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16 episodes with united methodist churches
2 episodes with united methodist churches
2 episodes with united methodist churches
14 episodes with united methodist churches
2 episodes with united methodist churches
5 episodes with united methodist churches
Our latest Breakfast Bribe, Dan & Kevin talked with Angela with the Wabash Valley 83 Cluster! This group is by the United Methodist Churches in Vermillion County, Indiana and for everyone served in the community. They have a free laundry day the 1st & 3rd Wednesday every month in Clinton! This is such a great service for the folks of the valley & they could use your support. Either by donations of laundry supplies or even rolls of quarters! A few drop off location are: Maurices-2199 IN-46..Quality Roofing of Indiana-3601 N. Fruitridge, Terre Haute! Thanks so much to Quality roofing of Indiana! Thanks to Bites & Blessings-115 S. Fruitridge Ave., Terre Haute & Meadows Cafe in the Meadows Shopping Center. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hurricane Francine brought a positive development to two United Methodist Churches in Louisiana. Both First Grace United Methodist Church and Cornerstone United Methodist Church partnered with Together New Orleans to be a part of the Community Lighthouse project, a bold initiative to create a network of solar-powered churches and community centers across the city. The result? The largest off-grid energy project in the world. And it worked during Hurricane Francine. In this episode, Bishop Delores J. Williamston chats with Rev. Shawn Anglim of First Grace United Methodist Church about the project and the hope that it brought to the community. More on the project can be found here. If you would like to help relief efforts in Louisiana, please visit www.la-umc.org/relief or text RELIEF to 800-500-5858.
This summer was held Round Robin services at seven of the United Methodist Churches in Columbia, Union, Calhoun and Ouachita Counties. This is my sermon at Norphlet UMC.
Because 25% of United Methodist Churches have disaffiliated it could be tempting to think that the disaffiliation process is over. On today's podcast I talk with Tom Lambrecht, VP of Good News, about the General Conference that is happening in Charlotte right now. We talk about the legislative proposals on the table that will enable churches to be faithful to their biblical convictions. Youtube - https://youtu.be/AYMpfS-jhqsAudio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4Click here to check out my Contender Course and Heaven Course! Find out more here - courses.andymilleriii.comAnd don't forget about my book that came out last summer, Contender, which is available on Amazon! Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching. Today's episode is brought to you by these two sponsors: Bill Roberts is a financial advisor, who has been serving the retirement planning and investment needs of individuals, families, non-profits, and churches for 25 years. He is a Certified Financial Planner and accredited investment fiduciary. Bill specializes in working with Salvation Army employees and officers by helping them realize their financial goals. You can find out more about Bill's business at www.WilliamHRoberts.comANDWesley Biblical Seminary - Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.eduThanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net
Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad MIller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/Welcome to episode 103 of "To Be Encouraged," a special Town Hall edition where we discuss exciting transitions and critical discussions in the Indiana Methodist community. We're joined by esteemed guests Bishop Julius C. Trimble, Rev. Russ Abel, and Rev. Larry Whitehead to dive deep into the heart of all things regarding the United Methodist General Conference coming April 23-May 3, 2024.In this episode, we bid farewell to Bishop Trimble and learn about the direction Indiana's United Methodist Church is taking. Here are three essential takeaways from our conversation:1. Leadership and Vision for Indiana:As Bishop Trimble retires, the search for a new bishop who shares the vision of missional appointment making, combating hunger and homelessness, nurturing local churches, and enhancing the bishop's educational role is paramount. With new leadership commencing on September 1, the Indiana conference places a strong emphasis on discipleship growth, mission engagement, and reinforcing church membership commitment. Our goal remains firm: to make the United Methodist Church synonymous with love, both domestically and worldwide.2. United Methodist Church's Evolution:This year's General Conference is a pivotal event for the church, especially in reevaluating the Book of Discipline. The Indiana delegation, including 16 primary and 6 reserve members, is steadfast in its advocacy for regionalization, allowing for a more globally and contextually aligned church. The legislation holds the potential to remove harmful language regarding human sexuality and aims for inclusivity and diverse theological beliefs. We also discussed significant legislative topics such as pension restructuring and missionary support budgets.3. Community Engagement and Prayer:We extend our thoughts and prayers to those affected by severe storms in Southern Indiana. This Town Hall reminds us of our sacred duty to be the church not only to our fellow members but also to the broader community. We encourage our listeners to utilize the resources available on the conference website to stay informed about the delegation and proposed legislation. The communication team will ensure real-time updates throughout the conference's proceedings.As we transition and anticipate the General Conference, we stand united in the mission to multiply the love of Jesus Christ and propagate the good news of the gospel.Let us know your thoughts on today's Town Hall meeting, and remember, "To Be Encouraged." Episode 103 was Part 4 of a 4 Part “Preparing for General Conference” Series of Episodes. Please listen to the prior three parts of this series to prepare for the April 23-May 3 General Conference at these links:
Meet Matt Miofsky! Our biggest question... Is there anything Matt cannot do?! Matt Miofsky is the Lead Pastor of The Gathering in St. Louis, Missouri. Since Matt founded The Gathering in 2006, it has grown into a thriving multi-site congregation with four locations scattered throughout St. Louis. With over 1500 in worship a weekend, The Gathering was recently named the 3rd fastest growing large United Methodist Churches.Matt is passionate about church planting, connecting with new generations, and multi-site ministry. He frequently speaks and teaches on these subjects. Matt writes feverishly! We especially love his newest book, The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer.You may also want to pick up these gems:Let Go: Leaning into the Future Without Fear"Eight Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches" “Happy? What It Is and How to Find It” “Fail: What to Do When Things Go Wrong” And! He's a podcaster! Subscribe to The F Word: Conversations on Faith!When he's not writing, preaching, podcasting, or teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids.Music by: Irene & the SleepersLogo by: Jill EllisWebsite: menomissions.orgBB Website: https://www.brokenbanquetpodcast.comContact Us: brokenbanquetpodcast@gmail.com
Isabelle shared information on the upcoming Vacation Bible School with Calvary Lutheran, Grace Lutheran, and United Methodist Churches all in Mora. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wcmp-news/message
ABOUT THIS EPISODE: Melissa is passionate about getting creative in youth ministry and inspiring youth and youth directors to do the same. In this episode she talks about a new initiative where students can "choose their own adventure" in student leadership courses that apply to them. As a bonus, we talk about how BOTH Melissa and Heather got kicked out of church as young people! ABOUT MELISSA: Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford is the Intergenerational Discipleship Coordinator of the Great Plains Conference (all of Kansas and Nebraska), where she supports United Methodist Churches to establish healthy kids and youth ministries. She teaches, consults, and writes curriculum, articles, and books distributed worldwide through the United Methodist denomination; a couple of her projects have been translated into Spanish and Korean. Her most recent endeavor has been creating Dandelion Marketplace, a digital platform for progressive faith formation resources. Melissa enjoys drinking good coffee, working out, and testing her semi-green thumb. She has been married to Bill for nearly a decade, and their four-year-old son Finnegan keeps them on their toes, which just reinforces Melissa's coffee habit. To listen to more podcasts from the Youth Cartel Podcast Network, click here! Support our podcast by subscribing to our Patreon for as little as $1 a month! https://www.patreon.com/womeninym --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/womeninym/support
