The Meet Hope Podcast

Every once in a while we do an episode on the podcast we call "Monday School" where we dig deeper into the what's, how's, and why's for different aspects of faith and hope. Since HOPE is part of the United Methodist Church we thought we'd take an episode to talk about - what exactly does that mean? After some brief background, Pastors Jeff and Rick turn their focus to...

What if you could be part of an enlightening journey that invites you to participate, connect, and learn? This is what we've been doing for a year - creating 46 enriching Meet Hope podcast episodes that bring our community closer. This episode is a celebration of our first anniversary, and we are thrilled to reflect on our growth, challenges, and triumphs. We've surpassed the significant...

For this episode, Andrew Barber, HOPE's Worship Director, shares a bit more about how HOPE plans for worship on Sundays and all year long! Learn more about what worship is, why we do it, and how we do it. We hope you also discover new definitions of worship for yourself in the process of listening! NOTES & RESOURCES: Contact Andrew - andrew@meethope.org Join in for worship at HOPE - meeth...

Ever wondered about the intersection of AI, ChatGPT, and faith communities? This week's conversation is with returning guest James Lee, Director of Communications for the United Methodists of Greater New Jersey and the Eastern Pennsylvania. James and Jeff ask questions like how could AI actually help to strengthen the church and clarify its mission? Listen in for a fascinating exploration of...

On this episode, some of the first faces you might see when you enter the building, Hope Furlow and Carol Boynton,  give us a glimpse into their lives at the Hope Church. They warmly share their personal journeys of faith, their path to joining HOPE's staff, and the transformative impact their roles have had on them. Their advice on being welcoming and compassionate to others is a reminder of...

This week's podcast guest is Libby Baumann, a volunteer musician on HOPE's Worship Team. Join in as she and Worship Director, Andrew Barber, talk about the shared experiences music can create in our lives and how it has personally shaped her experience of faith in every season of her life.  NOTES & RESOURCES: Contact Andrew at andrew@meethope.org Get involved in Worship Arts at HOPE:...

What if your child's summer vacation could include more than just a break from school? What if it could be a transformative journey that fosters humility, service, and gratitude? This week,  students from HOPE Youth Ministry share their experiences and reveal how their favorite part of the trip was the freedom to be themselves while engaging in fun activities and serving others. Special thank...

Have you ever said (or thought) "I want to read the Bible more but I just don't know where to start?" On this episode we talk with Pastor Heather Mandala about how to get started and how to shift our mindset away from feeling like it's something we "should do" to embracing it as one of the best ways to get to know who Jesus is so we can be more like him.  We explore v...

Have a kid heading back to school this week? Know a parent or a teacher who is stressing about back to school? This special episode is encouragement just for that! Hear from Talena Ra, Assistant Director of Tomorrow's HOPE Preschool, who has worked in education for many years, has a master's degree in Elementary Ed, and is a mom of three! Talena shares the hope she has for her kids this...

Get to know HOPE Tech Director, Frank Appello! Frank's journey, from his roots in North Jersey to his role at Hope Church, is nothing short of inspiring. Hear Frank share how the medium of music has shaped his understanding of faith as well as what he loves most about working with volunteers in ministry.  NOTES & RESOURCES: Contact Frank - frank@meethope.org Learn about Worship Arts at HO...

For this episode, we're welcoming James Lee, Director of Communications for the United Methodists of Greater New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.  This episode is a deep dive into the innovative world of online ministry, moving beyond merely streaming services to fully embrace the potential for technology to enhance faith communities and connect people to the local church.  NOTES & RESOUR...

What happens when faith, community, and the thrill of Fantasy Football collide? Get ready to find out as we hear from our own Fantasy Football League stars, Rob Finnigan and Dennis Kessler, as they share their experiences at Hope Church.  NOTES & RESOURCES: Contact Dave at dave@meethope.org Sign up for Fantasy Football at meethope.org/football . Draft night is September 6, 2023. Sign up for HO...

Get to Know HOPE! In this episode, Kasey Cornforth shares about her role on HOPE's Family Ministry team, what she loves about her work and how she got to the role she is in now. Kasey also share some fun facts about herself  and her family who she lovingly refers to as the "Crazy Corns"! NOTES & RESOURCES: Connect with Kasey! Email her at kasey@meethope.org Learn about evaporate...

