Means of Grace

In this episode, Director of Communications Melissa McGill talks to Bishop Ken Carter about leading the Church in this 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

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.

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

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 assistant professor of Methodist Studies at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. She is the Director of the Spiritual Direction Certification Program at LTSS and a trained spiritual director in both group and individual settings. She is also a registered yoga teacher. She enjoys hiking, cycling, cooking, and being outdoors. She is a single mom to one son, Elijah.

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.

In today's episode, Luke sits down with Mark Ralls, 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.

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 [email protected] or Allan Van Meter-Project AGAPE board chair at [email protected].

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

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

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)

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