Get Your Spirit in Shape - United Methodist Podcast

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 comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

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 The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

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 Methodist, joins us on “Get Your Spirit in Shape” for the conversation and challenges us to read the “love chapter” through a different lens. 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.

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 days and how the transformative hope they found remains available for us 2000 years later. 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.

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 vital reasons the church needs to talk about all areas of health == the physical, mental and spiritual — to fulfill John 10:10 when Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly. 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.

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 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.  

‘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.

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

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

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 Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

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.

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.

Meg Lassiat from The UMC'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.

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. Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

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 Church by visiting UMC.org.