Table Talk - TWKUMC

Table Talk: Deeper Conversations across our Connection

"Table Talk" is a new podcast designed to help facilitate deeper conversations across our connection and enable us to learn together how we might venture boldly into this new season of ministry as United Methodists.

We want to engage in discussions that inspire curiosity, openness, and innovation in our different ministry contexts; explore questions that lead us deeper into relationship with one another and our communities; and experience what it means to embody the love of Christ wherever we are.

Listen to the episode by clicking the green "play" button beneath "Season One Episodes"! Learn more about each episode's guests and resources mentioned either by clicking on the graphic or the button below.

We are excited to hear from you! Please email us with comments, questions, episode ideas, or any other feedback.

Welcome to the table!

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Season One Episodes

Meet Our Table Talk Co-Hosts!

Born in Dickson, TN, and trained at numerous institutions of higher learning, including Vanderbilt Divinity School and Columbia Theological Seminary, Rev. Jim Hughes, now a retired elder, served 10 appointments in the UMC over his nearly 50-year career in ministry. Rev. Hughes also served for 20 years as a Chaplain in The Tennessee National Guard; he retired with rank of Major. He is married to Tari and they have four daughters (Valerie, Jamie, Hailee and Karlyn), as well as three granddaughters (Kate, Eden, and Mirren). He plays tennis, sails, loves to travel and holds a black belt in Wado Ryu.

Sam was appointed to Belle Meade UMC in July 2016 as Associate Pastor and became Senior Pastor in August 2020. Previously, Sam worked for Mountain T.O.P., a non-profit dedicated to rural life ministry in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee, where she served as the Program Manager of Recruiting and Public Awareness from 2008-2013. Sam has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Auburn University (08) and a Master’s of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School (16). Sam is a co-author of On Purpose: Finding God's Voice in Your Passion and author of Advent: A Calendar of Devotions 2023 and The Sanctuary for Lent 2020. She is married to Mark and has two children, Lewis and Madeline.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Lynn made her way to Martin, Tennessee, where she served as an Instructor of English as a Second Language at the University of Tennessee at Martin for a number of years. As a lay member at Martin First United Methodist Church, her calling to ministry began to flourish -- first as a volunteer and then as a staff member. In 2022, she accepted a role at the Tennessee Western-Kentucky Conference to support clergy in their ordination, license, and continuing education requirements. It was in this work, that Lynn's call to ministry continued to clarify. She currently serves as pastor of Liberty UMC in Brentwood, Tenn. She enjoys talking and meeting new people. She especially looks forward to new things that the Table Talk Podcast will bring.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, La Rhonda grew up with two older brothers. She attended Iowa State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with an emphasis in Production Operations Management. During her education at Iowa State, she developed the Computer Through Literacy Program with the Des Moines Board of Education and Iowa State University Extension Program to provide computer skills for at-risk youth.

La Rhonda has worked for Sprint Corporation, Department of Defense, Merrill Lynch and now works for a global Freight Forwarding organization. She has served as Court Appointed Specialized Advocated for CASA of Davidson County for the past ten years, volunteered for Down Syndrome Association for Middle Tennessee, and Executive Board Member of the Clark UMC Community Development Corporation, Inc. La Rhonda is a member of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church and serves as the President and Treasurer of United Women in Faith, Staff Pastor Parrish Relations Committee, Committed of Finance, Church Council, and Media Ministry. She also served as the Education and Interpretation Coordinator and Social Action Coordinator for the Red River District United Women in Faith.

La Rhonda enjoys being an aunt, volunteering, running, and rowing on land. She serves as the Ambassador for Ainsley’s Angels of America, Nashville and organization that build awareness about America’s special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life.

She enjoys sprinkling a little sunshine everywhere she goes!