Means of Grace

In this episode, we feature an important conversation on racism and the Church's call to action, led by Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand on the Metro District Sights & Sounds podcast. This conversation with Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath, co-founder of the  Missional Wisdom Foundation,  Rev. Dr. Fatimah Salleh, founder of  A Certain Work , and Metro District Superintendent Rev. David Hockett is part one of a...

On this episode, Melissa talks with the Rev. Susan Suarez Webster about building bridges between our churches and the community. Susan is the assistant pastor for community outreach at Central United Methodist Church in East Charlotte and the recipient of the 2020 Sydnor Thompson, Jr. Community Leader Award from Mecklenburg Ministries. MeckMin describes this award as honoring local leaders committ...

In this episode, Caroline and Brian check in with Rev. Louis Timberlake for an update on the conference Innovation initiative that began at Annual Conference last year. Learn more at  https://www.wnccumc.org/ innovation . Contact Louis at  ltimberlake@wnccumc.net .   Complete a few questions here to be included in the number of innovative ministries in WNCC.  https://wnc-reg.brtapp. com/ WNCCInnov...

The Rural Church has a vital role to play during this current pandemic.  The nature of the rural church is built around relationships – relationships with church members, but also the community. Rural Churches have a unique opportunity to provide resources, connections, and hope during these stressful times.  This episode of the Means of Grace podcast features a conversation three leaders who have...

Genesis 1: 26 - Then God said, "Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all the crawling things on earth." In this episode of The Means of Grace Podcast, Kim and Jesse talk with three Western North Carolina Conference Earth Keepers about their passion for the stewardship of God's c...

In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for Christ and for others. Rev. Gloria Hughes will lead six weeks of video conversations to accompany a digital study guide. Do the video conversations leave you wanting more? Each week, throughout  Lent ,  Means of Grace  will feature the 15- t...

In this meditation, Rev. Ashley Pickerel Thomas leads the Welcoming Prayer, created by Mary Mrozowski.   According to Contemplative Outreach, the Welcoming Prayer is a method of consenting to God's presence and action in our physical and emotional reactions to events and situations in daily life. The purpose of the Welcoming Prayer is to deepen our relationship with God through consenting in the o...

Rev. Ashley Pickerel Thomas leads a Heart Math stress reduction mediation on Special Care Focus: Coronavirus (Technique for Reducing and Overcoming Fear). For this meditation, the care focus is replacing fear with Intelligent concern. The tool is intentionally simple but effective. For more, visit https://www.heartmath.com/blog/health-and-wellness/special-care-focus-coronavirus-technique-for-reduc...

Dr. Melanie Dobson leads a guided practice of the Prayer of the Heart. This prayer is inspired by the contemplative prayer of the desert mothers and fathers. In Greek, it was called heschyia and focuses on the heart as more than just an organ, but rather as the seat of God's dwelling place within us.  Modern mystics such as Teilhard de Chardin and Cynthia Bourgeault have reclaimed the importance o...

Dr. Melanie Dobson leads a guided practice of Lectio Divina. This four-fold reading of scripture and prayer was developed by Christian monks and practiced for centuries.  It has been reclaimed by Catholics and Protestants alike in the late 20th/early 21st century.  This practice was adapted from Norvene Vest in her book, Gathered in the Word. Melanie is an ordained elder in the Western North Carol...

Dr. Melanie Dobson leads a practice of Ignatian Examen. This prayer was developed by Ignatius of Loyola for his fellow monks, the Society of Friends, in the mid-1500s. Ignatius thought that by the self-examination of times of desolation and consolation in a person's life, they could see more clearly the presence of God at work.  This particular practice is adapted from Daniel Wolpert in his book, ...

Dr. Melanie Dobson leads two prayers for children. First, Morning Prayer for Children: The Balloon Breath. This breath prayer is a wonderful way to calm and center in the morning. Next, Night Prayer for Children: Ignatian Examen. This prayer was developed by Ignatius of Loyola for his fellow monks, the Society of Friends, in the mid-1500s. It is a practice of seeing God in the good and the bad of...

