The Intersection of Religion & Reproductive Justice with Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams | Tiny Pulpit Talks: 022
In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald hosts an inspiring conversation with Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams, co-Executive Director for Movement Building of SACReD (Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity). They delve into the power of bringing one’s whole self into the intersection of faith and reproductive justice. Rev. Angela shares her journey as a Presbyterian pastor, her calling to justice work, and the vision behind SACReD’s mission to equip a network of spiritual communities with liberative religious education & practices that shift our culture to advance Reproductive Justice. Together, they explore how faith-based action can promote dignity, health, and liberation for all.
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00:00 – Welcome Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams
01:21 – Overview of SACReD: Angela explains what SACReD does, including the SACReD Congregations program and national gatherings, media advocacy, and direct services.
02:55 – Angela describes SACReD’s core team of three full-time staff and its board, emphasizing the organization’s grassroots approach.
04:02 – Angela’s journey into reproductive justice work: From her background as a Presbyterian pastor to her experiences in the Philippines and Washington D.C., Angela reflects on her call to justice.
07:03 – The Reproductive Justice Framework: Angela explains the four tenets of reproductive justice and its origins with 12 Black women in 1994.
09:00 – Wholeness in ministry: Angela discusses the importance of bringing her full self to her work, influenced by leaders like Audre Lorde, Angela Davis, and Shirley Chisholm.
13:13 – Creating sacred spaces: Angela and T. J. discuss the importance of churches creating spaces where people can share their reproductive and faith stories without shame or judgment.
17:31 – Action steps: Angela talks about how churches and communities can take specific actions based on their local needs, such as offering Plan B and other resources.
About Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams (She/Her):
Angela is a queer pastor ordained by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) into her call to engage people of faith to speak publicly and politically in support of reproductive health, rights, and justice and LGBTQIA+ equality. Angela holds a Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The Center for American Progress named Angela as one of the 22 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2022. Angela learned about faith-based community organizing and building people power to create positive social change from the Industrial Areas Foundation. In her free time, Angela volunteers as a clergy counselor with Faith Aloud Talkline. She finds life in experiencing music, listening to podcasts, exploring creation, and engaging in theological discussions that go off the beaten path.
Tiny Pulpit Talks is a podcast series from First Unitarian Church of Dallas that takes a behind-the-scenes look at ministry from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. This is a rare opportunity to see what goes into crafting meaningful and inspirational sermons, learn how worship comes together each Sunday, and explore the many facets of spiritual leadership. Subscribe to get updates about new episodes here on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
