Connect Radio: Recent Episodes
Connect Radio
A weekly show about the United Methodist connection originating from Western North Carolina. We will be conversing with United Methodists across the connection.
Each show will feature a guest (or guests) who will talk about those things that they are passionate about, why they are United Methodists, and what they would like to contribute to the future of the church.
Michael Rich and Drew McIntyre discuss what happened on Thursday and take a look at the rest of Annual Conference 2017.
This episode of CONNECT was uploaded on June 20, 2017. Ron Ballard of the Blue Ridge District, and Conference Lay Leader, Jane Wood discuss a focus for the new quadrennium- ACCOUNTABLE DISCIPLESHIP.
The Board of Laity of the Western North Carolina Conference has made ths a focus for the next four years.
Read more about it here: http://wnccumc.org/lay-ministries/
This episode of CONNECT was uploaded on April 19, 2017.
Luke Edwards is the pastor at King Street Church in Boone, NC. He is also involved on a national level with Fresh Expressions US.
The Western North Carolina Conference has just begun a relationship with Fresh Expressions US, and has an upcoming VISION DAY in Salisbury on May 6, 2017.
This episode of CONNECT was uploaded on April 12, 2017.
The Foundation for Christian Formation is a significant minstry birthed in our conference. They have worked with dozens of churches and thousands of youth in the process of confirmation.
Learn more about this organization at http://www.fcfconfirm.net/.
This episode of CONNECT was uploaded on April 5, 2017.
A.J. Thomas is an elder in the Western North Carolina Conference. After serving in a number of appointment since 2005, he stepped out to form a new ministry called: The Joyful Giving Group.
This discussion is about stewardship, generosity and giving in the local church.
THis episode of CONNECT was uploaded on March 29, 2017.
Ed Kilbourne, long-time singer, storyteller, humorist and folk theologian discussed one of his newest projects- Vacation Bible School for Seniors.
You can find out more about Ed at - edkilbourne.com
This episode of CONNECT was uploaded on March 22, 2017.
Josh Sherfey is the pastor of First UMC in Taylorsville, NC. He has been serving in the Western North Carolina Conference since 2000. He has also been chosen to be the worship director for Annual Conference for this quadrennium.
This conversation included discussions about leading worship in the local church, and what it takes to prepare worship for 2000+ at Annual Conference.
This episode of CONNECT was uploaded on March 14, 2017.
Paul Brown grew up in a conservative Baptist household. Became a United Methodist, graduated from Duke Divinity School and is now the pastor of Central UMC in Canton, NC.
This conversation is about the Middle Way in United Methodism.
This episode of CONNECT was uploaded on March 8, 2017.
Jonathan Coppedge-Henley is an associate at Huntersville UMC and a General Evangelist. He hosts a a radio show on Sunday nights called Road Signs on 106.5 FM "Charlotte's New Rock Aleternative"
This is a conversation about faith and music
This episode of CONNECT was prerecorded and uploaded on February 28, 2017.
Shannon Haszard Sherfey is a layperson from First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville, NC. She is the Appalachian District Lay Leader, served as a delegate to the 2016 General Conference, and gave the laity address at the 2015 Annual Conference. Sh is also a physician with a family practice in Newton, NC.
This discussion was about Health, Wellness from a United Methodist Perspective.
This is the second episode of a new format of CONNECT. It was prerecorded and uploaded on February 20, 2017.
Father Tim McRee is the rector of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Canoton, NC. He is an exceptional preacher and liturgical scholar.
This episode focuses on preparing for Lent.
This is the first episode of a new format of CONNECT. It was prerecorded and uploaded on February 14, 2017.
Jane Boatwright Wood is the Conference Lay Leader for the Western North Carolina Conference. She is also the President/CEO of the Foundation for Evangelism located in Lake Junaluska, NC.
This episode focuses on the role of the laity.
This episode of CONNECT airs on January 18, 2017. Rev.James Burroughs is currently serving at St. Luke UMC in Asheboro. Before that he was an associate at Pisgah UMC in Greensboro. He finished his Bachelor's degree at N.C. State, and may be one of the younger second career clergy serving in the Western North Carolina Conference.
This episode of CONNECT airs on December 21, 2016. Rev. Scott Osterberg is the pastor of New Story Church in the Winston Salem area. It has grown to multiple locations and serves a very diverse population. We will learn more about Scott and his ministry on this show.
