Dr. Yolanda Williams is from Gary, Indiana. She's a pastor, activist, educator, long-time Minnesota resident, and is excellent at thinking outside the box. We talk about the loneliness of being black in Minnesota and the unique life of having a police officer as a father. She was a senior lecturer at the University of Minnesota for 24 years and is currently pastor at Glenwood United Parish in Glenwood, Minnesota. She has a fur-baby and a great laugh.

Formerly a pastor at Park Ave UMC, currently serving at First Covenant Church Minneapolis, 

"Rev. Jia Starr Brown's experience in community education, engagement, and outreach encompass more than 20 years.

Trilingual, she has served as a diversity trainer and community educator, continuing to be an advocate for underrepresented and marginalized communities. Pastor Jia's passion to increase accessibility of affordable academic and enrichment opportunities for all youth and families led her to design - and facilitate - more than 160 educational programs in the Twin Cities, receiving a Congressional Award for her service in 2015."

Pastor Jia is married to her incredible wife, Jennifer, and is the mother of five children.

Jia had a bit of a tough time in 2019, which we reference multiple times...if you're wanting to be more in the know about that, you can read the MN UMC Bishop's response here https://www.minnesotaumc.org/newsdetail/bishop-issues-statement-in-response-to-publicity-around-complaint-13143377 

black·ball

/ˈblakˌbôl/

verb

past tense: blackballed; past participle: blackballed

This episode is BIPOC UMC, but it also could be called "blackballed" UMC. Rev. Dr. Regenia Garrett has had much experience with this phenomenon, but has also learned what it means to love people even when they treat her poorly.

Genia has been in pastoral ministry for 28 years and preaching/teaching as speaker and evangelist since a teen. Dr. G states that one of the most important part of her life is to exemplify the life and love of Christ in all that she does and says. Born in Montgomery, AL to Deacon and Deaconess Eli and Sarah Garrett (Baptist), Dr. G was faithfully raised in the church – almost literally - 7 days a week. Her passion and love for the Word of God, holy living and teaching truth were formed during those years of church attendance and training.

Rev. Nancy Ellis is on staff at Faith UMC in St. Anthony...our episode with her is waaaay back at the beginning, scroll and you'll find her!

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the MPD in our neighborhood, we are giving space for our clergy of color to share their stories and perspective. First up, Shawn Moore: former police officer, current church pastor and Life Coach. This summer Shawn is transitioning from pastoring at the Beloved Church in St. Paul to Associate Pastor-ing at Living Spirit UMC in South Minneapolis. 

You’ve never heard a trio of millennial pastors in conversation quite like this before! Therefore you get a little extra for this quarantine conversation. (You’re welcome) 

This episode has everything: dating as pastors, claiming and naming religious trauma, PlayStation 4, Pokemon, PETA, and a few little things like warlocks, witches and unpacking white supremacy during COVID-19.

About Christian:

Rev. Christian Briones is a first-generation U.S. citizen and a native of Garland, TX. His mother came to this country from El Salvador and his father from Mexico. During high school, he felt the call to ministry and moved to Abilene to pursue a degree in Biblical Studies from Hardin Simmons University. In an effort to build a fresh expression of Christian community, he spent a semester in London with Awaken Church. His Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Sexual and Gender Justice is from Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth. He has been Associate Minister at Mayflower UCC Church in Minneapolis, MN for almost one year now.

Rev. Katie Matson-Daley is interim pastor at First UMC Red Wing, ready to transition to the Beloved Community in St. Paul this summer (presuming the Earth is still standing). Today we talk about all the wobbly-ness and clumsiness of ministry during COVID-season, and she gives us wisdom from someone highly experienced in patiently waiting....waiting...and waiting some more.

Dana is the Minister of Public Witness at New City Church in Minneapolis, approved to be ordained as a Deacon in the Minnesota Annual Conference, UMC, this very summer! This conversation is the second in our "Church during COVID" series: this episode hits on the implications of COVID for racial and economic inequalities, what it's like to be diagnosed with COVID-19, and living in the same house with a college student during quarantine. 

Aaron Justice has a bit of a cowboy, wild west, superhero energy. From Riverton, Wyoming, "on loan" from the Church of God to the UMC, Aaron is passionate about all things being made new in Jesus. He's currently the pastor at Homestead UMC in Rochester, Minnesota. This conversation hits on everything from fireflies to hot dish to whether you can read your way into-or out of-faith. 

Susie Putzke gives us the inside scoop on hospital life during this COVID-19 pandemic. A delightfully funny Enneagram 7 and mother of two boys, Susie is ordained UMC and works as a Chaplain in palliative care at the St. Cloud hospital in St. Cloud, MN. This conversation has everything: lessons in slowing down, how to handle stressful end-of-life conversations during a global pandemic, and the best ways to prank your co-workers with pagers and bedpans.