Un-Tied Methodism

Assembly, Advocacy, and a Trailblazer for Women’s Ordination

Dr. Ashley Boggan welcomes Sally Vonner and Tara Barnes, leaders from United Women in Faith, who preview the upcoming Assembly 2026 and reflect on the vital lay ministries of deaconesses and home missioners. Plus, the Rev. Dr. Emily Nelms Chastain tells the story of M. Madeline Southard, whose fearless leadership helped change the future for women in ministry. To register for United Women in Faith’s Assembly 2026, go to UWFaith.org/Assembly [https://assembly.uwfaith.org/website/82390/]. Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory. [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/archives-and-history] Interested in a deep dive into the earliest stories of Methodism? Sign up for a free, online, four-module history course titled “Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots” at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory/Radicle-Methodism [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/archives-and-history/radicle-methodism]. “Radicle Methodism’s” follow up course, “Rooted Methodism” is now available. Check it out at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory/Rooted-Methodism [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/agencies/archives-and-history/rooted-methodism]. Listen to other episodes of “Un-Tied Methodism” at UnTiedMethodism.org [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/un-tied-methodism-podcast].

Before they were recognized, they were leading

As our yearlong “Women in Methodism” series continues on “Un-Tied Methodism,” Dr. Ashley Boggan talks with historian Dr. Ellen Blue about the Methodist women, deaconesses, and mission leaders who fed the hungry, served immigrants, built institutions, shaped social work, and pushed the church toward change. Their work was often dismissed, their records were often lost, and their leadership was often resisted, but their witness helped turn the world upside down. Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory [https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fresourceumc.org%2FArchivesandHistory&data=05%7C02%7Crdunn%40UMCOM.ORG%7Cdc885e8232ef4b6d39dc08de852c36c0%7C015fc790773547c88d737d8444ffb75e%7C0%7C0%7C639094622101382630%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bP1cSdCBB01Ghgc%2BAuqnRvcyn5h2wMILR8QFgvVwDSs%3D&reserved=0]. “Rooted Methodism,” the follow up to the popular “Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots,” is now available. Check out this deep dive into the our denomination at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory/Rooted-Methodism [https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.resourceumc.org%2Fen%2Fchurchwide%2Fagencies%2Farchives-and-history%2Frooted-methodism&data=05%7C02%7Crdunn%40UMCOM.ORG%7Cdc885e8232ef4b6d39dc08de852c36c0%7C015fc790773547c88d737d8444ffb75e%7C0%7C0%7C639094622101432006%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=I9VMguB%2F%2BZVzIqj5s1qiTYVb440B1o6%2BtXK1PSBTEe0%3D&reserved=0]. Listen to other episodes of “Un-Tied Methodism” at UnTiedMethodism.org [https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Funtiedmethodism.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Crdunn%40UMCOM.ORG%7Cdc885e8232ef4b6d39dc08de852c36c0%7C015fc790773547c88d737d8444ffb75e%7C0%7C0%7C639094622101463914%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=01RlnqPHSF2H7bFcMmCgBPiNjJemuHu3H7FlYs93CGQ%3D&reserved=0].

Crossing oceans and confronting power: The audacious faith of Dorothy Ripley

Join us as “Un-Tied Methodism” continues its yearlong series celebrating 70 years of women’s ordination in Methodism. Long before women’s ordination was formally recognized, Dorothy Ripley was already preaching in bold and radical ways. She crossed the Atlantic Ocean 19 times, chastised President Thomas Jefferson for being an enslaver and was the first woman to speak before Congress. Dr. Ashley Boggan welcomes Duke University’s Dr. Laceye Warner to explore the remarkable life of this 18th-century evangelist, a woman who navigated institutional resistance and cultural expectations to become known at the time of her death as “perhaps the most extraordinary woman in the world.” Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory. [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/archives-and-history] Interested in a deep dive into the earliest stories of Methodism? Sign up for a free, online, four-module history course titled “Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots” at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory/Radicle-Methodism [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/archives-and-history/radicle-methodism]. Listen to other episodes of “Un-Tied Methodism” at UnTiedMethodism.org [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/un-tied-methodism-podcast].

From Susanna Wesley to Dorothy Ripley: Women, calling and courage

Join us as “Un-Tied Methodism” begins a yearlong series celebrating 70 years of women’s ordination in Methodism. Dr. Ashley Boggan welcomes historians Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote and Rev. Dr. Donna Fowler-Marchant to look at the women who laid the groundwork long before ordination was possible. From Susanna Wesley’s overlooked theological brilliance to the bold preaching of Sarah Crosby, Mary Bosanquet Fletcher, and dozens of other women, this episode explores how women in early Methodism claimed their call—often in defiance of church structures, social respectability, and outright opposition. Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory. [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/archives-and-history] Interested in a deep dive into the earliest stories of Methodism? Sign up for a free, online, four-module history course titled “Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots” at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory/Radicle-Methodism [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/archives-and-history/radicle-methodism]. Listen to other episodes of “Un-Tied Methodism” at UnTiedMethodism.org [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/un-tied-methodism-podcast].

From colonization to calling: How Methodism took root in the Philippines

From Navy chaplains and student gatherings to youth movements and global mission, the latest episode in our “Methodisms Around the World” series traces the surprising and resilient story of the Methodist movement in the Philippines. Guests Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut and Karen Prudente join host Dr. Ashley Boggan to explore how colonial history, acts of resistance, women’s leadership, and a deeply relational faith shaped a vibrant witness—one that continues to plant churches and form leaders around the world. Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory. [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/archives-and-history] Interested in a deep dive into the earliest stories of Methodism? Sign up for a free, online, four-module history course titled “Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots” at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory/Radicle-Methodism [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/archives-and-history/radicle-methodism]. Listen to other episodes of “Un-Tied Methodism” at UnTiedMethodism.org [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/un-tied-methodism-podcast].