Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.

Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller.

Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.”

To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.

https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/

Episode 066 of To Be Encouraged is a bonus episode recorded live from the Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church June 8-10, 2023 in Muncie Indiana.

Youth Leading the Way: Empowering Change and Encouragement in the Methodist Church with Matthew and Kristen Bisciglia.

Introduction:

In this episode of "To Be Encouraged," Reverend Dr. Brad Miller engages in a conversation with Matthew Bisciglia and Kristen Bisciglia, where they discuss their experiences within the church and the importance of inclusion and encouragement. Through their dialogue, we gain valuable insights into the power of community, the uniqueness of the Methodist faith, and the significance of gradually introducing friends to church settings. Here are three key takeaway points from this episode.

1. The Value of Inclusion and Diverse Voices in the Church:

Both Matthew and Kristen highlight the significance of inclusion and diverse representation within the church. They stress the importance of having different voices and perspectives on the stage, as it fosters a sense of belonging for everyone. Matthew admirably mentions his support for the LGBTQ+ community, wearing a rainbow shirt to show his endorsement. Through this example, we understand that inclusivity is not only a principle but also a tangible practice that allows individuals to feel seen and accepted within their faith community.

2. The Unyielding Grounding of the Methodist Faith:

Matthew's connection to the Methodist faith serves as a powerful testimony to the lasting impact a religious grounding can have during uncertain times. He expresses how the teachings of the Methodist faith provide solace and certainty, especially in the face of loss exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The principle of Christian anchor within the Methodist faith allows individuals to find comfort and a sense of direction. This steadfast foundation becomes a guiding light, not only for internal fortitude but also for sharing that light with others in the midst of a discouraging world.

3. The Gradual Introduction of Friends to Church Settings:

The discussion delves into Matthew's efforts to involve his friends in the church, a process that emphasizes trust-building and friendship. Recognizing the limited efficacy of direct invitations to youth group activities, Matthew sought alternative ways to introduce his friends to the church environment. By initially inviting them to informal gatherings at his house and engaging them in church events like Easter egg hunts and nerve games, he recognized the importance of easing individuals into the unfamiliar setting. This strategic approach allows friends to acclimate at their own pace, fostering an environment where they can discover their own spiritual voice.

Conclusion:

In Episode 066 f the "To Be Encouraged" podcast Matthew and Kristen Bisciglia present a thought-provoking conversation about the significance of inclusion, finding grounding in faith, and the gradual introduction of friends to church environments. Matthew and Kristen's experiences shed light on the transformative power of diverse voices within the church and the unwavering support and encouragement that can be found within the Methodist faith. This episode reminds us of the importance of fostering welcoming spaces and gradually inviting others to experience the potential joys and solace that can be found within the church community. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us aspire to follow Matthew and Kristen's example by spreading encouragement and inclusivity, as they do through their own podcast, "Bishes." Together, we can make a positive impact and contribute to a world that is encouraged and uplifted.

It'll be ore, and even if it wasn't, you would need to back the radio.

Oh, here's the camera, by the way, just seeing it. Okay?

Hello, and good people. This is reverend Doctor Brad. Now they're coming to you from

the floor of the Indiana Annual Conference of the United

Methodist Church at Emmett's auditorium, Boston University about

1200 delegates and lay an cards you

devoted folks who are here from all around Indiana and points beyond

as well to celebrate Christ to talk

about breakthrough prayer. Our theme is praying forward. No turning

back to do the business of the church and to move

forward in ministry from wherever we are at. And

we're pleased with us to have many many people here are part of the

contingents here contingents of Lady here. And one of those late

delegates is here with us right now is our special guest. And your name is?

Matthew Vasilia. Matthew, we are glad that you're with us here

today. And tell us where you're from and who you represent?

I'm from Lafayette, Indiana, and I represent Grace UMC.

Awesome. Awesome. Well, tell me One of the questions

that we like to ask here folks on to be encouraged is

what is one thing whether you like to talk about Matt or Matthew, what do

you like to go Matt. Matt. So one of the things we'd like to ask

here, Matt, is what is one thing, one

reason why you are a Christian? I think it's biggest

thing for me is especially after COVID hit, and we have to deal with a

lot of losing things. It's something that I can hold on to, and I can

remember, especially with things not being certain. It's the one thing in life that

I can remember to be certain. Something that I can hold on to in

the times of you know, needing it. Mhmm. I feel a lot of people see

it as a light, and I see it as a light that I can hopefully

help shine to others. I could have a reflection

Mhmm. So you see that as a source of comfort

and confidence. So for a long time, I had to deal with not feeling

comfortable, not feeling like, there was a lot of light in my world. And

then I've discovered that there are a lot of people like me either in age

or in spirit, and that I can go and I can

confide myself in them. So what were some of the things you felt uncomfortable about

that your faith in god helped you to feel a little more comfort

in? Definitely my place in the world. a long time, like, I

wasn't I was homeschooled for a while, then I moved to the public school system.

