One Georgia UMC Podcast

Connecting with Shannon Karafanda

Today Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Shannon Karafand about reaching new people in the community, spreading Holy Mischief, loving one another to Christ, and being authentic on social media.

Shannon is the pastor of Trinity UMC in Cartersville. 

Connecting with Jeff Cook

Today Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Jeff Cook about leading an outreach-oriented congregation, "Messy" breakfasts on Sunday morning, hard decisions, and working to create a space where every person can belong and find relationship with Christ. 

Jeff is pastor of Trinity UMC in Warner Robbins, Georgia. 

"Know Christ, Serve Christ, Share Christ" 

Connecting with Elizabeth Pollard

Today Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Elizabeth Pollard about following the call to ministry and about choosing life, not just letting it happen to you. 

Elizabeth is pastor of Newnan Chapel UMC in Newnan, Georgia. 

"My decision to come to The United Methodist Church was because I fell in love with the theology. I fell in love with grace."

Connecting with Abra Lattany-Reed

Welcome to the One Georgia Podcast! Today Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed about her call to ministry as a bi-vocational pastor, the ministry of presence, elevating the role of the church in diversity and justice matters, and the hard work of dismantling racism. 

 

Abra serves in the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church as Director of Diversity and Justice Ministries. 

 

We are a community that does life together. As a way to strengthen our connection, you are encouraged to drive around your community this week and ask, "God, what would it look like for me to elevate your word here? What would it look like for me to dismantle the systems that are there, to disrupt with holiness and word, and how can we honor your kingdom?"

 

Discussed today:

 

Resources on Religion and Race - https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/religion-and-race

 

Read John 14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014&version=CEB

 

Read Psalm 37 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2037&version=CEB 

Connecting with Steven Usry

Today Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Dr. Steven Usry about going through a pain point as a church and rebuilding, about hiring and pouring into church staff, and about the prayer Bishop Dease utters daily. 

Steven is pastor of Dalton First UMC. 

More on topics discussed today:

Staff support - https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/how-to-support-your-church-staff-and-why-you-should 

Listening to Your Community - https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/mycom-podcast-ep-008-how-successful-churches-listen-to-their-community 

Browse Cokesbury's Bible Studies - https://www.cokesbury.com/studies

 

Connecting with Adriane Burgess

Today Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Adriane Burgess about "Dessert Devotions," matching your passions with your calling, and letting the silo walls down to be the same person everywhere. 

Adriane is pastor of St Mary's Road UMC in the Columbus area, an avid baker who loves to whip up easy dessert recipes along with an engaging devotional,  

 

More about topics discussed today:  

Dessert Devotions - https://www.dessertdevotion.com/

Resources for Clergy Families and Those Who Care For Them - https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/resources-for-clergy-families-and-those-who-care-for-them 

What Are Your Spiritual Gifts? - https://www.umc.org/en/content/exploring-your-spiritual-gifts 

 

Connecting with Ralph Thompson

Today Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Ralph Thompson about starting a new appointment, the value of intergenerational ministry, and being authentically yourself in the pulpit. 

Ralph is pastor of Bethany UMC in Smyrna. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree (M.Div) from Candler School of Theology.  

Resources on Topics Discussed in This Episode:

 

Community Partnerships

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/fostering-effective-community-partnerships

 

Intergenerational Ministry

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/a-church-for-the-ages-vibrant-vital-intentionally-intergenerational

 

Cross-Racial Appointments

https://www.r2hub.org/library/tag/CRCC#gsc.tab=0

Connecting with Jonathan Smith

Today Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Smith about serving in a college town, transforming the world through campus ministry, and how the United Methodist connection steps up in disaster response.

Jonathan is pastor of Pittman Park UMC in Statesboro. He has a Master of Divinity (M.Div) from Emory University and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) focused in Church and Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary. 

In this episode:
UMComission - https://www.umcommission.org/
Georgia Southern Wesley Foundation - https://gswesley.com/
Claflin University - https://www.claflin.edu/student-life/life-on-campus/spiritual-life
UMCOR - https://umcmission.org/umcor/