Means of Grace

In this is episode of Means of Grace, we share a special guest episode from Afresh, a Fresh Expressions podcast from the Uwharrie District. Rev. Katie Lineberger has an important conversation with Rev. Caitlin McAlhany & Laina Davis-Harvey about recovery ministry and Fresh Expressions. You can find Afresh on Apple Podcasts  or the  Uwharrie District  website. To continue the conversation, join Luk...

In this episode, Director of Church Development Rev. Rob Hutchinson talks all things digital church, worship and discipleship with Jason Moore, Both/And Hybrid Worship  consultant ; Anne Bosarge, pastor of Chapel Online Church ; and Rev. Nathan Webb, pastor of  Checkpoint Church .

In this episode, Director of Communications Melissa McGill talks to Bishop Ken Carter about leading the Church in this season, his own calling, his encouragement for church leaders, how he takes his coffee and much more. Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, Jr. is the resident bishop of the Western North Carolina and Florida Conferences of the United Methodist Church. Along with the Cabinets, he gives pastor...

The Yadkin Valley District has much to celebrate. We talk to Sam Moore, the District Superintendent and Randy Blanchard, the District Vitality Associate about everything from the ways their pastors have adapted to the pandemic, to the ways that leaders at every level have continued to serve Christ for the transformation of the world. And we at the Means of Grace Podcast invite you to celebrate wit...

The Catawba Valley District is experimenting with new church partnerships.  What looks like an old model is being made new through shared leadership and resources. We talk to leaders of five churches that are joining in two partnerships and highlights the value of the connection.  Participants: Rev. David Christy – Catawba Valley District Superintendent Rev. Jennifer Forrester – Assistant Pastor o...

In this episode of Means of Grace, Dr. Melanie Dobson joins us again to share a series of visualization prayers for adults and children during another stressful back to school season for families. Over the course of the pandemic, we've shared several guided mediations and prayers to continue to support your spiritual and mental health and they've been some of our most listened-to episodes. You can...

This week, we hear a new voice. Aimee Yeager, Associate Director of Communications for the WNCC, hosts a conversation with the staff of the Northern Piedmont District to discuss how they are moving beyond "just surviving," into God's promise of abundant life. Even in the midst of a pandemic and social & denominational division, the Northern Piedmont District is committed to coming together as a te...

In today's episode, Luke sits down with Mark Ralls, Shonnie Streder and Dianne Johnston of the Blue Ridge District to hear about a new cooperative parish that is bringing together six congregations to do ministry together in the Hominy Valley.

Brian Mateer explores the history, the present and the future of our mission partnership in Armenia, Project Agape, with Board Chair Allan Van Meter.  Contact Brian Mateer-WNCCUMC Associate Director of Missional Engagement at  bmateer@wnccumc.org  or Allan Van Meter-Project AGAPE board chair at  allandiv@aol.com . Please join us for a Project AGAPE Virtual Mission trip on Thursday July 15, 2021 at...

Jesse Enniss has a conversation with Rev.  Dr . William ( Bill )  White , Jr to speak about his new role as the Director of Equity and Justice for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, and how lay and clergy leaders can take first steps in moving toward these goals.  Resources: Anti-Racism Learning and Self-Examination

Jesse Enniss and Kim Ingram talk with persons from two different communities who are celebrating Juneteenth for the first time. D'Andre Ash is helping to coordinate the event at Lake Junaluska and Lakeysha Medlin and Bruce Handy share the plans for celebrating in Marshville.  Learn more about Juneteenth and ways you can celebrate! Resources: Discipleship Ministries | Juneteenth Day Worship Resourc...

In this episode, Director of Communications Melissa McGill catches up with the Smoky Mountain District as part of our ongoing series highlighting the incredible ministry of our districts. District Superintendent Rev. Linda Kelly, District Vitality Associate Rev. Nicole Jones and Communications Coordinator Rev. D'Andre Ash share about how the Spirit is moving in their district around racial justice...