It's Wednesday, February 1st, A.D. 2023. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark German parliament refuses to stand against Christian persecution Germany's federal parliament rejected a proposal last week to stand against Christian persecution. The Alternative for Germany party made a motion for the government to recognize February 15 as an “International Day Against the Persecution of Christians.” The date this year marks eight years since the Islamic State published a video of 21 Coptic Christians being decapitated. The party called on Germany to help “end the worldwide persecution of Christians in the form of persecution, discrimination, and even cultural devaluation” and to show the “significance of Christianity for German and Western culture.” However, opposition dismissed the motion as hateful and Islamophobic. Pope Francis denounced criminalization of sodomy Last Tuesday, the Roman Catholic Pope denounced laws that criminalize sodomy during an interview with the Associated Press. Pope Francis said homosexuality is a sin but shouldn't be a crime. He called on Catholic bishops to welcome people living sexually perverted lifestyles, saying God loves all His children just as they are. The remarks came ahead of the Pope's visit to African countries this week, including South Sudan. Countries in Africa and the Middle East commonly criminalize homosexuality. Referencing Genesis 1, South Sudan's National Minister of Information said, “If [Pope Francis] is coming here and he tells us that marriage of the same sex is legal, we will say, ‘No!' God was not mistaken. He created man and woman and he told them to marry one another and go and fill the world.” 1,800 United Methodist churches left over homosexuality Meanwhile in the U.S., hundreds of churches have spoken on the issue of homosexuality. United Methodist News reports over 1,800 churches left the United Methodist Church last year. Many of them are now joining the theologically conservative Global Methodist Church as an alternative to the liberal denomination. States that saw the largest number of churches leaving the United Methodist Church included Texas, North Carolina, Indiana, and Alabama. Major pro-life victory for sidewalk counselor In a major pro-life victory on Monday, a jury found a Catholic sidewalk counselor not guilty. Last year, the FBI raided the home of Mark Houck, a pro-life father of seven. The Department of Justice charged him with two felonies over an incident outside an abortion mill. Attorneys with the Thomas More Society successfully argued that Houck pushed an abortion “escort” outside the mill to protect his young son from the verbally abusive abortion worker. If he had been convicted, Houck would have faced up to 11 years in prison and a $350,000 fine. Peter Breen with the Thomas More Society said they want to send a message to the Biden administration. BREEN: “Our hope here is that a message was sent to Washington, D.C. to stop this harassment of sidewalk counselors who are just trying to provide alternatives to those who are facing an abortion decision. “I hope this will be one of those points where a change is made, so no one else would have to suffer the same way that Mark and his family has had to suffer.” Biden to end COVID emergency declaration in May On Monday, the Biden administration announced it plans to officially end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11. This comes nearly three years after President Donald Trump imposed pandemic measures that have been extended multiple times under President Biden. However, Republican Congressional leadership is still pushing to end the emergency declarations immediately. Farmer secretly paid other people's prescriptions for years And finally, a small-town farmer, who died recently, is being lauded for his charitable service to his community. Hody Childress lived in Geraldine, Alabama on his small retirement savings. But that didn't stop the farmer and Air Force veteran from helping secretly pay for people's prescriptions for years. About 10 years ago, Childress walked into Geraldine Drugs and asked the owner if there were families in the town who couldn't afford their medications. Owner Brooke Walker said it was something that happened quite often. So, for a decade, Childress gave Walker a hundred dollar bill every month to help those who were struggling. The farmer said, “Don't tell a soul where the money came from - if they ask, just tell them it's a blessing from the Lord.” When Childress died on New Year's Day at the age of 80, the pharmacy owner finally shared what the kind farmer had been doing for years. Matthew 6:3-4 says, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, February 1st, in the year of our Lord 2023. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
Rev. Tom takes time on this communion Sunday to look at our call to not only receive grace and mercy from God - but to also give it. When you are in situations where you feel out of control, confused, frustrated, or worried - are you showing the same kind of love, grace, and forgiveness that God shows you? And, as Grand View and other United Methodist Churches look at their future - how can we have tough conversations with this type of 'map' of how to interact with others?
More than 80 United Methodist Churches in Arkansas are looking to enter the process of disconnecting from the denomination over the issue of "human sexuality." Gary Mueller, the bishop of the Arkansas Annual Conference, says the division breaks his heart, but that some churches are upholding what they consider the "biblical view of marriage between a man and woman."
Jorge was born and raised in Laredo, Texas and joined the Texas Diaper Bank in 2001. His first professional career was 10 years of banking and financial services with a local bank. He worked with the City of Laredo, Economic Development Department as Grant Writer and Laredo Community College, as Program Director of the Rio Grande Environmental Study Center, and Executive Director of Mi Laredo, Goals for the 90's. In 2001, Jorge moved to San Antonio, Texas 2 weeks before 9-11. The Texas Diaper Bank was originally the Hispanic Religious Partnership for Community Health. The organization was a consortium of ten United Methodist Churches providing outreach ministries in the poorest churches of San Antonio. In 2011, Jorge secured funding to establish a Diaper distribution program. In 2013, the Board agreed to change the organizations name to Texas Diaper Bank and in 2017, Hurricane Harvey happened and it changed everything. We hope you enjoy....Jorge Medina! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/happybottoms/support
Hi this is Bishop Julius C Trimble. I have a mission “to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential” - in short, to be encouraged. I get encouraged when I hear stories of good news. It could be a gospel story like Jesus encouraging Zacchaeus about going to his house or one of our United Methodist Churches serving the needs of the homeless in their community or even the laughter of my own granddaughter. I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and state of the United Methodist Church. I also think we rise to our highest potential when we listen and learn from others. I love to talk with and be encouraged by having conversations with insightful experts who help make me better. These are challenging times in our world and in our United Methodist Church to be sure and those matters need to be addressed. I just think we can talk about everything in the light of the overwhelming love of Jesus Christ and that is encouraging indeed. So let's talk. Please let me encourage you to join me on my podcast. Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C Trimble. You can find Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C Timble on Apple Podcasts and the other podcast directories. This is the place where together we can accomplish the mission “to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential” So please listen in and encourage others to join us. God loves you and so do I and there's nothing you can do about it. See you soon on Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble.
