Shows / Means of Grace
Means of Grace
Means of Grace, a podcast from the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, equips church leaders through expertise and examples. Twice a month, we feature local experts on a variety of topics from leadership to innovation and share examples of churches in our conference reaching their communities in news ways through mission engagement, Fresh Expressions and much more. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, defined Means of Grace as the outward signs…
Episodes
Means of GraceSmoky Mountain District: Pursuing Community and Racial Justice
In this episode, Director of Communications Melissa McGill catches up with the Smoky Mountain District as part of our ongoing series highlighting the…
Means of GraceSquare Breathing Practice
In this time of stress and burnout, Dr. Melanie Dobson guides us through the Square Breathing Practice. It's been proven to lower heart rate, de-stress and…
Means of GraceVaccinating Our Neighbors
In this week's episode of the Means of Grace podcast, Luke catches up with Rev. David Hockett, Metro District Superintendent, and Rev. Dr. Stephanie Hand…
Means of GraceGreen Spaces in Ministry Part 3
This edition of the Means of Grace podcast is a three-part series highlighting four ministries in Western North Carolina who are using green spaces in…
Means of GraceGreen Spaces in Ministry Part 2
This edition of the Means of Grace podcast is a three-part series highlighting four ministries in Western North Carolina who are using green spaces in…
Means of GraceGreen Spaces in Ministry Part 1
This edition of the Means of Grace podcast uses two episodes to highlight four ministries in Western North Carolina who are using green spaces in ministry…
Means of GraceGreg Jarrell of QC Family Tree and author of "Riff of Love: Notes on Community and Belonging"
In this episode, Brian talks with Greg Jarrell, founder of QC Family Tree in Charlotte and author of "A Riff of Love: Notes on Community and Belonging." Since…
Means of GraceA Meditation for Holy Week with Dr. Melanie Dobson
In this episode, Dr. Melanie Dobson shares a Lovingkindness meditation for Holy Week. This is a beautiful prayer practice that offers God's lovingkindness to…
Means of GraceReimagining Connectionalism
In today's episode Luke Edwards sits down with Carl Arrington, District Superintendent of the Appalachian District, and Gloria Hughes, District Vitality…
Means of GraceWisdom for the Journey with Mary Ana Smith
In this episode, Melissa talks with Mary Ana Smith about her podcast for young women called Wisdom for the Journey. Mary Ana addresses topics like body image…
Means of GraceMental Health Conversations with Jay Cobb the Executive Director of Sanctuary Counseling Group
Today's conversation is with Jay Cobb, the Executive Director of Sanctuary Counseling Group. SCG is dedicated to the healing of heart, mind, and soul…
Means of GraceJourney to Wholeness
Host Kim Ingram shares an intimate conversation with Rev. Jill Smith. Jill has been a church pastor for 20 years and last summer embarked on a new journey that…
Means of GraceBuilding the Church for Generations to Come with the United Methodist Foundation of WNC
In this episode, David Snipes, President and CEO for the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina and Caroline Cox, Director of Reynolds…
Means of GraceOnline Worship is Here to Stay
In this week's episode, Luke Edwards talks with Dan Pezet, Director of Church Development and Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions about designing worship…
Means of GraceDeveloping a Ministry of Reconciliation in Your Context
Rev. Kim Ingram talks with Deborah Daniels and Cindy Thompson, active lay leaders in Western North Carolina Conference about the ways they have been involved…
Means of GraceMissional Collective
This week's episode is about the Missional Collective, which desires to help churches and ministries shift the work of mission from relief to empowerment…
Means of GraceThe Church and Rural Food Systems
Today's episode is about rural food systems and how churches can make an impact on our communities in economic and environmental ways. Luke Edwards talks with…
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Partnerships, Vitality, and Mission: The Uwharrie District
In this episode of the Means of Grace podcast, Kim Ingram visits with Uwharrie District leaders: Rev. Laura Auten, District Superintendent, Rev. Katie…
Means of GraceCreating Space and Connection with Rev. Brandon Lazarus
In this episode, Melissa McGill talks with Rev. Brandon Lazarus, an ordained elder in our Conference and the Director of the LEAD conference. Learn more about…
Means of GraceThe Heart of Our Calling with Rev. Dr. Samuel Wells
In this episode, we have a guest host, Rev. Parker Haynes, pastor of and member of the Leadership Development Team. He interviews the Rev. Dr. Samuel Wells…
Means of GraceYear in Review
In this episode, our host panel take look back at 2020. Melissa, Jesse, Luke, Kim, Caroline and Brian share their favorite moments, challenges they faced and…
Means of GraceThe Methodist Home for Children's Bruce Stanley
In this episode, Caroline Wood talks with Rev. Bruce Stanley, President and CEO of the Methodist Home for Children. The MHFC believes that every child deserves…
Means of GraceYouth Perspectives on Faith, Technology and Community During a Pandemic
In this episode, Melissa McGill and Jeremy Coffey check in with the 11th grade youth small group they co-lead at Myers Park UMC. Four youth – Hayden, Nathan…
Means of GraceMeet the Howells
Dr. Vincent Howell and Vince Howell are a father-son team who have co-authored the book, MBA Quick Book for Ministers. In this episode of the Means of Grace…
Means of GraceCreating Diverse, Just and Equitable Spaces of Faith
In this episode, Dr. Otto Harris, the senior pastor of St. Mark's United Methodist in Charlotte and the Interim Director of the Conference Comprehensive Plan…
Means of GraceStarting a House Church Network
"Several churches across the conference have started house church networks since the onset of the pandemic and countless more are beginning to experiment with…
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Leading the Church in Politically Divided Times
America is divided and the church is not immune. The divisions are largely motivated by this and the previous election cycle. In this episode, Jesse Enniss is…
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Remembering the Saints
As we approach All Saints Day, we want to pause to remember the Saints we've lost this year in our churches, in our communities and in our world. The pandemic…
Means of GraceMeet Our Church Planters
Description – In this episode, Luke Edwards catches up with two church planters, Ashley Crowder Stanley of the Wellspring Congregation near Asheville and Rev…
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Park & Praise: A Reset on Worship, Community and Church During a Pandemic
In this episode, we take a trip to Simpson Gillespie United Methodist where the Rev. Darryl Dayson and his church gather in the parking lot for Park & Praise…
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Building Effective, Sustainable Partnerships between Schools and Churches
In this episode of Means of Grace, Brian Mateer is joined by Camille Roddy, the chair of the Western North Carolina Conference Congregations 4 Children…
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Leadership, Technology, and Relationships
Six months into stay-at-home orders, every church has had to make significant shifts in their ministry. In this episode, Jesse Enniss talks with Rev. Dr…
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WNCC Lay Leader John Crane
In this episode, Caroline Wood has a conversation with John Crane, WNCC Lay Leader about the ministry of the laity and John's passion for the church. John is a…
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Campus Ministry and COVID-19
In this episode, Brian Mateer has a conversation with Rev. Steve Cheney, Campus Minister at UNC-Charlotte and Rev. Diron Chloe, Campus Minister at North…
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Renegade Ministry
In this episode, Rev. Kim Ingram talks with Rev. Scott Osterberg. Growing up in a non-church going family in Texas, he never thought he'd be a minister when he…
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Moving Worship Outdoors
Due to the pandemic, many churches are shifting worship outside. In this episode, Luke Edwards talks with Caitlin McAlhany, Pastor of Randall UMC and Porter…
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Mental and Spiritual Health: Body, Mind, Soul
Director of Missional Engagement and Connectional Ministries Caroline Wood, and guests Rev. Eddie Ingram and Dr. Lori Dickson, explore how stress affects…
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Moving Stories
In this edition of the Means of Grace podcast, Kim Ingram and Jesse Enniss talk with three Western North Carolina clergy: Duncan Martin, Drew McIntyre, and…
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Rethinking Summer Missions
Brian Mateer, Associate Director of Missional Engagement, leads a conversation with Rev. Kris Mares and Rev. Laura Byrch on how churches should evaluate summer…
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Race. Racism. The Church's Clarion Call.
In this episode, we feature an important conversation on racism and the Church's call to action, led by Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand on the Metro District…
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Building Bridges with Susan Suarez Webster
On this episode, Melissa talks with the Rev. Susan Suarez Webster about building bridges between our churches and the community. Susan is the assistant pastor…
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Innovation in Western North Carolina
In this episode, Caroline and Brian check in with Rev. Louis Timberlake for an update on the conference Innovation initiative that began at Annual Conference…
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Being the "Rural" Church in a Pandemic: The Vital Role the Church Plays in a Rural Community
The Rural Church has a vital role to play during this current pandemic. The nature of the rural church is built around relationships – relationships with…
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Good Stewards of God's Creation
Genesis 1: 26 - Then God said, "Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the…
Means of GracePassions of Jesus - Session 6: Embodying Jesus' Passion for Others with Rev. Ben Carson and Rev. Karen Doucette
In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for…
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Guided Prayers for Children
Dr. Melanie Dobson leads two prayers for children. First, Morning Prayer for Children: The Balloon Breath. This breath prayer is a wonderful way to calm and…
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Heart Math Stress Reduction Guided Meditation
Rev. Ashley Pickerel Thomas leads a Heart Math stress reduction mediation on Special Care Focus: Coronavirus (Technique for Reducing and Overcoming Fear). For…
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Ignatian Examen Guided Meditation
Dr. Melanie Dobson leads a practice of Ignatian Examen. This prayer was developed by Ignatius of Loyola for his fellow monks, the Society of Friends, in the…
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Lectio Divina Guided Meditation
Dr. Melanie Dobson leads a guided practice of Lectio Divina. This four-fold reading of scripture and prayer was developed by Christian monks and practiced for…
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Prayer of the Heart Guided Meditation
Dr. Melanie Dobson leads a guided practice of the Prayer of the Heart. This prayer is inspired by the contemplative prayer of the desert mothers and fathers…
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Welcoming Prayer Guided Meditation
In this meditation, Rev. Ashley Pickerel Thomas leads the Welcoming Prayer, created by Mary Mrozowski. According to Contemplative Outreach, the Welcoming…
Means of GracePassions of Jesus - Session 5: Jesus' Passion for Others with Rev. Susan Heafner-Heun and Rev. Joel Simpson
In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for…
Means of GracePassions of Jesus - Session 4: Sharing Your Passion for Jesus with Rev. Ben Gatton, Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand and Rev. Josh Kurtz
In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for…
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Dinner Church
In this episode, Luke visits The New Covenant Dinner Church in Lenoir. Dinner Church is a way of being church around the dinner table. If you would like more…
Means of GracePassions of Jesus - Session 3: Our Passion for Jesus with Rev. Susan Heafner-Heun, Rev. Chris Hughes and Rev. Susan Suarez-Webster
In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for…
Means of GracePassion of Jesus - Session 2: Receiving Jesus' Passion for Us with Rev. Michael Carr, Rev. Stacey Lundy and Rev. Sally Queen
In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for…
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Q&A with Rev. Amy Coles, WNCC Episcopal Nominee
In this episode, Melissa sits down with Rev. Amy Coles, the Western North Carolina Conference Episcopal nominee to talk about faith, her calling, and the…
Means of GracePassions of Jesus - Session 1: Jesus' Passion for Us with Dr. Samuel Moore and Rev. Kyle Sigmon
In the Passions of Jesus study, we look at the interconnectedness of Christ's passion for us, Christ's passion for others, and our passion reflected back, for…
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Growing in Racial Awareness
Hosts: Jesse Ennis and Kim Ingram The people we are interviewing are Rev. Rodvegas Ingram, pastor of Memorial UMC in High Point, North Carolina Rev. Tom…
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Spiritual Renewal: Part II
In this two-part episode, Kim and Jesse talk with clergy and laity in Western North Carolina about the importance of taking time to "stay in love with God."…