This episode of CONNECT airs on October 26, 2016. George Mitrovich, a United Methodist layperson, has had a career in politics, is a prolific writer, and leads three prominent public forums- The City Club of San Diego, The Denver Forum, and the Fenway Park Writers Series. Read more about him at: http://www.fenwayparkwriters.org/fenway_park_writer_chairman.asp
This episode of CONNECT airs on October 19, 2016. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgove is a graduate of Eastern University and Duke Divinity School. He is a speaker, writer, pastor and lives with his family in an intentional commuity called the Rutba House in Durham and he directs the School of Conversion. Learn more at: http://jonathanwilsonhartgrove.com/
This episode of CONNECT airs on October 12, 2016. Bishop Lawrence McCleskey served in the Western North Carolina Conference before he was elected to the episocpacy in 1996. He served eight years in South Carolina before returning as the bishop in Western North Carolina until his retirement in 2008. He lives at Lake Junaluska and remains busy with his work with Africa University.
This episode of CONNECT airs on September 28, 2016. Brandon Wrencher is the executive director of the Blackburn House and pastor of Blackburn's Chapel UMC in Todd, NC. It is a ministry birthed out of Boone UMC and serves the community in a wide variety of ways. They also have a cohort of young adults living in intentional community and serving in the area that we will hear from. Learn more at: https://theblackburnhouse.com/
This episode of CONNECT airs on September 21, 2016. Rev. Diron Chloe is the pastor of Metropolitan UMC in Greensboro, NC. He has been serving in a variety of settings since 2003 in the Western North Carolina Conference.
This episode of CONNECT airs on September 7, 2016. Rev. Dan Wunderlich is a clergy member of the Florida Conference. He serves beyond the local church in digital ministry and you can find out all about him aand his ministry at: http://www.defininggrace.com/
This episode of CONNECT airs on August 31, 2016. Rev. Dr. Mark King began as the Conference Treasurer for the Western North Carolina Conference in mid-July. He is on the show to talk about his call and ministry, and his new role in the conference.
This episode of CONNECT airs on August 24, 2016. Bishop Ken Carter is a regular guest on the show. We caught him on "vacation" at Lake Junaluska for a recorded interview. This episode includes discussion of General Conference, SEJ Conference and "A Way Forward."
This episode of CONNECT airs on August 17, 2016. Rev. Jeremy Troxler is the pastor of Spruce Pine UMC in the High Country of Western North Carolina. Prior to that he served 6 years as the Director of Thriving Rural Communities Program at Duke Divinity School.
This episode of CONNECT airs on July 27, 2016. Audio captured at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, held July 13-15, 2016 at Lake Junaluska. Brief statements from the five newly elected bishops: Sharma Lewis, David Graves, Leonard Fairley, Lawson Bryan and Sue Haupert-Johnson.
This episode of CONNECT airs on July 20, 2016. Rev. Kathleen Kilbourne is the Director of of the Center for Deacon Education at Pfeiffer University and has been an active deacon in the Western North Carolina Conference since 1996, and a member of the Pfeiffer staff since 1997.
This episode of Connect airs on July 6, 2016. Rev. Dr. James Howell, pastor of Myers Park UMC in Charlotte is the episcopal nominee from the Western North Carolina Conference. He will be considered for election at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference to be held at Lake Junaluska, NC, July 13-15, 2016.
This show was recorded on June 18, 2016 on Saturday of Annual Conference and broadcast on the weekend after Annual Conference. Drew McIntyre and Michael Rich talk about Friday's and Saturday's events.
This episode of CONNECT airs on June 22, 2016. Dr. Larry Duggins is the Leader of the Missional Wisdom Foundation in Texas. He holds a D.min. from Perkins School of Theology, and and MBA, MS in Finance and ad a Bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University. He co-founded the Missional Wisdom Foundation with Elain e Heath.
This show was recorded on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Lake Junaluska. Your hosts Michael Rich and Drew McIntyre look back at the last 24 hours or so if AC2016.
This episode of CONNECT airs on June 8, 2016. A look back at Annual Conference 2015. This show aired immediately after the clergy session and included Rev. Amy Coles and Drew McIntyre talking about Annual Conference, election of General Conference delegates and more.
This episode of Connect airs on May 25, 2016. This look at The United Methodist General Conference features two clips of Bishop Bruce Ough. The first is the historic address on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 from the Council of Bishops. The second is his sermon on Friday, May 20, 2016 that sends the General Conference forth.
This episode of Connect airs on May 17, 2016. Rev. Angela Pleasants is the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Mt. Holly, NC. She has recently been chosen to be the superintendent of the Catawba Valley District beginning in July.
Collection of clips and information about the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon, held May 10-20, 2016.