August 6, 2021 DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON TX SUPERVISED VISITS GWEN ADAMS 7135578393 7132747291 7132747288 Why are the parents not allowed to document their visitations for their own records? Why are the parents not allowed to have a copy at the end of the visit regarding what was documented about the visit by the domestic relations office? Who is funding the Visitation 's? Why are the employees not wearing nametags and why are the parents not allowed to know who is monitoring them and what their names are? Why are the parents not provided with a copy of the policies of the domestic relations office supervised visitation program? Why are they using churches as Visitation sites and also using the churches as a method to carry out disciplinary action against parents especially parents who have been falsely accused of domestic violence or child abuse? Why are parents placed in there without an end date? Why are the parents not being informed that the domestic relations office is using two United Methodist Churches that is under an administration that has a history of employing child molesters? How are they working towards the best interest of the children in the Visitation program if they are using to Methodist churches that are underneath and administration the Texas annual conference it has a history of employing child molesters? Why are they saying on the Facebook page that 330 families were referred when actually the truth is they're forced in to the Visitation program? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kathrine-anthony/support
DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON TX SUPERVISED VISITS GWEN ADAMS 7135578393 7132747291 7132747288 Why are the parents not allowed to document their visitations for their own records? Why are the parents not allowed to have a copy at the end of the visit regarding what was documented about the visit by the domestic relations office? Who is funding the Visitation 's? Why are the employees not wearing nametags and why are the parents not allowed to know who is monitoring them and what their names are? Why are the parents not provided with a copy of the policies of the domestic relations office supervised visitation program? Why are they using churches as Visitation sites and also using the churches as a method to carry out disciplinary action against parents especially parents who have been falsely accused of domestic violence or child abuse? Why are parents placed in there without an end date? Why are the parents not being informed that the domestic relations office is using two United Methodist Churches that is under an administration that has a history of employing child molesters? How are they working towards the best interest of the children in the Visitation program if they are using to Methodist churches that are underneath and administration the Texas annual conference it has a history of employing child molesters? Why are they saying on the Facebook page that 330 families were referred when actually the truth is they're forced in to the Visitation program? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kathrine-anthony/support
DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON TX SUPERVISED VISITS GWEN ADAMS 7135578393 7132747291 7132747288 Why are the parents not allowed to document their visitations for their own records? Why are the parents not allowed to have a copy at the end of the visit regarding what was documented about the visit by the domestic relations office? Who is funding the Visitation 's? Why are the employees not wearing nametags and why are the parents not allowed to know who is monitoring them and what their names are? Why are the parents not provided with a copy of the policies of the domestic relations office supervised visitation program? Why are they using churches as Visitation sites and also using the churches as a method to carry out disciplinary action against parents especially parents who have been falsely accused of domestic violence or child abuse? Why are parents placed in there without an end date? Why are the parents not being informed that the domestic relations office is using two United Methodist Churches that is under an administration that has a history of employing child molesters? How are they working towards the best interest of the children in the Visitation program if they are using to Methodist churches that are underneath and administration the Texas annual conference it has a history of employing child molesters? Why are they saying on the Facebook page that 330 families were referred when actually the truth is they're forced in to the Visitation program? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kathrine-anthony/support
DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON TX SUPERVISED VISITS GWEN ADAMS 7135578393 7132747291 7132747288 Why are the parents not allowed to document their visitations for their own records? Why are the parents not allowed to have a copy at the end of the visit regarding what was documented about the visit by the domestic relations office? Who is funding the Visitation 's? Why are the employees not wearing nametags and why are the parents not allowed to know who is monitoring them and what their names are? Why are the parents not provided with a copy of the policies of the domestic relations office supervised visitation program? Why are they using churches as Visitation sites and also using the churches as a method to carry out disciplinary action against parents especially parents who have been falsely accused of domestic violence or child abuse? Why are parents placed in there without an end date? Why are the parents not being informed that the domestic relations office is using two United Methodist Churches that is under an administration that has a history of employing child molesters? How are they working towards the best interest of the children in the Visitation program if they are using to Methodist churches that are underneath and administration the Texas annual conference it has a history of employing child molesters? Why are they saying on the Facebook page that 330 families were referred when actually the truth is they're forced in to the Visitation program? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kathrine-anthony/support
DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON TX SUPERVISED VISITS GWEN ADAMS 7135578393 7132747291 7132747288 Why are the parents not allowed to document their visitations for their own records? Why are the parents not allowed to have a copy at the end of the visit regarding what was documented about the visit by the domestic relations office? Who is funding the Visitation 's? Why are the employees not wearing nametags and why are the parents not allowed to know who is monitoring them and what their names are? Why are the parents not provided with a copy of the policies of the domestic relations office supervised visitation program? Why are they using churches as Visitation sites and also using the churches as a method to carry out disciplinary action against parents especially parents who have been falsely accused of domestic violence or child abuse? Why are parents placed in there without an end date? Why are the parents not being informed that the domestic relations office is using two United Methodist Churches that is under an administration that has a history of employing child molesters? How are they working towards the best interest of the children in the Visitation program if they are using to Methodist churches that are underneath and administration the Texas annual conference it has a history of employing child molesters? Why are they saying on the Facebook page that 330 families were referred when actually the truth is they're forced in to the Visitation program? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kathrine-anthony/support
On this episode, Byron Chung, our Executive Director, sits down with two phenomenal leaders in our community. Areej Masoud is a Christian-Aramean Palestinian, born and currently living in Bethlehem. She is justice oriented, takes action towards change through the faith-based communities she belongs to, and is passionate in raising awareness and promoting Palestinians' struggles through local and public speaking events. Based on her experience in communication, development and advocacy, she is working on an online based startup in branding, communications and social media marketing in hopes she can help other startups rise, despite the economic restrictions the occupation forces upon Palestinians. Reverend Michael Yoshii received the Pacific School of religion Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002, recognizing his pastoral leadership and social justice activism, including work on local racial justice issues, LGBTQ equity, and affordable housing activism. In post retirement Ministry, he serves on the International Committee for human rights in the Philippines Global Council, and is a co chair of the Friends of Wadi Foquin, a partnership started in 2009 through Michael's previous congregation and other United Methodist Churches with the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin located southwest of Bethlehem on the green line. Wadi Foquin is a small and actually somewhat obscure village -- but is emblematic of much of the West Bank Palestinian agricultural/farm reality. It's a microcosm of the larger Palestinian reality. Michael first met Areej in Bethlehem on one of his trips to the region, and a their connection has been fortified through solidarity. Areej and a cohort of emerging interfaith and cross sector leaders recently completed our Wisdom-Based Leadership Certificate program. In this conversation they share about that experience and provide a firsthand telling of what it looks like to create social transformation in the midst of the Palestinian reality. To get more content like this and learn more about ignite and PSR go to psr.edu.
