Canterbury Cast

In this special episode of Canterbury Cast , Rev. Tori Hastings welcomes renowned counselors, speakers, and authors Sissy Goff and David Thomas for a conversation centered on their newest book, Capable . Together, they explore what it means to raise children and teenagers who are equipped to navigate an increasingly complex world while developing resilience, confidence, and emotional health. Drawi...

In this special episode of Canterbury Cast , Executive Pastor Hill Carmichael sits down with Valerie Boyd and Anne Warren to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Encore Respite Ministry, a program that has faithfully served individuals experiencing memory loss and the families who love them. Together, they reflect on the vision that launched Encore: creating a participant-centered community rooted in...

In this episode of Canterbury Cast , host Jeff Nix sits down with Dr. Rick Owen to talk about his new book, Patchwork, Alabama —a collection of short stories that capture the humor, heart, and faith found in small-town life. Through storytelling that feels both familiar and deeply personal, Rick reflects on the moments that shape us, the laughter, the relationships, and the quiet ways grace shows...

In this episode of Canterbury Cast , Haley Smith sits down with Rev. Hill Carmichael and Meg Kerr to reflect on their recent mission trip to Nakuru, Kenya, and the life-changing impact of providing clean water through Abundant Life (UZIMA) water filters. Through their partnership with Start With One Kenya, the team witnessed firsthand how access to safe drinking water can transform entire communit...

In this deeply moving episode of Canterbury Cast , host Haley Smith and Outreach Director Rachel Estes sit down with Jim Proctor and Thomas Edwards to share the story of an unexpected friendship formed through Avondale Samaritan Place. Both Jim and Thomas are walking the difficult road of terminal cancer, an experience few can truly understand. Yet in that shared reality, they’ve found something p...

In this episode of Canterbury Cast , Haley Smith sits down with Spencer Otto, Clare Austen Blackmon, and Youth Ministry Coordinator Megan Sumrall to talk about Canterbury’s new Youth Philanthropy Council, a program that invites students to explore generosity in a meaningful and hands-on way. Over the course of several Sunday afternoons, the council learned how philanthropy works, visited local non...

In this heartfelt episode of Canterbury Cast , host Haley Smith and Outreach Director Rachel Estes sit down with Carol Dickinson and Rebekah Wheelis to share a story that began with a journal and a letter inside a women’s work release program. What started as a simple act of encouragement through Canterbury’s outreach efforts grew into a meaningful friendship that carried through incarceration, re...

In this episode of Canterbury Cast , Haley Smith sits down with Senior Pastor Keith Thompson, Rick Owen, and Eleanor Christiansen to talk all things Ash Wednesday and Lent. Together, they unpack what Ash Wednesday means in the life of the Methodist church and why this season begins not with guilt, but with honesty, humility, and hope. From the symbolism of ashes to the purpose of Lent’s 40 days, t...

In this episode of Canterbury Cast , host Haley Smith is joined by Matthew Montgomery and Natalie Moon to discuss Canterbury’s Spring Reading initiative. Together, they share the heart behind a church-wide Bible reading plan designed to help the congregation encounter God daily through Scripture, reflection, and simple spiritual practices. Centered on the Gospel of Luke and timed with the season o...

On this episode of Canterbury Cast, host Haley Smith sits down with Shannon Wadlington and Celia Smyly to share the inspiring story of Books to Prisons. Starting in August of 2021 and finding a permanent home at Canterbury in 2022, this outreach has been sending books to incarcerated individuals across Texas and Alabama, and currently sends between 1,000 and 1,200 books each month. Their mission i...

In this special Christmas Eve episode of Canterbury Cast , host Jeff Nix sits down with Eleanor Christiansen and Rev. Tori Hastings to share the heart behind Story Book Christmas, a family-friendly service where the wonder of the Nativity comes to life in a whole new way. Through colorful puppets, creative storytelling, and plenty of laughter, children are invited to experience the Christmas story...

In this special Advent episode of Canterbury Cast , Rev. Keith Thompson welcomes us into the season with an invitation to open our hearts to God’s light. As we begin our Advent series, Oh Light , we explore how divine light breaks into our world, transforms our understanding of God’s presence, and guides us toward hope. This week, Rev. Hill Carmichael preached from Isaiah 2:1–5 , where the prophet...

