"I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
On Sunday April 28, MUMC had the honor of once again hosting Rev. Tracey Beadle as part of our 150 Year Celebration! Tracey originally served as the Associate Pastor from 2012-2017. Her message reminded us about our role as part of the United Methodist Church, the good that has come from General Conference so far, and what it means to abide in Christ.
Tracey preached at both services. You can click here to see her message at the 9 am Modern service (also with her husband, James, playing in the band), or click here to see her message at the 11:15 am Traditional service.
Thank you so much to the Beadles for joining us for worship again this Sunday!
Learn more about Tracey:
Rev. Tracey Beadle was born and raised deep in the heart of the Bible belt in Charlotte, North Carolina in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. As a result, her introduction to Christianity was grounded squarely in a literal and inerrant understanding of scripture. Tracey found it very confusing given the many contradictions found in scripture and given the conflicting (and sometimes scary) depictions of God. Despite this disconcerting introduction to faith and the fact that Tracey only went to church when she happened to be at a grandparent’s house, she’s been drawn to God for as long as she can remember.
As an adult, after a decades long search for a church that fit, Tracey found her home in the United Methodist Church. When she learned how steeped in the theology of grace the founder of the denomination, John Wesley, was and when she learned that the UMC understands scripture to be the inspired word of God (not the literal and inerrant word of God) and when she learned about the Wesleyan Quadrilateral which holds scripture as sacred while taking into account Christian tradition, reason and personal experience when interpreting its meaning for our lives today…Tracey knew she’d found her spiritual home. Tracey understands the UMC is not perfect, but it does an incredible job of allowing space for deep theological questions and differences while remaining in connection with God and a vital community that believes in a faith expressed in acts of justice and mercy.
Tracey was so captured by the UMC’s understanding of and expression of faith that, with the support of her husband, James and her two daughters, Michaela and Zaye, Tracey went to seminary, and eventually became an ordained pastor. Tracey has served in full-time ministry in the local church since 2011.
Tracey loves the UMC! It is her hope that anyone who experiences a UM church will find their hearts captured by a grace that allows them to explore faith and grow in authentic relationship with God that inspires them to live a life that is rich and full and steeped in purpose and love.
(Tracey is also a closet Star Trek fan, loves all things Harry Potter, has two lazy fat cats, 2 quirky pups, enjoys gardening, full moons, sunsets, forces herself to exercise 3-5 times a week, and loves to re-watch episodes of “Merlin” on Netflix with her family while eating pizza and chocolate ice cream)