Rev. Jack Amick, Director of Global Migration, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). He directs UMCOR’s Global Migration portfolio and represents the global migration work of the General Board of Global Ministries. In his coordination of Global Migration work, Amick serves on the United Methodist Immigration Task Force, on advisory committees for Church World Service, the board of NJFON, the ACT Alliance Migration and Displacement Reference Group, and maintains relations with several migration/refugee organizations. He has been serving at UMCOR for over seven years, 4 years of which involved the direction of disaster response programs. Amick served as pastor at local United Methodist Churches for seven years. Prior to being ordained as a United Methodist elder, Amick served two years with the Refugee Admissions Office of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration at the U.S. Department of State and two years as Vice-Consul for Economic Affairs at the US Consulate in Mumbai, India. As Desk Officer for Eastern Europe at the Peace Corps, Amick designed crisis responses to flooding in Central Europe and post-war recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1985, he volunteered for one year as director of Christian education for the seven Methodist Churches in the Caribbean nation of Grenada. He has led the response to disasters in different contexts, including managing disaster damage assessments and family services with the American Red Cross. Amick spent one year working with homeless individuals in the suburbs of Washington, DC. He has been part of UMVIM teams that responded to needs in Grenada and Liberia as well as in the United States. Amick has a Bachelor of Arts in International Service and Economics from The American University in Washington, DC, a Master of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, and a Master of Divinity from the Boston University School of Theology. Amick enjoys the outdoors, playing bagpipes, and writing liturgical prayers and poetry. He is the father of two young adults and the husband of Rev. Susan Amick, United Methodist Deacon, who serves as Chaplain with Wesley Woods Senior Living in Atlanta.
In this episode, I share a conversation with the Reverend Donyale Fraylon and her husband, the Reverend Damon Fraylon, both pastors at United Methodist Churches in Houston, Texas. In our conversation, we compare and contrast how various Christian organizations and individuals approach the issue of systemic racism.
United Methodist Churches from across the state of Mississippi join together today to offer a lessons and carols service for Christmas 2020. Merry Christmas!
Welcome to The Academic Life. You are smart and capable, but you aren't an island, and neither are we. So we reached across our own mentor networks to bring you podcasts on everything from how to finish that project, to how to take care of your beautiful mind. Wish we'd bring in an expert about something? Email us at cgessler@gmail.com or dr.danamalone@gmail.com. Find us on Twitter : The Academic Life @AcademicLifeNBN. In this episode you'll hear: what happens when graduate school doesn't go as you'd planned, and what happens to your degree and your career if you leave school before you complete your PhD. Our guest is: Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton, a United Methodist pastor. She has a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, and was A.B.D. at Emory University before leaving the program. She has taught at Andrew College, and served as pastor in four United Methodist Churches. She also serves as president of the Georgia United Methodist Commission on Higher Education & Collegiate Ministry. Your host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, a historian. She specializes in diaries written by rural women in the 19th century. She credits her ability to read nearly-illegible things to her childhood spent trying read her dad's handwriting. In high school she was trained in peer mentor programs; as an undergrad she worked in her campus Writing Center; while pursuing her Ph.D. she developed and ran a Mentor Program for graduate students. She met Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton when they were both graduate students, and they've been friends ever since. Christina supports her work-life balance by taking photos in nature, which you can find at here. Listeners to this episode might be interested in: Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown CareerShifters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/academic-life
Welcome to The Academic Life. You are smart and capable, but you aren’t an island, and neither are we. So we reached across our own mentor networks to bring you podcasts on everything from how to finish that project, to how to take care of your beautiful mind. Wish we’d bring in an expert about something? Email us at cgessler@gmail.com or dr.danamalone@gmail.com. Find us on Twitter : The Academic Life @AcademicLifeNBN. In this episode you’ll hear: what happens when graduate school doesn’t go as you’d planned, and what happens to your degree and your career if you leave school before you complete your PhD. Our guest is: Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton, a United Methodist pastor. She has a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, and was A.B.D. at Emory University before leaving the program. She has taught at Andrew College, and served as pastor in four United Methodist Churches. She also serves as president of the Georgia United Methodist Commission on Higher Education & Collegiate Ministry. Your host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, a historian. She specializes in diaries written by rural women in the 19th century. She credits her ability to read nearly-illegible things to her childhood spent trying read her dad’s handwriting. In high school she was trained in peer mentor programs; as an undergrad she worked in her campus Writing Center; while pursuing her Ph.D. she developed and ran a Mentor Program for graduate students. She met Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton when they were both graduate students, and they’ve been friends ever since. Christina supports her work-life balance by taking photos in nature, which you can find at here. Listeners to this episode might be interested in: Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown CareerShifters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Academic Life. You are smart and capable, but you aren’t an island, and neither are we. So we reached across our own mentor networks to bring you podcasts on everything from how to finish that project, to how to take care of your beautiful mind. Wish we’d bring in an expert about something? Email us at cgessler@gmail.com or dr.danamalone@gmail.com. Find us on Twitter : The Academic Life @AcademicLifeNBN. In this episode you’ll hear: what happens when graduate school doesn’t go as you’d planned, and what happens to your degree and your career if you leave school before you complete your PhD. Our guest is: Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton, a United Methodist pastor. She has a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, and was A.B.D. at Emory University before leaving the program. She has taught at Andrew College, and served as pastor in four United Methodist Churches. She also serves as president of the Georgia United Methodist Commission on Higher Education & Collegiate Ministry. Your host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, a historian. She specializes in diaries written by rural women in the 19th century. She credits her ability to read nearly-illegible things to her childhood spent trying read her dad’s handwriting. In high school she was trained in peer mentor programs; as an undergrad she worked in her campus Writing Center; while pursuing her Ph.D. she developed and ran a Mentor Program for graduate students. She met Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton when they were both graduate students, and they’ve been friends ever since. Christina supports her work-life balance by taking photos in nature, which you can find at here. Listeners to this episode might be interested in: Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown CareerShifters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Academic Life. You are smart and capable, but you aren’t an island, and neither are we. So we reached across our own mentor networks to bring you podcasts on everything from how to finish that project, to how to take care of your beautiful mind. Wish we’d bring in an expert about something? Email us at cgessler@gmail.com or dr.danamalone@gmail.com. Find us on Twitter : The Academic Life @AcademicLifeNBN. In this episode you’ll hear: what happens when graduate school doesn’t go as you’d planned, and what happens to your degree and your career if you leave school before you complete your PhD. Our guest is: Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton, a United Methodist pastor. She has a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, and was A.B.D. at Emory University before leaving the program. She has taught at Andrew College, and served as pastor in four United Methodist Churches. She also serves as president of the Georgia United Methodist Commission on Higher Education & Collegiate Ministry. Your host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, a historian. She specializes in diaries written by rural women in the 19th century. She credits her ability to read nearly-illegible things to her childhood spent trying read her dad’s handwriting. In high school she was trained in peer mentor programs; as an undergrad she worked in her campus Writing Center; while pursuing her Ph.D. she developed and ran a Mentor Program for graduate students. She met Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton when they were both graduate students, and they’ve been friends ever since. Christina supports her work-life balance by taking photos in nature, which you can find at here. Listeners to this episode might be interested in: Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown CareerShifters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Guest Speaker: Allie Utley from Allen County, KSAllie has worked across the state since 2018 as the Executive Assistant to the CEO at Thrive Allen County, the largest and most prominent rural health advocacy organization in Kansas. Outside of Thrive, Allie is the Secretary of the Kansas Young Democrats, a Young Kansans for Barbara Bollier co-chair, a columnist at the Iola Register, and a tennis instructor. Guest Speaker: Rev. Jeff Prothro from De Soto, KS"I am a lifelong Kansan who has served as pastor in United Methodist Churches since 2008. I was appointed to De Soto UMC in 2014 and have been blessed to serve in this community. I am married to Leighann and we have two fantastic children. I am a graduate of Southwestern College in Winfield (Go Builders!) and earned my Masters of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in D.C. I enjoy reading, movies, music, trivia, running, Royals baseball and KU Basketball. I am dedicated to sharing in Christ's love to all people in words and action."Guest Speaker: Tori Gleason from northwest KS"Hello, friends! My name is Tori and I've been working in NW Kansas since 2006 as a Sports Chiropractor. I was born and raised in Dodge City and educated in the Little Apple as well as Davenport, IA. I have a passion for youth mentorship, coaching, health equality in LGBTQ+ populations, and rural healthcare leadership as I serve on our rural hospital board. I'm a Mum to a 12-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. I'm excited to learn from others as we elevate voices across the state to tell a story about how diverse and wonderful the people really are."The Kansas Animator Network video is COMING SOON!
