First UMC of Honolulu: Reclaiming its heritage with hope

Dr. Ashley Boggan D. discusses the history of The United Methodist Church in Hawaii with the Rev. Amy Wake, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Honolulu, who details the colonialism surrounding the arrival of Methodism to the islands and how the local church has persevered to maintain its culture across the decades.

Learn more United Methodist history by visiting umhistoryhub.teachable.com.

Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives & History at ResourceUMC.org/archivesandhistory.

La Trinidad UMC: Using history to preserve the future

La Trinidad UMC , founded in 1876, is the longest serving Mexican American congregation in The UMC. Dr. Ashley Boggan D. talks with the Rev. John Feagins about how this historic church in San Antonio, Texas, redefined itself by rediscovering its rich cultural identity.

Learn more United Methodist history by visiting umhistoryhub.teachable.com.

Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives & History at ResourceUMC.org/archivesandhistory.

Reclaim. Revive. Renew: A playbook for the future of The UMC

Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops, and David Worthington, director of Global Relationships at John Wesley’s New Room, discuss the importance of our local church histories with Dr. Ashley Boggan D. and share how our denomination’s future could be influenced by remembering our legacy.

Learn more about the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History by visiting ResourceUMC.org/archivesandhistory.

Jackson UMC: ‘Downtown for good’

Dr. Ashley Boggan D., host of “Un-Tied Methodism” discusses the history of First United Methodist Church of Jackson, Tenn., with the Rev. Sky McCracken. In addition to being the city’s oldest church in continuous operation, the church has a rich Civil War-era history as the building that housed a hospital and stable for Union forces. In 1870, the church played a major role in organizing the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, now the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Chicago Temple: The UMC’s chapel in the sky

First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple can boast a number of distinctions, including oldest congregation in the Windy City where the chapel is atop a skyscraper. On this episode of “Un-Tied Methodism,” host Dr. Ashley Boggan D. talks with David Foster as he shares the story of the Chicago Temple, a downtown church that stayed put throughout a century of change.

Gulfside Assembly: 100 years of being ‘everybody’s place, open to all’

Hear the story of Gulfside Assembly, where, 100 years ago, swampy Mississippi acreage was transformed into a retreat center that provided spiritual, educational and recreational facilities to Blacks who were denied access elsewhere because of segregation. Dr. Ashley Boggan D. chats with Cheryl Thompson, Gulfside Assembly’s executive director, about the renaissance happening at this historical landmark of The United Methodist Church.

‘Do Everything’: The reform legacy of Frances Willard

In honor of Women’s History Month, Dr. Ashley Boggan D. welcomes Dr. Christopher Evans to discuss the remarkable and energetic Frances Willard. Willard, a cradle Methodist, was one of the most widely known people in America during her lifetime, leaving an indelible mark on not only Methodist history but U.S. history as an American educator, women’s suffragist and national president of Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. She is credited with being instrumental in the passage of the 18th and 19th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Inherited Racism: 1968-1972

Dr. Ashley Boggan D., general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, welcomes Bishop Ernest Lyght and Bishop Forrest Stith, to “Un-Tied Methodism” to discuss the years 1968-1972, a quadrennium filled with hopes, plans and disappointments for Black Methodists, and learn why United Methodism’s greatest challenges of cultural diversity and connectionalism are also the denomination’s greatest strengths.

Advice to the People called Methodists: 18th century wisdom for 2023

“Do not imagine that you can avoid giving offense,” John Wesley tells the People called Methodists. This advice, along with four other nuggets of wisdom continues to serve as good words to us as we live out our lives and spread the love of God.

Dr. Ted A. Campbell, the Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies at SMU Perkins School of Theology, joins Dr. Ashley Boggan D. on today’s episode.

Slam Poetry & Mary: An unconventional Christmas pageant

St. Francis of Assisi is credited with presenting the first Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve in the early 1200s. Fast forward to the 21st century when Christmas pageants haven’t veered too far from the 13th century version with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and a few animals.

Inspired by slam poetry, Rev. Katy Shedlock, United Methodist clergy, church planter and co-pastor at The Creator’s Table in Spokane, Washington, decided to change it up. In the “Deleted Scenes Christmas Pageant,” Shedlock puts the spotlight on Mary, filling in the unknown parts of the traditional story with an unconventional narrative that highlights Mary as a powerful, fierce teen woman.