Category: Get Your Spirit in Shape

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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 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.

Learn more about this episode at: https://www.umc.org/en/content/when-christmas-is-blue-a-guided-meditation-get-your-spirit-in-shape-ep-131

Have questions or comments? Email us at gysis@umcom.org.

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HIV and AIDS aren’t in the news much anymore as the western world has gained access to life-saving medications and cases have decreased. Despite the good news, the worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic still exists, with the World Health Organization reporting a startling statistic: Of those people living with AIDS who don’t receive treatment, 95 percent die. On World AIDS Day, Dr. Douglas Smith, a United Methodist man who lives with AIDS, shares about the work of the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee and how all of us can be a loving presence in our communities and congregations for those people living with HIV/AIDS.

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

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

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Let’s celebrate being United Methodists! That single sentiment is the overarching message from a trio of United Methodist pastors – Andy Langford, Sally Langford, Ann Langford Duncan – whose new book, titled “Being United Methodist Christians,” reflects on the history and theology amid worldwide diversity, and urges members to embrace our unique contributions and be proud of our heritage.

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

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

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Navigating through the complexities of current conflicts, like the one between Israel and Hamas, can be challenging.

The Rev. Dr. Ron Bell discusses how empathy, meaningful action and making room to see the humanity of others can help us rise above the political and news-driven narratives to model Christ’s love in a polarized world.

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

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

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Christmastime is filled with sights, sounds, tastes and smells. United Methodist minister and author Matt Rawle shares how our sensory experiences of Christmas can deepen our connection to the season’s narrative and help us create a more meaningful Advent.

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

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

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Personal discipleship is more than attending Sunday School and reading the Bible. The Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye shares her thoughts on how following Jesus can move us into action in our churches and our communities.
Today’s episode, which marks the 150^th episode for “Get Your Spirit in Shape,” was recorded as part of the 2023 United Methodist Podcast-a-thon sponsored by ResourceUMC.org.

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

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

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Words matter – even the ones we use when we talk about God – or perhaps especially the ones we use to talk about God. Meg Lassiat from The United Methodist Church’s General Commission on the Status and Role of Women discusses how words can limit or expand our relationship with God and how Scripture points us to a broader understanding of who God is.

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

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

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Sharing our faith where people commonly gather is a concept as old as John Wesley. The Rev. Dr. Adam Sowder believes, if Wesley were alive today, the founder of Methodism definitely would be gaming on Twitch, chatting on Discord and streaming his sermons across social media. Methodist Gaming, which Adam started, is an online community found on  streaming platforms like Twitch. Adam shares how church is happening at Methodist Gaming and how we also can find connection in these digital spaces.

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

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Trauma is universal and trauma, especially unaddressed, can affect how we engage with one another both inside and outside of our church communities. The Rev. Christy Miller White discusses how our behaviors can bring healing and offers practical tips for helping others and ourselves develop resiliency to live with trauma.

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

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Courageous conversations have nothing to do with being nice and everything to do with being kind, gentle and loving. The Rev. Dr. Scott Hughes of The United Methodist Church’s Discipleship Ministries asserts that engaging in structured dialogues of learning – or courageous conversations – could create space for the most radical hospitality of all, a place of deeper and more welcoming community within 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.