Evolution: Head-Body Coordination

Next Step #171: "Mush-Rope" is the way to say it. Armenian Orthodoxy in the New World and the New Era: Apologetic with no apology! Allowing evolution to take its course in the church. Coordinating the head and the body - allows us to say YES to Christ's message of love and hope. Finding faith, hope and life in the 9/11 commemoration - 2011 is the year Easter falls on April 24, and the Holy Cross on September 11 - it's the year of victory.
Compass - a first look: http://youtu.be/JlJdLLhp51c 
Song: "Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon as performed on 10th anniversary of 9/11: http://youtu.be/eanv5XRjwLg
India Arie - "Intro: Loving" http://www.indiaarie.com/
Questions in Faith - new season kicks off: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/qoff
Fr. Vazken's speech at 9/11: http://armenianorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2011/09/911-day-of-remembrance-service-at.html
Prayer for 9/11: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/2011/09/prayer-for-10th-anniversary-of-911.html
Ani's Bubbles - The Heart of a Teacher by Paula Fox
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Vote for the Next Step at the 7th Annual Podcast Awards in the category "Religious Inspiration"
URL for Next Step nomination: http://www.blubrry.com/nextstep

Remove the Plank and find 9/11 under the Basil

Next Step #170: The 10th anniversary of the Terror Attacks of 9/11 coincides with the Elevation of the Holy Cross. 10 years of change, of war and opportunities - some seized, some missed. Armodoxy as a challenge to take the Next Step by walking in the shoes of others.  God's will and evil: Rejecting scapegoating and the silliness of the Christian superiority complex. You are NOT helpless - no Twinkies here! You CAN make a difference in the world and in your life. 9/11 theme: "I refuse to Hate You" Also - answers to some important questions: Can I fight injustice? Does Jesus care who Chaz Bono dances with? 
Join us in Burbank on 9/11: http://inhisshoes.org/flyers/911Burbank.jpg
And - some more clues to "Compass" premiering on the Autumnal Equinox. View promo
Music: "I told Jesus" by Roberta Flack
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Working for Purpose & Meaning

Next Step #169: Labor Day - an opportunity to look for purpose and meaning in our work and our lives. Avoiding the path of distortion. If God is "calling" am I listening? If God is "calling" am I answering? Armenianism beyond Kim and baklava. Premiere of Fall line-up on Epostle.net - including the new "Compass" show. Are the best things in life free?
Anush's Blog: "Inside the Pomegranate"
9/11 Event: http://inhisshoes.org/flyers/911Burbank.jpg
Song: Alan Hovhaness' "Mystic Flute"and "Moon Dance"
Ani's Bubbles "Juggling Life" by Coca-Cola CEO
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com