Church Folx: Recent Episodes
Birmingham and Berkley First UMC
Church Folx is a podcast where we talk to members of the community of Birmingham and Berkley First UMC about who they are and what God is doing in their lives. Throughout the bible, people are encouraged to bear witness to what they have seen and heard. Continuing in that tradition, this podcast offers a forum for people to get to know one another and be inspired. Our hope is that the stories of these Church Folx will empower you to share your stories to inspire others and be part of beloved community together.
Rachel Alpert opens up about coming to grips with your past, holding space for your experiences, doing the work to educate yourself, and walking in faith as part of a church family.
Rod Dunlap shares about marriage and parenting, standing up against racial discrimination, sharing the love of Jesus, and the value of short-term mission trips.
Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Berkley First, Julie White is also the mother of five boys. Listen as she shares about life, faith, family, and staying sane while raising kids.
Patrice picks up where we left off in last week’s episode, while also sharing about surrounding ourselves with Scripture, growing as a spouse and mother, and running the marathon of life.
Patrice discusses getting nudged toward mission and being God’s hands and feet wherever you are. As a nurse practitioner working with the LGBTQ+ community, she also talks about love over judgment.
University of Michigan student Gabe Ervin grew up with Birmingham First. In this episode of Church Folx, he shares about the joy of Choir Camp and how God can violate the laws of thermodynamics.
Stephanie Laird shares about finding your voice, leaning into your unique gifts, skills, and abilities, and advocating for yourself and for others.
Mother, grandmother, and prayer warrior – Barb Glick shares about the practice of prayer and the power of prayer to alter circumstances.
Director of Modern Worship Chris Freeman offers his perspective on loving God and your emotional health, the joys and frustrations of church work, and the power of music, spiritual practice, and Gospel-oriented inclusion.
Russ and Sue share about the impact of faith in one’s work and the importance of remaining open to change; they reflect on the history of Birmingham and Berkley First and cast a hopeful vision for the future.
A father of three with training in urban development, Matteo shares about building community and raising children who think for themselves.
An English teacher who has been impacting the lives of students for 63 years, Beverly Hannett-Price shares about her love of the church, offers a word of encouragement for parents and teachers, and gives tips on where to meet a charming young man.
Dale Glick offers insight on growing through small groups, sharing about God with others, and the connection between our faith life and financial life.
Pastors Zack and Rachael Dunlap interview one another, discussing what it means to be called, gifted, and on mission as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah Wade-Olson shares about injustice in America’s prison system, cultivating an awareness of God’s presence, and being more fully human.
Shirley Hansen opens up about mental health, suicidal ideation, and building a better community.
Tim Chak talks about foster care, career goals, and parenting as a gay Christian dad in the mist of pandemic (part 2 of 2).
Tim Chak talks about foster care, career goals, and parenting as a gay Christian dad in the mist of pandemic (part 1 of 2).
In moving from satanism to becoming a small group leader in church, Chelsea Rose Jabboori shows that you are more than your past.
Shanda Lowery-Sachs shares about battling cancer, living life to the full, and making music as part of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (part 2 of 2).
Shanda Lowery-Sachs shares about battling cancer, living life to the full, and making music as part of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (part 1 of 2).
- Episode 2: Anika-Kafi Summers – Anika-Kafi Summers, Seminary Intern at Birmingham and Berkley First and Nutrition Education Director at Eastern Market, shares about food justice and finding God in difficult times.
Episode 1: Jon Conger – Patent-holder Jon Conger shares about the process of invention, and how our creativity reflects the creative nature of God.
Church Folx is a new podcast where people from the Birmingham and Berkley First community share about who they are and what God is doing in their lives. Throughout the bible, people are encouraged to bear witness to what they have seen and heard. Continuing in that tradition, this podcast offers a forum for people to get to know one another and be inspired. Covering topics from creative invention to food justice, battling cancer to foster parenting – our hope is that the stories of these Church Folx will empower you to share your stories, inspire others, and be part of beloved community together. Zack Dunlap, Pastor of Multisite, hosts each interview. New episodes are released weekly on Wednesdays.