Welcome to the first season of Good News and Gratitude, a podcast from the United Thank Offering. Our host, Erin Jean, starts us off with our first exploration of scripture. She talks about how impossible it sounds to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances – and a new perspective on how we can receive this good news.

This month’s scripture passage is 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

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The Rev. Erin Jean Warde (she/her) is an Episcopal priest, spiritual director, recovery coach, and writer. She is the author of Sober Spirituality: The Joy of a Mindful Relationship with Alcohol. She offers a course, Discerning Sobriety, which helps participants bring spiritual practices and mindfulness into their relationship with alcohol. Check out her offerings around coaching, spiritual direction, and more at http://www.erinjeanwarde.com. You can explore her Substack, Gather the Inklings, which includes weekly posts and a community. In her free time, you can find her watching comedy, thrift or vintage shopping, making new friends, and hanging out with her cats in Nashville.