Bishop Mary D. Glasspool, Trailblazing Leader in the Episcopal Church, on Challenging Tradition and Navigating Faith

In this inspiring episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes Bishop Mary D. Glasspool, a pioneering leader in the Episcopal Church and the first openly lesbian woman to be consecrated as a bishop in the Anglican Communion. Since 2016, she has served as Assistant Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Bishop Mary shares her personal journey of faith, identity, leadership, and inclusion, offering insights into navigating the intersections of religion, politics, and justice.

What We Discuss:

• Bishop Mary’s journey as a trailblazer in the Episcopal Church

• How her faith and identity evolved in tandem

• What the Philadelphia 11 meant to her and the church

• Navigating hard conversations across deep differences

• What gives her hope for the future of the church and the world

Episode Highlights:

• 01:00 – Corey introduces Bishop Mary and her groundbreaking role

• 06:00 – Growing up in a multigenerational Episcopal family

• 17:00 – The impact of the Philadelphia 11 and her call to ministry

• 27:00 – Coming out and confronting institutional theology

• 34:00 – Stories of ministry, mentorship, and pioneering women

• 43:00 – Navigating political division in local churches

• 50:00 – Her retirement plans and what’s next

• 1:02:00 – On non-binary thinking, listening deeply, and collaboration

Featured Quotes:

“We can do this. It is possible to talk politics and religion without killing each other.”
“The best way to be ecumenical is to be deeply rooted and grounded in your own faith.”
“Diversity is a strength… It can help us grow and become stronger as human beings.”
“We need to allow for silence. We need to listen.”

Resources Mentioned:

• The Philadelphia Eleven Documentary: https://www.philadelphiaelevenfilm.com

• The Episcopal Church: https://www.episcopalchurch.org

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