This episode introduces a new partnership between the Northwestern Synod and Place for Hope offering free mediation, facilitated conversations, and one-to-one conflict coaching to help churches handle disputes, long-standing hotspots, and difficult conversations constructively.

Listeners learn how the service works, how to refer a case (contact the Synod clerk Claire or Programme Lead Martha), the confidential process, and the benefits of early intervention to restore relationships and strengthen church communities.

This episode brings together Palestinian human rights lawyer Sahar Francis, Reverend Ashraf Tanuz and Reverend Dr Graham Adams to examine the situation in Gaza and the West Bank through the lens of the Kairos document from South Africa in 1985.

They discuss parallels between state theology and the Zionist project, the buy-in to the Israeli narrative and failure of some Western churches to speak for justice, the use of religion to legitimize violence, collective punishment, and the urgent call for a justice-based path to peace that is the only real chance of reconciliation and flourishing for all the peoples n the region.

Friends, welcome to this edition of the Northwest Synod podcast. Today Lawrence speaks with Michael Harvey about cultivating a culture of invitation in Synod churches and the surprising power of asking, "How are you?".

They explore how a genuine question can unlock personal stories of pain and hope, modelled by Jesus, and how simple practices—like a short daily prayer and following up "How are you?" with "How are you really?"—equip people to listen compassionately.

The episode highlights two free "superpowers"—listening and silence—and suggests that authentic conversation can lead to healing, new perspective, and unexpected grace.