Good News on the Ground - Real-world evangelism through everyday life.

Good News on the Ground: Exploring Faith in 60 Seconds: CMEC Minute

In this episode of Good News on the Ground, Rev. Lisa Work and Rev. Bradley Mattson explore The CMEC Minute—a creative series of one-minute videos from Christ Memorial Episcopal Church that spark curiosity and conversation about faith. These short, engaging clips answer common questions about following Jesus, Episcopal worship, and everyday spirituality, helping people grow in faith one minute at a time. 💡 Key Takeaways * Answering Everyday Questions: The CMEC Minute grew out of real parishioner questions about liturgical practices—questions that reflect the wider curiosity of people exploring Episcopal faith. * Faith Education for All: The series aims to make spiritual formation accessible not only to those who attend church but also to seekers and the spiritually curious. * Evangelism in the Digital Age: Short, shareable videos make it easier for parishioners to invite others into conversations about faith and worship. * Curiosity as Evangelism: By creating a safe and engaging way to explore “why we do what we do,” the CMEC Minute turns curiosity into connection.

Good News on the Ground: From Garden to Gathering: Grace Place's Impact

In this episode of Good News on the Ground, Rev. Lisa and Rev. Bradley sit down with Mother Barbara Hutchinson and Jessica Larkin to talk about Grace Place in Shippensburg, PA. The conversation explores the mission and growing impact of this community initiative, which began as a response to local needs and has evolved into a place of connection and transformation. Together, they reflect on the development of Grace Place, emphasizing the importance of community gardens, intergenerational involvement, and moving from transactional outreach toward authentic relationships. The guests and hosts highlight the healing power of shared experiences and worship, and how true community is built through collaboration, care, and God’s presence at work among neighbors. Keywords Grace Place, community engagement , food insecurity, intergenerational ministry, church outreach, community garden, healing, belonging, relationship building, worship Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Good News on the Ground 00:11 Exploring Community Initiatives in Shippensburg 00:51 Introduction to Grace Place 03:34 Community Engagement and Healing 06:35 The Role of the Garden in Community 08:59 Building Relationships Through Food 12:02 Transformative Experiences at Grace Place 14:39 Intergenerational Connections and Cookie Church 17:24 The Shift from Outreach to Belonging 20:14 The Essence of Community Engagement 23:03 Celebrating Togetherness and Growth 25:53 Conclusion and Future Aspirations Grace Place Pictures [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14jpyVSh9qu8ieuCHfM4w0k2UmWqJzFDp?usp=drive_link] Follow Grace Place on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/GracePlaceGardens/] Grace Place Website [https://www.standrewsshippensburg.org/grace-place-co-creating-a-community-of-wholeness/] If you would like to learn more about the Grace Place you can contact Mother Barbara Hutchison at rector@standrewsship.org.

Bees and the Good News - Sarah Reid

In this episode of Good News on the Ground, the Rev. Lisa Work sits down with Sarah McKeag Reid — a passionate beekeeper, founder of West Branch Apiary, and advocate for creation care. Sarah shares how her journey into beekeeping has become a unique form of everyday evangelism, revealing deep connections between faith, community, and the natural world. From buzzing hives to blooming gardens, Sarah invites us to see how even the smallest creatures can teach us big truths about stewardship, compassion, and the Good News of Jesus. Together, Lisa and Sarah explore the spiritual lessons bees offer, the challenges of tending creation, and how following our passions can become a powerful witness to God’s love. Whether you're a gardener, a nature lover, or simply curious about how faith shows up in unexpected places — this inspiring conversation will give you a fresh perspective on evangelism, ecology, and everyday discipleship. Learn more about the West Branch Apiary West Branch Apiary YouTube Page [Convocation apiary of the Episcopal diocese of Central PA. We are advocates and protectors of the earth and all its in habitants. We strive to empower our community through creation care. All are welcomed to partner with us. For more info visit our facebook group https://m.facebook.com/groups/1012698723298684/?ref=share Trinitychurchpa@comcast.net] West Branch Apiary Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DtCDXQu8S/]

Episode 1: What Is Evangelism, Really?

Summary In this episode of the Good News on the Ground podcast, Rev. Lisa Work and Rev. Bradley Mattson explore the concept of evangelism, particularly within the Episcopal tradition. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding evangelism, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and the role of the Holy Spirit. The conversation highlights the need for community engagement, sharing personal stories, and embracing imperfection in the journey of faith. The hosts encourage listeners to notice and celebrate the good news happening around them, fostering a culture of sharing and support within their communities. Takeaways * Evangelism often evokes weird feelings and misconceptions. * Many associate evangelism with intrusive sales tactics. * Authenticity in evangelism is crucial; it's about actions, not just words. * The Episcopal definition of evangelism involves seeking, naming, and celebrating God's presence. * It's not our job to convert; that's the Holy Spirit's role. * We can plant seeds of faith, but God brings the growth. * Sharing faith doesn't require having all the right answers. * Community engagement and sharing stories inspire others. * Embracing imperfection allows for growth and learning in evangelism. * Noticing good news in our communities can spark inspiration. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Evangelism and Podcast Launch 02:12 Defining Episcopal Evangelism 04:36 The Role of Presence and Action in Evangelism 07:13 Overcoming Fear and Sharing Stories 09:25 Highlighting Everyday Evangelism Stories 11:51 Learning from Failures and Imperfections 14:18 Invitation to Notice Good News 16:22 Join us next time First Followers Video [https://youtu.be/fW8amMCVAJQ?si=Lls0l9dduchFSbxE]