Be inspired, hear the stories of others, and practice the tools of faith and leadership through conversations that nourish, enrich, and aid in the formation of leaders in the church. Mid Council leaders will integrate foundational values with the practice of faith and ministry. Congregational leaders, particularly ruling elders and deacons, will experience practices to connect faith to everyday life. Nourish: Short episodes for ruling elders and deacons. Encounter: Longer episodes for church ...
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Nourish: Reflecting, Remembering, and Radiating Gratitude
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20:17
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The hosts of the Encounter and Nourish episodes join together to think back on all of the gifts that the second season brought to the listeners – and the hosts. Contribute your own feedback and reflections by emailing them at alongtheroad@pcusa.org.By MCM
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Encounter: Maintaining the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace; Being Faithful in Times of Disagreement
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In this episode referencing the document, Seeking to be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterians in Times of Disagreement, Ruling Elder Sara Pottschmidt joins us to reflect on navigating difficult conversations or conflicts that may raise uncomfortable feelings of disappointment, anger, or even defensiveness particularly as we serve in the v…
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Mark Koenig provides a reflection on call with a capital “C” and call with a lowercase “c”, and the way that our calls connect us to community. More on these aspects of ministry as presented by Jack Stotts, are available here.By MCM
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Encounter: Equity Primes and Choice Points for Equitable and Inclusive Decision-Making
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The 225th General Assembly (2022) introduced and the 226th General Assembly will continue to use equity primes, prompts, and questions to lessen bias and ensure that multiple and diverse perspectives and invited and considered in order that we may "hear the voice of the Spirit contributed by all participants" in our decision-making. Join Amanda Cra…
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Nourish: Polity Nugget - What is a Commissioner?
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The work of a commissioner isn't just to one meeting and then they are done? While this may be a surprise to some, Jihyun Oh helps us understand a little more about the service of PC(USA) commissioners and how the rest of us can support them.By MCM
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Encounter: The Mid Councils' role in training commissioners to the General Assembly: Ideas, Experiences and Reflections
51:18
51:18
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Hello Church People! As Mid Council Leaders with years of valuable experience, and also as former Commissioners to the General Assembly and advisory delegates, Fran Lane Lawrence, Forrest Classen, and Eliana Maxim share with us their thoughts, strategies, and ideas on how to prepare commissioners for the overwhelming mental, physical and Spiritual …
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Deacon and college student, Axel Obed Nieves Torres, shares his story of call to church leadership and how he connected to the ministries through his God-given gifts, giving all of us a chance to reflect on our own gifts and call.By MCM
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Encounter: The Motions of an Overture on the way to GA
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Hello Church people! Director for General Assembly Planning, Kate Trigger Duffert, and Manager for General Assembly Business, Ken Tolley, share the ins and outs of this year's processes for Overtures, PC-Biz, and some great pointers for Commissioners, Mid Councils, and church leaders to get involved in the democratic process that GA provides. kate.…
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Nourish: Polity Nugget - Voting Your Conscience
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14:19
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Joyce Lieberman helps navigate the call we have to vote – in our churches and assemblies but also in our general elections – and how our faith can, and should, connect as we consider our choices.By MCM
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Encounter: The Power of Complexifying Our Narratives and Deepening Our Understanding of the Impact of Stories Told
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Our histories, our stories are a vital part of who we are and more and more we include storytelling as part of our conferences, workshops, meetings, and ministries. Complexifying, countering, re-examining the stories we tell, and the narratives we believe is not easy work but faithful work. Join Allison Davis and Kyna Herzinger from the Presbyteria…
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Nourish: Spiritual Practice of Caring through Cards