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Third Sunday in Lent (A): Exodus 17:1-17, and Romans 5:1-11, and John 4:5-42. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the first Sunday after Christmas (A): Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, and Matthew 2:13-23. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
There is a lot going on in today's passage. Due to the length it is only read three times on the podcast, if you need another read of the text take the time to read it and really let it sit in. There is a lot going on here. If you need to take it in pieces, allow yourself the time and flexibility to do so. Toward the end of this passage is the institution of the Lord's Supper. This Sunday, the majority of United Methodist Churches (and churches in many other denominations) will celebrate Holy Communion in their worship services. Allow today's reading to sit with you. May these words both form your understanding of the Lord's Supper and transform your experience of Holy Communion. Follow along here.
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (C): Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, and Luke 15:1-10, Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
The message (8/25/2019) from the United Methodist Churches of Alto (A. Frank Smith UMC and Coldsprings UMC) brought by Eddie Breen.
The message (8/25/2019) from the United Methodist Churches of Alto (A. Frank Smith UMC and Coldsprings UMC) brought by Eddie Breen.
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (C): Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, and Luke 13:10-17. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Second Sunday after Pentecost (C): 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, and Luke 8:26-39. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
(This is an encore of Episode 59) Bailey Brawner is the pastor of two United Methodist Churches in Alaska. She's a graduate of Boston University School of Theology and much of her work focuses on creating spiritual spaces for people who have experienced religious trauma. In this episode, she talks about being asexual and the unique position that places her in to navigate conversations around faith and sexuality. Follow Bailey on Twitter, @baileynbrawner Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Bishop Kirk Jeffery. Kirk attended Boise State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. From there he went to Methodist Theological School in Ohio where he earned a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education with a specialization in Youth Ministry. During seminary, he served as the student associate pastor at Marysville United Church of Christ in Marysville, Ohio. After graduation, he began serving United Methodist Churches in Oregon and Idaho. While serving as pastor to these congregations, he completed a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University (2010). Upon leaving the United Methodist Church Kirk joined the Open Episcopal Church and was ordained to the priesthood October 20, 2013; however, because of the lack of support shown to the clergy in the United States by the OEC he chose to incardinate with The Young Rite. Bishop Kirk was consecrated on November 2nd, 2018 and serves as a governing bishop in the Community of Saint George (The Young Rite). This episode is sponsored in part by Convergent Streams: The Premier ISM Magazine. This podcast is produced by The Community of Saint George (The Young Rite).
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for Sixth Sunday of Easter (C): Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5, and John 14:23-29 and John 5:1-9. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the First Sunday of Lent (C): Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, and Luke 4:1-13. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Second Sunday of after Epiphany (C): Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, and John 2:1-11. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
Here's a message on what we can learn from the Magi based on Matthew 2, I delivered on December 23rd at both United Methodist Churches in Harris and Lake Park. Read about it at www.emmanuelnaweji.com
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the First Sunday of Advent (C): Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, and Luke 21:25-36. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (B): Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, and Mark 10:2-16. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
Bailey Brawner is the pastor of two United Methodist Churches in Alaska. She's a graduate of Boston University School of Theology and much of her work focuses on creating spiritual spaces for people who have experienced religious trauma. In this episode, she talks about being asexual and the unique position that places her in to navigate conversations around faith and sexuality. Follow Bailey on Twitter, @baileynbrawner Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
Since 2013, the Duke Endowment has funded summer literacy programs in North Carolina designed to engage United Methodist rural churches and improve literacy among elementary school students in their communities. These summer literacy programs are providing more than just building confidence for the children. These host churches are providing nurturing relationships, nutritious meals, daily enrichment activities, and more importantly, a safe space for families to engage and chart a path for the future. I met Reverend Mary Jane Wilson-Parsons in June 2018. She is the co-pastor at Seaside United Methodist Church in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. She recognized a need in her community, beyond the resort golf courses and high net worth retirees, that there are large pockets of poverty where underprivileged elementary children needed help. They needed help with basic literacy skills, especially during the summer months. This is called the “summer slide.” I found a unique intersection in this story. One that we at Rettew Creative were telling for the Duke Endowment, to recruit more United Methodist Churches in North Carolina to host summer literacy programs. The Church was a safe space to teach literacy, not the schools. A safe space for children, parents, teachers, and community partners to come together under one roof. One church roof. Their mission is to provide social justice for these children in the form of literacy skills so they could overcome the summer slide and perform just as well as other students in their classrooms. Check Out Links Below: The Duke Endowment Website Summer Literacy Program at Fairview United Methodist Church Seaside United Methodist Church
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (B): Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27 and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
“What Not to Wear” Preached by William E. Green at Foundry United Methodist Church (Washington, D.C.) August 26th, 2018 Y’all! Isn’t it good to be the church this morning?! After a week of—well, the sadly routine—what a gift we have been given in this space, to come and gather and remember and celebrate and reclaim and proclaim the Gospel, the Good News, of God’s all-saving love and ever-present grace. You know, it’s good to be the church this morning, as we gather around two baptismal candidates and conclude our Art of Music Ministry series where we’ve been so blessed by our outstanding Music Department under the leadership of Stanley Thurston and, today, Paul Heins? Now, if you’ve come today for fashion forward advice for the modern Christian, as some have implied my sermon title might suggest, let me apologize now. I will never be known for my fabulous heels, like Pastor Ginger or our faithful sign-language interpreter Michael. The closest I got to well-dressed was when my mother and grandmother tricked me into a plaid sportcoat and wingtips for my fifth Easter—something for which, when I want to give my grandmother a hard time, made coming out 15 years later unavoidable. Instead, today, I want to spend my time with you today asking this question: if we are to be about the work of Kin-dom of God and to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in sustained, transformational ways—think, “Love God, Love Each Other, Change the World,”—what must we first let go of, shed, or empty out of our spiritual wardrobe? In other words, what’s NOT to wear? Let us pray: How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts! For indeed we are a people who wander in a weary land. We are overcome by anxiety. We