In this time of stress and burnout, Dr. Melanie Dobson guides us through the Square Breathing Practice. It's been proven to lower heart rate, de-stress and shift mental state …within just two minutes. We hope these meditations allow you to pause and take breath as the world begins to reopen. Melanie is an ordained elder in the Western North Carolina Conference and an associate professor of Methodi...

In this week's episode of the Means of Grace podcast, Luke catches up with Rev. David Hockett, Metro District Superintendent, and Rev. Dr. Stephanie Hand, Metro District Vitality Associate, to talk about some exciting things that are happening in their area. They share about churches that are hosting community vaccination clinics, how churches are re-missioning their properties, and the multicultu...

This edition of the Means of Grace podcast is a three-part series highlighting four ministries in Western North Carolina who are using green spaces in ministry. These ministries meet people where they are and invite them to something new – an orchard, a story walk, a worship service, exercise, a meal.  Part 3 features George Eubanks, Mark Hovis, Sean Bloom, and Rev. Noel Sweezy, friends from the m...

This edition of the Means of Grace podcast is a three-part series highlighting four ministries in Western North Carolina who are using green spaces in ministry. These ministries meet people where they are and invite them to something new – an orchard, a story walk, a worship service, exercise, a meal. Part 2 features "The Kevins" – Kevin Miller and Kevin Bates – who are starting a new outdoor fait...

This edition of the Means of Grace podcast uses two episodes to highlight four ministries in Western North Carolina who are using green spaces in ministry.  These podcasts are being made available near Earth Day as a way for leaders to consider how they might connect the earth and the Creator with the lives of people in their community.   These ministries meet people where they are and invite them...

In this episode, Brian talks with Greg Jarrell, founder of QC Family Tree in Charlotte and author of " A Riff of Love: Notes on Community and Belonging ." Since 2005, Greg and his wife have been serving their neighborhood of Enderly Park in West Charlotte through QC Family Tree, an organization that seeks to build a better community through affordable housing, youth development, and art. Brian and...

In this episode, Dr. Melanie Dobson shares a Lovingkindness meditation for Holy Week. This is a beautiful prayer practice that offers God's lovingkindness to each of us and gives us space to offer it to each other—both to those whom we love, and those who really bother us.  It is called a "metta meditation." The word "metta" comes from the Buddhist tradition and means "lovingkindness": it is a way...

In today's episode Luke Edwards sits down with Carl Arrington, District Superintendent of the Appalachian District, and Gloria Hughes, District Vitality Associate. They share about some exciting things happening in the district. In particular, a weekly Zoom call where clergy in the district have found support and courage to learn in this challenging season. 

In this episode, Melissa talks with Mary Ana Smith about her podcast for young women called Wisdom for the Journey. Mary Ana addresses topics like body image, perfectionism, social media, mental health and much more in an authentic, accessible way for teen girls. You'll hear clips from several of her episodes and you may recognize some familiar voices – several WNCC clergy women have been guests o...

Today's conversation is with Jay Cobb, the Executive Director of Sanctuary Counseling Group. SCG is dedicated to the healing of heart, mind, and soul; providing excellent emotional, spiritual, and relational health care to all people of the Carolinas. For more information on Sanctuary Counseling Group visit their website or send an email to info@scgnc.org . You can also reach them by phone at 704-...

Host Kim Ingram shares an intimate conversation with Rev. Jill Smith.  Jill has been a church pastor for 20 years and last summer embarked on a new journey that she calls Flourishing Souls. Her ministry uses contemplative prayer for a deeper connection to God and the Enneagram for self-awareness. The conversation covers both. Jill loves dogs (they have two collies), dark coffee, world travel, and...

In this episode, David Snipes, President and CEO for the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina and Caroline Cox, Director of Reynolds Ministries and Programming have a conversation with Caroline Wood. They share part of their own stories as well as stories of the Foundation, its programs and offerings and how lives are changed through the ministries that build the church for genera...

In this week's episode, Luke Edwards talks with Dan Pezet, Director of Church Development and Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions about designing worship for both in person and online participants. Jason began his ministry in the late 90s at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio and later went on to co-found  Midnight Oil Productions , "a leading voice in equipping the church...