This episode of Connect airs on April 20, 2016. Donna Claycomb Sokol is the pastor at Mount Vernon Place UMC in Washington DC. She has been a White House intern during the Clinton Administration, was the Director of Admissions to Duke Divinity School, and served in local churches. Here is a link to her bio. http://mvpumc.org/our-staff/
This episode of Connect airs on April 6, 2016. Brett Loftis is the new CEO of The Children's Home in Winston-Salem. He is also the CEO of the The Crossnore School in Crossnore, NC. The two organizations are partnering together to serve more children in North Carolina.
This episode of Connect airs on March 23, 2016. On the Wednesday of Holy Week, a conversation with Father Tim McCree of Canton, NC about Holy Week and the liturgical acts and words of the season.
This episode of Connect airs on March 16, 2016. Rev. Dr. Doug Hume is an Associate Professor of Religion at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC and is an ordained elder in the Western North Carolina Conference.
This show airs on March 2, 2016. This is a colelction of cultivated clips from 2015, including Bishops Ken Carter and Charlene Kammerer, Greg Jones, Brian Milford and Ken Garfield. You can listen to all of these clips at Cultivated Clips from Connect
This episode airs on February 17, 2016. Bruce Stanley is the Presidet/CEO of the Methodist Home for Children in Raleigh, NC. He has worked in local churches, led Field Education at Duke Divinity School, and was Associate Director for the N.C. Conference Council of Ministries for Mission and Evangelism.
This show airs on February 3, 2016. Brian Mateer and Nathan Arledge have been instrumental in making #UnitedMethodistsKeepPounding happen before Superbowl L, between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Read more- Charlotte Churches Challenge to Feed the Hungry
This episode of CONNECT airs on January 13, 2016. Jim Parsons is the pastor of Indian Trail UMC in Indian Trail, NC. He is the chair of the Call & Vocation Team of the Western North Carolina Conference. This episode is the first of a series in 2016 sponsored by the Call & Vocation Team.
This is the most listened to show of 2015. This episode of Connect will air on November 4, 2015. Luke Edwards is the pastor of King Street Church in Boone, NC which is a new ministry that reaches persons that wouldn't normally show up in a traditional church.
This episode of Connect airs on December 16, 2015. Wayne Dickert is the pastor of Bryson City UMC and Dr. Eugene Maklin is the Network Physician for the Cap Hatien Health Care Network. We will discuss River of Life and the well drilling project in Haiti.
This episode of Connect airs on December 9, 2015. Bishop Goodpaster is in the middle of his eight and final year of service in the Western North Carolina Conference. This is his second appearance on the show.
The first broacast aired in July 2015. This episode airs on December 2, 2015. Dana McKim is the Minister to the University at Pfeiffer University and the Pastor of the Village Church.
This episode of Connect airs on November 18, 2015. Julia Trantham is in her first appointment as a deacon in Cullowhee, NC. She is a native of Canton, NC and and a 2013 graduate of Duke Divinity School.
This episode of Connect will air on November 4, 2015. Luke Edwards is the pastor of King Street Church in Boone, NC which is a new ministry that reaches persons that wouldn't normally show up in a traditional church.
This epsiode of Connect airs on Ocober 28, 2015. Reuben "Larry" Bowden is the pastor of Mt. Sylvan UMC in Durham. He is a Huntingdon College and Duke Divinity grad, and we go back over 40 years in the church together.
This episode of Connect airs on October 21, 2015. Talbot Davis is the pastor of Good Shepherd UMC in Charlotte, NC. He currently has four book available at Cokesbury.com. We'll learn more about Talbot and a busy year of publishing.
This edition of Connect airs on October 14, 2015. Gannon Sims is the Communications Director for Fresh Expressions USA.
This episode of CONNECT airs on September 30, 2015. Carl Arrington is the new District Superintendent of the Appalachian District. This conversation was pre-recorded on an earlier date.
This episode of Connect airs on September 23, 2015. Rev. Randy Harry is the new district Superintendent of the Smoky Mountain District.
This episode of Connect airs on September 2, 2015. This is a conversation with Rev. Laura Auten who is one of the new District Superintendents in the Western North Carolina Conference in 2015.
This episode of Connect airs on August 26, 2015. This is my second interview with Bishop Ken Carter of the Florida Conference. We spoke specifically about Fresh Expressions in general, and in the Florida Conference context.
This episode of Connect airs on August 19, 2015. Brain Combs is the pastor of the Haywood Street Congregation in Asheville, NC. It is a unique ministry among the poor and homeless in Western North Carolina.