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17:39
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Sometimes hobbies can connect us to God and to each other and become a deeply meaningful spiritual practice. Priscilla Andre-Colton tells us all about her ministry of praying for others and demonstrating care through her ministry of making and sending cards.By MCM
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Encounter: The Legacy of Reformed Christian Witness
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Rev. Brian Heron shares with us his experience creating conversations and actions with pastoral ministries that envision the legacy of the communities and congregations that are working on transforming their ministerial purpose. As a former Executive Presbyter and now in a transitional position, Rev. Heron provides mid council leaders with tips and…
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As Christians, we are called to seek justice for all of God’s children. Lee Catoe helps us unpack what justice means, ways we can be active in ministries of justice in our contexts, and resources for the journey.By MCM
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As leaders in the church we attend many meetings, but we also may be responsible for leading these groups. Marissa Galván-Valle shares her perspective on meeting preparation and how she uses Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Resource for Serving Faithfully when leading session meetings.By MCM
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Encounter: The Care and Nurture of the Congregation - Church Safety and Emotional Well-Being
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In this episode that accompanies the Jan. 3, 2024 Encounter episode on Church Safety and Security, guests Kathy Riley and Jim Kirk explore the importance of a comprehensive approach and attentiveness to both physical safety and emotional well-being as sessions and presbyteries live out their call to nurture the covenant community of disciples. We r…
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In this PC(USA) General Assembly year, become introduced to process of overture creation through the experiences shared by Susan DeGeorge and Gregory Simpson of Hudson River Presbytery.By MCM
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Encounter - Questioning, reimagining and transforming the structures we have built: A conversation on new ways of doing "leadership"
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38:43
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Hello church people! In our effort to highlight new things Presbyteries are thinking and acting in their ministries, we have as our guests Annika Lister Stroope, Administrative Executive and Stated Clerk; Amgad Beblawi, Ministry and Mission Executive; and Ian McMullen, Pastor to the presbyteries. Mid council leaders whose roles have been transforme…
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Jake Jacobs, Executive Director of Camp Henry in Newaygo, MI, shares the story of a path away from cultural appropriation to forming relationships, challenging us to look at our own ministries and continue to take steps toward diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.By MCM
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Encounter: The Care and Nurture of the Congregation - Church Safety and Security
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48:48
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Our churches serve as places of community, warmth, and spiritual nourishment. Yet in the world in which we live, work, and worship, the importance of physical safety and security cannot be overlooked. Mike Kirk, General Counsel, PCUSA, A Corp, and Jim Kirk, Associate for Disaster Response, US Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, share ways in which ru…
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Simon Doong, of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and co-host of A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast, shares a part of his call story and some of the spiritual practices through which he has experienced discernment along his journey.By MCM
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Encounter: Can Equitable Representation and Participation Be Achieved Despite Our Demographics?
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Join Jessica Vazquez Torres and Tricia Dykers-Koenig as they engage in an open dialogue about the impacts of our commitment to diversity, participation, and representation. Groups engaging this issue may want to also return to two previous Along the Road podcasts on participation and representation (3/8/23 and 3/22/23) as additional resources as we…
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While the liturgical season of Advent provides a time of waiting and noticing, these times can extend far beyond the weeks leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth. Sarah Moore-Nokes, PC(USA) teaching elder and certified coach, shares about the significance of these holy practices as we serve as spiritual leaders in the church.…
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Encounter: Is Robert's Rules of Order Still Relevant for Our Current Context?