And for a while, I felt like I didn't have a voice. I didn't have

a lot of friends. And after I started going to church and kind

of starting listening more, I kind of started to feel my place in the world,

started to get more set in stone. I found better ways communicate with people,

better ways just to live my life in order to be more

of a part of the community. So your church helped you in that

process to find kind of a pathway and a place to go. Very

much. So tell me about that. In in other words, tell me at least one

thing, one reason then you are United it's particularly at

your church. because our our broker -- So at my

church, what's a good way to put it? because he's my

My church really is all about, like, the youth especially

trying to make sure that that we're involved. And the biggest reason I'm there right

now, especially, is because we're trying to make a big movement about involving

younger people in certain areas of the church. Like, just a couple weeks ago, I

got to preach at my church. alongside one of my pastor's Glenn

Robin, which is a fantastic experience. I get to work with other

youth sometimes in leading services And I feel like the

United Methodist Church is really that's something I've always appreciated about

the way of doing things that we're good with having other people. We're not the

people who are always thing and getting more of a diversity up on on that

stage. because listening to the same person every week, it's nice and, you

know, they always have good messages, but it's nice to also get a fresh face

up in there every once in a while. And just to be clear, tell

tell our listeners of how old you are if you're in your situation

life that way. So I'm I'm fifteen and going to high

school, especially sometimes when you don't feel like your voice is being heard, I

found that, you know, church, especially, you know, the, you know, the Methodist Church, the

good place where your voice is going to be heard by people you care about,

people who care about you, and it's just somewhere where your voice will

make a difference. It's not like in your particular church, your pastors, and

other folks there in your perhaps your youth ministry have been

helpful in helping you find a place in place of belonging very, very helpful

about them. It would have been a very different story for where I would be

right now. I kind of it was a rough time for me for a while,

and they helped me get my feedback on -- Yeah. -- on the ground. We

I see that you're wearing your viewers. I can see that you're wearing a a

a rainbow shirt. Yes. I am. What's the significance of of that for

you? Well, I support the LGBTQ plus community fully, and I just

wanna I'm not personally part of the LGBTQ plus community, but I wanna support

in every single way that I can. So that's a part of who you are

is to the accept sense and the inclusivity of that? Very much

so it's I feel like it's one of the most important parts of church is

to make sure that everyone feels included because for a long time, I

understood not being included in it. It's not fair for anyone to be put out

of that for a reason that's arbitrary. Mhmm.

And so in your experience then in youth ministry, the

United Methodist Church, and your experience of god, it sounds like it's helped

you to find your pathway in your

place. Very much -- What are some ways you feel like maybe you can help

be a a part

to process the support or the encouragement of others who

maybe have on their own struggles of finding their pathway.

I've been trying to work with especially with that recently. I have friends who I'm

trying to get involved in the church. And for a while, it was kind of

like, oh, hey. Just come to youth group. Hey. We can talk about God by

realizing that that's not the best way to go about it. You need to kinda

start slowly. Like, I had them come, and we had an overnight in my house.

And then the next one was like, hey. you could you could stay at my

house, or we could just, you know, go to church, just, you know, go to

the youth group, you know, like, a one time thing. They came to that. That

was fine. You know? And then I got them to come back later for help

with an easter egg thing. And then I got them come back for we

did, like, a nerve thing in our church, and we that. And I just kind

of try to build that slowly over time. You don't wanna, like, say, oh, start

going to church every week. Do this every single week. I'm gonna start slowly.

And I feel like over time that'll give them the ability to acclimate

to the church setting and find that voice inside themselves that maybe they didn't realize

they had. So it's not like you're in the process of building trust, building building

friendships before you get in too much into the heavy --

The heavy -- -- god stuff. Exactly. Yeah. That's awesome. Well, just one more

question for you here, Matt. If you had to say that that the

theme of the Bishes podcast that I do together him. It's called to be

encouraged. And so what we like to say is it's an encouraging word for

an often discouraged world. And there's a lot of encouraging things

in the world. You mentioned a couple of them. People not fitting in yourself and

some others. What do you just say for you is an

encouraging thing right now.

