In today's episode of Means of Grace, Jesse, John, and Jonathan discuss the importance of connection within the United Methodist Church. They explore the historical roots of connectionalism and how it is reflected in the church's polity and ethos. They also reflect on personal experiences of feeling connected to others and the world around them.

A busy conference season continues with 2024 Annual Conference, held in beautiful Lake Junaluska, NC. Means of Grace hosts Jesse Ennis, John Yeager and Jonathan LeMaster-Smith recorded live from Annual Conference, and provide us with critical updates and information from the weekend sessions.

Annual Conference returns to beautiful Lake Junaluska June 20-23. Means of Grace hosts Jesse Enniss, John Yeager, and Jonathan LeMaster-Smith preview this year's conference, with a special guest appearance from Bishop Ken Carter.

General Conference 2024 is over and it was clearly one of the most historic conferences in the United Methodist Church's history. In this episode of the Means of Grace podcast, hosts Jesse Ennis, John Yeager and Jonathan LeMaster-Smith discuss the 2024 General Conference and its key events, decisions, and updates.

To give context to the decisions made at General Conference, John explores the history of the Methodist Church, including its roots in the English Reformation and the formation of the United Methodist Church.

John, Jesse and Jonathan, the three new hosts of the Means of Grace podcast, highlight the ongoing efforts to foster unity, social holiness, and meaningful ministry within the Methodist Church. They explore implications of revising the social principles of the church to be more inclusive while also still rooted in scripture and tradition.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

19:56 Exploring the History and Formation of the Methodist Church

32:12 Updates to the Social Principles and the Potential for Full Communion

39:45 Fostering Unity, Social Holiness, and Meaningful Ministry in the Methodist Church

41:44 Revising the Social Principles

45:52 The Power of Worship and Unity

58:35 The Future of the United Methodist Church

The Western North Carolina Conference is the host for this year's General Conference. Delegates and clergy from across the US will be in Charlotte, NC from April 23 through May 3. To get you up to speed on what you need to know before attending the conference, Rev. Kim Ingram, the conference's Director of Ministerial Services, hosts a conversation between Jennifer Davis, the first elected lay person in the WNCC delegation, and Wanda Musgraves, chair of the WNCC host committee. The conversation between these three leaders will give you all the information you need before attending this year's conference.

Click here for more information about General Conference 2024.

To honor the 38th celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Reverend Dr. Bill White and Dr. Brian Tillman talk about the legacy of Dr. King, the state of race relations today, and what MLK would want for us in the future.

In this week's episode, WNCC Director of Communications, Aimee Yeager, sits down with Bishop Carter as he shares and Advent and Christmas message for the Western North Carolina Conference.

As we wrap up our 2023 season, we wish you all a blessed Advent and merry Christmas. We will see you in 2024!

In this episode of the Means of Grace podcast, Kim Ingram and Jesse Enniss discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I) tools with Nathan Webb, pastor of Checkpoint church, the church for all people, especially nerds, geeks, and gamers. And, Amy Rutledge Vaughan, a Deacon in the Western North Carolina Conference, UMC Collective, leading an emerging community called the Lakeshore Collective in Lincoln and Catawba Counties.