Curious Living

Parenting is one of the most challenging jobs we have as adults with kids. This grows exponentially when our cute cherub-faced little ones become teenagers. As parents, we continually seek out ways to help our teens become responsible, compassionate, and wise adults. This is not easy - especially in today's world.

In this episode, we talk with Andrew Kirk, the director of youth ministries at Williamson's Chapel UMC. Andrew is phenomenal at working with students but has amazing insights for parents as well. He also shares some great wisdom for us regarding key elements of communicating with our kids and how the church plays an important role in our parenting.

Show Notes

Andrew Kirk is the Youth Ministries Coordinator at Williamson's Chapel UMC. He has been involved in full-time youth ministry for 21 years. He is also the founder of For You Ministries, a youth missions and retreat organization. Andrew is also the proud step-father of a 9 and 12-year-old.

We have been forced to change more over the past 10 months than we ever have. COVID has put us all in situations where we've had to change and adapt if we want to continue life as we know it. Now, with a new year and a whole new set of potential obstacles ahead, we are facing even more change - in our personal lives, in our communities, and in our country.

Changing is not simple or easy for most of us. It requires stepping out of our comfort zone and entering into scary and unfamiliar territory. Many of us fight against change for this very reason. In this episode we ask the question, "how can we better respond to change?" while seeking tools that may help us better adapt to our ever-shifting environment. Cindy Ray is our guest and guides us through this challenging, yet important, topic.

Show Notes

Cindy Ray graduated from Loyola University Maryland in 2003 with a master of Science in Pastoral Counseling. She also received her Basic Graduate Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2012. She has been with CareNet Counseling for 6 years after having a private practice in Wilmington, NC for 10 years. She is the Regional Director for CareNet in the Central Piedmont Region. Offices located in Mooresville, Statesville, and Gastonia.

Contact CareNet for more information - they have offices throughout North Carolina.

Follow them on Facebook (CareNet Counseling NC)

It's a new year (thank goodness!) and many of us are already considering what new year's resolutions we plan to make. The question we tackle in this episode is how we can avoid the typical resolutions and adopt goals that are more meaningful and less about us and more about others. Our guest, Whitney Cassell, helps guide our conversation and offers an enlightened perspective. Happy new year!

Show Notes

Whitney Cassell is the Interim Director of Missions and Outreach at Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church. She has a background in teaching and nonprofit work and dedicates her life to serving others. Currently, she is enrolled at Hood Theological Seminary where she is working on her Masters of Divinity. Whitney is also pursuing ordination as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church.

"Peace on earth" is a common quote spoken and read during the Christmas season. But "peace" is far from what many of us feel. Studies show that anxiety and depression is higher than ever due to the myriad of struggles in our world today. So how does one find "peace" in the midst of all of this?

Pastor Jan tackles this tough question and provides incredible wisdom and insight to help us find that peace we are looking for.

Rev. Jan Brittain has served as the senior pastor of Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church since 2011 and has been serving the church for over 40 years. Pastor Jan has a passion for preaching and teaching and a special love for her sweet grandson and puppy, Josie B. You can watch Pastor Jan's sermons by clicking HERE.

2020 has been a very difficult year for many of us. It is easy to focus on the negative things COVID has brought into our lives. But, what if we chose to focus on the positive things that have come instead? What if we found a place of gratitude for this moment in time?

In this episode we will do just that. Rev. Dr. Nancy Rankin helps us take a step back and examine our lives through a lens of gratitude - even in this COVID world. Our attitude really is everything so let's join together in recognizing the many good things that we have experienced this year.

Show Notes:

Rev. Dr. Nancy B. Rankin is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and a certified coach through ICF-International Coach Federation. She recently retired as the District Superintendent of the Northern Piedmont District in the Western North Carolina Conference.

Nancy is married to Terry A. Rankin, who is a retired transportation executive, and they have a son who serves as a Lieutenant in Law Enforcement and a daughter who is a Neo-Natal Intensive Care Nurse. They are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren.

As with most things these days we are all wondering what our world will look like post COVID. How will things change? How will they remain the same? One of the institutions that has had to make the biggest shift in how they do things is our education system. Not only have the administrators and teachers made huge shifts, but families are having to shift as well. So what does this mean moving forward?

We get some fantastic insights from Jen Chaffman, a local educator and podcast host in this episode. She offers some great wisdom from her perspective in the classroom and her experience in the educational system.

