In this episode, Brian Myers, Rev. Jenn Stiles Williams, and Derrick Scott III explore service as a means of grace — not an optional add-on to faith, but the very shape of it. Drawing on John 13, Matthew 25, James 2, and Wesley's theology of works of mercy, the conversation traces how serving others moves us from self-centeredness to other-centeredness, challenges our privilege and ego, and ultimately forms us in the likeness of Christ. From the foot-washing table to the food pantry, they offer a practical framework for discovering your unique calling to serve — and remind us that sometimes, the most sacred act is simply taking out the trash.

• 0:11 — Service as a Wesleyan means of grace
• 4:48 — John 13: Jesus's foot-washing as a paradigm shift for leadership
• 10:14 — Personal Sanctification: Why we need those we serve
• 13:08 — The Savior Complex: How service transforms the servant's heart
• 22:00 — Finding Your Calling: Gifts, burdens, place, and rhythm
• 27:13 — Opening the Door: Faithful service in the small, disruptive moments

For more information on the year-long Awaken to Grace series, visit awakentograce.org.

Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship.

In this special episode, Co-Conference Lay Leader Derrick Scott III sits down with Bishop Tom Berlin for a candid conversation about what's on his heart for the Florida Conference right now. From the spiritual and collaborative work behind appointment making, to the real and present impact of immigration policy on United Methodist congregations across Florida, to upcoming regional gatherings — Bishop Berlin offers honest, pastoral perspective on a season that feels like the world is spinning. He closes with a personal challenge for Ash Wednesday and Lent that may change how you enter this sacred season.

• 0:45 — Bishop Berlin recaps recent conference activity and engagements.
• 8:30 — Inside the appointment-making process.
• 12:30 — Immigration as a present reality in Florida United Methodist churches.
• 19:49 — Regional gatherings: bringing back what the conference heard from the people.
• 21:55 — Bishop Berlin's Ash Wednesday and Lenten challenge.

In a world built on hurry and hustle, God offers a different rhythm—one that restores our souls. Hosts Brian Myers and Jenn Stiles Williams are joined by Jim Cook, a trained spiritual director, to explore Sabbath as a gift rather than a burden. Jim shares how the book Sabbath has informed his understanding of holy rest, offering this acrostic: "Spirit Awareness Brings Blessings, Adding Truthful Holiness." The conversation moves from the ancient commands of Exodus to modern practices, exploring Sabbath through two anchors—creation rest (we are not machines) and Exodus freedom (we are not slaves). Discover what Sabbath is and isn't, practical ways to reclaim sacred time through family time, meditation, silence, and friendship, and the fruits of the Spirit that emerge when we honor God's rhythm. Jim closes with a beautiful haiku prayer: "May I honor time, the gift given for living as holy treasure."

Show Notes

• 4:33 – Jim Cook introduces himself and shares how the book Sabbath shaped his spiritual life over 30+ years in the local church
• 8:10 – Reading Exodus 20:8-11 and Jim's Sabbath acrostic: Spirit Awareness Brings Blessings, Adding Truthful Holiness
• 11:03 – Two anchors of Sabbath: creation rest (we're not machines) and Exodus freedom (we're not slaves)
• 31:33 – What Sabbath is NOT—distinguishing between zoning out and true holy rest
• 32:28 – Practical Sabbath practices: family time, meditation, silence, labyrinth walking, and simple friendship
• 38:48 – Jim's closing haiku and the four-fold rhythm: cease, rest, delight, worship

For more information on the year-long Awaken to Grace series, visit awakentograce.org.

Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship.

In this episode of The Laity Space Podcast, host Jessica Scott sits down with Bev Bommer, the North East District Director of Lay Servant Ministries and volunteer coordinator for the upcoming Fresh Expressions National Gathering. Bev explains how fresh expressions—whether in dog parks, dinner churches, tattoo parlors, or recovery facilities—meet people where they are and create authentic communities of faith for those who may never walk through church doors. Bev shares her hope and excitement about seeing a fresh spirit energizing laity throughout The United Methodist Church.

Show Notes

• 4:01 - What is Fresh Expressions?
• 8:28 - Surprising expressions of church
• 10:00 - All Together Now: Fresh Expressions UM National Gathering
• 16:42 - The priesthood of all believers
• 22:40 - Hope for The United Methodist Church

For more information on All Together Now" Fresh Expressions National Gathering, check out https://www.freshexpressionsfl.org/altogethernow.