Seeing other people trying, I think, is the biggest thing that

I I see that helps me because sometimes I'll feel like I'm trying. And

then if I feel like I'm on myself, then there's no point to trying. But

when I saw see other people trying and spires me to keep going myself.

I see this conference. I see others out there in the world trying

their best to work in an imperfect world. And I think that's

probably the most encouraging thing right now. Helping

navigate an imperfect world. I think it's a pretty good way of putting

Well, tell us your name, and you're where you're from one more time. I'm Matthew

Cecilia, and I'm from Lafayette, Indiana. Very good. And your

church is? Grace UMC. Grace UMC. And you've been

our guest today on the 2 b Encouraged podcast

coming live from the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist you,

Matt. Thank you. That wasn't too painful, was it? No. That

was that was oh, wow. Alright. Oh, different experience. -- mom. Oh.

Yep. Do we have --

Look at the cameras so people can see you. It's going on livestream right

now. And welcome back. everybody. This is reverend

Doctor Brad Miller from the to be encouraged podcast coming to you live

from the floor of the Indiana Conference of

the United Methodist Church. It's our pleasure and a privilege to be

with you as we talk to great lay folks and clergy

who are here to pray forward. No turning back at at the

conference here. And we have as our guest right now, the

special Kristen, the Gilea. And where are you from, Kristen?

Lafayette, Indiana. And tell us what's your church? I am a

member of Lafayette Greshen added Methodist. Awesome. Awesome. Well, tell

us one cool thing about your church? It has

been a part of our community for many years, and we're known for reaching

out in to our community. Awesome. Awesome. Well, we'll learn

that's one thing about your church. Now let's learn something about you. Tell us one

thing Kristen. One reason that you

are personally a Christian.

Because without it, it's just too

hard. It's just there's too much turmoil and

too much dissension and too much pain to be able to

walk through life without having a basis and a grounding that

can help us when things don't go right because

not if. It's when. Yeah. I love the way you

put that without it, what are you gonna do? You know, have

something bigger than yourself. Yeah. -- to be grounded upon.

And, otherwise, we're kind of on moored, and we're

kind of this drift. And then That's a great way to put it. I love

the way you phrased of that. Then you live out your

faith and community, and one of the communities we live that as you is

your church, and you mentioned you're some aspects about the outreach of

of your church. But tell me one at least one reason why you are a

united method. to?

So at our church in Austin, when we lived in Texas, they did I

I grew up the Methodist faith. My uncle was a is a retired

United Methodist faster. And I'm not sure I'd ever

explored why I was a Methodist, and our church did a whole series on John

Wesley's preteens. And

in studying it, I realized that, for me, personally,

it made a lot of sense. It connects with me in the

sense that do no harm, do all

the good you can. It's very easy for me

to wrap my head around it, and it's very

accessible. It's something that I felt like I could preach. It

follows right along with the gospel. We're supposed to reach out. We're supposed to

preach. We're supposed to do good, and we're not to harm. Those things,

that's easy. it's I mean, it's easily taught. Yes. I won't

say it's always easy to follow and do everything. implementation piece

is a little bit more difficult than because we're human. -- which is understandable that

I'm here to say. Yes. And for me, it clicked.

That is who I am at my core. It's the way I was

raised. It's the way that I believe so deep down in me. I

can't imagine being anything other than a united methodist. So

that's wonderful. And I love the way you you phrased that using, you

know, to do no harm and to

stay in love with with with god and do all the good that that that

you can't. Thank you for for sharing that. And then

One of the things that we like to share here is that the theme of

this podcast is to be encouraged. So share with me, you

know, with our audience, if you will, and just look right in that share, what

is at least one thing you are encouraged by as we sit here today?

I'm encouraged by the number of young people that

I'm seeing. My son came with me, and we didn't know how

that would work being 15. And he has had

emerging leaders connect with him. He's had the district

youth group reach out to him, and I'm seeing my

grow right before my very eyes in faith,

and it's such an amazing encouraging group of people. I feel

so blessed that we got to come. And that's a special moment having that

your son here with you and being a a delegate and and oh, I'm wonderful.

Well, us one more time your name and where you're from in your church. Kristen

Visillia, Lafayette, Indiana, and Grace United Methodist Church.

And Christian is our guest today on the 2 being

encourage podcasts coming to you live from the Indiana Conference of the