are beset by stress. We are broken apart by the ever-present raging of the powers and principalities of this world. Yet here you remind us that you have not left us. Here your word is proclaimed and your Spirit made known. Here we find embodied among these with whom we gather the hope of the beloved community--from which all strength, love, and hope flows. Send your spirit then, O God, to renew the face of the earth and hearts of your people. Through the proclamation of your Word this day might we open ourselves once more the wonders of your love, be transformed in its hearing for your work in the world, and be emboldened in our witness to make known the mysteries of your Gospel. And now, O God, I am your servant. Whether through me or in spite of me, may your Word come alive in this place. Speak, O Lord, for your servants are listening. Amen. Introduction The Letter to the Ephesians, as we learned last week, is not a traditional epistle written to address a specific concern, problem, or challenge within a particular Christian context—think the Philippian, Roman, or Corinthian epistles. Rather, its more likely intention is establishing among the churches of Asia Minor a shared theological identity. An orthodoxy from which they could draw strength, understand their purpose, and collaborate in ways which furthered the Gospel. This purpose is evidenced though out the letter, who’s first chapters focus on the unity of the body of Christ and assert the universally salvific—meaning salvation for all people—nature of Christ’s action in the world, as well as the work of Christ to unite people for the common cause of the Gospel. There are astonishing assertions here, especially in an era of increased tribalism and deep economic and political division—not that we D.C. folk know anything about that, right— that the whole world, not just the Roman empire, Gentiles, or Jews, have been saved by Christ and for relationship with one another, created anew with a common purpose, and chosen by God to serve in union with Christ in the proclamation of the Gospel. But then we hit our reading from today. This passage we’ve read enjoys what prolific preacher-teacher Fred Craddock calls the power of the familiar. The armor of God. A elementary Sunday School teacher’s best friend to corral kids with an easy craft and quick connection to the Superhero du jour. Sadly, if you grew up in small-town Vacation Bible Schools like I did, that familiarity might require a trigger warning. Any skepticism you feel is not unfounded, not in a world where multi-million dollar military parades—almost, amen— the violent colonization of communities through gentrification—dressed in battle gear and carrying automatic weapons—which criminalizes color and values ones views of the city over the lives of ones neighbors, and the militarization of our borders which has resulted in the dismantling of the families—the opposite, I’d say, of protecting family values—and the deaths of millions necessarily demands our interrogation of a text which calls upon us to wear armor of any kind. Armed to What End? So before we can continue, we have to ask to what end we supposed to arm ourselves. Because to focus only on the author’s admonition to wear the “whole armor of God”[1] is to miss the point the author is trying to make. That is, that the simple assertion of the Gospel and it’s expected outcomes in the lives of the believer is not in and of itself the accomplishment of that Gospel. In other words, it’s not just enough to talk about it—it being the Gospel of Jesus Christ or its implications for the work of justice and sacred community—or for us as individuals to conform to it. Because, by virtue of its proclamation and manifestation in us, it will necessarily invite the opposition of the forces and realities which it threatens. Before we even get to the armor itself, Scripture says, “…our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places…”[2] Thus all those amazing claims about God’s work in us in the world do not mean we’ve got it made. Indeed, the transformation of the world and the lives of the church through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is the very nature of sacred resistance—that is, as defined in Pastor Ginger’s book Sacred Resistance: “…any word, deed, or stance, that actively counters the forces of hatred, cruelty, selfishness, greed, dehumanization, desolation, and disintegration in God’s beloved world.”[3] and invites rebuke and retribution from that which we are resisting, in this case not individuals, but rather the systems, cycles, and injustices which pervade our lives and the world. And let’s be clear, this is not about getting shouted at during a protest. It IS about the systematic ways that evil functions in our society—both consciously through the powers of empire and economy—and subconsciously through our own privilege to tear down and tear apart any perceived threat to its reign. These are the cosmic powers of institutional racism that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sacrificed his life to challenge and on whose altar we are still sacrificing black and brown bodies every day. The spiritual forces of that evil called homophobia that faithful folk must still fight daily in our own United Methodist Churches. Forces which have locked our denomination in a 40 year battle questioning the call of Christ on the lives of faithful queer folxs to faithful participate in the church—an question, by the way, answered by Jesus’s matchless grace and love long before we even thought to ask it. This is the tyranny of the rulers of this age who foster war between us—battles of identity politics and partisan saber rattling—dividing us from one another because they know when we’re divided from one another we lack the strength to stand up against them. To this end, then, faithful discipleship—in addition to God’s faithfulness and work in our lives and our faithful response through transformed living—is for the author of the Ephesians means being prepared for and ready to participate in what Pierre Teilhard de Chardin called “the slow work of God.”[4] The work of showing up and sustaining our witness against the ranting and raving of empirical powers and tyrannical tweets which would erase our witness and con us into believing that truth is not always truth. The command to take up the whole armor of God is reminder that discipleship means being in it for the long-haul, and that God gives us what we need to sustain us in our witness and strengthen us in our resolve. More importantly, it’s a call to shed ourselves of any lingering savior complexes which plague us so that we might be free for joy even in the face of adversity. Those things against which we fight—spiritual forces and cosmic powers—have already been conquered through the loving action of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. As we read earlier in Ephesians: “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which God loved us… made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—so that in the ages to come God might show the immeasurable riches of God’s grace.”[5] This is an important reminder, perhaps the most important for us that we have not be saved for ourselves OR called to action only in a particular moment—be it one of political turmoil or denominational dis-ease—but are rather together caught up in the ways that God is daily saving us and the world. III. We Are What We Wear… So, about this armor, huh? So let’s pause here for a second and turn to the field of social psychology. A little lighter fare for a hot minute. While I was researching my sermon and trying NOT to use it as an excuse to watch Queer Eye—a new Netflix re-make of the similarly named Queer Eye for the Straight Guy—I ran across a theory developed by two Northwestern professors called “en-clothed cognition.” They argue that the clothes we wear distinctly impact not just OTHER’S perceptions of us, but our own psychology and sense of self. And that doesn’t seem too crazy, does it? Think about it for a moment. Those ‘magical’ lucky jeans that give us the extra boldness we’re lacking. A particular tie or set of heels we wear because we feel just that much more confident when we see ourselves in the mirror. That comfortable, well-worn hoodie who’s warm embrace calms our most anxious moments. Science actually suggests that these things we wear make a difference and that our awareness of that opens up a whole new way for us to to be our best and most true selves. In a manner, then, it’s true that we are not only what we imbibe but what we wear. I can’t help but wonder if the author of Ephesians knew a thing or