Meet in the Middle

Rev.  Dawn Lynn Check talks with Steve and Cathy Tanaka. Steve is a first generation Japanese American. His parents and grandparents were in internment camps during WWII. Forty percent of  those in camps died in captivity. 

Pastor Zayzay Kpadeh talks with Jeffrey Polley, a therapist in Clarion County in Western PA and  Pastor Timothy Harmon, .Senior Pastor of the 2nd Presbyterian Church of Oil City, PA. “Together We Can,” seeks a community approach in fighting for social change and racial justice in Venango County, Western Pennsylvania. 

Deven Clarke   KPRC-TV Field Reporter describes himself as a southern Yankee, native Brooklynite, turned proud Texan. Pastor Drew Gordon talks with him this week about his start and development in the communication field. From his first time in front of a camera to recently covering the story of a Texas Death Inmate, Deven shares his thoughts on the status of the media today. 

Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks to Rev.  Michael Airgood, a former United Methodist missionary to Ukraine, and to Nazar Yatsysshyn a working Christian publisher and former United Methodist Church fellow. They discuss their history, and current situations in Ukraine.

This week, Meet in the Middle celebrates Black History Month by sharing stories of those who broke barriers in their chosen fields. Rev. Renee Mikell and Rev. Dawn Lynn Check host. 

Following the shooting of Marquis Campbell, a differently abled student, Britany Bova, the school based coordinator at Oliver Academy joins Rev. Dawn Lynn Check to share her recollection of the incident.

Following the shooting of Marquis Campbell, a differently abled student, Rev. Kelly Smith joins other clergy to show support for staff and teachers. She joins Rev. Dawn Lynn Check this week.

Greensburg District Superintendent Rev. Paul Ritchey talks with Western PA Conference Missional Engagement Coordinator Sandra Matoushaya and Connection Leader  Drew Harvey talk about the 15th anniversary of the Nyadire Connection and the 11th anniversary of the Partnership with the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area.

Rev. Renee Mikell interviews Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt, an Author, Professor and Pastor serving the Baltimore - Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church.  They discuss the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the common good of all people.

Rev. Drew Gordon talks with Rev. Leo Yates, Jr. of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, who has written several books on Deaf ministry and services. Drew and Leo discuss personal experiences in the Deaf community, and how churches can assist in building ministry for the Deaf, Deaf/blind ministry, and those who are losing their hearing as they mature. 

Rev. Debra Mason, Diversity Development and Inclusion Coordinator of the Western Pennsylvania Conference joins Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh to talk about diversity and inclusion in the conference, and the steps we need to achieve it.

Rev. Steve Cordle of the Crossroads United Methodist Church joins District Superintendent  Rev. Paul Ritchey to share about God's vision for his church planting in this area;  annual congregational Spiritual practices, evangelistic opportunities, and the witness of God's movement during Holiday services. 

Rev.  Dawn Lynn Check visits some  friends who share the traditions of Ukraine, Zimbabwe, and Columbia.  A  child guest tells what Christmas is about, and Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi  describes her family's Christmas Eve Tradition. 

The holiday season can be fun and exciting. But many feel the stress of the season, or sadness at personal loss. Pastor Drew Gordon talks with Pastors Jacob Penvose and Becky Edwards, both trained professional counselors. They'll talk about stress and depression, and what can be done to overcome those obstacles. They discuss Blue Christmas services, and an Advent initiative from the Western P...

Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn about her favorite Christmas character -- The Grinch. They discuss the differences in the Grinch before and after understanding the meaning of Christmas, and how to apply to our lives.

The tables are turned as WPAUMC Communications and Social Media Coordinator Liz Lennox interviews Rev. Renee Mikell in difficult conversations by posing questions on the current state of race and ethnic relations in our society. 

A two-week series in which Rev. Renee Mikell,  and Liz Lennox, Communications and Social Media Coordinator of the WPAUMC Conference, engage difficult conversations by posing questions about the current state of race and ethnic relations in our society.    

Rev.  Zayzay Kpadeh talks with Rev. Rob Wilson, Director of At the Lake Ministries in Erie, PA and Director of Congregational Development for the Western Pennsylvania Conference. They share experiences at At the Lake Ministries, and talk about ways to open doors to work in ministry with those with special needs.

Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh begins a two part series on Disability and the Church, starting with Rev. Debbie Hills, a retired Deacon who continues to support the Disability Ministries within  the Western PA United Methodist Conference and at the General Church level. Rev. Hills shares her experiences, and provides direction about how to better serve those with special needs.

Mr. Tracy Merrick meets with Rev. Renee Mikell to discuss the need for Social Justice related to recent tasering and subsequent arrest that resulted in the death of  Mr. Jim Rogers (54).  Mr. Rogers was best known as a loving uncle, a creative and talented, artist. Pittsburgh First United Methodist Church hosted an Interfaith Candlelight Prayer Vigil on Monday, November 1st at 7pm in his memory.  

Pastor Drew Gordon sits down with Jenny Gordon, Indiana District Lay Leader, and Former Director of the Indiana District Lay Servant Ministry School, together they share the importance of valuing Laity and other people groups in the United Methodist Church.

Rev.  Zayzay Kpadeh speaks with Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi,  of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church  on the topics of diversity and inclusion  locally,  regionally,  and across the world.

Rev.  Renee Mikell is joined by co-host Pastor William "BT" Gilligan as they welcome  Dr. Jonathan Lotson and Julie Yocca of Movement Forward in Atlanta, Georgia, leaders of a nationwide effort to build bridges between police, places of worship, and people in surrounding communities.  For more information  https://faithandblue.org/ and https://movementforward.org/

Washington District Superintendent Rev. Paul Ritchie talks with retired Elder, Rev.  Dr. Jeff Sterling about what makes a welcoming church. Both pastors share tips and ideas to help strengthen your church.

Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Western Pennsylvania Conference Lay Leader Sharon Gregory, and Susquehanna Conference Lay Leader/Pennsylvania Advocacy Coordinator  Dr. Joyce Davis about her work in advocacy nationally and internationally, and how she continues to apply her knowledge and experience in the Harrisburg area, and within the Susquehanna Conference.