In this special episode of Canterbury Cast, host Haley Smith sits down with Rachel Estes, Rev. Malinda Weaver, and Teresa Evans to share the story behind one of Canterbury’s most meaningful traditions—Christmas Village at Avondale Samaritan Place. More than just a toy giveaway, Christmas Village is about dignity, joy, and community—ensuring every family experiences the love and generosity of the s...

In this final episode of The Book of James series, Rev. Tori Hastings turns to James 5:13–16 to explore the power and purpose of prayer. She reminds us that prayer isn’t about persuading God to act, but about shaping the heart of the one who prays. Through humility and consistency, prayer becomes a daily rhythm that transforms us, and the world around us. What might change in your life, and in the...

In this fourth message from The Book of James, Rev. Tori Hastings preaches from James 4:1, 10–12, asking a question that cuts to the heart: What is your life based on? James calls believers to humility and a faith that’s grounded not in pride or ambition, but in full surrender to God. Tori reminds us that when our foundation shifts away from Christ, our lives start to crack under pressure. But thr...

In this third message from The Book of James , Senior Pastor Rev. Keith Thompson explores James chapter 3 and the power of the tongue. James writes, “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small flame.” (James 3:5, CEB). Fire has incredible power, it can warm, illuminate, and refine, but it can also destroy. Keith reminds us that words work the same way. Not every fire begins in a forest...

In this second message from The Book of James, Rev. Tori Hastings takes us deeper into the heart of faith in action. Drawing from James chapter 2, she challenges us to consider, “What are you known for?” James reminds us that genuine faith is not just about belief, it’s about how we live that belief out in mercy and compassion. When faced with choices between what we could do and what we should do...

On this episode of Canterbury Cast, we begin a new 5-week series on The Book of James. Rev. Tori Hastings opens with James chapter 1, where the writer calls believers to live with perseverance, humility, and wisdom. James writes to people struggling with trials, temptations, and the challenges of living faithfully in a broken world; people not so different from us today. Drawing from Jesus’ Sermon...

On this episode of Canterbury Cast, we conclude our series Come, Connect, Commit. Senior Pastor Keith Thompson preaches from 1 Peter 4:8–11, where Peter paints a picture of what the church should be: a community marked by constant love, gracious hospitality, faithful stewardship, and service through the gifts God has given us. Keith reminds us that commitment isn’t about perfection, it’s about fai...

On this episode of Canterbury Cast, we continue our series Come, Connect, Commit. Rev. Tori Hastings preaches from Acts 2:42–47, where Luke describes the early church and God’s plan for His people to live life together. Tori reminds us that authentic community isn’t built on ideals, but on love for one another: “The person that loves their dream of community will destroy community. But the person...

This week on Canterbury Cast, Rev. Hill Carmichael kicks off our new series Come, Connect, Commit with the message “Come.” Drawing from Hebrews 10:24-25, he reminds us that transformation starts with something simple, yet powerful, showing up. Whether it’s being present in worship, or stepping into the lives of others, the more we come, the more God’s presence takes root in us and flows out to tho...

In this episode of Canterbury Cast, Dr. Bill Morgan takes us to Luke 14, where Jesus challenges the social rules of his day by eating with those considered “not our kind of people.” In a culture where meals were reserved for intimate equals, Jesus turned the table into a place of radical welcome, inclusion, and grace. Dr. Morgan reminds us that the same call echoes today: to widen our tables, embr...

Life can often feel like a juggling act--work, family, faith, responsibilities--keeping all the balls in the air. But what happens when one drops? Or when all of them do? In this week’s message, Rev. Tori Hastings turns to Luke 6:46-49 and challenges us to reflect on the foundation of our lives. What are we really building on? Drawing on the story of Job, Tori reminds us that when life unravels, J...

In this episode of Canterbury Cast, Senior Pastor Rev. Keith Thompson kicks off our new series and stewardship campaign, Come, Connect, Commit, with a call to action rooted in Romans 12:1–2, 9–13. With clarity and conviction, Keith reminds us that spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident, it starts with a decision. 🟣 Come – You have to show up. 🟡 Connect – Growth happens in relationship. 🔵 C...