TODAY’S GUEST is Edward Buri, Kenyan pastor, columnist, television host and founder of the Institute of Ethics and Youth Affairs. Along with pastoring a congregation within the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Edward Buri writes a weekly column for one of the leading newspapers in Kenya, and hosts a program called “Hope TV,” which is the leading Christian media house in Kenya, and through these platforms champions good values as well as youth advocacy.
Buri [pronounced Furi], as he is known, was a bright light on the Princeton Theological Seminary campus in the early 2000s, when our paths converged for a few years, and Buri was one of those people I always felt grateful to have met. Buri has an infectious smile, a friendly sense of humor, a wise heart and a reflective mind. And, he has the most lovely singing voice – I still remember his powerful solos ringing out at our seminary choir concerts. I wanted to get in touch with Buri to hear about the role of the Psalms in his life, what they mean to his community, and what his thoughts are on the connections between spirituality and resilience from his life experience and the context of Kenya. In this conversation, which we had over the winter, we talk about the importance of recognizing each other in our humanity and how the Psalms help us do that; about how God continually calls us to a home where we can be restored to a divine joy and laughter in that place of belonging; how God is big enough to hear it all, and wants to come into the mud of our lives, in gumboots, and be alongside us in it; and how the Psalms give us language for our pain, and also our hope and our hallelujahs.
So whatever it is that brought you here, I’m glad you’re with us.
Find the podcast on the Psalms for the Spirit website or subscribe on Apple, Google or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Buri mentions a recording of Psalm 126 by Kenyan musician Ruth Wamuyu Listen to the song on YouTube
Featured Celtic Psalms Music:
Come, Spirit, Come (Psalm 144)
You Have Turned My Sorrow (Psalm 30)
You can find Celtic Psalms’ published scores, CDs and mp3s through GIA Music
We’re also on YouTube, Spotify, and Amazon
UPCOMING EVENTS

Celtic Psalms 10 Yr Anniversary Concert and Launch of Celtic Pilgrims Non Profit
On Friday, 2nd June Celtic Psalms will be having our 10 Year Anniversary Concert at The Black Box, at 7:30pm. If you’re in Northern Ireland, it would mean a lot if you were there! On this evening we are celebrating 10 years of doing music together, and we are also launching something new: a non profit dedicated to connecting communities through music. Find out more about that through the event link.

In the next decade, we hope to “sing a new song” in new ways, bringing people together across community divides around the beauty, depth, and power of music. If you can’t be there in person, there’s an option to donate and receive a link to the streamed concert, if you’d like to support the event from afar!

Retreats at Corrymeela 2023-24
If you would like to breathe a breath of fresh air, in body and in spirit, come to Corrymeela this year for one of our retreats – we would love to welcome you, and together we can seek out sources of healing and hope in the midst this hurting world.
Contact welcome@corrymeela.org with enquiries.

5-Day Retreat/10-Day Pilgrimage, April 2024
This ten-day retreat and pilgrimage begins with six days of restful reflection at the Corrymeela Community in Ballycastle. With the theme “Resilient Spirit,” this portion of the retreat explores spiritual practices that build resilience in our lives. During this time we will experience workshops with Sara Cook (resilience and wellness skills), Paul Hutchinson (reflective practice and storytelling) and Pádraig O’Tuama (poetry as spiritual practice). One of the days at Corrymeela will be a dedicated retreat day for personal and group reflection – silence can be chosen if desired. In addition, throughout your stay there will be free time to walk the local coastal areas, movement practices such as yoga, and sessions on local music and Irish culture. The pilgrimage continues in the Republic of Ireland with a visit to Glendalough Monastic Site and time in Dublin city. The entire program is facilitated by Kiran Young Wimberly, a Presbyterian minister and spiritual director based at Corrymeela, who will weave together music, prayer, sharing, and spiritual practices for resilience from the Celtic and Ignatian traditions.
There are two options for registration: the retreat-only portion at Corrymeela and the full pilgrimage including both the Corrymeela retreat, Glendalough, and Dublin. Airfare is not included and should be booked directly by participants.

Resilience Trainings
The past few years have revealed how important it is to have skills for resilience to handle the stresses of daily life. The Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® is a training developed by the Trauma Resource Institute (TRI) that has been used around the world to foster wellness and resilience skills to help individuals and communities cope – and even find ways to flourish – in the face daily individual or collective stress or trauma. This training offers an intensive CRM training and will provide a sense of personal wellbeing as well as tools that can be taken back to your own communities and workplaces. CRM is a globally recognized training that can be applied to many fields, and is particularly beneficial for those in the caring professions who need to be able to support themselves and the people they serve.
These trainings will be co-facilitated by experienced and highly respected CRM teacher Sara Cook (www.cook-consultancy.com) and supported by Kiran Young Wimberly.
Dates and Locations:
12-13 June (Mon-Tues) – Belfast
Autumn – Online (TBA)
25-27 Sept (Mon-Wed) Corrymeela – 2 night residential
Contact Kiran for more information at revkiran@gmail.com

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Subscribe to my newsletter, Bless My Feet – where you’ll get allll the updates on what’s coming up… retreats, pilgrimages, concerts, and a monthly reflection and blessing from me each month. If you want to become a Bless My Feet member, you will get additional reflection prompts, resources, and invitations to retreat spaces.

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