In this episode of Rhythms of Faith, we welcome Sarah Kathleen Johnson, a professor at Saint Paul University, to discuss her journey into liturgy and her recent book, Occasion Religious Practice: Valuing a Very Ordinary Religious Practice. Johnson shares insights from her research on occasional religious practices, particularly in the Anglican tradition in Toronto. She explains how focusing on religious practices rather than beliefs can reveal the diversity present during religious events. The conversation also delves into Johnson's ongoing work on young people's experiences in Christian worship, examining the affective and embodied dimensions of these experiences. Johnson emphasizes the importance of diversity and open dialogue in worship, regardless of one's religious identity or level of belief. The episode concludes with a discussion on the nuances of terms like 'liturgy' and 'worship' and Johnson's reflections on her favorite piece of liturgical music and choosing a tree as her spirit entity for its rootedness and connection to the natural world.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:25 Sarah's Journey into Liturgy
01:59 The Concept of Occasional Religious Practice
04:17 Research Methods and Findings
05:04 Insights from Interviews
10:15 Classroom Applications and Student Experiences
14:19 Observations on Liturgical Practices
18:54 Current Research on Young People in Worship
19:56 Exploring Ordinary Worship Experiences
20:29 Materiality and Emotion in Worship
22:21 Liturgical Music and Tradition
24:35 Ecumenical Dimensions and Theological Sharing
27:28 Liturgy vs. Worship: Understanding the Terminology
31:20 Leadership Formation and Worship Experiences
34:54 Personal Reflections on Liturgical Music
36:33 Final Thoughts and Farewell
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