Connect Radio

Drew McIntyre and Michael Rich review Annual Conference

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.