Suntree United Pastors Podcast

Suntree United Methodist Church

About

At Suntree United Methodist Church we have a vision to be followers of Jesus who love God, love each other and love our neighbors in extraordinary ways. We hope that by listening to these podcasts, you will be challenged to live out that vision in your everyday lives. For more information about our ministry check us out at www.SuntreeUMC.org.

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465 episodes

Nehemiah Action

Pastor Allee sits down with Brittany Pendergrass, Lead Organizer for BRIGHT, to hear about the Nehemiah Action at Holy Trinity Episcopal Upper School auditorium at 6:30pm. All are invited to combine our voices together as we address local leaders on solutions to issues surrounding affordable housing and early education literacy. If you'd like to learn more about BRIGHT or the solutions they are proposing you can contact Brittany at brittany@thedartcenter.org. http://thedartcenter.org/   On this episode: Rev. Allee Willcox Wood - Associate Pastor Brittany Pendergrass - Lead Organizer for BRIGHT

15m
Apr 21, 2023
Renovation of the Heart

Annette and Allee preview our theme and plans for Lent at Suntree! On this episode: Annette Stile Pendergrass - Senior Pastor Allee Willcox Wood - Associate Pastor Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship

25m
Feb 09, 2023
A Year of Joyful Living

Our pastors sit down to discuss our 2023 theme - Joyful Living! This theme will be kicked off in worship this week. Here are some key dates mentioned in the episode: January 7th - Epiphany Campfire January 11th - Wednesday Evening Studies Begin January 12th - Women's Ministry Thursday Mornings Studies Begin You can also join a group reading and discussing "The Bible Year" but Rev. Magrey deVega. Just email Pastor Allee (alleew@suntreeumc.org) to get your copy! On this episode: Allee Willcox Wood - Associate Pastor Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship

19m
Jan 05, 2023
I Believe - Behind the Song

Tanner talks to Pastor Mike and Bri Gabe about the process of writing and recording "I Believe" the first original song produced by The Suntree Worship Collective. On this episode: Tanner Smith - Director of Communication and Media Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship Bri Gabe - Worship Intern

38m
Dec 15, 2022
Community Christmas Concert

An early episode in anticipation of our Community Christmas Concert. Join us this Sunday, December 11th at 4pm for a collaboration of Christmas creativity!  On this episode: Grace Stiles Williams - Director of Outreach & Welcome Mike Makes - Pastor of Worship

14m
Dec 05, 2022
Advent 2022: Believe

Our pastors sat down a few weeks ago to capture their early feelings about the Advent transition. They discuss our worship theme, some new events, and what believing can do to make this season so special. On this episode: Allee Willcox Wood - Associate Pastor Annette Stiles Pendergrass - Senior Pastor

22m
Nov 25, 2022
Jephthah's Daughter

This week we dive into one of the more darker passages of scripture found in the Old Testament - Jephthah's daughter (Judges 11:34-40). Our pastors talk about how this passage can challenging to read and interpret and try to find hope within this grim story.   On this episode: __ __

33m
Sep 15, 2022
Making Sense of the Bible

This Sunday we begin a new sermon series "Making Sense of the Bible." Our pastors sat down to talk through the inspiration for this series, and how scripture has guided their lives up to now. On this episode: Annette Stiles Pendergrass - Senior Pastor Allee Willcox - Associate Pastor

31m
Sep 01, 2022
Leading Worship

Pastor Mike and our Summer Worship Intern Bri Gabe discuss how they began their journeys in worship music, their favorite Christian music styles, and some unconventional takes on the current worship music scene. On this episode: Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship Bri Gabe - Worship Intern

35m
Aug 18, 2022
Jeremiah: The Passionate Prophet

After a summer podcast hiatus, Annette and Allee sit down to talk through the book of Jeremiah, which is the subject of our next sermon series. Join us in worship on August 7th for the first of 4 weeks of this passionate and misunderstood prophet. On this episode: Allee Willcox - Associate Pastor Annette Stiles Pendergass - Senior Pastor

27m
Aug 04, 2022
Resurrection Reset

Our pastors walk us through our new sermon series Resurrection Reset. We find ourselves in a similar place as the disciples following Christ's resurrection on Easter, knowing that things have changed but not sure what that means. Annette and Allee give us some insight into this series and what it means for the ministries at Suntree UMC. On this episode: Annette Stiles Pendergrass - Senior Pastor Allee Willcox - Associate Pastor

