Hyde Park United Methodist

n Week 2 of Say Less, Matt Hotho and Pastor Magrey deVega dig deeper into Romans 12 and the tension between what we believe and how we live. Their conversation moves from Paul’s shift from belief to practice into the communal roots of faith, drawing connections to Leviticus, the prophets, and the idea of offering our lives as a “living sacrifice.” Along the way, they wrestle with why empathy has become such a loaded word, how compassion gets politicized, and why practicing empathy doesn’t mean agreement—especially in a polarized world where listening feels harder than ever.

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Empathy seems to be a lost art these days. It has even been villainized by certain segments of our political discourse. Empathy is not a weakness; it is a demonstration of strength, of security in oneself, and a reflection of the character of God, who empathized with humanity to such a degree that God became human just like us. It is a central idea in this passage of Paul’s letter to the Romans, and it is central to us as Christians.   

Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways are you tempted to stop at believing the right things about Jesus rather than doing the hard things he asks of you? 
2. What people are you struggling to empathize with? What “single story” might you need to change with deeper listening? 
3. How can you practice empathy by honoring another person’s humanity while still maintaining healthy emotional boundaries? 

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Magrey deVega sits down with guest preacher Gary Mason to continue the conversation on listening in a divided world. Drawing from Gary’s experience in Northern Ireland and his work with Rethinking Conflict, they reflect on how polarization, labeling, and dehumanization take root—and why listening is essential to preserving life and peace. Together, they explore the connection between listening to God and listening to one another, the power of storytelling, and why “engagement is not endorsement” when navigating deep disagreement.

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One of the hardest times to practice good listening is with people who have opposing viewpoints. Indeed, the polarization in our society seems to be getting worse, not better, over time. Yet Paul is clear with the Christians in Ephesus: Unwholesome speech, bitterness, and anger have no place in civil conversation. Instead, we need a mutual willingness to listen to each other.   

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this Beyond the Sermon conversation, Magrey deVega and Matt Hoto dig into the ideas behind the “drum major instinct” and why the pull toward attention, affirmation, and influence shows up so naturally in our lives. They walk through how Jesus reframes greatness in the Gospels, why the same story appears differently in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and how context and perspective shape the way faith communities grow up and mature. Along the way, they reflect on preaching legacies like J. Wallace Hamilton and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., especially how MLK’s call to humility, justice, and nonviolence still challenges how we lead, speak, and engage the world today.

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

 The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously diagnosed the problem with pride as having a “drum major instinct,” adapting a phrase from the Methodist preacher J. Wallace Hamilton. Indeed, much of the hostility and tension in the world can be addressed if we dig our societal roots deeper into service and humility, just as Jesus taught his disciples in this text from Matthew. 

Reflection Questions:
1. To what degree do you exhibit a “Drum Major Instinct?” 
2. How can ambition be a healthy thing to have? When does it become unhealthy? 
3. How can serving help you see the divine image in others? 

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Matt and Magrey reflect on Baptism of the Lord Sunday by sharing personal baptism stories and exploring why baptism is more than a single moment in time. They talk about baptism as an intergenerational promise, the role of community and instruction in the Christian tradition, and how remembering our baptism invites imagination, play, and renewal—not just formality. Along the way, they unpack the United Methodist understanding of grace, why God is the primary actor in baptism, and how dying and rising with Christ continues to shape faith across a lifetime.

Reach out to Mat with any questions about YOUR baptism journey at [email protected]

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Baptism reminds us of who we are in Christ, and the calling Christ gives us to live a holy life. It is a notion underscored by 1 Peter, which tells us that the waters of baptism do not as much cleanse us physically, but spiritually, empowering us to live with a good conscience.   

Reflection Questions: 
1. What is your favorite memory of a baptism? 
2. How will remembering your baptism strengthen you during hard days? 
3. How will you “behave until you believe, so that you can behave because you believe”? 

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this Week One Grounded conversation, Magrey and Matt reflect on what it really means to begin a new year with intention. From an unexpected video game metaphor to Wesleyan roots, they explore how personal spiritual rhythms, shared faith practices, and a commitment to social holiness shape a grounded life. Along the way, they touch on why Methodist distinctives still matter, how faith moves beyond the self, and what it looks like to step into the year ahead with clarity, purpose, and depth.

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Just as a tree digs its roots deeper to find water and nourishment during times of drought, times of unsettledness are an invitation for us to hone our commitment to Jesus. The year kicks off with a time of obedience to the will and way of Christ, in alignment with the year-long “Wesleyan Rooted” emphasis by the Annual Conference. This three-part series encompasses the two sacraments, communion and baptism, and the way we live our lives sacramentally for others, through service.   

Reflection Questions: 

1. What would it mean for you to make “Deeper” a goal for your spiritual journey this year? 
2. How will you grow deeper in your service to others?
3. How will you grow deeper in your relationships with others? 

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps