Month: November 2024

[146] Your favorite Rethink Church stories of 2024

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Join us on this special episode of Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday as we celebrate Rethink Church’s impactful journey by revisiting some of their most beloved stories from 2024. Dive into the heart of community, mindfulness, and spiritual practices, all while exploring how innovative faith expressions can redefine modern spirituality.

In this episode, you will hear:

Key topics include mindfulness, community building through games, welcoming church practices, and innovative ministry models. Perfect for spiritual seekers and those curious about faith, this episode honors the legacy of Rethink Church with audio adaptations of their most impactful articles.

Episode chapters:
(00:00) Opening
(03:11) Making prayer a way of life
(07:41) Embrace silence, hear God
(12:27) What tabletop games teach the church
(18:38) Three things to look for in a welcoming church
(23:17) Sanctuary Comics and Games: An innovative approach to ministry
(30:26) Embracing tomorrow and redefining church
(35:53) More Compass episodes on the way!

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications. Episode notes and more are available at www.umc.org/compass

The AME Church in Indian Territory: A complex kinship

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In a history that is not widely known, the early African Methodist Episcopal Church and indigenous communities shared a relationship of both connection and resistance in the area now known as Oklahoma.

Dr. Ashley Boggan takes a look at the history with Dr. Christina Dickerson, professor and author of “Black Indians and Freedmen: The African Methodist Episcopal Church and Indigenous Americans, 1816-1916” on the current episode of “Un-Tied Methodism.”

Learn more and/or order Dickerson’s book at this link.

Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory.

Interested in a deep dive into the earliest stories of Methodism? Sign up for a free, online, four-module history course titled “Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots” at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory/Radicle-Methodism.

Listen to other episodes of “Un-Tied Methodism” at UnTiedMethodism.org.

[101] Rethinking church assets with Mark Elsdon

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In this episode of MyCom, we’re talking with Mark Elsdon. Mark helps us dissect the evolving nature of church property stewardship and the pivotal role congregations can play in their communities. The episode sheds light on numerous innovative approaches for churches dealing with property and financial transitions, emphasizing mission-driven strategies that align with both historical teachings and contemporary needs.

Mark Elsdon is the director of Pres House at UW-Madison and oversaw it’s transformation into a 250 unit apartment complex. He is co-founder of Rooted Good. He is ordained in the PCUSA. And has written two books: “Gone for Good” and “We Aren’t Broke”.

In this episode:
(00:00) Reassessing faith communities amidst change and scarcity.
(05:53) Traditional giving model becoming unsustainable for churches.
(07:47) Accelerating church involvement.
(13:08) Focus church activities on mission, not business.
(16:07) Traditional Sunday church attendance is declining.
(18:59) Interview community to identify needs and solutions.
(22:07) Exploring community impressions, strengths, and opportunities.
(24:54) Church ownership shift: considerate property transition discussions.
(28:37) Church donated closed property for housing.
(33:42) Start with community listening before technical aspects.
(35:47) Sell smartly, consider future impact and legacy.

MyCom is produced by United Methodist Communications. Find show notes and more episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

‘A Full-Hearted Life’: Walking in wisdom and love

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Always being joyful and finding meaning in life can be challenging for many of us.  In his new book, “A Full-Hearted Life: Following Jesus in This Secular Age,” Bishop Jake Owensby offers a guide for navigating our culture’s complexities by encouraging us to embrace our true selves, cultivate genuine relationships and walk through life as Jesus did, offering wisdom and love to all we meet.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

[145] Contentment and connecting with all life with Edith and Randy Woodley

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Edith and Randy Woodley invite us to rediscover our connection with nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of community-based ecological practices. Uncover their approach to land stewardship, communal living, and the rejection of individualism for a more holistic and balanced way of living.

Edith and Randy Woodley are passionate environmentalists and spiritual seekers managing the Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice. They’ve dedicated their lives to promoting sustainable small-scale farming, earth justice, and community well-being. Their new book, “Journey to Eloheh” sheds light on achieving wholeness over mere happiness, rooted in the Cherokee concept of “Eloheh.”

In this episode:
(00:00) Spirituality, environment, community: Edith and Randy Woodley.
(03:56) Difference between happiness and well-being discussed.
(09:34) Restore harmony and serve the community’s needs.
(11:44) Influenced by environmentalism, nature, and Ojibwe teachings.
(16:19) Scrub forest, walkway, and roaming wildlife area.
(20:51) Integrating urban people in land-related ceremonies.
(25:24) Caring for wildlife, not just appearances.
(27:36) Inviting participation over appearance, embracing community chaos.
(29:39) Teach farming hands-on, storytelling, reflection, land connection.
(34:37) Embrace nature and creation, regardless of location.
(40:08) Compass Podcast by United Methodist Communications.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on spirituality and everyday faith.

More episodes and episode notes: www.umc.org/compass

Training wild mustangs: A guide to harmonious living

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Clarity, consistency, communication and compassion. Learn how the 4 Cs that Rev. Calvin Yashie Hill used to train wild mustangs guides us in building authentic relationships across cultures.

Today’s “Get Your Spirit in Shape” episode is the second in a two-part conversation with Rev. Hill as we learn more about the culture and rituals of indigenous people and how we can better live together in the world and the church.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

You can listen to part one here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.