Author | Lightnews

Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · 14d

Chicago, Memphis and Portland are not war zones—you knew that—but they do have amazing deep dish pizza, soul food and donuts, respectively. Maybe that is the common thread.

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · 23d

I collaborated on this with a colleague, Rev. Kim Ingram. How do we sustain ourselves and our ministries while living through a natural disaster? This is a part of our story. Thanks for reading, sharing and being on the journey together. #wncstrong #hurricanehelene #compassionfatigue

How a clergy respite helped spiritual leaders weather the storm of Hurricane Helene

When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in 2024, pastors were on the front lines of the recovery efforts. A retreat offered by the United Methodist Church helped them rest and recover.

faithandleadership.com

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Sep 13

Thoughts for a week of loss, violence and remembrance. Join us at Grinding the Beans on Substack.

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Sep 7

Amid the toxic stew that is Xn Nationalism, we must strengthen the clarity of our core—Jesus was non-violent, a healer, he had compassion for the multitudes and came to elevate the poor, Jesus transcends the nation-state. All of this is the antithesis of Xn nationalism.

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Reposted by Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist

Jon M. Sweeney @jonmsweeney.bsky.social · Sep 7

Not as easy as it reads.

From Meister Eckhart’s Book of the Heart’📚🙏❤️

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Aug 23

A prayer of gratitude, for the changing seasons and an unchanging God who loves and sustains us through it all. (Two minutes)

A Summer Prayer from Bishop Carter

YouTube video by Western NC Conference of the UMC

youtu.be

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Aug 19

Yes, at our worst this has been and is true, and is at the core of how people of faith do harm. When the image of God is love, there can be a different outcome.

Nancy Rhodes @nancydrhodes.bsky.social · Jul 6

Because believers make god in their image, that image reflects their soul. This is why so much of Christendom is and has always been corrupt. Corrupt souls create a corrupt god.

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Aug 16

Join us at Grinding the Beans.

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Aug 10

A gift to listen to Brian McLaren preach this morning at Lake Junaluska Assembly (near #AVL). From now on all human activity will be judged in accordance with how it is mutually beneficial to the human-earth relationship. See his book, Life After Doom (St. Martin’s).

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Aug 2

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jul 26

Join me at Grinding the Beans.

Ken Carter | Substack

I’m a UMC bishop in Western North Carolina. I’m for a generous orthodoxy that leads to inclusion and reconciliation through the creation of new forms of church. And I grind the beans.

substack.com

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jul 19

(Senator) Kay Hagan was a personal friend, a wonderful person and an effective and selfless leader.

Senator Angus King @senangusking.bsky.social · Jul 19

Maine has been battling Lyme disease for decades. By reauthorizing the bipartisan Kay Hagan Tick Act, we can keep fighting this disease by funding critical research and testing. It’s one small way we can work together to keep Maine people safe and healthy.

Maine Senators Support Reauthorization of Bill Targeting Tick-Borne Diseases

Maine’s U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King are backing legislation aimed at strengthening the nation’s response to tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease.

www.wagmtv.com

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Reposted by Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Jul 18

I’m an expert on ageing. Here’s what I know about thriving in later life | Kerry Burnight

I scoured longevity research on wellbeing – and the deeper I dug, the more I recognized a profound underlying pattern

www.theguardian.com

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jul 15

The morning office @ Waynesville, NC. Altitude affects Attitude. @giveusthisdaylp.bsky.social

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jul 12

Grinding the Beans on Substack-Creekside Blend at Panacea in Waynesville, NC; A Case of You, Herbie Hancock interprets Joni Mitchell; and thoughts on public witness in a summertime when the living is (not) easy.

Summertime (Saturday Morning, July 12, 2025)

A Case of You, the Creekside Blend, and the Meaning of Public Witness

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist

Flylab Fly Fishing @flylab.fish · Jul 12

More Evolved Ways to Handle Fish. “Let’s get real. People want photos of fish. I’m also not going to stop taking photos of fish. But I’m just not going to take five minutes to stage dopey photos with the rod and reel balanced delicately on my shoulder..."

#keepfishwet

More Evolved Ways to Handle Fish

“How we approach, fight and release our fish is in and of itself a conservation issue.” – Kirk Deeter

flylab.substack.com

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jul 5

Yes. And this is why our image of God is so important. And why training programs in spiritual direction begin with image of God. If we get this wrong, nothing good follows.

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Reposted by Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · Jul 4

CARTOON OF THE DAY 🇺🇸 😕

#July4th (from Matt Davies)

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Reposted by Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist

Geoff Coates🇨🇦 @geoffpcoates.bsky.social · Jul 2

Maga: voting against MOST of their own interests.

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Reposted by Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist

Mike Luckovich @mluckovich.bsky.social · Jul 3

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jul 2

On the record. I called Chuck Edwards’ office, twice. We need the healthcare in Franklin and Spruce Pine. And in Florida, FEMA $ is shifted to building a concentration camp in the Everglades. Many people in the WNC mountains and immigrant communities voted to place this administration in office.

NC Budget & Tax Center @ncbudget.bsky.social · Jul 2

The Republican budget bill would harm Western NC’s economy and threaten Helene recovery. Cuts to #Medicaid and #SNAP mean hospitals and grocery stores will close, and massive new costs for NC mean less funding for recovery. Tell Rep. Chuck Edwards to vote NO! edwards.house.gov/co...

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jul 2

Thank you to a respected spiritual voice in the United States.

James Martin, SJ @jamesmartinsj.bsky.social · Jul 2

Laughing in front of cages designed to hold migrants and refugees, many of whom came to this country fleeing extreme violence and poverty, and hoping to raise their children in a more compassionate country. And many of whom followed all the legal procedures to enter the country.

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jun 30

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jun 24

Tragic. Excellent reporting on the dismantling of vital institutions.

Cory Vaillancourt @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social · Jun 24

BREAKING: After 81 years, Jackson County has voted to leave the Fontana Regional Library system over LGBTQ+ content. Critics warn of higher costs, legal risks and diminished service.

Jackson County votes to leave Fontana Regional Library system

In a historic decision that will reshape the future of public library services in Jackson County, commissioners voted Tuesday night to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library system after months of...

smokymountainnews.com

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Bishop +Ken Carter, WNC United Methodist @bishopkencarter.bsky.social · Jun 24

I have so much respect for public school teachers and administrators.

Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · Jun 24

“We should not argue about whether children eat lunch or not,” said Kim Morrison, the former superintendent of Mount Airy City Schools.

A panel of rural educators urged Sen. Tillis to vote against the “big beautiful bill” on Tuesday.

Rural educators call on Tillis to block ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ citing Medicaid and education cuts • NC Newsline

A group of educators and health advocates urged Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to vote against the Republican-led “big beautiful bill.”

ncnewsline.com

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