two en-clothed cognition. The appeal to military garb common among the Roman Legions makes a lot of sense. Generally speaking, the reader would have associated someone wearing armor with a well-organized, unified and prepared body of people prepared to confront any onslaught—like the author says Christians must be. In a sense, they were forerunners of peace, associated with the spread and defense of the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace, that was associated with the growth of the empire (neveryoumind such peace was mostly reserved for Roman citizens in good standing). Proclaimers of a different kind of peace, let’s say. It’s actually a quite beautiful metaphor. It simultaneously draws on images that embody the author’s call for early Christians to maintain unity amid diversity, admonitions to stand firm in their conviction and belief, and responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ—-while also subtly co-opting weapons of war that were used to subjugate anyone who dared anger empire and to defend a false—i.e. Caesar’s—peace. However, it’s quickly clear that the armor of God ain’t the armor of Caesar. It’s parts are for the protection of the body as they together—the repeated directives, though using the word “you” would be better read “y’all”—proclaim of Gospel of REAL peace through which God desire to heal and unify a broken world. A gospel in which all have a place and because of which transformation of heart and life is possible. What’s important here, of course, is not that we imagine putting on breastplates and helmets before venturing into the world—no matter what VBS might have told you—but rather that if we are to be sustained and faithful in our witness we must have in our spiritual wardrobe the kinds of “armor”—practices, communities, commitments, and values—which keep us rooted in our identity as those whom God calls beloved, sustained in our knowledge that God’s got our back and that it’s in God’s strength we live, and move, and have our being, and grounded in what matters so that we can lay down and let go of what does not. Putting on the “whole armor of God” has never then been so much about going to war, there’s no “onward Christian soldiers” here. But so that we might, as the author says “be strong in the Lord and the strength of God’s power…,”[6] so that we might “stand” and “withstand” the inevitably weariness and jadedness and unbelief that comes from doing the work day in and day out and feeling like nothing’s going to change. So that we can continue to show up, engaging in that ministry of presence that T.C. so often talks about and faithfully lives, a reminder that our work in the world, our witness to God’s goodness and light is often less about what our protest signs say or which rally we attend or what legislation we write or pass and much more, much more about the ways our personal relationships and faithfulness under fire point to the inevitable triumph of Gods grace, mercy, and light. A more modern “armor,” then, might include the raised fist of resistance and the open hand of peace modeled in our new “Sacred Resistance banner—a sign of solidarity and a commitment to the radical hospitality through which all people find their place at God’s table. Perhaps the silenced cellphone of real presence, a commitment made to not simply show up but to be fully present to those we encounter. Possibly holy habit of weekly sabbath—something with which I still daily struggle—in which we take in the beauty of the world and give thanks to God, as we began our time today doing, for the wonders of God’s love and grace even in the midst of a messy world. Whether the armor you need for the living of these days involves some old school Roman armaments or a comfortable pair shoes and an on-point printed tee (FILL IN HERE) What’s in YOUR Wardrobe? But of course, putting something on requires, at the least, choosing not to wear something else, if not taking something off. Several weeks ago Jack and I traveled with two of our friends to Vancouver, British Columbia. During a stretch of switchbacks on a 12 mile hike, I was surprised that while we’d donned hiking shorts and opted for a small bag with bottles of water, we passed scores of folks carrying what looked like mini-fridges complete with bluetooth speakers and all other manner of electronic accoutrement worn precariously via backpacks and straps to their person, even someone pushing a kayak on a wheelbarrow. What became abundantly clear is that there were plenty of people who were unable to see the beauty unfolding them—or to be present to their experience with others—because they hadn’t first to ask what NOT to wear. So then, I return to the question I asked at the beginning of my time with you. What have we been wearing on this journey of discipleship, need to change out of so we can change into the armor of God, that is the practices, values, relationships, and commitments which ground us in God’s love and help us to stand firm as we proclaim the Gospel? Where have we wrapped ourselves in self-righteousness, not only protecting ourselves from the people and things that cause us pain, but keeping out the experiences, stories, and relations with those that—though we might not agree with—are nonetheless as much a part of God’s beloved family as you or I? Where have donned our anger and frustration like a Sunday church hat, proudly proclaiming to all who will hear it the point of our discontent without care for who it will hurt or how it will affect the communities we call our own? Where have we shod our feet with the clunky-soled weight of our fear, allowing ourselves to grow comfortable in our complacency rather than daring to dream bigger dreams? When have we allowed our relationships, worn threadbare by old wounds and long-held grudges, to wither and fade rather than confront our complicity in their brokenness and work toward healing? Perhaps, perhaps, the invitation to take upon ourselves the whole armor of God is also the invitation to take off, put down, free ourselves from the attitudes, places, and relationships that have bound our confidence, drained our energy, and kept us from living fully in to the life God has created us for. Conclusion Helmet of righteousness or silenced cellphone of real presence, we conclude any encounter with this text certain of two things. First, how we prepare ourselves for this journey we’ve been called to matters. For the living of these days and in the face of all that lies ahead of us—called General Conferences and mid-term elections and the weight of another year with it’s uncertainties and unknowns—we cannot expect the proclaim “with boldness the mystery of Gospel” without the proper wardrobe. So, then, knowing the journey isn’t over take the time to get some shopping done now. Pick out a pair of spiritual practices or two that keep you grounded every day. Try a bible study or small group on for size and build the kind of intentional community through which we find strength and accountability for our faith journeys. Slip into a new volunteer opportunity and see how it feels—whether it’s youth week or Great Day of Service or our growing opportunities for pastoral care and visitation. And most importantly of all, this work we’re called to, and for which we’ve been thus equipped, is one we do not labor in alone. Remember, we do this thing in community. No resistance undertaken on our own is sustainable, and we need one another for the living of these days. And God is faithful. God is faithful, friends! ………………… (AD LIB) [1] Ephesians 6:11; 6:13 [2] Ephesians 6:12 [3] Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, Sacred Resistance, pg. 1 [4] Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Patient Trust [5]Ephesians 2:4, 8 [6] Ephesians 6:10
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (B): 2nd Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Ephesians 1:3-14 and Mark 6:14-29. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (B): Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; 1 John 5:9-13 and John 17:6-19. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (B): Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24 and John 10:11-18. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
Stephen DeFur is the Senior Pastor of Cokesbury Church, one of the largest and fastest growing United Methodist Churches in the USA. Stephen led a massive, cultural restructuring initiative that resulted in a 50% worship attendance growth (1,300 people) in a year. More importantly, the renewed energy and commitment to the Great Commission were immeasurable. Check out Stephen's insight in this experience.
