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Jonathan LeMaster-Smith

Rural Ministry, Methodist Connections


  • March 1, 2022

    Day 3 – 713 Words

    Day 3 – 713 Words

    This morning I received messages from someone who needed several things from me because of something someone else needed from them. It was an issue that was no fault of my own, and I let the person know I was working on a couple other things first. I prioritized my writing and creative work. I… Continue reading

    Rural Community, Rural Life, Rural Thoughts, Writing Challenge
    Red Beans and Rice, Rural Writing, Writing, Writing Challenge
  • February 28, 2022

    Day 2 – 538 Words

    Day 2 – 538 Words

    I woke up early this morning, around 5:15am. The dogs were antsy, so I got up with them, made coffee and by 6:30, I was at the table writing. I knew I had to leave early today for work because I am the host for a nonprofit that was meeting at the church today. The… Continue reading

    Writing Challenge
    Frost, Nandina, Writing
  • February 27, 2022

    Day 1 – 526 words

    Day 1 – 526 words

    I’ve decided to take on a self-imposed writing challenge. My goal is to write approximately 500 words a day, every day from now until Easter (on April 17th). This is writing 500 words for fifty days straight (inclusive of Easter and today (Transfiguration Sunday). I’m using my blog as a space for accountability and updates… Continue reading

    Uncategorized, Writing Challenge
    Daffodil, faith, New House, Rural, Writing, Writing Challenge
  • October 12, 2021

    Sanctified Gossip

    Sanctified Gossip

    The story of the woman at the well from John Chapter 4 is a story I used to find annoying. I think, because it was an overdone story about Jesus being Jesus. It gets overused as a salvation story for a way of life that is no longer feels like an issue. Women, in general,… Continue reading

    Bible, Rural Community, Rural Life, Rural Thoughts
    Bible, faith, Rural, Rural Faith, Rural Ministry, Sanctified
  • October 5, 2021

    It bears repeating…

    It bears repeating…

    One thing rural communities rely on is repetition. Repetition creates consistency, memory, and tradition. This repetition matters, whether it is football of Fridays in the fall, the festival on the first weekend of May, or knowing who to call when someone in the community dies to get the prayer and meal train going. I’ve learned… Continue reading

    Rural Community, Rural Life, Rural Thoughts
    Church, creativity, faith, Ministry, Pandemic, Patterns, Post-Pandemic, Rural, Rural Life, theology
  • August 31, 2021

    “Heavy dreams are for toting around”

    “Heavy dreams are for toting around”

    Mighty long shifts are for workingHeavy dreams are for toting aroundLet’s pretend there’s a place to goWhere I can lay this hacksaw down. Zack Bryan, “Quiet Heavy Dreams” This lyric gives some language to my feelings as of late. The past couple of years (not just the pandemic, but life itself) has been a mighty… Continue reading

    Uncategorized
  • June 8, 2021

    Death and Deviled Eggs

    Death and Deviled Eggs

    A few years ago, I was on my way to a funeral. An in person, non-masking, church member funeral with a receiving of friends, a service, and committal. Funerals remind me of funerals, the same way this Christmas will remind you of last Christmas. So many of the practices are the same. At this funeral,… Continue reading

    Personal, Rural Christian Education, Rural Life
    Christian, Church, Death and Dying, Funeral, Funeral Practices, hope, Rural, Rural Church, Rural Ministry
  • June 1, 2021

    Summertime Update

    Summertime Update

    Does anyone else have seasonal playlists? I have a summertime sooth playlist filled with chill country music. I built it last year while I was tearing out walls in the basement before the basement waterproofing team sealed the cinderblock walls. It includes, of course, the song “Summertime” by Orville Peck. I discovered Orville Peck through… Continue reading

    Personal, Rural Life, Theological Education
    Country Music, Facebook, Music, Orville Peck, Rural, Summertime, Update
  • May 6, 2021

    A Can of Soup

    A Can of Soup

    My wife’s Valentine’s Day gift to me was a trip to our local art museum. They just opened an exhibit titled “The Works of Warhol.” For years, Andy Warhol has been my favorite artist. If I am ever in a city and they have an art museum, I always check to see if they have… Continue reading

    Art, Rural Christian Education, Rural Life, Rural Thoughts
    andy warhol, Art, campbell's soup, Church, Ministry, Rural, rural art, Rural Faith, Rural Life, Rural Ministry
  • April 29, 2021

    Expanding Theological Education

    Expanding Theological Education

    With the pandemic beginning to taper off, I am finally getting to offer in-person courses again (I know the proper protocols to maintain safety, am encouraging people to only sign up if vaccinated, mask up, and maintain distance). Some of my favorite in-person courses are United Methodist Studies courses offered in my district for lay… Continue reading

    Rural Christian Education, Theological Education
    Christian, Contextual Education, Education, Methodist, Ministry, Teaching, Theological Education, theology, UMC
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About Me

I grew up in rural North Carolina and I live in rural North Carolina. I serve small rural churches, teach for schools, and consult where I am needed.

This site is a mix of rural, Methodist, and ministry insights.

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Recent Posts

  • Eight Minute Methodist | Grace Isn’t Floppy
  • Ash Wednesday -2026
  • Re: Pastors and Churches Endorsing Candidates
  • July 9th, 2025 – On Food Insecurity in Rural Places
  • July 8th, 2025 – Healthcare and Hope

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Recent Posts

  • Eight Minute Methodist | Grace Isn’t Floppy
  • Ash Wednesday -2026
  • Re: Pastors and Churches Endorsing Candidates

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