Rev. William H. Lamar on Ancestors, Stories, and Living Resurrection

On this special Father’s Day episode of Radical Sacred we have the immense privilege of talking to Rev. William Lamar about his beautiful new book Ancestors: Those who Bless us, Curse us, and Hold us. Rev. Lamar talks to us about the importance of intimately knowing and calling upon our ancestors, the perfect memory that water holds, how to listen to the still small voice within us, and the importance of silence, nature, and music. Sitting with Bill for this episode was a profound blessing and we always leave our time with him awake, aware, and more alive. We invite you to check out this fabulous episode and dive deep into the ancestors inviting you back to your truest selves.

Show Notes:

Ancestors: Those who Bless us, Curse us, and Hold us by William Lamar Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC I am my Ancestors’ by TaRessa Stovall The DC Church that beat the Proud Boys in Court now Owns Their Name

Key Topics

The biblical transfiguration story as a metaphor for ancestral engagementWater as a symbol of perfect memory and spiritual renewalThe internal journey of self-discovery and internal cartographyThe role of music and storytelling in connecting with ancestorsResurrection as a cosmic and ecological process of renewal

Chapters

00:30 The Legacy of Ancestors

02:56 Introduction to Reverend William H. Lamar IV

05:41 The Importance of Ancestors in Faith

07:29 Writing the Book: A Personal Journey

11:19 The Transfiguration and Ancestral Connections

16:00 Water as a Symbol of Memory