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

Follow Grace Place on Facebook

Grace Place Website

If you would like to learn more about the Grace Place you can contact Mother Barbara Hutchison at rector@standrewsship.org.

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

West Branch Apiary Facebook Page

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.

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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