Faith Beats

What?! We're back for season 4 of Faith Beats! Join Rev. Mark Mares and Dave VanderMeer as they welcome First Pres member, Malcolm Powers, as he shares a little bit of his own story. Malcolm is a gifted sculptor and his work can be seen at First Pres Sept. 16-Oct. 7th. 

Graduating UM Student and active UKirk Student Leader Sarah Szalai '22 joins our Campus Minister Rev. Evans McGowan for a far-ranging discussion on how she has applied her studies and education to internships and future job opportunities.https://lsa.umich.edu/orgstudies/news-events/all-news/search-news/OS-Senior-Sarah-Szalai-Named-2022-MLK-Spirit-Award-Recipient.htmlhttps://lsa.umich.edu/orgstudies/current-students/current-os-pathways/class-of-2022/sszalai.html

Faith beats went "on the road" for the first episode of season 3 in 2022 as we recorded in Chicago, IL at the APCE (Association of Partners in Christian Formation) annual conference. Join Pastor Mark Mares, Beca Torres-Davenport, and guest Rev. Jason White as they share their experience at APCE and reflect on their own curiosity. This episode is a week late, so keep an eye out for episode 2 of Faith Beats season 3 next week! 

Join Rev's Mark, Megan, and Evans for a Christmas Eve special on the Faith Beats podcast for a conversation around our favorite Christmas movies. You don't want to miss this episode filled with laughter and even some recommendations!

Join us on the Faith Beats podcast for a wonderful conversation around Faith & Art, with First Pres members and paper lace banner cutters, Deanne Woodruff, and Becky Donally, along with co-hosts Dave VanderMeer and Rev. Mark Mares.  

Join our Faith Beats hosts Rev. Mark Mares and Rev. Matthew J. Warfield as they welcome First Pres member Susan Whitlock to the Faith Beats podcast for a timely conversation on Climate Justice. 

On today's episode, join hosts Rev. Melissa Anne Rogers and Rev. Mark Mares as they enter into a conversation around Faith and Grief with First Pres members, Sara VanderVoort and Nicole Jolliet-Gavin. Grief is one of those things that everyone experiences, but it doesn't make it any easier to experience. Check out faithbeats.com for more information and resources.  

Meet Jeanette Kibler, First Pres Member and leader of the Christian Mediation group share about their meditation group and the practice of entering into silence. **This episode was recorded for our summer meditation series that was put on hold due to some technical difficulties. 

Join Rev. Mark Mares and co-host Jenna Mares as they welcome the wonderful  father & daughter duo, Brian & Cora Meade, to the Faith Beats podcast! 

Join hosts Rev. Mark Mares and Rev. Evans McGowan as they interview Dr. Scott Ellsworth, professor of Afroamerican and African Studies at the University of Michigan and writer of, The Secret Game, among many other books. This conversation explores the relationship between, faith, sports, and history. A note regarding language in The Secret Game: "During WWII and in the decades leading up to it, African Americans called themselves colored or Negro. And while these obsolete terms may seem insulting today, they were the accepted terms during the era in which the book's story takes place. Rather than force today's terminology into a book that is set largely during the 1940s, and to better capture and stay true to the voices of the period, I have utilized the language of the day." 

For our second episode of season 2, join Rev. Mark as we welcome our new Resident Ministry cohort, Pastor Hannah Lundberg, Pastor Megan Berry, and Rev. Matthew J. Warfield. 

Welcome back for season 2 of Faith Beats! We open our season 2 with the last recording we made with Rev. Khayla as she and Rev. Mark interviewed Marti & Tim Wendler, members from First Pres. 

Join Rev. Mark Mares as he welcomes Rev. Andrew Frazier for a conversation on Playing the Rests, in this first of three summer special episodes. 

Join Rev. Khayla Johnson and Rev. Mark Mares for the last episode of the first season of Faith Beats! As Rev. Khayla transitions to her next call at a different First, this conversation centers on lessons learned in the midst of change. 

Join Rev. Khayla & Rev. Mark as they welcome High school sophomore, Lana Smith, to the podcast for the second episodes featuring the segment called, The People of First Pres .

Join Rev. Khayla & Rev. Mark as they welcome High school senior, Heath Monsma, to the podcast for a new segment called, The People of First Pres .

Our lives are "made up of stories," as one youth member said.  And they were right. Stories not only shape and form us, but they are our companions in our journey through life. Join Rev. Khayla Johnson and Rev. Mark Mares as they enter into a conversation about storytelling with the Interim Pastor at First Pres, Rev. Dr. Rick Spalding. 

Join Rev. Khayla and Rev. Mark as they discuss their Lenten Spiritual Practices and invite you to create space for a guided meditation. 

Rev. Khayla Johnson and Rev. Mark Mares are joined by the Rev. Evans McGowan as they talk faith and film, and maybe talk too much about Marvel.  

Join Rev. Khayla Johnson and Rev. Mark Mares as they welcome guest, Rev. Andrew Frazier to talk about faith and music! 

What is Faith Beats? Who are the hosts? In this first episode, get to know your hosts, Rev. Khayla Johnson and Rev. Mark Mares, pastors at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, MI, and hear what we hope you'll get out of this podcast!