Rebroadcast of a show from January 2015. A Conversation with Amy Coles. She was the Superintendent of the Smoky Mountain District at the time. She is now serving as the Assistant to the Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference.
This episode of Connect airs on August 5, 2015. Scott Hughes just recently moved from North Georgia to Nashville to become the Director of Adult Discipleship at United Methodist Discipleship Ministries.
This episode of Connect airs on July 29, 2015. Jack Ewing is the Executive Director of Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, NC.
This episode of Connect airs on July 22, 2015. Elaine Heath is the McCreless Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. She is also one of the founders of the Missional Wisdom Foundation.
This episode of Connect airs on July 15, 2015. Dana McKim is the Minister to the University at Pfeiffer University and the Pastor of the Village Church.
This episode of Connect airs on July 8, 2015. Gary Shockley is the Director of Church Vitality for the Western North Carolina Conference. Hear more about his career and experience here.
This episode of Connect airs on June 1, 2015. Ken Anderson is the new Director of Disaster Response for the Western North Carolina Conference. He is also the pastor of the Toe Valley Charge in the Appalachian District.
This fourth edition from Lake Junaluska goes live on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 5:30 PM. We will discuss the day's proceedings, overview of the day, and preview of Ordination service plus other business and commentary.
Hosting the show will be Michael Rich and Drew McIntyre with some phone in and studio guests.
The podcast will be available around 6:30 PM.
This third edition from Lake Junaluska goes live on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 5:30 PM. We will discuss the day's proceedings, overview of commissioning service and retirement service, updates on clergy and laity elections, and other business and commentary. Hosting the show will be Michael Rich and Drew McIntyre with some phone in and studio guests. The podcast will be available around 6:30 PM.
This second edition from Lake Junaluska goes live on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 5:30 PM. We will discuss the day's proceedings, first business, updates on clergy and laity elections, and other business and commentary. Hosting the show will be Michael Rich and Drew McIntyre with some phone in and studio guests. The podcast will be available around 6:30 PM.
This first edition from Lake Junaluska goes live on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 5:30 PM. We will discuss the day's proceedings, some of the basics of the Clergy Session, updates on clergy elections, and then discuss what will happen the rest of the week. Hosting the show will be Michael Rich and Drew McIntyre with some phone in and studio guests. The podcast will be available around 6:30 PM.
This episode was pre-recorded and airs on June 10, 2015. Ed Kilbourne is a singer, songwriter, storyteller who has graced the church for more years than he wants to count. Our conversation revolved around his craft and his thoughts about humor, stories, and more. There is also some music blended in because that's how Ed does things.
This episode of Connect airs on June 3, 2015. It was pre-recorded earlier in the year. Brian MIlford is the Chief Content Officer for The United Methodist Publishing House. He is responsible for books and curriculum for The United Methodist Church. He is a native of Iowa, and has served in a variety of settings before coming to the Publishing House.
This episode of Connect airs on May 27, 2015. Aryn Williams is a recent graduate of Candler School of Theology and will be taking her first full-time appointment in the Smoky Mountain District in July this year.
This episode of Connect airs on May 20, 2015. Jane Wood is a layperson from Waynesville, NC. She is active in her local church (First UMC, Waynesville), is the Smoky Mountain District Lay Leader, and is the President of the Foundation for Evangelism at Lake Junaluska, NC.
This episode of Connect was scheduled to air on May 13, 2015. Due to technical difficulties, we rescheduled for May 15, 2015.. Gavin Richardson lives in Nashville, TN and has his hands in lots of areas. He is the Chief Technology Officer for the United Methodist Reporter, does work with "Chuck Knows Church" and has speaking and consulting engagements across the country. He is a well connected lay person in The United Methodist Church.
This episode of Connect airs on May 6, 2015. L. Gregory Jones is the former Dean of the Divinity School at Duke University and is currently Senior Strategist for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School and Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Jr. Professor of Christian Ministry.
This episode of Connect airs on April 29, 2015. Tonya Lanier is the President of the United Methodist Women of the Western North Carolina Conference. We will hear about her background, her involvement in UMW, and the programs and plans of our United Methodist Women in the WNCC.
This episode of Connect airs on April 22, 2015. Stephanie Moore Hand is a Church Vitality Strategist for the Western North Carolina Conference. She works closely with the Metro and Uwharrie Districts. She is an ordained deacon who has served in a variety of positions in Western North Carolina.
