Meet in the Middle: Recent Episodes
Beloved Community
A space to engage a broad range of topics that encourage civil discourse and promote common good. Each week we consider issues about racial tolerance and inclusion, social justice and equity, peaceable and collaborative relationships, while issuing the reminder to "Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God."
Bishop Hector Burgos Nunez is Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh's guest. Bishop Burgos serves the Upper New York Conference, and is the first Latinx bishop of the United Methodist Church's Northeast Jurisdiction. He is also the first Puerto Rican bishop to serve in the United Methodist Church. Together, Zayzay and Bishop Hector talk about some of the challenges of the future of the church.
Dr. Herbert V.R.P. Jones, the Founder and Director of the Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, and Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Gospel Chorale joins Rev. Renee Mikell to talk about the importance of music in ministry, as well as sharing his experiences and influences in music.
Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks to Keisha Jimmerson, Associate Dean of Students for Diversity, Inclusion and International Student Services for Seton Hill University, and Graduate Assistant George DiMetriotis, a native of Cyprus. They share their experiences of students that come from different nations for education in the United States,
Pastor Zayzay Kpadeh is joined by members of the group Together We Can. This group aims to create a multiracial and egalitarian society in America for all races including marginalized communities.
Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Rev. Dr. Josephine Whitely-Fields, the author of Pioneer Black Clergy Women. Dr. Whitely-Fields shares why she wrote book, the clergywomen she featured in it, and her own personal experiences of over 40 years in ministry.
Rev. Renee Mikell is joined in conversation today with a variety of people from all over the country, to share their thought of Christmas in the past and future.
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh sits down with Rev. Dr. Asa Lee, President of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and share how Dr. Lee came to PTS, his thoughts on racism in America and the World, and his thoughts on the future of the church.
Jamal Craig, President of the Pittsburgh Coalition of Black Trade Unionists joins Re. Dawn Lynn Check as they discuss voter suppression. It's an ongoing situation in many areas, and it might be closer than you think.
Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Rebekeh Greenawalt, Program Director of Jumonville Camp and Retreat Center. Rebekah shares her experiences and plans to continue creating a beloved community, and putting them into action.
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh leads a roundtable discussion with Beverly Lawrence, Denise Jones and Barbara Rumore of Together We Can in Venango County, PA. All three share their experiences growing up as children in Oil City, PA .
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh speaks with Rev. Timothy Harmon, Senior Pastor of 2nd Presbyterian Church of Oil City. They discuss the Litany of Repentance that was recently approved at the Presbyterian Church USA's 225th General Assembly held at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky this past June.
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh join Rev. Julian Cook, and his wife, Sigourney Cook. Rev. Cook is the Director of Houghton College Bethel Program in Buffalo New York, and Mrs. Cook is a teacher and a talented opera singer. They talk about the March 14th shootings at a Buffalo grocery market that killed 10, and injured dozens of others. The Cook's will share how the community is coping after the incident.
McKeesport Councilman Timothy Brown talks about the Men of Valor program for youth in his hometown. Rev. Renee Mikell hosts the episode.
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh welcomes back members of Together We Can. Clarion area therapist Jeff Polley, and Pastor Tim Harmon of the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Oil City join for a roundtable discussion. Also joining the conversation, is Abby Williams from Rocky Grove, and Franklin Area graduate Adam Luther, who were two of six winners in Together We Can's recent essay contest. Oil City native Barbara Rumore also joins the conversation.
Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Mrs. Denise Bailey Myers, author of the book, "Grandma's ABC's of Growing Up." The McKeesport native shares why she wrote the book, responds to some false narratives, as well as the role of Grandmothers in today's society. Denise is also the founder of Grand-Marvelous.
Lou Ransom, Jr., a Tipstaff for the family court of Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Dwayne Woodruff, joins Rev. Dawn Lynn Check for a discussion about the closing of the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center last year, and the affect on the youth of Allegheny County since the closure.
Eight women sought to help women across the world. That energy led them to do more. Today we have United Women in Faith. Over 150 years of acting on their faith. Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks with Linda Thayer, President of the United Methodist Women of Faith for Western Pennsylvania, and share it’s creation and how this group, formerly known as the United Methodist Women, are moving forward in service to God and their community.
Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks with Rev. Lynette Moran, Deacon at Bethel UMC and PhD candidate and Mellon Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh. Lynette walks us through white fragility and white grief.