The Laity Space Podcast is presented by Florida Conference Board of Laity and produced by the team at Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. For more information, go to laityspace.org.

Fasting isn't punishment—it's making space. Brian Myers and Derrick Scott III welcome Rev. Carlene Barbeau, an ordained deacon in the Florida Conference and school chaplain for a conversation about the spiritual purpose of this ancient practice. Together they explore what separates spiritual fasting from dieting, unpack Isaiah 58's vision of fasting joined to justice and mercy, and share personal stories of transformation—from workplace prayer meetings to a Lenten fast from anger that brought unexpected healing. With Lent approaching, this episode offers practical wisdom for choosing a fast aligned with your season, maintaining healthy guardrails, and celebrating the feast that awaits on the other side.

Show Notes:

• 03:45 Carlene defines spiritual fasting: taking something off your overflowing plate so God can put what God wants there instead.
• 08:38 Isaiah 58 reframes fasting—not about looking deprived, but about freeing the oppressed, sharing food with the hungry, and turning our eyes from ourselves toward God and community.
• 12:59 Carlene shares two transformative fasts: the Daniel fast that taught her to see God's provision in every meal, and the Lenten fast from anger that healed a broken relationship with her father.
• 17:50 Guardrails for healthy fasting: choosing something genuinely challenging without becoming a martyr, and recognizing when the fast itself becomes an idol.
• 27:45 After the fast comes the feast—celebrating in community and sharing testimony of what God revealed during the season of surrender.
• 33:09 Final encouragement: you cannot fail at a fast. If you prayed one extra moment, it's a success.

In a world saturated with constant noise, choosing silence becomes a radical spiritual act. Host Brian Myers welcomes Rev. Jenn Stiles Williams and guest Rev. Stuart Upton to explore how intentional quiet calms the soul and creates space to hear God's voice. The conversation examines both internal noise (the competing voices and soundtracks in our heads) and external noise (notifications, news cycles, and social media), framing silence as an act of sacred resistance. Drawing from scripture passages like Elijah's encounter with God in 1 Kings 19 and the Psalms' call to "be still," the panel discusses practical ways to audit the noise in our lives, identify "thin spaces" where heaven feels near, and cultivate silence as a posture of expectation rather than escape. The episode concludes with a guided moment of communal silence and prayer.

Show Notes:

• 03:58 – Internal vs. external noise and silence as sacred resistance

• 10:35 – Conducting a "noise audit" in life, work, and worship

• 19:20 – Scripture on silence: Elijah, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes

• 29:29 – Practical steps for beginning a silence practice

• 39:45 – Closing prayer with a communal moment of silence

For more information on the year-long Awaken to Grace series, visit awakentograce.org.

Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship.

We’re sharing a special episode the Laity Space Webinar Series. Recorded in November 2025, Derrick Scott III is joined by Bishop Tom Berlin along with Rev. Dr. Brett Opalinski and James Ridgway as they discuss the upcoming Wesleyan Heritage Pilgrimage that will take place in the Fall 2026. This tour is being designed specifically with the laity in mind but clergy are also invited to attend.

For more information on the Wesleyan Heritage Pilgrimage for Laity, check out https://www.flumc.org/wesley-heritage-pilgrimage.

The Laity Space Podcast is presented by Florida Conference Board of Laity and produced by the team at Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. For more information, go to laityspace.org.

If the Bible feels intimidating, overwhelming, or stale—you're not alone. In this episode, Brian Myers and Derrick Scott III welcome Reverend Meghan Killingsworth to explore Scripture engagement as something far more than a solo study exercise. Together, they discuss why reading the Bible with others transforms the experience, how to sit with a text long enough for it to read you back, and what to do when Scripture has been used to cause harm. From Lectio Divina to "dislocated exegesis" (reading the same passage in different locations), this conversation offers practical wisdom for making Scripture come alive in everyday moments—not just on Sundays.

Show Notes

04:19 - The gift of Scripture memorization

07:17 - Why reading Scripture in community changes everything

10:46 - Historical practices: Lectionary, Lectio Divina, and reading in different places

17:08 - Meditating on Scripture: Holding small portions for longer periods

27:50 - Finding yourself in biblical characters—even the ones you don't like

36:43 - For those harmed by Scripture: "Take your Bible back"

For more information on the year-long Awaken to Grace series, visit awakentograce.org.

Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship.