3. Rev. Amber Evans (Episcopal Church) – Spiritual Direction and Sacred Shifts

Spiritual Direction and Sacred Shifts with Rev. Amber Evans

🪨 Welcome to The Sacred Slope — where the slippery slope becomes sacred ground.

In this episode, Alexis sits down with her own spiritual director, Rev. Amber Evans—an Episcopal priest, preacher, and guide for the spiritually curious. Together, they explore what happens when foundational beliefs begin to shift, when certainty gives way to curiosity, and when God shows up outside the lines we were given.

They talk biblical interpretation beyond literalism, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and how the Episcopal Church honors scripture, tradition, and reason in balance. Amber also shares mystical stories from her call to ministry, her experience leaving evangelical literalism behind, and how spiritual practices like contemplative prayer and praying with the news can help us stay grounded during disorientation.

This episode is for those grieving the faith they once knew, feeling spiritually homeless, or wondering if God can still be found in this sacred unknown.

💡 Key Takeaways
• The Bible is sacred—and also shaped by history, worldview, and symbol
• Literalism isn’t the only faithful way to read scripture
• LGBTQ+ individuals are fully affirmed in many church traditions
• Hard questions aren’t a slippery slope—they’re a sacred invitation
• The Episcopal Church values scripture, tradition, and reason equally
• Prayer can look like art, stillness, movement—or even reading the news
• There is a church out there that affirms your full humanity

⛪ About Our Guest
Rev. Amber Evans (@revamberevans) is the vicar of Holy Family Episcopal Church in Half Moon Bay, CA — https://holyfamilyhmb.org (@holyfamilyhmb).
She is a preacher, spiritual director, and pastoral presence for those navigating faith transitions. Amber earned her Master of Divinity from Church Divinity School of the Pacific — https://cdsp.edu (@cdspberkeley) and serves in the Episcopal Diocese of California (@episcopaldiocal).

Amber leads with compassion, mysticism, and a deep commitment to inclusive spiritual practice.

📚 Resources Mentioned
• The Revelatory Text by Sondra Schneiders — https://litpress.org/Products/3130/The-Revelatory-Text
• Love Poems from God (World mystical poetry anthology) — https://www.amazon.com/Love-Poems-God-Daniel-Ladinsky/dp/0142196126
• Richard Rohr's Daily Meditations (Center for Action and Contemplation) — https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ (@cacradicalgrace)
• Chelan Harkin (Modern mystical poetry) — https://chelanharkin.com (@chelanharkinpoetry)
• Praying in Color by Sybil MacBeth — https://prayingincolor.com

Go in peace, friends. May you find sacred ground wherever your questions lead, and may the fruit of the Spirit guide you this week. If you’re longing for community, may you be encouraged to find one that embraces your full, questioning, beautiful selves.

 🕊️🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿🕊️
If we claim to follow Jesus, we should be known by our love — not by what we say, wear, or perform, but by the fruit of the Spirit:
❤️ love, 💫 joy, ☮️ peace, 🕊 patience, 💝 kindn

Where the slippery slope becomes sacred ground.
For the spiritually tender—raised in or rooted in Christianity, exploring its many expressions.

🌿 Community Guidelines

If we claim to follow Jesus, let’s be known by our love—evidenced by the Fruit of the Spirit: ❤️ love • 💫 joy • ☮️ peace • 🕊 patience • 💝 kindness • 🌿 goodness • 🙏 faithfulness • 🤲 gentleness • 💪 self-control
🕊 May our words online and actions offline reflect that love.

🔗 Connect
🎧 Explore episodes & community: linktr.ee/TheSacredSlope
🎙 Hosted by Alexis Rice
🎵 Music by Brett Rutledge, Eddie Irvin & Sean Spence
📬 Nominate a guest: [email protected]