Join in for today's episode as we embark on the start of an ongoing conversation about transition and succession at Hope Church. Listen to Lead Pastor, Jeff Bills, answer questions you might have about the transition process and his eventual retirement. Jeff also shares what he is learning right now as he waits for what's next and invites you, listeners, to join him in the process!Have any questions after listening? Don't hesitate to reach out! Contact Jeff at jeff@meethope.org or reach out to us at podcast@meethope.org.Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Discover how the act of legacy giving can carry forward your values and beliefs long after you've left the room. Brian Roberts of the Greater New Jersey United Methodist Conference joins Jeff Bills for a conversation on this transformative practice within faith communities. Find encouragement that you don't need a hefty bank balance to leave a profound impact. Brian shares how these choices reflect our deepest care for our loved ones and the congregations we cherish. Special thanks to Brian for joining us this week!NOTES & RESOURCES:Interested in learning more about legacy giving at HOPE? Contact jeff@meethope.org.Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Hello listeners! Whether you're in the midst of parenting challenges or just looking for a dose of inspiration, this one's for you! Coming off the celebration of Mother's Day, we wanted to share this encouraging conversation between Caitlin Peluszak, an elementary educator and active person of HOPE and Amanda Cavaliere, Marriage & Parenting Coordinator. Today we're talking specifically about elementary age kiddos, but we think anyone can find wisdom and joy through their words! Special thanks to Caitlin for joining in today!Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Are you a parent of a kid or teen trying to decide what to do with your summer? Listen to the stories from these HOPE kids and teens this week to hear how VBS and Music Drama Camp made a difference in their lives last summer! If you are local, head to meethope.org/today to sign up for these fun activities this summer. If you live far away, we still hope this episode brings you hope and joy for how Jesus shows up through the youngest among us!NOTES & RESOURCES:VBS is at HOPE : https://meethope.org/vbsMusic Drama Camp at HOPE: https://meethope.org/dramaSee more events at HOPE this summer! https://meethope.org/todayThanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Join us this week as we welcome Dr. Nicole Widmer  to share her faith journey! Nicole shares how she desired to find a faith community for her family, how she wound up at HOPE, and how she has followed God's nudging her heart to create a community for women to be together, just as they are. Special thank you to Nicole for sharing with us!NOTES & RESOURCES:Want to share your story? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org!The Well for women typically gathers the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Find it on our events page! https://meethope.org/eventsContact Pastor Heather to find a small group at heather@meethope.orgThanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

This week we welcome Rachel Abad to the podcast! Rachel is a nurse practitioner, mom to five, and self-proclaimed “fiber enthusiast” loving all things related to knitting and fiber arts. Rachel shares with us how her faith has always carried her, no matter what the different chapters of her life have looked like. She encourages us in what it means to take a chance on a new place and find a supportive faith community like she’s found at HOPE! Special thanks to Rachel for sharing her life and story with us!NOTES & RESOURCES:Want to share your story? Email us at podcast@meethope.org.Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Have you ever been witness to unwavering faith and resilience that shapes a life's story?  Join in for this episode where a HOPE community member, Bob Brown, shares part of his story with us. In our conversation Bob shares how consistent pursuit of sharing his faith with others transformed not only his personal life but also his business. If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader of others, this episode may be just for you! Special thanks to Bob Brown for sharing his story with us!NOTES & RESOURCES:Reach out to Jeff to connect with Bob! Email jeff@meethope.orgDo you have a story you'd like others to hear? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

What does it look like when we step out of our comfort zone in an effort to follow God's lead? Listen to Scott Crews, HOPE's New Food Pantry Director, share a bit about his story of faith. Scott also gives us recent updates on the day to day of the Food Pantry! We hope this episode will inspire you to follow whatever "inner nudging" you might be feeling in your life too, trusting that God will be there every step of the way! Special thanks to Scott for sharing on this episode. NOTES & RESOURCES:Want to help with the Food Pantry? meethope.org/foodpantryContact Scott at scott@meethope.orgThanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Have you ever stood at the crossroads of skepticism and faith, wondering if there's a place for you in a spiritual community? Our guests, Bill and Kelly Walenda, understand that feeling , and they're here to recount their story of  finding a faith home at Hope.  Their  stories of navigating initial doubts and discovering an energetic, personal worship experience are both inspiring and relatable, making this episode a must-listen for anyone on the cusp of their own spiritual exploration. Bill is volunteers as a small group leader, on the Tech Team at HOPE, and at the Food Pantry. Kelly serves as a member of HOPE's Lead Team and also volunteers as a lobby greeter on Sundays. Special thanks to both of them for sharing themselves with us!NOTES & RESOURCES:Hear more of Bill and Kelly's story on episode 9! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2065910/12140553Want to share your story of faith? Email rick@meethope.orgWant to volunteer at HOPE? Head to meethope.org/volunteerteams!Find a small group at meethope.org/groups.Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Pursuing Anti-Racism is a Jesus thing. It's a disciple of Jesus thing. This week, Betty Joynes and Lori Chewkanes, Members of HOPE's Lead Team and HOPE's Racial Justice Team, continue the conversation with Pastor Rick Court about  choosing to be anti-racist and why it is a necessity to how we live our lives as Christian. Betty and Lori share practical ways we can work to end the sin of racism individually, in our families, and in our communities starting today. This episode is part 2 of 2 so make sure to go back and listen to week 1 too!NOTES & RESOURCES:Contact HOPE's Racial Justice Team:Betty - joynesbejo@gmail.com Lori - mwcllc12@gmail.com HOPE's Racial Justice Team's Guiding Principle: Truth & justice for all God’s People through the love & example of Jesus.Quotes and Scripture from the episode:We don't know what [Jesus] looked like, but if all of the things that we do know about him are true, he was a Palestinian Jewish man living in Galilee in the first century, … So he would have looked like a Palestinian Jewish man of the first century. Cultures tend to portray prominent religious figures to look like the dominant racial identity. - Robert Cargill, University of IowaSo God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. -  Genesis 1:27 (NLT)"A good apology doesn’t include the word “but”.Take Action: Watch, learn, read and pursue anti-racism. Find resources on our website at meethope.org/endracism.Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

"Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in,” writes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever it lands.”This week, Betty Joynes and Lori Chewkanes, Members of HOPE's Lead Team and HOPE's Racial Justice Team, join with Pastor Rick Court in a conversation about  the sin of racism. We talk about how we can recognize it in ourselves and in our world, and what we can do to actively pursue being anti-racists with our lives.  This episode is part 1 of 2 so make sure to check back in next week to hear the second part of this conversation. NOTES & RESOURCES:Contact HOPE's Racial Justice Team:Betty - joynesbejo@gmail.com Lori - mwcllc12@gmail.com Watch, learn, read and pursue anti-racism. Find resources on our website at meethope.org/endracism.HOPE's Racial Justice Team's Guiding Principle: Truth & justice for all God’s People through the love & example of Jesus. Scripture from Episode:A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.John 13: 34-35Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Join in this week as HOPE Worship Artist and Youth Leader, Gabrielle Byrnes, shares her story of how creative expression can deepen our connection with God and infuse our everyday lives with a sense of divine purpose. Listen in as we discuss the myriad ways in which our passions can serve as conduits for prayer, worship, and a richer, more intentional faith journey.NOTES & RESORUCES:Glorify Performing Arts: https://glorifyperformingarts.org/Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Join in this week as Katie Barok, HOPE community member, small group leader, and experience hiker shares how her passion for hiking led her to grow in her faith and discover the value of a spiritual family in her life. Listen in! Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Join in as Kris Peluszak, one of HOPE's worship leaders, shares how he worships, not just in music, but in his life lived every day. This episode is not just about songs on a Sunday; it's about the rhythm of a Christ-centered life. NOTES & RESOURCES:Contact Andrew to learn about worship at HOPE - andrew@meethope.orgThanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Raising teenagers can feel like navigating an ever-shifting maze, but you're not alone! In our latest episode, we sit down with Brynn Gutelius, who having raised two teens,  shares how she has sought the delicate balance of fostering independence while maintaining connection.  Brynn also shares what she has learned about herself in her parenting journey.NOTES & RESOURCES:Contact Heather at heather@meethope.orgConnect with Brynn at The Center for Christian Counseling & Relationship Development: cccrd.orgFind a Parenting Small Group! meethope.org/groupsThanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Struggling to find balance as you care for your children and aging parents? You're not alone. In today's episode Vickie Crews shares her own story of caring for multiple aging parents, what helped her, and where she finds hope in the process. NOTED & RESOURCES:Book  - "Being Mortal" by Atul GawandeContact Amanda at amanda@meethope.org for more Marriage & Parenting Resources or Support.Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Recently, HOPE hosted Parenting in 2024 - a series of workshops for parents with kids of all ages. We’re excited to share some of the content from those workshops here on the podcast too! On today’s episode, Marriage & Parenting Coordinator, Amanda Cavaliere, talks with Licensed Professional Counselor, Gabrielle Morreale, about how to foster a healthy self image in our kids. This is a great episode to pass on to a friend who is raising kids too! NOTES & RESOURCES:Recovered and Restored: https://www.recoveredandrestoredtherapy.com/Contact Amanda at amanda@meethope.orgThanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

For this episode Bruce Main of Urban Promise shares how Urban Promise International began, the difference it makes in empowering young leaders around the world, and what it means to cast vision as a leader.  Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

We're glad to welcome Glenn Conaway this week as he joins us to illuminate the responsibilities and joys of a district superintendent in the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church. Glenn shares the essence of the Hope Centers initiative, where church walls expand to embrace the pulsing needs of the community, breathing new life into both sacred spaces and neighborhoods alike. As we converse with Glenn, his journey from his family's spiritual roots to spearheading regional church missions unfolds, revealing a landscape where faith doesn't just meet tradition but innovates to serve humanity.Glenn also helps us better understand the nuanced path of pastoral appointments, where the art of matching a pastor's unique gifts to a congregation's needs is as delicate as it is profound.  Join us for an episode that promises to enrich your understanding of the interplay between faith, leadership, and community.Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

Hello Listeners! In celebration of the new year, we're looking back to our top 3 episodes that you downloaded and listened to the most in 2023! We'll be back with new content on January 22 - until then we hope you enjoy re-experiencing these wonderful stories of HOPE or experiencing them for the first time! Here is your number one downloaded episode: Episode # 11 - Grief and Gratitude in Our Limitations: Jeff and Marilyn Bills Share an Update on Jeff's Eyesight.----------This week on the podcast, Pastor Jeff Bills and Worship Director Marilyn Bills share an update on the latest changes to Jeff's eyesight including new accommodations and the new opportunities that come with them. Whether you want to learn more about Retinitis Pigmentosa, or are looking for encouragement with areas of limitation in your own life, today's episode is a very special interview we hope you'll learn something new about faith and hope from. NOTES & RESOURCES:More information on Retinitis Pigmentosa: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinitis-pigmentosaThe Seeing Eye Organization: https://www.seeingeye.org/2 Corinthians 12: https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2CO.12.NIVYou Version Bible App: https://www.youversion.com/Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.