In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for Christ and for others. Rev. Gloria Hughes will lead six weeks of video conversations to accompany a digital study guide. Do the video conversations leave you wanting more? Each week, throughout Lent,  Means of Grace  will feature the 15- to...

In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for Christ and for others. Rev. Gloria Hughes will lead six weeks of video conversations to accompany a digital study guide. Do the video conversations leave you wanting more? Each week, throughout  Lent ,  Means of Grace  will feature the 15- t...

In this episode, Luke visits The New Covenant Dinner Church in Lenoir. Dinner Church is a way of being church around the dinner table. If you would like more information about starting a dinner church you can visit the church development website  here  or email Luke Edwards at  ledwards@wncccumc.org .  NOTE: This was recorded before COVID-19 reached North Carolina. We recommend all churches follow...

In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for Christ and for others. Rev. Gloria Hughes will lead six weeks of video conversations to accompany a digital study guide. Do the video conversations leave you wanting more? Each week, throughout  Lent ,  Means of Grace  will feature the 15- t...

In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for Christ and for others. Rev. Gloria Hughes will lead six weeks of video conversations to accompany a digital study guide. Do the video conversations leave you wanting more? Each week, throughout  Lent ,  Means of Grace  will feature the 15- t...

In this episode, Melissa sits down with Rev. Amy Coles, the Western North Carolina Conference Episcopal nominee to talk about faith, her calling, and the future of the church. You can learn more about Amy's nomination on our  website , along with her biographical info and her statement of call.

In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for Christ and for others. Rev. Gloria Hughes will lead six weeks of video conversations to accompany a digital study guide. Do the video conversations leave you wanting more? Each week, throughout Lent,  Means of Grace  will feature the 15- to...

Hosts: Jesse Ennis and Kim Ingram The people we are interviewing are Rev. Rodvegas Ingram, pastor of Memorial UMC in High Point, North Carolina Rev. Tom Latimer, pastor of Jamestown UMC in Jamestown, North Carolina Rev. Maria King, Church Vitality Associate, Northern Piedmont District Poor People's Campaign  https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/ Reconstructing the Gospel: Finding Freedom from Slave...

In this two-part episode, Kim and Jesse talk with clergy and laity in Western North Carolina about the importance of taking time to "stay in love with God." Each one shares a particular spiritual practice or renewal opportunity that helps them stay connected and grow in a deeper relationship with Jesus. We hope that you will be inspired to make your own renewal and practices a priority. Episode 2:...

In this two-part episode, we talk with clergy and laity in Western North Carolina about the importance of taking time to "stay in love with God."  Each one shares a particular spiritual practice or renewal opportunity that helps them stay connected and grow in a deeper relationship with Jesus. We hope that you will be inspired to make your own renewal and practices a priority. Episode 1: Rev. Ange...

Kim has a conversation with Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, PhD and Rev. Dr. Jason Byassee on the efforts of the Clergy Health Initiative to improve clergy health and reduce stress. Rae Jean and Jason co-authored a book,  Faithful and Fractured , which can also be found in our Resource Center. To learn more about the new iteration of Spirited Life: Selah and to find a link to register, visit  www.spirit...

In today's episode, Luke Edwards reflects back on his experience being a part of a new worship service launching at Boone United Methodist Church and has a conversation with Dan Pezet, Director of Church Development, about why churches should consider launching a new service. Sign up for the Launching Worship Workshop here .  You can learn more about Crossroads at Boone UMC here .

In this episode of Means of Grace, Melissa sits down with Rev. Toni Ruth Smith to talk about experiencing grief in this time of great joy and how churches can create space for stillness, hope and even sadness in the midst of the holiday rush.  Resources for Longest Night/Blue Christmas Worship: https://www.harrisburgumc.org/event/blue-christmas-2/ https://youngclergywomen.org/blue-christmas-servic...