Faith in the Public Square with Rev. Mara Richards Bim | Tiny Pulpit Talks: 061

What does ministry look like when your pulpit is a newspaper column? In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald sits down with Rev. Mara Richards Bim — pastor, spiritual director, and journalist — for a conversation about practicing faith outside the sanctuary. Mara traces her path from founding a Dallas theater company, to seminary, to breaking some of the most consequential immigration stories in North Texas. Along the way, she and TJ find the thread connecting the minister and the reporter: the discipline of sitting with hard things and refusing to look away. They talk about: Cry Havoc Theater, and how interview-based storytelling led to journalism Writing for Baptist News Global as a Clemons Fellow Tracing attempted property purchases in Hutchins, Texas, back to the federal government The movement of detained people through Dallas Love Field — and why that story hasn't gained the same traction What clergy witnessed together on the front lines in Minneapolis Covering CPAC, and the toll of bearing witness to hate Why spiritual care has to include care for the body Faith voices in the public square, and reclaiming ground from Christian nationalism How any calling — not just ministry — can be a place where your faith shows up About Rev. Mara Richards Bim: Rev. Mara Richards Bim is a pastor, writer and spiritual director. Mara graduated from SMU's Perkins School of Theology in 2024 with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. After graduation, she served as the Program Director at Faith Commons. Mara was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Royal Lane in 2025. Previously, Mara had a 20-year career as an award-winning theatre artist. She founded the nationally acclaimed Cry Havoc Theater Company which operated in Dallas from 2014-2023. In 2020 Mara received the Holloway Family Foundation's Visionary Leadership Award and in 2021 she was named one of D Magazine's "78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas." Mara is a Clemons Fellow at Baptist News Global where she regularly writes about the intersection of religion and politics, focusing on the threats posed by Christian fascism. She serves on the Leadership Council of Texas Impact and is also an active volunteer with Christians Against Christian Nationalism. She is the first Justice & Advocacy Fellow in the newly-launched Prophetic Leadership Program at Royal Lane. Mara and her family reside in Plano, Texas. Links Referenced Below https://baptistnews.com/article/autho... https://baptistnews.com/article/city-... https://baptistnews.com/article/who-i... 🌱 Enjoy the podcast? Consider a one-time gift to support the staff & resources required to keep it going. 💲 Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal First Unitarian Church of Dallas is devoted to genuine inclusion, depth and joy, reason and spirit. We have been a voice of progressive religion in Dallas since 1899, working toward a more just and compassionate world in all of what we do. We hope that when you come here your life is made more whole through experiences of love and service, spiritual growth, and an open exploration of the divine. Learn more at https://dallasuu.org/ New sermon every week. Subscribe here: https://tinyurl.com/1stchurchyoutubes... Follow us on Instagram: / 1stuchurch Follow us on Facebook: / 1stuchurch Watch the livestream on Sundays at 9:30am, 11am, & 7pm CST: https://dallasuu.org/live/ Give - your support allows us to transform lives and make UU values real in our community and beyond: https://dallasuu.org/give-now