As the war in Gaza continues, Todd Seifert, conference communications director, talks with Carol Ekdahl-Garwood, chair of the Great Plains Conference’s Holy Land Task Force, on the latest episode of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast.

During their discussion, they discuss the peril of Palestinian people, the delicate balance between supporting Israel while pointing out human rights concerns related to people in Palestinian territories, and what life is like away from the media spotlight we often see on national news.

Youth sports should be a time of fun, development and building character. But it’s often quite the opposite.

Matt Williams — a standout catcher at Duke University who played in the Chicago Cubs organization — joins Todd to talk about a one-day workshop titled “Coach Different.” Matt, the digital engagement team director at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church who has coached young people, wants to give youth coaches a chance to learn how to reduce stress, make the best use of their time and increase the positive impact they can have on boys and girls of all ages through sports.

A 90-minute workshop March 31, 2025, in Olathe at the Resurrection West campus can help coaches learn how to coach with purpose.

Fill out the registration form.

In this episode, Todd talks with Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford and Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford about changes to the Great Plains Conference’s internship program. An additional guest — Rev. Grace Woods from Topeka First United Methodist Church — shares her journey from summer intern to a pastor working with a Great Plains intern.

If you have questions about internships in the Great Plains Conference, please reach out to:

— Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford — aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org

— Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford — mgepford@greatplainsumc.org

The issue of immigration continues to grow in prominence as we move closer to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. During the campaign, he promised mass deportations and the closing of our U.S. borders. What impact does that have on people seeking a better life for their families in this country? Andrea Paret, a Department of Justice accredited representative at Mary Treglia Community House in Sioux City, Iowa, and the Peace with Justice coordinator in the Great Plains Conference, shares her reflections as a person who works with immigrants to this country.

The Table is a different kind of evangelism tool used by Bonfire, a Korean-language and culture church start in Olathe, Kansas. The Table is a biweekly meal with invited guests who have the chance to build relationships through conversation while gathering around food.

This episode features one gathering in December at The Table, with Bishop David Wilson, members of his Cabinet and representatives from Bonfire.

November is Native American Heritage Month. We celebrate by talking with Bishop David Wilson, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation and also with Cherokee lineage. We also share some remarks and interviews from a U.S. Indian Boarding School Remembrance the Great Plains Conference hosted Sept. 28, 2024, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Each September, Resurrection, a United Methodist Church, in Leawood, Kansas, hosts Leadership Institute. This time, Todd took along a microphone and recorded short interviews in hallways, in the backs of workshop rooms, in the corner of the sanctuary and even behind the chancel in an effort to give a snapshot of what participants experienced at this year’s event. 

We wrap up a three-part series on United Methodists serving in local elected offices with an interview with Jeff Hart, who has served on his village board in Lynch, Nebraska, for more than 20 years. He’s also a school teachers and working toward becoming a licensed pastor in the UMC.