Death, Strength, and Support

The New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA, your hosts the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and/or Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl

In this episode - Penny focuses on where to find strength and support in difficult times, especially in the painful experience of the death of a friend. Penny reflects on how Jesus shared time, had empathy, and consoled his friends – Mary and Martha. All were distraught at Lazarus’ death. Jesus reminds his friends that if you believe you need not worry about anything – then Jesus tells Lazarus: “Come out!” Lazarus rises from the dead and many believed for the first time in their life. Penny shares a message grounded in the Gospel of John, Chapter 11, verses 17-45. Come explore the possibilities.

Welcome to the New Awaken Kindness with DaRevsUSA with your hosts Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl. Each message explores the challenge of this lived reality through the lens of goodness, hope, and love found in the scriptures of the Christian tradition. About 10 to 20 minutes in length, episodes typically feature a message delivered by Penny or Bill (or both) during a Sunday service.

Penny and Bill (the Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor and the Rev. Dr. Bill Ressl) bring a host of lived experiences into their message preparation - including over 35+ years of couplehood. Both are Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and co-served a local congregation for nearly 18 years. Both hold a Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work, and PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences. In addition to serving in the local church, Penny has also taught divinity and social work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Aurora University, and North Park University. Similarly, Bill has taught bachelor, master, and doctoral level courses at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Aurora University, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, and North Park University. Today, in addition to being guest preachers in churches, they offer individual and couples therapy through their private practice CenterToAwakenKindness.com and offer innovative self-development tools through the Grow I Am Self-Development Active Learning Platform growIam.com Come join the journey and be sure to share it with others.