In this heartfelt episode of Canterbury Cast, host Haley Smith and Outreach Director Rachel Estes sit down with Carol Dickinson and Rebekah Wheelis to share a story that began with a journal and a letter inside a women’s work release program.

What started as a simple act of encouragement through Canterbury’s outreach efforts grew into a meaningful friendship that carried through incarceration, release, recovery, and new beginnings. From handwritten notes and book club conversations to reunions at the Lovelady Center and a new career in dental assisting, Carol and Rebekah reflect on the moments, and the people, that shaped their journey.

This is a story of connection, second chances, and the quiet ways God weaves lives together through small acts of faithfulness.

In this episode of Canterbury Cast, Haley Smith sits down with Senior Pastor Keith Thompson, Rick Owen, and Eleanor Christiansen to talk all things Ash Wednesday and Lent. Together, they unpack what Ash Wednesday means in the life of the Methodist church and why this season begins not with guilt, but with honesty, humility, and hope.

From the symbolism of ashes to the purpose of Lent’s 40 days, the conversation offers insight into how this season invites us to slow down, reflect, and remember whose we are. You’ll also hear about the multiple ways Canterbury will observe Ash Wednesday this year, including drive-through ashes, a traditional noon chapel service, and a soulful evening Blues Service in the Canterbury Center.

Whether you’ve observed Lent for years or are simply curious about its meaning, this episode offers a welcoming and accessible starting point for the journey ahead.

Why would the church begin a season with ashes, and call it good news? What if beginning with ashes isn’t about shame, but about grace, honesty, and the chance to begin again?

In this episode of Canterbury Cast, host Haley Smith is joined by Matthew Montgomery and Natalie Moon to discuss Canterbury’s Spring Reading initiative. Together, they share the heart behind a church-wide Bible reading plan designed to help the congregation encounter God daily through Scripture, reflection, and simple spiritual practices. Centered on the Gospel of Luke and timed with the season of Lent, this plan invites the whole church to grow together, deepening faith, strengthening community, and learning to live more like Jesus in everyday life.

What might change in your faith, and in our church, if we committed to reading Scripture together, one day at a time?

In this special Christmas Eve episode of Canterbury Cast, host Jeff Nix sits down with Eleanor Christiansen and Rev. Tori Hastings to share the heart behind Story Book Christmas, a family-friendly service where the wonder of the Nativity comes to life in a whole new way.

Through colorful puppets, creative storytelling, and plenty of laughter, children are invited to experience the Christmas story with fresh eyes and open hearts. Eleanor and Tori walk us through how this playful retelling helps families connect more deeply with the meaning of Jesus’ birth, reminding us that God’s love meets us in joy, imagination, and childlike faith.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or simply young at heart, this episode offers a glimpse into the magic waiting on December 24 at 1:00 PM in Canterbury Center. Come celebrate the story that changed the world, told in a way your family will never forget.

In this special Advent episode of Canterbury Cast, Rev. Keith Thompson welcomes us into the season with an invitation to open our hearts to God’s light. As we begin our Advent series, Oh Light, we explore how divine light breaks into our world, transforms our understanding of God’s presence, and guides us toward hope.

This week, Rev. Hill Carmichael preached from Isaiah 2:1–5, where the prophet speaks hard truths to God’s people, but also points them toward a promise. Isaiah reminds us that even in seasons of uncertainty or darkness, God’s light cannot be overcome. Hill shares how this ancient vision still speaks today: calling us to walk in God’s ways of hope, peace, joy, and love as we journey into Advent.

If God’s light can never be overcome, what might change in us if we chose to walk toward it, especially in the places that feel most like darkness?

In this special episode of Canterbury Cast, host Haley Smith sits down with Rachel Estes, Rev. Malinda Weaver, and Teresa Evans to share the story behind one of Canterbury’s most meaningful traditions—Christmas Village at Avondale Samaritan Place. More than just a toy giveaway, Christmas Village is about dignity, joy, and community—ensuring every family experiences the love and generosity of the season in a personal way. Hear how this ministry is transforming lives, building connections, and spreading Real Grace and Real Love, in the midst of Real Life.

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