#43 - Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai on Deconstruction and Identity in Progressive Spaces

We end Season 6, a season devoted to the topic of deconstruction with Michiko Bown-Kai (they/them). Michiko is a minister with the United Church of Canada. They grew up in Ontario in the UCC, and later became a minister, currently serving in Cambridge, Ontario.

In Episode 43, we cover a lot of ground starting with an introduction and story of Michiko’s path into ministry. We then detour to share stories about our Japanese ancestors during interment. The remainder of our conversation hovers around deconstruction, the importance of identity, and a critique of progressive Christian spaces.

Show Notes

Intro on Michiko, growing up in the UCC, and the call to ministry.
A discussion on Japanese internment.
Deconstruction
- whiteness, identity, and queerness.
- Reclaiming freedom and health in the body.
- What does institutional change look like beyond tokenization?
- Critique of progressive church denominations and deconstruction.
Picture of what is to come
- Queer Sunday Project
- Mushrooms.