In late 2023, the Rev. Emily Carroll from Shady Grove United Methodist Church in rural Louisiana, traveled to the United Arab Emirates to meet up with 100,000 attendees of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Rev. Emily shares about her experience, the hopeful takeaways and what we all can do to be better stewards of God’s creation, because, as she puts it, this conversation affects all people. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here . Have a quest...
Apr 05, 2024
A nomadic life may conjure images of aimlessly traveling with no sense of destination. For lifelong United Methodists Tammy and Rodney Ripley, who have been NOMADS for several years, their lives are far from aimless and destinations are denomination-related churches, camps and other sites where the couple joins fellow retirees to offer hope in the way of construction and other general repairs. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here . Have a question or com...
Mar 15, 2024
The phrase, “thin places,” dates back to the ancient Celts who used it to describe those times when we feel closest to the God, as if the veil between the natural world and spiritual world becomes very thin. The Rev. Jane Ellen Nickell discusses how to discover these sacred spaces in our own lives where we can encounter God in a real and near way. 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 ...
Mar 01, 2024•33 min
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 often is referred to as the “love chapter.” Following the verses as a checklist of what love is, we might find that we’re better at loving others than we are at loving ourselves. But to practice the commandment that Jesus calls out as the second most important – Love your neighbor as yourself – it might be worthwhile to look at some of those verses from 1 Corinthians – “love is patient,” “Love is kind,” for the definition of self-love. Laurin Allred, a cradle United Meth...
Feb 16, 2024•32 min
This “Get Your Spirit in Shape” episode is part of our “Meet a bishop” series. Bishop Tom Berlin, a lifelong United Methodist who grew up near Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, credits his local church with creating a strong sense of community in his life. Following a call when he was a summer camp counselor, the 2022 elected bishop to the Florida Conference also is a prolific author. His newest book, “The Third Day: Living the Resurrection,” examines the lives of those most impacted by Jesus’ final...
Feb 02, 2024•37 min
The topic of health and wellness isn’t new to the 21st century. Numerous Scriptures encourage us to take care of ourselves, reminding us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, wrote a book on the topic titled “Primitive Physick,” and encouraged 18th century clergy to both care for their parishioners’ physical needs as much as their spiritual ones. Lorry Mpindu, a Global Health leader with The UMC’s General Board of Global Ministries, discusses the vi...
Jan 19, 2024•33 min
Serving as worship leader at The United Methodist Church’s General Conference is a feat that Raymond Trapp is embracing by offering music that both showcases the diversity of the church and also meets people at their point of need. Trapp shares insights into his musical strategy, his selfcare routine for the 11-day event and how he believes the General Conference theme of “And know that I am God” is not to be seen as a command, but rather as a reassurance to the entire denomination. More informa...
Jan 05, 2024•26 min
‘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-meditatio...
Dec 15, 2023•22 min
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 Committe...
Dec 01, 2023•33 min
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?...
Nov 17, 2023•35 min
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 Connect with The United Meth...
Nov 03, 2023•36 min
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 Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org ....
Oct 20, 2023•50 min
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 150th 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? Em...
Oct 06, 2023•29 min
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 Connect wit...
Sep 15, 2023•25 min
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...
Sep 01, 2023•43 min
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 . Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org Connect with The United Methodist Churc...
Aug 18, 2023•32 min
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 . Hav...
Aug 04, 2023•32 min
Crying out in grief. Thanking God for mercy. Asking for strength. Like a psalmist, Stephon Void used poetry to express how he felt as he navigated his father’s terminal cancer diagnosis, as well as his own chronic health concerns. Stephon’s new book, “A Healing Journey,” chronicles the cradle United Methodist’s path that eventually brought him to a place of peace. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here . Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom....
Jul 21, 2023•29 min
When Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth was 9 year old, he prayed aloud at his small Alabama church, resulting in a standing ovation. His grandma then squeezed his cheeks and proclaimed that her grandson would preach one day. Though he was intent on becoming an architect, a stint in the U.S. Air Force set the teen on a path of discernment that ended with his call to ordained ministry being affirmed while serving communion to those living on the streets of South Los Angeles. More information and a full t...
Jul 07, 2023•39 min
United Methodist Andrea Gauldin-Rubio, a white woman who grew up in the rural south, shares about examining biases and recognizing white privilege, while acknowledging that anti-racism work should be ongoing and focused as much on action as on education. 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 ....
Jun 16, 2023•31 min
At a young age, ViaFaith McCullough learned that people are more than their circumstances. After spending a summer as a college intern with The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society, this cradle United Methodist discovered a deeper understanding of justice and found that, when we work together, even our simplest ideas can impact social inequities. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here . Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis...
Jun 02, 2023•25 min
People have told Pete Wright that, from the outside, his life looked trouble-free: loving wife and kids, fulfilling career, all the signs of success. On the inside, Pete has struggled for years with chronic depression. He shares the story of his journey, from a place where he once attempted suicide to discovering joy in the everyday details of life. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here . Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org Connect wit...
May 19, 2023•30 min
Many of us seek God in the natural world, whether we backpack in the mountains, walk through a forest or relax by a lake. The Rev. Beth Jones shares how the discipline of slowing down and noticing God’s creation has the ability to heal us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, as well as repair and renew our relationships with one another, ourselves and God.
May 05, 2023•31 min
In this special “Meet a bishop” episode of “Get Your Spirit in Shape,” we meet the Rev. David Wilson who recently made history as the first Native American to be elected as bishop of The UMC. Bishop Wilson tells us how growing up in The UMC prepared him for his current ministry role, the highest leadership position in the denomination.
Apr 21, 2023•36 min
Pause for a few quiet moments to ponder the events of Jesus’ final hours on earth through the contemplative spiritual discipline of guided meditation. The Rev. Cindy Serio, a retired United Methodist pastor and current spiritual director, leads us in a special meditation for Good Friday, helping us stay attentive to God’s invitation to us. This is a re-release of an episode from 2022.
Apr 07, 2023•24 min
United Methodists may feel grief as the denomination experiences disaffiliations. A spiritual director shares tips for healing while explaining why compassion is needed during this fragile time.
Mar 17, 2023•22 min
In this episode, a school superintendent who was recognized by former President Obama, honored at the Oscars, and is a candidate to be a UMC deacon, shares where she finds joy, including how living out the Gospel for her includes sitting on the floor with a classroom of kindergarteners. More information and the full transcript are available on our episode page . Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org . Connect with The United Methodist Church at UMC.org ....
Mar 03, 2023•26 min
Bishop Delores (Dee) Williamston, the first Black woman elected as bishop in The UMC’s South Central Jurisdiction, is a grandmother who discovered her call to ministry at a skating rink while supervising a group of 50 kids from her local church. More info and a full transcript of the conversation are available on our episode page . Share your thoughts with us: gysis@umcom.org Connect with The United Methodist Church at UMC.org ....
Feb 17, 2023•28 min
United Methodist pastor Luke Edwards discusses how to develop listening as a spiritual discipline, a practice that when rooted in curiosity and love can transform our communities, our churches and our faith. More info and a full transcript are available on our episode page . Share your thoughts with us: gysis@umcom.org...
Feb 03, 2023•26 min
Spiritual trauma happens, even in the church. Rev. Christy Holden and Derrick Scott III discuss why some have experienced spiritual pain that may make the church feel unsafe. They share ways we can prevent harm and encourage healing as conduits of God’s love. Learn more about this episode on our website . Have questions or comments? Email us at gysis@umcom.org ....
Jan 20, 2023•41 min