Show Notes

Jen Chaffman is a multimedia production/journalism teacher at Community School of Davidson, where she has worked for the past 17 years. In addition to teaching, Jen co-hosts the Teachable Moments podcast, available as "My Teachable Moments" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play. She enjoys spending time with her husband, dog and two adult sons. Jen's quarantine time has been spent with music, reading, writing, cooking and walking.

The book Jen references, "The Great Influenza" can be found HERE on Amazon.

You can find Jen's podcast, "My Teachable Moments" on most podcast platforms.

This is a question people of faith are struggling with these days. Coronavirus, political division, racial tensions,

We are going to tackle this question through the lens of our faith and what we do know of our loving creator God. Pastor Jan Brittain shares her incredible wisdom and comfort with us and gives us the assurances we need. You won't want to miss this episode that is packed with hope!

Rev. Jan Brittain has served as the senior pastor of Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church since 2011 and has been serving the church for over 40 years. Pastor Jan has a passion for preaching and teaching and a special love for her sweet grandson and puppy, Josie B. You can watch Pastor Jan's sermons by clicking HERE.

After being cooped up in our homes and away from others for such a long period of time, many of us may be looking for ways to get back out there and help those in need. Who are these "others?" Are they our neighbors? How can we help them most right now? Are their needs more than they were prior to COVID?

In this episode we talk with the Executive Director of the Mooresville Christian Mission, Amy LaCount, to ask these very questions. She shares some important insights for us as we begin seeking ways to truly help and show love to our neighbors in need.

Show Notes

Amy LaCount has a strong professional background working to alleviate poverty both in local communities as well as in developing countries around the world. She has a deep passion for helping those in need, which stems from growing up in Kentucky where she saw poverty first-hand.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and a Masters of Science in Safety, Security and Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University.

Amy lives with her husband Shane (Deputy Chief of the Mooresville Fire Department) and children Avery and JP. She and her family enjoy spending time outdoors, especially in the mountains of North Carolina. "I love all of God's children and genuinely enjoy meeting people right where they are," she explained. "My life and work experiences have taught me that we are not to 'fix', but to learn and empower each other."

• Learn more about the Mooresville Christian Mission: www.ourchristianmission.org
• Mooresville Christian Mission is having a virtual Turkey Trot to raise funds for their mission - click HERE to read more and to participate.
• If you live local to the Mooresville area, click HERE to volunteer to serve. Even kids can serve!
• Click HERE to donate to the Mooresville Christian Mission.
• Follow the Mooresville Christian Mission on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

We are living in a time of uncertainty and chaos. Due to COVID we have encountered so many changes and unknowns. There are those whose jobs have literally been eliminated because they are no longer needed. Some who are working from home are suffering because they don't feel as productive. Even parents are questioning their parenting skills as they try, and fail, to help their children with online learning. We are a community of people who are doubting ourselves - doubting our worth.

Cindy Ray is a professional therapist in the Mooresville are and joins us for this episode as we explore the question of "worth." What is it, and how do we determine our own worth. Our hope and prayer is that you walk away from this episode feeling renewed and valued - even in these uncertain times.

Show Notes

Cindy Ray graduated from Loyola University Maryland in 2003 with a master of Science in Pastoral Counseling. She also received her Basic Graduate Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2012. She has been with CareNet Counseling for 6 years after having a private practice in Wilmington, NC for 10 years. She is the regional Director for CareNet in the Central Piedmont Region. Offices located in Mooresville, Statesville, and Gastonia.

Contact CareNet for more information - they have offices throughout North Carolina.

Follow them on Facebook (CareNet Counseling NC)

Today's world is incredibly divisive. And that's to be expected, to some degree, because we are all unique individuals with differing opinions. However, we have lost the ability to still like one another if we disagree. In some cases, we see violence erupt due to this divisiveness. So why can't we get along even when we disagree? How is this effecting the church and those of us who are called to love others? And, how can we do a better job of getting along with others and even tolerating those who can't seem to get along with others? Find out in this special "Part 2"as we discuss these issues and this question with Pastor Jan Brittain.

Rev. Jan Brittain has served as the senior pastor of Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church since 2011 and has been serving the church for over 40 years. Pastor Jan has a passion for preaching and teaching and a special love for her sweet grandson and puppy, Josie B. You can watch Pastor Jan's sermons by clicking HERE.