29m
Apr 28, 2022
Youth & Children Summer Preview

Pastor Joel sits down with our Children's Ministry Director Mary to take a look at the activities coming up this spring and summer for the families, youth, and children at Suntree UMC. On this episode: Joel Lusz - Pastor of Student and Family Ministry Mary Shoemaker - Director of Children's Ministry

17m
Mar 24, 2022
Lent Preview

Pastor Annette speaks with Rev. Magrey deVega, the Senior Pastor at Hyde Park UMC and author of Savior: What the Bible says about the Cross. His book will be the inspiration for our Lent sermon series, and a special Lenten book study beginning March 9th.  On this episode: Annette Stiles Pendergrass - Senior Pastor Magrey deVega - Senior Pastor of Hyde Park UMC

25m
Mar 02, 2022
Advent Music Preview

In worship on December 19th, we will hear some amazing music centered on the Advent season. In contemporary worship we will hear the Suntree Kids present "The Signs of Christmas" and in traditional worship, we will hear "The Canticle of Joy". We sat down with the people working to create these pieces to hear about the inspiration and work behind them. On this episode: Tanner Smith - Director of Communications & Media Mary Shoemaker - Director of Children's Ministry Dr. Robert Lamb - Director of Traditional Music

19m
Dec 10, 2021
Declutter Christmas

Pastors Annette and Mike walk us through the process of dreaming and planning our Advent sermon series. Join us as we work to simplify the holiday season, and bring our focus back to the newborn Savior. On this episode: Annette Stiles Pendergrass - Senior Pastor Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship Tanner Smith - Director of Communications & Media

31m
Nov 26, 2021
Mental Health Task Force

We sat down with Rev. Dr. John Bagget to learn about the work of our Mental Health Task Force and their mission of breaking the stigma around discussing mental health wellness. Join us this Sunday in worship for Mental Health Sunday, and that afternoon for our virtual Interfaith Wisdom on Mental Health Wellness event from 2pm - 4:30pm. You can register online at SuntreeUMC.org/MentalHealth On this Episode: Tanner Smith - Director of Communications and Media Rev. Dr. John Bagget - Mental Health Task Force For information on our Grief Support Group please email CarolW@Suntreeumc.org

34m
Nov 11, 2021
Pastor Response - Starting a Church

We caught a conversation with our pastors right after listening to Episode 54: Starting a Church. They discuss the spirit of servitude that formed the foundation of Suntree UMC, and how it is as vital now as it was then. If you are feeling a call to serve the church in a new way, go to bit.ly/ServeAtSUMC to get connected! On this Episode: Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship Arts Annette Stiles Pendergrass - Senior Pastor Allee Willcox - Associate Pastor

23m
Oct 28, 2021
Cuba Missions

We learn about our ministry of partnership with churches in Cuba, the history behind our connection, and how it is alive today.  Join us for Fun n' the Sun Goes to Cuba on Nov. 6th. You can buy tickets at SuntreeUMC.org/Cuba-Missions On this episode: Tanner Smith - Director of Communications & Media Ulrike Gonzalez - Coordinator of Welcome & Lay Ministries Alice Matthews - Cuba Mission Team Member

26m
Oct 14, 2021
Sacraments

Pastors Allee and Mike sit down to discuss the theology behind the sacraments that we celebrate as a church. Join us in worship over the next two weeks as we look deeper into this subject through a sermon series called Ordinary Things, Extraordinary Grace. On this episode: Allee Willcox - Associate Pastor Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship

29m
Sep 29, 2021
Starting a Church

We sat down with some of the charter members of Suntree UMC to capture the stories of the work done to bring this church to life almost 40 years ago. On this episode: Tanner Smith - Director of Communication & Media Bob & Patty Rexrode - Charter Members Phil & Ann Sabelli - Charter Members Billie McElroy - Charter Member

28m
Sep 17, 2021
The Five Wishes

Pastor Steve sits down with Rev. Pam McMillian from St. Frances Reflections Life Stage Care to discuss the importance of creating an advance directive to provide instructions to family and healthcare providers during times where end-of-life decisions are being made. On this Episode: Steve Schantz - Pastor of Visitation Pam McMillian - Chaplain & Community Engagement Coordinator

