Join our Pastors, David and Kevin, and our Director of Communications, Karen Payne, as they discuss current topics happening in and out of the church. If you have a topic or question for future episodes, please contact Karen Payne.
Episode 21 - April 6
David, Kevin, and Karen are back together again for a Lenten check-in and a look ahead to Holy Week. As usual, there are laughs and an assortment of other conversations.
Episode 20 - March 24
Kevin and Karen are joined with two delightful guests - Davidson College student Catie Holshouser and Cindy Turner (yes, Kevin's wife!). Catie is the Campus Ministry Intern and Cindy is the Lay Leader for Campus Ministry. The four have conversations about being a Davidson College student, faith, and Davidson Wesley Group updates. And they tell us who else has been involved in Davidson Wesley and where they are today.
Episode 19 - March 3
On this special episode, David, Kevin, and Karen have the opportunity to talk with Pastor Jozef Bartos, from Metodysci w Krakowie, and Kate Werner who both live in Krakow, Poland. They discuss the current situation with Ukraine and Russia and how it is affecting life and people in their area. DUMC choirs traveled to Krakow in 2015 and performed at Pastor Bartos' church.
Episode 18 - February 23
Next week is Ash Wednesday and David, Kevin, and Karen discuss the meaning behind it and how you can prepare to keep a holy Lent. Kevin shares a new prop for 2022 and they also recap the recent youth episode and talk bananas.
Episode 17 - February 2
What happens when Kevin and Karen are replaced by their daughters on the show? Find out on this special episode of This Thing Called Church when David sits down with Anna Liz Turner and Sarah Payne. They discuss what it's like being a youth at DUMC and how they would like others to see their perspective of being a teenager and a Christian.
Episode 16 - January 19
David, Kevin, and Karen are back and kick off 2022 with a new episode! On today's episode the three recap the holidays and then discuss the new churchwide book study that is starting at the end of the month. The book is called The Prodigal God and it's not too late to get a copy, join a small group, or follow along on your own. A book study is a great to start your new year!
Episode 15 - December 15
For the last episode of the year, David, Kevin, and Karen discuss the meaning of incarnation, if Jesus was really human, and why it is so important to understand. Kevin features his special holiday apparel which also ties into what "national day" it is. Thank you to everyone who has watched and supported us this year. We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Episode 14 - December 1
David, Kevin, and Karen recap their Thanksgivings, and Karen gifts David another cup for his coffee cup collection. We are now in the season of Advent and the three discuss preparing for this special time and what it means. David and Kevin also give some tips on how to keep a holy Advent and not be caught up in the busyness and stress of the holiday.
Episode 13 - November 17
Sunday is Christ the King Sunday and David, Kevin, and Karen discuss its meaning as well as its significance. Kevin brings something for show and tell which helps explain the discussion around the liturgy calendar and how the church calendar year works.
Episode 12 - November 4
David, Kevin, and Karen start with a conversation about Halloween candy and Karen shares how much candy people purchase and consume. They move on to discuss this past Sunday's All Saints' worship service. Kevin talks about what goes into the beautiful music that was performed by the choirs and orchestra and David explains the meaning behind All Saints' and why we celebrate it and the differences between All Hallows, All Saints', and All Souls.
Episode 11 - October 20
Today may be the oddest National Day "item" as David, Kevin, and Karen get off track on that discussion. "The sacraments" are the real topic for today's episode and David and Kevin do an extraordinary job of explaining why baptism and communion are significant and what they mean on a deeper level. They also share some comical stories of baptisms gone awry. David gives a brief highlight of the Lands of Bible Cruise he will be co-leading next year which is open to everyone to join and Kevin gives a preview of what the upcoming All Saints' worship service will sound like.
Episode 10 - October 6
David, Kevin, and Karen record in-person in a new location! During the weekend recap, learn how Kevin saved the day during the Fernando Ortega concert. The topic for this episode is The Way of Salvation. David and Kevin break down what it means, how is it that God saves us, and how can we continue working on salvation.
Episode 9 - September 22
On this special episode of This Thing Called Church, David, Kevin, and Karen are together in-person and recorded the show in front of the DUMC PrimeTimers audience! They answered a wide range of questions submitted from the audience from how did they meet their spouses, where did they go to college, and is there purgatory, to taking the Bible too literally, Methodist theology, and an update on the Way Forward. As always there are some of the "finer moments" (bloopers) at the end of the episode.
Episode 8 - September 8
David, Kevin, and Karen give an overview of the book "Five Practices of Fruitful Living" by Robert Schnase for our upcoming church-wide book study and also discuss ways you can participate. They also have conversations about officiating weddings and parenting moments.
Episode 7 - August 25
The Lord's Prayer is the topic for today's discussion. It's a prayer the majority of us know by heart, but David, Kevin, and Karen dig deeper into where it came from, the meaning behind it, and why you should pray it every day.
Resources noted during the episode:
Kevin's book reference - On the Lord's Prayer: Tertullian, Cyprian, & Origen. David's book reference - The Lord and his Prayer.
Episode 6 - August 11
After a short summer break from recording, David, Kevin, and Karen are back together again and recap what has been happening lately. Kevin and Karen give David a special mug to add to his collection. Recapping the Youth Choir trip that happened this summer creates a conversation about keeping people engaged and connected at church and why it's important to be together in-person.
Episode 5 - July 7
David, Kevin, and Karen recap their Fourth of July weekends, talk about space travel, and then discuss some of the differences and similarities between Methodists and other religions. These are the books that Kevin and David referenced during the conversation;
Living as United Methodist Christians, by Andy and Sally Langford
Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt, by F. Belton Joyner
Why I Am a United Methodist, by William Willimon
Episode 4 - June 23
Last week's theme with David and animals continues as he shares another interesting tidbit. June 28 is John Wesley's birthdate and David, Kevin, and Karen discuss the foundation of Methodism and what it means to be a disciple. Kevin also explains tying in discipleship through music and hymns.
Episode 3 - June 9
In this episode, our new Youth Director, Evan Nester, joins David, Kevin, and Karen. Learn more about Evan and what fun and exciting plans he and Brittany are working on for our Youth Ministry. Also, find out what unique animal David ate for dinner once while on a Mission Trip.
Episode 2 - May 26
Kevin and Karen are back along with our new Pastor, Rev. David Hockett! In this second episode, Kevin graduates again, the three discuss Sunday's service with Confirmation, and then define/explain the Trinity. David shares what our on-campus Covid guidelines will look like starting on June 1.
Video Link / Podcast Link
Episode 1 - May 12
Watch (or listen) to our new Zoomcast called This Thing Called Church. Kevin and Karen are back along with our new Pastor, Rev. David Hockett! In this first episode, hear about Kevin's unexpected house guest, what you can do with any extra coffee cups you have, and meet/learn more about David. Karen puts him in the "hot seat" and has him answer the "famous" eight questions.
Video Link / Podcast Link