Seekin' Deacon cover art

Seekin' Deacon

Seekin' Deacon

By: Cuyler OConnor
Listen for free

About this listen

The Rev. Deacon Cuyler O'Connor from El Buen Pastor, Durham, continues to seek contemplation and listen to others' stories and how they relate to the spiritual world.2024 Spirituality
Episodes
  • Pura Vida
    May 17 2025

    Growing up in a programmatic church, Rev. Liam Barr gained a different view of church in Costa Rica. The church has depth and meaning related to "who" as a human he is, and possibly trying to dissolve the limitations we have placed on God. The term Pura Vida was adopted by a famous Costa Rican character in a film, which ultimately means pure living/pure life, and was embraced by the culture. The deep relationships built in Costa Rica translate to the deep spirituality in how to live fully and "in the moment". We must ask ourselves: Are we happy and living a full life with God? How do we live in the fullness of life?

    Rev. Liam also speaks to his rich service with the Latino community at Holy Innocents, a historically grounded Episcopal Church dating back to 1842, in Henderson, North Carolina.

    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • Costa Rica
    May 9 2025

    We join the Rev. Liam Barr, Curate serving at Holy Innocents in Henderson, North Carolina. Liam shares that the world is a disorienting place as he questions who he is and how he can do the work and serve. He is five months into being an ordained Priest and is loving the job he is doing in both the Latino community and the "Project Hope" initiative through the NC Episcopal Diocese, at the campus of St. Mark's in Raleigh. He explained his journey has been one more of Peter than Paul, and not so direct in growing up in Greenville, South Carolina. He caught the church "bug" at Christ Church in Greenville from the youth group activities and the space that everyone belongs to. Christ church has always been a place that can hold him in whatever is placed before him in life.

    His home church has held a strong relationship with Costa Rica. He has entrenched himself in this meaningful and fruitful work, and has a special love for the country.

    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • Common Ground
    Apr 28 2025

    Ekklesia Church in Raleigh holds a common ground and welcomes the LGBTQ community, and a love of teaching. A person who was LGBTQ shared with Curtis early on in a moment of humility that they did not want to be a burden to the church. At that moment, he decided the church was "all in" on whatever support they could and did give.

    Curtis speaks to the rhythm and cadence of spiritual practices and how they change with the season. He points out to his parishioners not to feel obligated to practice them all because we are all wired different. He loves reading liturgies and fishing in nature as spiritual practices that add to his life. He points out we need to be mindful of the nuances of the Bible and be careful that "the Bible says this" so we are free of causing trauma. His Co-Pastor CJ and himself make sure to show that that text has multiple thoughts and we should not be addicted to certainty.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins

What listeners say about Seekin' Deacon

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.