This is the last of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.March 25, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #john-1 #jesus #christian #building #witness
This is the last of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.March 25, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #john-1 #jesus #christian #building #witness
This is the fifth of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.March 18, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #1peter-2 #jesus #christian #building #service
This is the fifth of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.March 18, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #1peter-2 #jesus #christian #building #service
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (B): Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10 and John 12:20-33. For 12 years Glenn lived in the Philippines, working as an ethnomusicologist with Wycliffe Bible Translators. He is also the Reviews Editor of Global Forum on Arts and Christian Faith. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
This is the fourth of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.March 11, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #1timothy-6 #jesus #christian #building #generosity
This is the fourth of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.March 11, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #1timothy-6 #jesus #christian #building #generosity
This is the first of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.February 18, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #acts-16 #jesus #christian #building #presence
This is the first of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.February 18, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #acts-16 #jesus #christian #building #presence
This is the second of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.February 25, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #matthew-6 #jesus #christian #building #prayer
This is the second of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.February 25, 2018#christianity #message #alto-tx #matthew-6 #jesus #christian #building #prayer
This is the first of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.February 18, 2018#christianity #message #perfection #alto-tx #matthew-13 #jesus #christian #building
This is the first of six messages in the "Building a Better Christian" series from the United Methodist Churches in Alto, Texas.February 18, 2018#christianity #message #perfection #alto-tx #matthew-13 #jesus #christian #building
Olu Brown planted Impact Church in 2007 with just 25 people. In one year they reached 1,000 weekly worshippers, and in seven years the church went multi-site. Today Impact Church is one of fastest growing United Methodist Churches in the United States with an average weekly attendance of 2,700 across two locations and another 2,000 online. Pastor Olu comes on the podcast to talk about the pros and cons between planting a brand new church and going multi-site with an existing church - and to share leadership gems along the way. BUY OLU BROWN'S NEW BOOK HERE: https://www.cokesbury.com/product/9781501832536/leadership-directions-from-moses Learn more about Impact Church at: http://impactdcd.org Learn more about Olu Brown at: http://olubrown.org
My guest is Glenn Stallsmith. Glenn is a pastor who serves two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina. He's also a ThD student at Duke Divinity School. We discuss the Lectionary texts for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (B): Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 and Mark 1:29-39. For 12 years Glenn lived in the Philippines, working as an ethnomusicologist with Wycliffe Bible Translators. He is also the Reviews Editor of Global Forum on Arts and Christian Faith. Special Guest: Glenn Stallsmith.
Native Opinion Episode 98Native Opinion Episode 98 “THE RIGHT IS FLEECED AT EVERY TURN AND NO COMPLAINTS” HELP THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO How to Reach our show: How to Reach our show: Email: hosts@nativeopinion.com Twitter: @nativeopinion Facebook: facebook.com/nativeopinionpodcast/ Website: nativeopinion.com Youtube: https://www.Youtube.com/c/NativeOpinion Leave us a voicemail: Call us! (860) 381-0207 OUR GUEST: Recording Artist Jan Michael Lookingwolf Bio: "A modern master of the Native American Flute, a premier performer of the instrument of our time..."- - - Billboard Journal He is an enrolled Kalapuya member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, who resides within his indigenous homelands in Oregon, Jan Michael Looking Wolf is a world-renowned Native American flute player. Traveling a broad range of musical styles, his recordings have garnered over 52 awards and a top ten ranking in the new age charts. He is the winner of several Native American Music Awards including Artist of the Year, Flutist of the Year, Best Record and Best Music Video. Jan Michael's lifeway and musical expressions are based on the tradition of 'One Heart'. In short, it is a universal truth that everyone is equal regardless of the color of our skin, tribal affiliation, language we speak, income, gender, faith, nationality or personal beliefs. 'One Heart' is the recognition of Unity through Diversity. Jan Michael regularly performs songs from his recordings. He has toured across the country and performed overseas at both large and smaller venues. His music shares hope, love, compassion, and connection. Also, active in philanthropy, his music has been used to help several non-profit projects including children with cancer, homeless shelters, earthquake survivors, and youth drug and alcohol prevention. After nearly two decades of research of the Native American Flute, Jan Michael co-created a curriculum for an accredited university course which he instructs regularly. He has authored two books that are published. "One Heart and the Native American Flute" which focuses on the flute's history and technique, and "The First Flute", published by Red Deer Press. ****ARTICLES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE **** ARTICLE 1: Title: Another pipeline affecting tribal communities heads toward final approval DATE: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 SOURCE: https://www.indianz.com/News/2017/07/26/another-pipeline-affecting-tribal-commun.asp TITLE: Lumbee Scholar And Filmmaker Malinda Maynor Lowery Explores "What Makes A 'Real Indian' AUTHOR: ANITA RAO & FRANK STASIO DATE: DEC 5, 2016 SOURCE: http://wunc.org/post/lumbee-scholar-and-filmmaker-malinda-maynor-lowery-explores-what-makes-real-indian#stream/0 TITLE: Trump uses RNC donor money to pay his Russia scandal legal bills DATE: 09/20/17 AUTHOR: By Steve Benen SOURCE: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-uses-rnc-donor-money-pay-his-russia-scandal-legal-bills TITLE: RNC covering more than $230,000 in Trump legal fees AUTHOR: By Jeremy Diamond, CNN DATE: September 19, 2017 SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/19/politics/donald-trump-legal-fees-rnc/index.html ********** HELP THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO ********** OUR recommendation… utilize United Methodist Churches 100% of donations go to disaster relief. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) picks up all overhead itself with help from the church. SOURCE: https://www.umcor.org/umcor/resources/news-stories/2017/september/hurricanemaria Not sure if the Red Cross can be trusted with your donation? Utilize this site to verify their standing: SOURCE: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3277 (THANK YOU TO LISTENER BETH FOR THESE RESOURCES) ****ADDITIONAL CONTENT COVERED IN THIS EPISODE **** Attorney Monique Pressley shuts down TV talk show personality Tucker Carlson for his defense of Donald Trumps racially Charged remarks. More About Monique here: SOURCE: http://moniquepressley.com/about-monique/ The Jehovah’s Witnesses are trying to reach non-English speakers (Provided by Listener Lee) SOURCE: https://www.jw.org/en/search/?q=natives ********** DAPL LEGAL FIGHT CONTINUES ********** Listing of pending Legal Actions SOURCE: https://turtletalk.wordpress.com/2017/09/28/standing-rocknodapl-motion-to-file-amicus-in-support-of-dakota-access-and-acoe-brief-regarding-remedy/
HUMP#026: Kate Biggs-“Care and Support for Clergy Spouses” The mission of the Hoosier United Methodist Podcast is Strengthening the Connection in the United Methodist Church in Indiana for the purpose of achieving the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World. In Episode #026 Dr Brad Miller has an enlightening conversation with Kate Biggs from “Thrive” which is an organization which provides care and support for clergy spouses. Kate talks to Brad about how many clergy spouses feel like they live lives in a fishbowl with pressures and challenges unique to their situation. Thrive provides an organization to empower clergy spouses through a network of like-minded people with common sets of experiences in the clergy household. Kate explains how Thrive though retreats and a Facebook page connects clergy spouses one to another and provides a safe place to process personal issues such as moving to new communities, making friends in congregations and raising children. Kate shares with Brad powerful advice to clergy spouses entering the ministry lifestyle and shares how she and her family take opportunity to enjoy life as a clergy family. Episode 026 of the United Methodist Podcast is a great resource which brings to light the vital, and often neglected, role that clergy spouses play in strengthening United Methodist Churches in Indiana. Kate Biggs lives in Fairland, Indiana where her husband Ben Biggs is the pastor of the New Life United Methodist Church.
Rev. Bob Farr, author of "Renovate or Die" and keynote speaker at the 2014 session of the Indiana Annual Conference-The United Methodist Church is Dr. Brad Miller's guest on the Hoosier United Methodist Podcast Episode #001. Bob challenged the United Methodist Churches of Indiana to focus on being missional by trying new strategies to reach people far from God in our communities. Dr. Miller reviews how to use Farr's book as a resource in the local church.
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