In this episode, Director of Communications Melissa McGill talks to Bishop Ken Carter about leading the Church in the 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 pastoral and administrative leadership to more than 1800 congregations, fresh expressions of church, campus ministries, and outreach initiatives in an episcopal area that stretches between the two conferences. Learn more about Bishop Carter. Mentions and Links: In his first video message to the Western North Carolina Conference, Bishop Carter outlines the four values discussed in this episode. Follow Bishop Carter on Facebook for his Saturday morning updates and frequent posts on key topics in the Church. The Bishop’s favorite book Cave, Refectory, Road: Monastic Rhythms for Contemporary Living by Ian Adams

Means of Grace

Q&A with Bishop Ken Carter

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 with them and give God thanks and praise for the ways that God's Spirit is moving in this district. 

Yadkin Valley District - Fulfilling the Mission

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 of First UMC, Hickory Bebe Leitch – Staff-Parish Relations Chairperson of First UMC, Hickory Melissa Peeler – Pastor-Parish Relations Chairperson of Northbrook Charge (Reep’s Grove and Macedonia UMCs) Rev. Tripp Hord – Pastor of First UMC, Bessemer City and Bethesda UMC Lori Sutton – Pastor-Parish Relations Chairperson of Bethesda UMC Phyllis Wright-Herman – Pastor-Parish Relations Chairperson of First UMC, Bessemer City

Catawba Valley District: Celebrating Partnerships

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 revisit some of these episodes here and here and here. Our prayer is informed by this one from St. Thomas Aquinas: https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=2802 Melanie is an ordained elder in the Western North Carolina Conference and an associate professor of Methodist Studies at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. She is also a registered yoga teacher, teaching yoga at churches, in retreat settings, and for cancer survivors. She enjoys hiking, cycling, cooking, and being outdoors. She is a single mom to one son, Elijah.

Back to School Guided Prayers

 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 team to thrive by creating opportunities for discipleship, mission, spiritual maturity, and Sabbath rest. If you feel like you are stuck in the rut of just surviving, pull up a chair and join in our conversation. God desires to fill your life with abundance, as well. Visit https://www.wnccumc.org/meansofgrace for all show notes and links to ministries mentioned in today's episode.      

Northern Piedmont Thriving Together as a Team

In today’s episode, Luke sits down with Mark Rawls, 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.

Cooperative Parish in the Blue Ridge District

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 6:30 PM EST via Zoom. Whether you have traveled with us in the past or simply would like to know more about the work being done by North Carolina Methodists in Armenia, join us for a Virtual Mission on the evening of July 15. We will learn about the history of Armenia and Project AGAPE, hear from past mission participants, have a live chat with Project AGAPE board and get an update from the Project AGAPE Country Director, Nara Melkonyan.  The event is free to everyone who registers.  Sign up online: https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/VirtualMissionTripProjectAGAPE

Project AGAPE Update

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

Equity an﻿d Justice with Rev. Dr. Bill White, Jr.

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 Resources (umcdiscipleship.org) Town of Marshville - Juneteenth | Facebook Marshville Juneteenth event Beyond the Books Facebook page Beyond the Books reading guide JUNETEENTH Freedom Celebration at Lake Junaluska (wnccumc.org)

Celebrating Juneteenth in Western North Carolina

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, ministries during the pandemic and more.   Connect with the Smoky Mountain District online Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smokymountainumc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokymountaindistrict/ Website: https://www.smokymountaindistrict.org Juneteenth Event: https://www.facebook.com/juneteenthfreedomcelebrationwnc C4C http://wnccumc.org/c4c

Smoky Mountain District: Pursuing Community and 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 Methodist Studies at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. She is also a registered yoga teacher, teaching yoga at churches, in retreat settings, and for cancer survivors. She enjoys hiking, cycling, cooking, and being outdoors. She is a single mom to one son, Elijah. Means of Grace will be transitioning to episodes twice a month for the summer and we hope you’ll continue to follow along. We’ll be back on June 1 with a new episode. Have any story ideas or topics you would like us to cover? Send a note to mmcgill@wnccumc.org.

Square Breathing Practice

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 multicultural/multiethnic cohort happening in their district.  Resources: Visit the Metro District onlineConnect with the Metro District on Facebook.Read about five Metro Districts that hosted vaccination clinics.Learn more about VaxVan mobile testing and vaccinations.