25m
Sep 02, 2021
Waiting in the Neutral Zone

Pastor Annette is back from leave and it's not exactly the return we all planned for. She walks us through the sense of frustration and restlessness that comes with the recent upswing in COVID infections, and how we can process these feelings into something positive. On this episode: Annette Stiles Pendergrass - Senior Pastor Tanner Smith - Director of Communications & Media

19m
Aug 19, 2021
Stories of Welcome

Following up on last week's sermon, we sat down with some staff and pastors to hear stories and thoughts on being welcomed. On this episode: Joel Lusz- Pastor of Student and Family Ministry Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship Arts Allee Willcox - Associate Pastor Ulrike Gonzalez - Coordinator of Welcome and Lay Ministries Tanner Smith - Director of Communications and Media

25m
Aug 05, 2021
A Return to Tradition

Morgan sits down with Pastor Mike and discusses a recent article on rising attendance in mainline Protestant churches. They explore the background of Protestant and "evangelical" traditions and what this shift can mean for United Methodists and Christians everywhere. Here are the articles they discussed: Survey: White mainline Protestants outnumber white evangelicals, while ‘nones’ shrink The Unlikely Rebound of Mainline Protestantism On This Episode: Morgan Wood - New Yorker Subscriber Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship Arts

33m
Jul 22, 2021
The Book of Jonah

Morgan sits down with Pastor Mike to discuss the Book of Jonah, one of the Bible's most recognizable and least-understood stories. They look beyond the Sunday School version to the world-changing implications of God's call to Jonah. On this episode: Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship Morgan Wood - Fish Aficionado 

34m
Jul 08, 2021
The Minor Prophets

Pastor Allee and Pastor Mike sit down to discuss our upcoming sermon series on the minor prophets. These easy-to-overlook books are often referenced in the fringes of advent or maybe quoted for one or two key scriptures. But much wisdom can be harvested from these holy words written in the midst of some of Isreal's most turbulent seasons. On this episode: Allee Willcox - Associate Pastor Mike Mayes - Pastor of Worship

18m
Jun 24, 2021
An Interview (& Quiz!) with Grace Stiles Williams

We sat down with Grace Stiles Williams to hear about her journey to Suntree and the plans for Suntree Kids this summer. We also give her a quiz covering important kid's ministry and pop culture knowledge. Suntree Kid's Summer Dates: June 22 - Summer of Creation: Art Camp July 6 - Summer of Creation: Nature Camp July 20 - Summer of Creation: Theater Camp August 3 - Summer of Creation: Water Camp *WARNING* Spoilers for events in the Harry Potter series are mentioned in this episode On this episode: Tanner Smith - Director of Communications and Media Grace Stiles Williams - Interim Director of Children Ministry

31m
Jun 10, 2021
An Interview (& Quiz!) with Grace Stiles Williams

We sat down with Grace Stiles Williams to hear about her journey to Suntree and the plans for Suntree Kids this summer. We also give her a quiz covering important kid's ministry and pop culture knowledge. Suntree Kid's Summer Dates: June 22 - Summer of Creation: Art Camp July 6 - Summer of Creation: Nature Camp July 20 - Summer of Creation: Theater Camp August 3 - Summer of Creation: Water Camp *WARNING* Spoilers for events in the Harry Potter series are mentioned in this episode On this episode: Tanner Smith - Director of Communications and Media Grace Stiles Williams - Interim Director of Children Ministry

1s
Jun 10, 2021
The Art of Planning Worship

We sat down with some of the people who plan worship each week at Suntree to learn what that process looks like. On this episode: Tanner Smith - Director of Communications and Media Ulrike Gonzalez - Coordinator of Welcome and Lay Ministries Mike Mayes- Pastor of Worship Ministry Annette Stiles Pendergrass - Senior Pastor Allee Willcox - Associate Pastor

31m
May 27, 2021
Living Unafraid

We sat down with Pastor Allee to discuss our upcoming group study of the book "Unafraid" by Adam Hamilton. We discussed our personal experience with anxiety and the MANY times throughout the Bible that God tells us "Do not be afraid". On this episode: Allee Willcox - Associate Pastor Tanner Smith - Director of Communications and Media

29m
Apr 29, 2021