About this episode

Heidi and Joel discuss the roles of faith and community resilience in rural America with Reverend Jane Field and Chris Jones.

In this episode, Heidi and Joel delve into the pivotal roles religion and community resilience play in rural America, featuring insightful conversations with Reverend Jane Field of Maine and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture hopeful, Chris Jones. Both guests emphasize the importance of faith-based activism, ecological sustainability, and the urgent need for structural reform in rural systems. Insights: Reverend Jane Field discusses the current state of Christian unity amid rising white Christian nationalism, emphasizing ecumenical cooperation and social justice priorities. She highlights the importance of faith communities' involvement in resisting ICE policies and supporting immigrant and marginalized populations in Maine. Reverend Field advocates for reimagining the role of organized religion as a force for justice and compassion, especially amid declining church attendance. She underscores the diversity within rural communities, including Indigenous peoples, and the importance of non-churchgoers engaging in faith-inspired service. Chris Jones shares his environmental platform, focusing on water quality issues in Iowa, particularly nitrate contamination linked to agriculture. Jones…

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