Vaccinating Our Neighbors

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 multi-faceted ministry, Common Ground, in Stanley. These episodes are airing on the Tuesdays surrounding Earth Day as a way for leaders to consider how they might connect the earth and its Creator with the lives of people in their community.  One of the many blessings of living in North Carolina is access to beautiful spaces and God’s earth. These podcasts encourage you to think about your own outdoor space – it doesn’t take much – and how it can be used in ministry.  Don’t Miss Part 1, featuring The Village Green in Cashiers and G.I.F.T Aquaponics & Shepherds Garden; and Part 2, featuring Way in the Wilderness: A Church Without Walls. Resources: Common Ground – First United Methodist Church of Stanley, NC (fumcstanley.org)  CommonGround of Stanley | Facebook HOME | 24-7Prayer/Charlotte (charlotte24-7.com)

Green Spaces in Ministry Part 3

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 faith community in the Swannanoa Valley called Way in the Wilderness: A Church Without Walls.  These episodes are airing on the Tuesdays surrounding Earth Day as a way for leaders to consider how they might connect the earth and its Creator with the lives of people in their community.  One of the many blessings of living in North Carolina is access to beautiful spaces and God’s earth. These podcasts encourage you to think about your own outdoor space – it doesn’t take much – and how it can be used in ministry.  Listen to Part 1, featuring The Village Green in Cashiers and G.I.F.T Aquaponics & Shepherds Garden in Wingate. Part 3 drops next Tuesday, May 4th. Resources: Earth Day Sunday - CREATION JUSTICE MINISTRIES Worship resources for Earth Day 2021 - Global Ministries (umcmission.org) Caretakers of God's Creation (umccreationcare.org) – United Methodist Creation CareCreation Care (umc.org) – Creation Care in the United Methodist Social PrinciplesClimate • GBCS (umcjustice.org) – General Board of Church and Society resourceswww.unitedmethodistwomen.org – United Methodist Women resources (search “creation”) Soil and Sacrament: A Spiritual Memoir of Food and Faith by Fred Bahnson (faithandleadership.com) Soil and Sacrament: A Spiritual Memoir of Food and Faith: Bahnson, Fred: 9781451663303: Amazon.com: Books About Us – Watershed Discipleship Watershed Discipleship: Reinhabiting Bioregional Faith and Practice: Myers, Ched, Nadeau, Denise M.: 9781498280761: Amazon.com: Books Koinonia Farm in Georgia: Home - Koinonia Farm

Green Spaces in Ministry Pt. II

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 to something new – an orchard, a story walk, a worship service, exercise, a meal.  The blessing of living in North Carolina is access to beautiful spaces and God’s earth.  These podcasts encourages you to think about your own outdoor space – it doesn’t take much – and how it can be used in ministry.  Part 1 features Ann Self, the executive director of The Village Green in Cashiers; and, Chris Harbin and Edmari Correya deCastro who share about the aquaponics and biodiverse orchard ministry. Resources: Earth Day Sunday - CREATION JUSTICE MINISTRIES                 Worship resources for Earth Day 2021 - Global Ministries (umcmission.org) Caretakers of God's Creation (umccreationcare.org) – United Methodist Creation Care Creation Care (umc.org) – Creation Care in the United Methodist Social Principles Climate • GBCS (umcjustice.org) – General Board of Church and Society resources www.unitedmethodistwomen.org – United Methodist Women resources (search “creation”) From the Conversation with Ann Self Home - The Village Green Of Cashiers (villagegreencashiersnc.com) Home | Diana Butler Bass Grounded: Finding God in the World, A Spiritual Revolution Google “Story Wall” to discover ways to exhibit a story in multiple frames. Center for Action and Contemplation (cac.org) Richard Rohr  The Universal Christ and Every Thing is Sacred From the Conversation with Chris Harbin and Edmari Correya deCastro G.I.F.T. Home (weebly.com) G.I.F.T. Aquaponics & Shepherds Garden | Wingate UMC (wordpress.com) Home Page | EndHunger Society of St. Andrew gleaning

Green Spaces in Ministry

Means of Grace, a podcast from the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, equips church leaders through expertise and examples. Twice a month, we feature local experts on a variety of topics from leadership to innovation and share examples of churches in our conference reaching their communities in news ways through mission engagement, Fresh Expressions and much more. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, defined Means of Grace as the outward signs, words or actions that are the ordinary channels conveying God’s grace to the souls of people. So when we’re talking about leadership or discipleship or an outreach initiative, it’s about more than doing a program well, it’s a means of God’s grace to the world. Rev. Kim Ingram, Rev. Luke Edwards, Jesse Enniss and Melissa McGill host. Our theme song was written and performed by Rev. Kyle Sigmon, an ordained deacon and a talented musician in Boone, NC.

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Means of Grace

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