Author: Crystal Caviness

New Year, New BoD

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After an historic eight-year gap, The UMC has a new Book of Discipline, one reflecting the actions from the Postponed 2020 General Conference held in 2024. In this lively conversation with Dr. Ashley Boggan and guest, Dr. Jonathan LeMaster-Smith, discover what’s new in the latest iteration, as well as take a deep dive into the history of this text that traces its beginnings to minutes from a Methodist conference convened by John Wesley in 1744.

Learn more about our guest, Dr. Jonathan LeMaster-Smith at his website.

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.

Meet Bishop Kristin Stoneking

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As a part of the “Meet a bishop” series, discover how Bishop Kristin Stoneking, the newly-elected bishop of the Mountain Sky Conference, lives into her call by striving to be an humble learner as she communicates the church’s message in a changing world.

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.

When Christmas is blue: A meditation of hope

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‘Tis the season for all things merry and bright. Except when you’re feeling sad, lonely and perhaps grieving.

Retired United Methodist pastor and current spiritual director Cindy Serio discusses why Christmas can be a challenging season for some folks and shares a guided meditation that acknowledges that you might feel blue at this time of the year while offering encouragement for finding hope, even on the longest night.

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.

Seven sisters: A look at the lives of John Wesley’s female siblings

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John Wesley had seven sisters and it’s “overdue that we explore their lives,” says Rev. Dr. Glen O’Brien, author, minister and professor of Christian history and thought at the University of Divinity in Melbourne, Australia. Join Dr. Ashley Boggan, host of “Un-Tied Methodism,” as she and O’Brien delve into the stories of the Wesley sisters, examining both their lives and contributions to Methodism, as well as the importance of understanding Christian history from a female perspective.

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.

Transform your faith: From believing in Jesus to believing like Jesus

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What if, instead of having faith in Jesus, you had the faith of Jesus? Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, who has integrated the Jewish faith of her birth with her chosen identity as a United Methodist, urges all of us to embrace our inner divinity to live a more purposeful life, one in which we move beyond simply believing in Jesus to believing like Jesus.

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

Learn more and/or purchase Simon-Peter’s book, “Believe Like Jesus: Rising from faith in Jesus to the faith of Jesus.”

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

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

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.

‘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.

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.

Methodists and Sand Creek

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Many United Methodists do not know the violent tragedies of our past, including the denomination’s  responsibility and agency in the Sand Creek Massacre, the 1864 attack by the U.S. Army on the Cheyenne and Arapaho people in what is now Colorado. This is that story.

Dr. Ashley Boggan welcomes guest, Dr. Gary L. Roberts, professor and author of “Massacre at Sand Creek: How Methodists Were Involved in an American Tragedy.”

Note: This episode is a repeat from October 2021.

To learn more and/or order Dr. Roberts’ book, go to 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.

Sacred Journeys: Weaving Navajo spirituality with Wesleyan faith

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When the Rev. Calvin Yashie Hill discovered the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as a seminary student, the Navajo holy man knew he had found his denominational home. Discover how Wesleyan discipleship aligns with indigenous spirituality and how understanding both can lead to a more welcoming church.

Today’s “Get Your Spirit in Shape” episode is part one of 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.

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

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