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Your feedback is invaluable! Please take time to share in the short survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/DMaazwMH86 Jessica Vazquez Torres, National Program Director, Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training and Tricia Dykers-Koenig, Associate Director for Mid Council Relations, Office of the General Assembly explore how using The Foundatio…
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The PC(USA) is often called a connectional church. Ruling Elder Marta Pumroy joins the podcast to share her story of connecting with various councils of the church and how other ruling elders might also serve beyond the local congregation. Interested in other ways of serving? Seek opportunities within General Assembly committees through the General…
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Encounter: Trauma-Informed Decision-Making
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As councils fulfill their responsibilities to nurture a covenant community of disciples of Christ, how might their decision-making processes be influenced by the effects of past trauma on individuals and groups? Join Ruling Elder Laurie Griffith, Associate Stated Clerk, and Associate Director for Constitutional Interpretation as she shares how trau…
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Bruce Grady, Executive Presbyter for New Hope Presbytery provides a reflection on the story of the Road to Emmaus, reminding all of us to recognize Jesus and sense the presence of the Lord in our ministries as we live in hope.By MCM
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Encounter: The Diversity Advantage: Voices of YAADs and TSADs
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41:49
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Megan Acedo (YAD, Youth Advisory Delegate, 2003), Anwi Fomukong (YAAD, Young Adult Advisory Delegate, 2022) and Marta Pumroy (TSAD, Theological Student Advisory Delegate, 2022) share how they became aware of the opportunity to servenand the rich experiences and the lasting impact of their pivotal roles as advisory delegates. YAADs must be between t…
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Kristen Gaydos and Sonia Prescott from the Presbyterian Historical Society share the story of the Presbyterian origin of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and the ways that this story and others like it are preserved for re-telling. Read more about the highlighted story at https://www.history.pcusa.org/blog/2015/10/trick-or-treat-unicef and find out more a…
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Encounter: Embracing Antiracism; Going Forth as Agents of God's Mission in the World
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Join Ruling Elder, Willye Bryan and Prince Solace, Director of Community Outreach, Lansing First Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Lake Michigan as they share the work and ministry of the Justice League of Greater Lansing, Michigan. Willye and the work of the Justice League exemplify W-3.0502, the Directory for Worship's encouragement for ru…
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Nourish: Polity Nugget - Presbyterian Identity
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Whether a relatively new Presbyterian or born and raised in the denomination, join PC(USA) Acting Stated Clerk Bronwen Boswell in a conversation about who we are as Presbyterians.By MCM
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Encounter: Our Shared Responsibility; Responding to the Movement of All God's People
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The Office of Immigration Issues plays a crucial role in supporting and assisting mid councils, congregations, ministers, and religious workers from other countries who are called to serve in the United States. Join Teresa Waggener, Assistant Stated Clerk, Manager of Legal Services and Immigration Attorney, Office of the General Assembly as we toge…
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Nourish: Spiritual Practice of Caring for Our Bodies
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Jerrod Lowry, General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of Coastal Carolina Presbytery, explores the importance of self-care and the intentionality of how we are filling ourselves.By MCM
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Encounter: The Transformational Imagination of Our Embodied Values
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We often prioritize the importance of academic learning and knowledge and the hierarchy of the written word. Do these values align with the core value that "the unity of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich diversity of the church's membership [F-1.0403]" where different ways of knowing and embodied learning might also be valued? Join Kate …
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Nourish: Joy and Wonder - Learning from the Wisdom of Children
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As we kick of Season Two, be inspired by some of the youngest members of the body of Christ as we hear from Rachel Pedersen, Associate Pastor for Children and Family Ministry at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, and learn more about how we can connect to the joy and wonder that children can bring to our ministries.…
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Nourish: Listening, Laughter, and Looking Back
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24:58
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Our hosts reflect on the First Season of "Along the Road" - the joy, the things that impacted them, the guests, the purpose. We would love to hear how you have been Nourished and have enjoyed our Encounters. Send us your reactions, experience, and suggestions to alongtheroad@pcusa.org and you can fill out an online survey for the podcast at https:/…
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Encounter: Directory for Worship - Not Just a Rule Book | This is a Theological Text
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Join Rev. Dr. Rebecca Davis, Professor of Christian Education and Director of the Masters of Arts in Christian Education Program at Union Presbyterian Seminary | Richmond & Charlotte, as we explore the Directory for Worship and its importance as a theological and polity foundation that it essential for ecclesial formation and thinking theologically…
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Consider a variation on the ancient spiritual practice of examen by using aspects of one of the constitutional questions and reflect upon how we can learn from those in other generations. Neil Myer, Director of Christian Education at Eastminster Presbyterian Church and Campus Minister with UKirk at Michigan State University joins us to talk about i…
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Encounter: Faith Journeys and the Book of Order!