Rev Dawn Lynn Check speaks with Sarah Jeanne Browne, a mental health advocate and Forbes writer. Browne shares her journey with mental illness and shines a light on the stigmas surrounding mental health.
This interview comes on the heels of shootings in Buffalo New York, and California. Rev. Dawn Lynn Check speaks with Rabbi Sara Perman, a retired Rabbi from the Pittsburgh area and co-chair of the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition, who gives us a glimpse into what it's like to be a targeted community based on faith and or ethnicity.
Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks with Lt. Colonel Rev. Dr. Jonathan Bell who is a chaplain serving in the 171st Air Fueling Wing out of Pittsburgh. Jonathan, who is a United Methodist pastor, is just back from a seven month deployment. Bell shares his experiences of being a deployed liaison for religious faiths, compassionate care, and personal freedoms .
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh talks with Dr. Elizabeth Hoorn Petersen and Rev. Zukisa Fumba of the South African Faith and Family Institute, talking about struggles in Southern Africa, and how SAFFI works for the betterment of those in need. First of a two part show.
Meet in the Middle co-hosts Rev. Dawn Lynn Check and Rev. Renee Mikell discuss the Senate confirmation hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to replace Justice Steven Breyer on the U.S Supreme Court.
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton of the New York Conference joins Pastor Zayzay Kpadeh. Bishop Bickerton helped to launch the Global Health Initiative and currently chairs United Methodist Church's Global Health Initiative , which works on a variety of issues such as global poverty to the church's fight in eliminating and dismantling killer diseases.
Rev. Ryan Pusch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) joins Rev. Renee Mikell this week to discuss the value of Ecumenism and the benefit of a collaborative approach to social justice issues.
Pastor Drew Gordon talks with Rev. Jeff Bobin, who brought his presentation on Human Trafficking to the Pastors of the Franklin District. Jeff shares his insight, as well as helping us to remember that human trafficking can happen even at our back door.
Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks with Steve and Cathy Tanaka. Steve is a first generation Japanese American. His parents and grandparents were in internment camps during WWII. Forty percent of those in camps died in captivity.
Pastor Zayzay Kpadeh talks with Jeffrey Polley, a therapist in Clarion County in Western PA and Pastor Timothy Harmon, .Senior Pastor of the 2nd Presbyterian Church of Oil City, PA. “Together We Can,” seeks a community approach in fighting for social change and racial justice in Venango County, Western Pennsylvania.
Deven Clarke KPRC-TV Field Reporter describes himself as a southern Yankee, native Brooklynite, turned proud Texan. Pastor Drew Gordon talks with him this week about his start and development in the communication field. From his first time in front of a camera to recently covering the story of a Texas Death Inmate, Deven shares his thoughts on the status of the media today.
Rev. Dawn Lynn Check talks to Rev. Michael Airgood, a former United Methodist missionary to Ukraine, and to Nazar Yatsysshyn a working Christian publisher and former United Methodist Church fellow. They discuss their history, and current situations in Ukraine.
This week, Meet in the Middle celebrates Black History Month by sharing stories of those who broke barriers in their chosen fields. Rev. Renee Mikell and Rev. Dawn Lynn Check host.
Following the shooting of Marquis Campbell, a differently abled student, Britany Bova, the school based coordinator at Oliver Academy joins Rev. Dawn Lynn Check to share her recollection of the incident.
Following the shooting of Marquis Campbell, a differently abled student, Rev. Kelly Smith joins other clergy to show support for staff and teachers. She joins Rev. Dawn Lynn Check this week.
Greensburg District Superintendent Rev. Paul Ritchey talks with Western PA Conference Missional Engagement Coordinator Sandra Matoushaya and Connection Leader Drew Harvey talk about the 15th anniversary of the Nyadire Connection and the 11th anniversary of the Partnership with the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area.
Rev. Renee Mikell interviews Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt, an Author, Professor and Pastor serving the Baltimore - Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. They discuss the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the common good of all people.
Rev. Drew Gordon talks with Rev. Leo Yates, Jr. of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, who has written several books on Deaf ministry and services. Drew and Leo discuss personal experiences in the Deaf community, and how churches can assist in building ministry for the Deaf, Deaf/blind ministry, and those who are losing their hearing as they mature.