Are you ready to be inspired by the voices of the future? Join us on a joyful exploration of faith through the lens of art and drama, as we connect with some of the talented young members of our Hope community. Their enthusiasm is infectious as they share why they come back to drama camp year after year! Perhaps it will make you too ask  yourself why embracing art in all its forms can be an valuab...

How does music shape your experience of hope? Listen to HOPE’s Worship Director, Andrew Barber, and Worship Team Drummer, Ryan Tomlinson talk all things music from what influenced them when they were younger to what they are listening to right now.  NOTES & RESOURCES Get involved in worship arts at HOPE! meethope.org/worshiparts Contact Andrew at andrew@meethope.org Music mentioned: Praise You...

Get to Know HOPE! In this episode, Christy Appello shares with us about the many roles she's had at HOPE and what she's up to right now. (This week she's directing Music/Drama Camp!) Also learn fun facts about her and her family - did you know she has a sibling working on Broadway?! Hear about Christy's love for music and how it has led her every step of the way.  NOTES & R...

How is Let's Grow going halfway through year one? Listen to Rick and Jeff share an update on this church wide challenge we're taking on the next three years. Want to learn more about Let's Grow? Head to meethope.org/letsgrow .  NOTES & RESOURCES Contact Pastor Jeff at jeff@meethope.org Contact Pastor Rick at rick@meethope.org Learn more about Let's Grow: meethope.org/letsgr...

This week's episode is brought to you by a handful of HOPE Kids! The last week of June was VBS at HOPE and we got to ask some of the kids about it. Listen in to hear more about what VBS is, what their favorite parts are, what they helped raise money for this year, and why you or your kid might want to come next year! Special thanks to the Merry, Anna, Cael, Jenna, Adelyn, Lucas, Greyson, Will...

In today's episode, Heather chats via video call with HOPE community member Tian Cai who recently moved to Boston! Tian shares her story of finding HOPE, how a smile changed her life, and how the smallest gestures can lead us to connect with God.  NOTES & RESOURCES: Contact Heather at heather@meethope.org. See small groups or other teams   to connect with at meethope.org ! Send us Fan Mai...

In this episode, Amanda Cavaliere shares about her expanding role at HOPE and how she's looking for new and exciting ways to support families of all kinds going forward! NOTES & RESOURCES: Listen to Amanda's Staff Interview to get to know her even more over at Episode 7! Click here for the episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2065910/11987866 ! Contact Amanda to get involved at amanda...

On this week's episode, Loren Grace Bond who previously shared with us about small groups returns to the podcast to tell more of her personal faith story. Loren shares how discovering grace for her life changed her on a spiritual and literal name change level. Listen in! NOTES & RESOURCES: Contact Pastor Heather Mandala at heather@meethope.org Check out small groups at HOPE: meethope.org/...

What is like to go from being a student in youth ministry to a volunteer? What difference does volunteering make in our lives? This week we hear from two youth ministry volunteers, Meridith Mandala and Adam Evans! They share with Jason Shinn what it's like to lead now and what it was like to be a student when they were in middle school and high school.  NOTES & RESOURCES: Connect with Jas...

Get to Know HOPE! For this episode, Dave shares some of his favorite things, why he loves this season of life with his family, and what he does as Executive Pastor of HOPE. Don't miss out on his pizza topping recommendations or hearing about the time he had to help get a youth mission trip back home during a hurricane! NOTES & RESOURCES: Contact Dave: dave@meethope.org Get involved with H...

On today's episode, Heather and Amanda talk about why doing good is central to how we love God and love others. They give practical examples of how to do good with your kids at every age and encourage everyone that the best kind of good happens in the messy, unplanned moments of our every day lives.  NOTES & RESOURCES Learn more about HOPE Family Ministry: meethope.org/family . Contact Pa...

Today's episode is part 2 of 2! In this episode, we are reminded that our faith is ever evolving and that is a good thing! Scott Crews, who has been at HOPE for over 20 years, and Jeff Maccarella, who has been a part of HOPE for a little over 16 months, both share with Rick Court what they've learned about faith, hope, and grace. Each share their own personal moments of faith as an encou...