Episodes

What better time than Valentine’s Day to talk about sex? In this repost of a Percolating on Faith episode, which originally aired in October of 2016, Carla speaks with Tony and Charmaine about sexuality, how we as a church are moving from a rule-based culture to one of principle-based responsible choices, how we have come a long way dealing with issues of sexuality and gender, and where we still need to improve. Recommended reading for additional info on some of these topics: Song of Solomon or...

Life after service in the World Church Leadership Council... is that really a thing? Of course it is. Grab a cup and “sit down” with former WCLC members Susan Oxley, Rick Maupin, and Ken McLaughlin, as they talk with host, Carla Long, about where they’ve been and how that has affected where they are now. Grandchildren, Camp Mindcraft, building projects, lessons learned, and new and different roles in the church are just some of what you’ll hear about in this episode of What’s Brewing. Host: Car...

Could you use some quiet in your life? A little more time to be with God? Join Tyler Marz as he introduces and leads the practice of Centering Prayer. All you need is ten minutes, and it will be time well spent. HOST: Tyler Marz Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Po...

What is a beguine? How could the life and work of a 15th-century mystic possibly relate to your desire to be in relationship with God? In this special subset episode of Percolating on Faith, Michael Wright returns to share his answers to these questions and more. Grab your coffee and listen in as Michael shares helpful insights that he gleaned from his in-depth study of St. Catherine of Genoa. Beware! Some of what you’ll hear is not for those with a weak stomach! Host: Carla Long Guest: Michael...

A ten-year-old, attending a church camp, stands by the side of a lake, looks up at the vast creation and asks, “Is God real?” The answer may not surprise you, but the journey on which God’s answer started this young child all those years ago continues to unfold. Join our host Apostle Robin Linkhart as she talks to Ron Harmon about that journey from young boy to music major to church appointee, Apostle and now Presiding Bishop. A step he says he takes “with certainly one foot planted in reality, ...

What happens when your religious beliefs come face-to-face with your life experience, and they don’t line up? Do you hold on, or do you move on? The answer isn’t easy, nor is it the same for everyone. In this episode, Heidi Ramirez talks with great courage and deep emotion about her own faith journey ... the crisis points and the turning points. Join host Brittany Mangelson, as she gets an inside look at Heidi’s powerful story of love and struggle as both she and her family search for hope and f...

Pickleball, Afterglow, Physical Therapy, Band, Camp Sionito... just a few of the things that make Niko Farrell who he is. Join Mike Hoffman, Graceland Campus Minister, and cohost, Julie Wheaton, as they sit down with Niko and get to know him a little better. See what he has to say about the Graceland experience and his hopes for the church. And, don’t be surprised if you leave this episode craving some Chicken and Pickles. Download Transcript Find out more about Graceland University and all th...

Do women have a place in the New Testament? Of course there is. As a matter of fact, their place and importance in the New Testament may be greater than you ever imagined. From the birth stories to the foot of the cross, and from the empty tomb to Deacons, Apostles and Prophets in the newly forming church, women have played a significant role. “Sit down” with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith as they talk with host, Karin Peter, about how we’ve been trained to overlook women’s roles in the early c...

How does one find hope in the midst of the suffering and evil that are present in our world? Why do we blame God when there are things we can do to make a difference? Join Carla, Tony and Charmaine as they discuss Liberation Theodicies’ answer to these questions and more ... and how their focus on Jesus’ understanding of systemic injustice calls us to move from theory to action. Recommended by Tony and Charmaine for further study: Why is There Suffering: Pick Your Own Theological Expedition by ...

Meet Angela Ramirez, Apostle-designate, and first apostle from the Dominican Republic. Speaking in her native language, Angela shares about her life, ministry, family, hopes for the future and more. Her call will be presented to the 2023 World Conference for approval, and she will be ordained at a special service during the April 22-28 conference. English transcript is available for download. Official Letter of Counsel to the church announcing Angela’s call can be found at this link: https://cof...

Why is “Welcoming” not enough? How can my church community become a safe space for the Queer community? Are you ready to do the hard work (heart work) necessary to move from welcoming to affirming? Find answers to these questions and more in this very informative and deeply honest conversation between Harmony President, Parker Johnson, Harmony Chaplain, Linda Stanbridge, and host Brittany Mangelson. Then, find more information or initiate your own conversation with Harmony by exploring https://...

Our Percolating on Faith crew is taking a look at Epiphany! This is an important day in the Christian community and marks the end of the Christmas season. Hear more about the history and its significance in today's world from our spunkiest guests, Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith. Host: Carla Long Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community o...

Minister Tyler Marz takes us through a Jesuit prayer to start us off in 2023! Host: Tyler Marz Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645,...

Join our guides, Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith—along with host Karin Peter, the snarky one—for an adventure of discovery navigating the provocative, complex, ancient, humorous, judgmental, yet revelatory text of the early Christian Church. Explain, explore, and experience the New Testament. This month's text: James. Host: Karin Peter Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro ...

World Church Secretary and Lead World Conference Director Susan Naylor shares information about Community of Christ World Conference 2023. Susan provides some terrific preview info specific to WC 2023 along with a behind the scenes look at the multifaceted planning process leading up to the conference. Veteran conference attendees as well as first timers won’t want to miss this podcast. Host: Carla Long Guest: Susan Naylor “In the Know” World Conference 2023 video series updates featuring Susa...

Grab a cup of your favorite warm beverage and get cozy as Linda Booth shares holiday stories just in time for your Christmas weekend! Host: Linda Booth Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of...

Project Zion is back in the swarm! Mike Hoffman and Julie Wheaton sit down with Adam Sherer to hear about his Graceland experience and hopes for the future. Host: Mike Hoffman and Julie Wheaton Guest: Adam Sherer Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Aven...

Project Zion is bringing you some Christmas hope with one of our earliest episodes. Katie Langston reflects on the meaning of the Christmas story and how it can bring hope even in the depths of broken hearts and suffering. Host: Katie Langston Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a G...

The Christmas story is one we are familiar with, but what do the 4 separate gospels actually say about the nativity scene? What is tradition? What is the context? How do the stories differ? Tony and Charmaine are here to walk us through the Christmas story as part of our Percolating on Faith series. Host: Carla Long Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyon...

Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation is bringing you interviews with the presenters of the Fall 2022 Lecture Series. Today, we are joined by Steve Shields who shares about his presentation, "Divergent Paths of the Community of Christ: The Past One Hundred Years " You can find Steve's original lecture here: https://youtu.be/VgSaz4_qgTI Host: Karin Peter Guest: Steve Shields Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used w...

Advent is a time for intentional waiting. Join Tyler Marz as he takes us through a meditative practice based on the hymn “God Almighty, We Are Waiting”, from Community of Christ Sings #397. Host: Tyler Marz Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, At...

Wim van Klinken was recently called to the Presiding Bishopric in Community of Christ. Hear him share about his life, ministry, and hopes for the church today on Project Zion. Host: Robin Linkhart Guest: Wim van Klinken Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Le...

Join our guides, Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith—along with host Karin Peter, the snarky one—for an adventure of discovery navigating the provocative, complex, ancient, humorous, judgmental, yet revelatory text of the early Christian Church. Explain, explore, and experience the New Testament. This month's text: 1 Peter Download the Transcript. Host: Karin Peter Guest: Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Int...

Stories heal, bring understanding, and connect humanity. Today, Linda Booth shares three short stories from her time as an apostle in Community of Christ. Host: Linda Booth Thanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmiss...