One Georgia UMC Podcast

Special Episode: Update on the Journey

Join Kelly Roberson from the South Georgia Conference and Rodrigo Cruz, Assistant to the Bishop in the North and South Georgia Conferences, as they bring you up to date on everything we know so far as our two Annual Conferences study and pursue unification.

Find more about the journey at www.GeorgiaUMC.org.

Special Episode: Advent Message from Bishop Dease

This Advent, Bishop Robin Dease calls us to embrace unity in this season, reminding us that Christ came to bring us together.

“There are countless stories that demonstrate the power of unity when we let unity win,” said Bishop Dease. “Scripture tells us we are to be like-minded and to care for one another, to serve one another, to bear one another’s burdens, to forgive one another, to speak truth to each other, to be compassionate toward each other, and to submit to each other in deference, considering others better than ourselves. That is unity!”
 
She encourages us all to show hospitality to each other, be humble toward each other, and pray for each other. 
 
“My friends, we must work towards unity,” said Bishop Dease. “Because the hope of the Kingdom of God reigning in our midst is what we pray and work for: a kingdom of peace and justice, a kingdom not of exclusion, but of inclusion; not of revenge, but of compassion; not one of justice alone, but justice tempered with mercy.”

This Advent, you're invited to check www.sgaumc.org/Advent or www.ngumc.org/Advent2024 each day for a devotional message from a Georgia United Methodist. 

Connecting with Millie Kim

Today Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Millie Kim. They discuss feeling a call to ministry as a student at the Emory Wesley Fellowship, serving in one of the most diverse areas of the state, and opening a coffee house at the church (and its perfect name)! 

Millie is pastor of Mountain Park UMC in Gwinnett County. 

"Be good neighbors!"

Connecting with Teresa Edwards

Welcome to the One Georgia Podcast! In today’s episode, Bishop Dease talks with Rev. Teresa Edwards about the ministry of a deacon, the power of spiritual disciplines, and how to tend to and respond to the call that ignites your soul. (And they talk tattoos!)

 

Teresa is the associate pastor at Vineville UMC in Macon.

 

"We have a continual invitation to open our eyes really wide to what God is up to in our world and then go and be a part of it!"

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