This episode of Connect airs on April 15, 2015. David Snipes is the President/CEO of the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina. He is an ordained clergy and has been serving in this role since 2002. He and his wife are generous supporters of the show, and the Foundation is a generous supporter of ministry in the Western North Carolina Conference. This episode will introduce you to David and to the depth and breadth of the Foundation's work in Western North Carolina.
This episode of Connect airs on April 8, 2015. Ken Garfield spent many years as the Religion Editor at the Charlotte Observer. He is now the Director of Communications at Myers Park UMC in Charlotte. His professional story is exemplary, and his personal story is engaging (if not surprising).
This episode of Connect airs on April 1, 2015. Bishop Ken Carter was elected in 2012 at the Southeastern Jurisdiction and assigned that year to the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. Ken served as a pastor in Western North Carolina for most of his career. He always has a fresh look at issues in the church.
This episode of Connect airs on March 25, 2015. Dr. George Thompson is a retired United Methodist clergy living in Waynesville. He had a long career in the Western North Carolina Conference serving in a number of prominent churches, and was a District Suuperintendent. Last year, he wrote a book entitled: God is Not Fair-Thank God!: Biblical Paradox in the Life and Worship of the Parish. We will be discussing his life and ministry, as well as his book.
This episode of Connect will air on March 18, 2015. Lory Beth Huffman is the superintendent of the Appalachian District of the Western North Carolina Conference. She comes to the job with lots of energy and the insights of being a younger clergy.
This episode of Connect will air on March 11, 2015. We will talk with Bishop Charlene Kammerer who served the Western North Carolina Conference from 1996-2004. She is now retired and living in Lake Junaluska, NC. We will be discussing her years as a Bishop in The United Methodist Church and get her insights on the future of the denomination.
This episode of Connect airs on March 4, 2015. We will be talking with Rev. Drew McIntyre, the pastor of West Bend UMC in Asheboro, NC. Drew is a young clergy who has distinguished himself in the use of social media, is an active writer/blogger, and has a strong theological background. This discussion should be lively and challenging.
This episode of Connect airs on February 25, 2015. Sally is the Associate Director for Ministerial Services for the Western North Carolina Conference. Before coming to the Conference Staff she served pastorates in Shelby and Rutherford College. We will discuss her call to ministry and her work in helping others discover their calls.
This show is now available at YouTube for a look at what goes on behind the scenes. Sally Queen on YouTube
This episode of Connect airs on February 18, 2015. Susan Pennock is a layperson who lives in Hendersonville, NC. She is a consultant for the WNCC working on the development of Congregations for Children and has been with Communities In Schools of North Carolina for the past 8 years. Our discussion will include her work with education in the the state of North Carolina and her passion for the church being active in schools.
This episode of Connect airs on February 11, 2015. Neil Brown is a layperson at Spruce Pine UMC in Spruce Pine, NC. He is also the president of the WNCC United Methodist Men. Our conversation will look at his life in the church, what led him to be active in UMM, and then what the program of of UMM looks like in Western North Carolina.
This 5th episode of Connect airs on February 4, 2015. We spoke with Dr. John Boggs, the superintendent of the Blue Ridge District in the Western North Carolina Conference. He has served across the Conference in a variety of local churches. He is known for his creative and unorthodox style of being a DS. He has a love for worship and spirituality and brings that experience to the Cabinet and to leading the pastors of the Blue Ridge District.
This episode of Connect airs on January 28, 2015. Rev. Amy Coles is the superintendent of the Smoky Mountain District is the secretary of the cabinet. We will talk about her call to ministry and what led her to ministry as a second career. We will also discuss what it is like to be a part of the process of assigning over 800 clergy to 1100 churches.
This episode of Connect airs on January 21, 2015. Steve Ellis is a layperson at First UMC in Waynesville. He is an attorney, an active community member, and he lives his faith out as a husband, father, church volunteer and community member. Our conversation includes discusion of his family life, his favorite moments in church, and his shaping of a number of young people for life and ministry.
The second episode of Connect airs on January 14, 2015. Rev. Sarah Howell is an associate at Centenary UMC in Winston-Salem, NC and is responsible for the Roots Revival service that happens on Wednesday nights. Our conversation included looking at her life as a PK, her call to ministry, her going into full time service and what it is like to lead an alternative worship community.
The first episode of Connect with Bishop Larry Goodpaster. This was pre-recorded in December 2014 and aired on January 7, 2015. A conversation with Bishop Goodpaster, his early years of ministry in Mississippi, being a Bishop in general, and what it means to lead the Western North Carolina Conference at this time in history. Plus, you will get a glance into the future of The United Methodist Church.