Author: Compass Podcast

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Faith, science and life calling! In this episode, we have the pleasure of talking with Rev. Kara Slade, an engineer turned priest whose journey from the world of mechanical engineering to the pulpit is an interesting blend of spirituality and professional transformation. 

Rev. Canon Dr. Kara Slade holds a PhD in Christian theology and ethics from Duke University.  She also earned a PhD in mechanical engineering and materials science and then joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a research engineer and test manager for a variety of civilian and military projects. Kara’s career took a turn towards ministry (as we’ll hear), and today she serves as associate rector at Trinity Church in Princeton, New Jersey. Along the way, she’s written many enlightening articles and a book entitled “The Fullness of Time”.

In this episode:
(00:00) Podcast episode featuring engineer turned priest’s journey.
(03:33) Career changes.
(06:53) Struggled with faith, left church, worked for NASA.
(11:28) Struggles with faith and government work post-9/11.
(13:19) Christian life involves repentance, brings whole self.
(17:07) Evolution theories shape human social and political beliefs.
(23:06) Assuming bias impacts technology, particularly for people of color.
(26:39) Scripture is primary, but don’t over-construct.
(28:47) Priest emphasizes humility and reason in faith.
(32:41) Exploring spiritual forces, justice, and cultural conflicts.
(38:03) Reflect on science, religion, share your thoughts.

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

Find show notes and more episodes of Compass: www.umc.org/compass

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We’re talking with Rev. Heather Jallad about the creative, fun and innovative ways that church is coming together and meeting the world. It’s an invitation to Rethink Church.

This episode of Compass dives into new expressions of church like Dinner Church and Messy Church. It’s all inspiring… and it gets us thinking about how we, individually might both connect with spiritual community and how we might become involved in leading the church into new areas of witness.

Rev. Heather Jallad serves as the Associate Director of Training for Fresh Expressions NA, Community Engagement Pastor at Cannon UMC in Snellville, Georgia, and as a Specialist for the North Georgia Annual Conference. She pioneered the Common Ground Network, a network of fresh church expressions and The Douglasville Dinner Church in Douglasville, GA and a collaborative Dinner Church in Grayson, GA.

In this episode:
(00:00) Reverend Heather Jallad’s inspiring work on church.
(04:24) Introduced to dinner church, partnered with school.
(08:19) Fresh expression emphasizes mutuality and shared meals.
(11:21) Adapting church to fit modern schedules and lifestyles.
(14:56) Church planters stumbled onto non-traditional methods.
(24:34) Pandemic of loneliness, longing for community meals.
(30:29) Traditional roles expanded to engage new members.
(32:39) Promoting house churches for effective discipleship.
(35:37) Recognition of Pioneers in the church community.
(45:18) Geeky church models dive complete.

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

Find show notes and more episodes of Compass: www.umc.org/compass

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In this episode, we sit down with Abigail Browka, the curator of the Everyday Sanctuary app, and we get into the importance of real-life experiences and faith journeys. 

Pastor Abigail shares profound insights into tapping into creative spirituality, from the necessity of supporting one another in our spiritual paths to the role of brief, accessible spiritual practices in our daily lives. Together we’re going to explore the significance of daily spiritual practices, silent retreats, and the emergence of new spiritual practices and faith communities. This episode promises to inspire a deeper understanding of spirituality and encourage you to embrace it in your everyday life.

Abigail Browka is the founder and curator of the Everyday Sanctuary mobile app, which was launched in 2021 during the pandemic. With the intent to bring sacred practices into everyday life, Abigail created the app to provide a satisfying spiritual practice in less than 5 minutes, no matter where you are. Her goal is to make it easy for people to connect with God, whether they are at the doctor’s office, in the carpool line, or at a friend’s house. She also hosts a podcast as another way to help people find their spiritual connection. If you’ve followed our related Rethink Church social media accounts, you’ve seen Abigail as we feature a spiritual practice from her on those channels every Thursday.

In this episode
[00:00] Compass podcast promotes spiritual awareness and gratitude.
[04:58] Busy individuals finding God in everyday life.
[10:22] Creating accessible, 5-minute spiritual connections through app.
[14:02] Affirming daily spiritual practice and benefits of silence.
[15:09] Quiet space allows for reflection and appreciation.
[19:11] Emerging ministries adapting to changing world.
[21:53] Harvard study shows importance of healthy relationships.
[26:22] Community participation in events creates connections.
[30:14] Frequent contact, but infrequent meaningful conversations.
[33:18] Explore spiritual practices, share your experiences, and inspire.

For show notes and more episodes of Compass, visit www.umc.org/compass

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Ryan Dunn addresses the struggle to find peace during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Offering contemplative practices for a more peaceful Christmas, Ryan explores ways to connect with God’s loving and peaceful spirit during this special time of year.

From leveraging inconveniences as moments of reflection to turning preparations into prayers, listeners are guided through five contemplative practices to infuse the holiday season with spiritual significance. Join us as we delve into the significance of Christmas and uncover ways to find inner peace amidst the chaos.

In this episode:
(00:00) the importance of peace and Christmas
(01:27) Intro to contemplative practices
(02:22) Using inconveniences as reminders
(03:20) Preparation as prayer
(03:30) Practicing fasting
(04:27) Reading Luke 1 and 2
(04:56) Engaging with Christmas imagery
(06:21) Closing and additional resources

More from the Compass podcast: www.umc.org/compass

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Niceness in church communities can sometimes conceal deeper issues of injustice. It’s important to disrupt the status quo and engage in conversations about patriarchy, inequality, and systems of oppression.

In this episode, you probably want to listen for the ways in niceness, though well-meaning, can be a hindrance to equality and justice. Also listen for the word “complementarianism” and how its practical application can limit everybody.

Liz Cooledge Jenkins is a writer, preacher, and former college campus minister with degrees from Stanford University (BS Symbolic Systems) and Fuller Theological Seminary (MDiv). v). She believes that people, faith communities, and religious traditions are at their best when they’re always forming and re-forming – open to change, learning, growth, and transformation. She wants to live out a feminist, antiracist, inclusive, community-oriented, earth-healing kind of Christian faith.

In this episode:
(00:00) Let’s meet Liz Jenkins
(03:54 Hierarchy, church patriarchy, feminism in media.
(08:41) A first stand against biases
(11:54) Niceness can hide injustice and hinder change.
(17:22) Understanding Paul’s writings in modern context.
(18:41) That time when the Hebrew midwives defy pharaoh to save boys.
(21:51) Hopes to help church and community.
(25:10) Words of wisdom and gratitude for conversation.

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications. Find notes and other episodes at www.umc.org/compass