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It may be hard to imagine how the Book of Order might inspire a journey of faith but it was an integral part of deepening the faith and an invitation to engage together in a covenantal community of faith for our guests Tim Cargal, Associate Stated Clerk and Associate Director, Ministry Leadership Development, Office of the General Assembly; Fran La…
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Nourish: What Does the Scripture Say to You?
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Join deacon, ruling elder, and presbytery moderator, Shani McIlwain, in her inspiring story of connection to the larger church and the gifts of preaching as a church leader.By MCM
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Encounter: The Presbytery | Ministry of Nurture and Care
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The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) places great emphasis on the importance of nurture and care in the ministry of presbyteries. In fact, the Book of Order (G-3.0307) speaks of the presbytery's role as Pastor, Counselor, and Advisor to Its Ministers of the Word and Sacrament and Congregations (as well as commissioned ruling elders and certified Christ…
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Andrew Miller, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Pleasant, MI, shares several of the ways that church leaders are nourished and formed within one congregation, and the ways that all church leaders can consider their service and call. To contact Andrew directly for specifics of these ministries, email him at AndrewMiller@fpcmp.org.…
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Encounter: The Presbytery | Innovations in Church Polity
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Warren McNeill, stated clerk and Wilfredo Garcia, co-chair of the Commission on Ministry share how the flexibility of the “new” Book of Order plays a critical role in enabling the Presbytery of New York City to adapt to changing circumstances while strengthening their mission and ministry and covenantal community of faith. We'd love to hear about p…
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Writing can connect us to God and each other and can transform us in ways we might not expect. Julie Hester, pastor and writer, shares her own story of how writing helped her in a time of deep grief and how we, too, can grow closer to God through this practice. To receive Julie’s weekly writing prompts and find out about her writing workshops, visi…
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Ellen Crawford True, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Concord, NC, offers a reflection on I Peter 5 while providing inspiring words for the invaluable ministries of ruling elders and deacons.By MCM
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Encounter: The Theology of Representation and the Distinctiveness of Representation Work
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51:00
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This is not your ordinary conversation about representation! Join Anna Kendig Flores and Eric Thomas, co-moderators of the GA Committee on Representation, and Jihyun Oh, Director of Mid Council Ministries and Associate Stated Clerk in the Office of the General Assembly as we continue delving into the nuances of F-1.0403 from the Foundations of Pres…
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Nourish: Looking Back at the Movement of the Spirit
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Nancy Taylor, deacon and executive director of the Presbyterian Historical Society, shares the story of how her call was identified, her service in the church and as a deacon, and her learnings about ministry while living with multiple roles.By MCM
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Encounter: Participation and Representation | Belonging Together in a Covenantal Community of Faith
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Join Jihyun Oh in the first of two insightful episodes, as she delves deep into the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity F-1.0403 and challenges us to deepen our understanding of our call to live together in a covenantal community of faith.By MCM
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Nourish: Speaking Up & Speaking Out in Faith
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Presbyterians have a rich history of advocacy and speaking out in faith. This is not just a role for the experts around us. Amanda Craft, manager of Immigration Advocacy in the PC(USA) Office of the General Assembly, talks about the importance of sharing our faith with others and on behalf of others.…
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Spending time doing something you love can bring you closer to God. In Stephen Park Choi’s case, that has been making time to hike and enjoy God’s creation, both alone and in the community of others. Stephen serves as the pastor of Stewartsville Presbyterian Church in Stewartsville, NJ.By MCM
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Encounter: Polities, Policies and Property (oh my!), and How to Start Those Conversations
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56:12
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How do you start conversations with a Session on the Sexual Misconduct policies? What do we do with those bulky insurance coverage documents every year? Am I covered in my state? We talk with Flor Vélez-Díaz (OGA), April Davenport, and Mike Kirk (Legal Services, A Corp) about the important tasks Mid Councils and Sessions must do every new year as c…
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