Welcome to this special introductory episode of “To Be and Do” with your host, Phil Amerson. In this brief but engaging segment, Phil Amerson gives listeners an exciting look at what’s on the horizon for the podcast in the coming months—promising a season filled with compelling conversations, inspiring guests, and thoughtful exploration of faith, community, and service.

Phil Amerson starts by sharing the lineup for upcoming episodes, offering a preview of the fascinating individuals who will be joining him. First up is Ed Kilbourne, a beloved storyteller and musician whose recent work focuses on “senior Vacation Church school” programs for older adults—an initiative growing in popularity across the Southeast. Ed’s visits are marked by stories, music, and plenty of joy, so listeners can expect an episode full of heart and laughter.

Following Ed, Phil Amerson will welcome Mark Feldmeier, pastor of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Phil Amerson praises Mark as one of the finest preachers in North America, someone who brings skill and insight to the pulpit week after week. Their conversation will delve into the art of preaching and the ongoing role of faith leaders in today’s world.

Listeners can also look forward to an episode with Christy Popp, a Bloomington-based immigration attorney who works closely with families navigating the country’s ever-changing immigration policies. Phil Amerson acknowledges the unpredictability and challenges faced by documented immigrants, and Christy’s perspective promises to illuminate pressing social justice issues and the human stories behind policy changes.

The show will further explore ministry and leadership with guests such as Rachel Matheny, pastor at Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, and Jim Harnish, a prolific author and former pastor of Hyde Park Church in Tampa. They’ll share their experiences on preaching, church leadership, and service.

Rounding out the upcoming episodes is Tim Sorens from the Parish Collective, an organization focused on creatively engaging clergy and communities, particularly in urban areas.

Takeaways:

1. A Season of Inspiration: The upcoming episodes are packed with knowledgeable, passionate guests from diverse backgrounds in ministry, leadership, and advocacy.
2. Faith in Action: Listeners will gain insights into how faith is lived out both inside and outside the church, especially amid changing societal landscapes.
3. Community and Creativity: The show places a strong emphasis on creative ministry and supporting communities through innovative practices.
4. Awareness and Advocacy: Complex issues such as immigration receive careful attention, emphasizing real-life impact and empathy.
5. Support and Prayer:
6. Phil Amerson
7. calls for listener support—not just as an audience, but as partners in prayer and learning.

Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to “To Be and Do,” this episode is your invitation to join a community seeking wisdom, connection, and hope in the year ahead.

Hello, everyone. This is Phil Emerson with the Be and Do podcast. We're doing a short little piece introducing what we're going to be doing in the year ahead, at least for the next few months. Some exciting podcasts are in the works. If you are listening next week, you'll be able to hear Ed Kilbourne. And Ed is a longtime friend, storyteller, musician who has in recent years been doing a lot of work with senior Vacation Church school for older adults. And these have become quite popular across the country, especially in the Southeast. And Ed, of course, is always fun, full of stories and delight.

So Ed will be with us. And then the following episodes will be Mark Feldmeier. Mark is the pastor of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. And I consider Mark to be one of the finest preachers at work in North America right now. Great, great guy who Sunday after Sunday continues to do fine preaching. And we're going to talk with him about that and then episodes after that. I'll be visiting with an immigration attorney, Christy Popp, and she works here in Bloomington, but works with families who are struggling with what their current immigration status is.

And I don't know if you in the audience are aware of a lot of that, but they're just sort of mercurial changes coming. People who were here and documented are now being kicked off the list because some of the programs for related family, family related persons are being just pulled out from under families. So Christy will be there. We're going to also be talking with some other good pastors, preachers. Rachel Matheny, who's the pastor at Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, will be with us. And Jim Harnish, some of you would know Jim. He was the past, well, in Florida last, I believe at Hyde Park Church in Tampa area. But Jim is an prolific author, fine preacher, and we'll be talking with him.

And then one more to mention. Tim Sorens is also a pastor. He is currently the head of something called the Parish Collective. And the Parish Collective is working with clergy, especially in urban areas around how they can better be engaged in creative new ways in ministry. So a whole lot of things ahead for the 2026 podcast. I hope you'll be listening and more. I hope you'll be praying for us as we continue to learn the great gifts that others are sharing. For now, this is Phil Emerson, and that's just because I want you to know some of my friends.