Rev. Debra Mason, Diversity Development and Inclusion Coordinator of the Western Pennsylvania Conference joins Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh to talk about diversity and inclusion in the conference, and the steps we need to achieve it.
Rev. Steve Cordle of the Crossroads United Methodist Church joins District Superintendent Rev. Paul Ritchey to share about God's vision for his church planting in this area; annual congregational Spiritual practices, evangelistic opportunities, and the witness of God's movement during Holiday services.
Rev. Dawn Lynn Check visits some friends who share the traditions of Ukraine, Zimbabwe, and Columbia. A child guest tells what Christmas is about, and Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi describes her family's Christmas Eve Tradition.
The holiday season can be fun and exciting. But many feel the stress of the season, or sadness at personal loss. Pastor Drew Gordon talks with Pastors Jacob Penvose and Becky Edwards, both trained professional counselors. They'll talk about stress and depression, and what can be done to overcome those obstacles. They discuss Blue Christmas services, and an Advent initiative from the Western Pennsylvania Abundant Health Team for pastors in difficult times.
Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn about her favorite Christmas character -- The Grinch. They discuss the differences in the Grinch before and after understanding the meaning of Christmas, and how to apply to our lives.
The tables are turned as WPAUMC Communications and Social Media Coordinator Liz Lennox interviews Rev. Renee Mikell in difficult conversations by posing questions on the current state of race and ethnic relations in our society.
A two-week series in which Rev. Renee Mikell, and Liz Lennox, Communications and Social Media Coordinator of the WPAUMC Conference, engage difficult conversations by posing questions about the current state of race and ethnic relations in our society.
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh talks with Rev. Rob Wilson, Director of At the Lake Ministries in Erie, PA and Director of Congregational Development for the Western Pennsylvania Conference. They share experiences at At the Lake Ministries, and talk about ways to open doors to work in ministry with those with special needs.
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh begins a two part series on Disability and the Church, starting with Rev. Debbie Hills, a retired Deacon who continues to support the Disability Ministries within the Western PA United Methodist Conference and at the General Church level. Rev. Hills shares her experiences, and provides direction about how to better serve those with special needs.
Mr. Tracy Merrick meets with Rev. Renee Mikell to discuss the need for Social Justice related to recent tasering and subsequent arrest that resulted in the death of Mr. Jim Rogers (54). Mr. Rogers was best known as a loving uncle, a creative and talented, artist. Pittsburgh First United Methodist Church hosted an Interfaith Candlelight Prayer Vigil on Monday, November 1st at 7pm in his memory.
Pastor Drew Gordon sits down with Jenny Gordon, Indiana District Lay Leader, and Former Director of the Indiana District Lay Servant Ministry School, together they share the importance of valuing Laity and other people groups in the United Methodist Church.
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh speaks with Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church on the topics of diversity and inclusion locally, regionally, and across the world.
Rev. Renee Mikell is joined by co-host Pastor William "BT" Gilligan as they welcome Dr. Jonathan Lotson and Julie Yocca of Movement Forward in Atlanta, Georgia, leaders of a nationwide effort to build bridges between police, places of worship, and people in surrounding communities.
For more information https://faithandblue.org/ and https://movementforward.org/
Washington District Superintendent Rev. Paul Ritchie talks with retired Elder, Rev. Dr. Jeff Sterling about what makes a welcoming church. Both pastors share tips and ideas to help strengthen your church.
Rev. Renee Mikell talks with Western Pennsylvania Conference Lay Leader Sharon Gregory, and Susquehanna Conference Lay Leader/Pennsylvania Advocacy Coordinator Dr. Joyce Davis about her work in advocacy nationally and internationally, and how she continues to apply her knowledge and experience in the Harrisburg area, and within the Susquehanna Conference.
Pastor Drew Gordon talks with Keith Murphy of the Healthy Village Learning Institute of McKeesport. Keith shares the community and cultural connection that the institute has with residents and community leaders.
Pastor Zayzay Kpadeh talks with Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi of the Western Pennsylvania Conference about the 2022 UMC General Conference and her thoughts moving forward.
Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh talks with Charlie Stehlik, Executive Director of All God's Children Ministry of Erie, Pennsylvania. They discuss the ministry, how it helps serve families and those affected by disability locally and internationally, and how we can become involved to support them.