This edition of the Means of Grace features a conversation with Rev. Joel Simpson, pastor of First UMC in Taylorsville, NC.  Joel has a heart for justice and the poor and marginalized. In May 2025, Joel, Shane Claiborne, and three other faith activists were arrested while protesting the GOP budget bill.    In April 2022, Joel, along with Shane Claiborne, led participants through the stations of the cross.  The stations included images that portrayed the execution of Jesus as painted by men awaiting their own execution of Tennessee's death row.  We talk about how that came about and how Joel and the church engage in justice ministries.    Show notes: Joel Simpson email to connect with him: [email protected] Holy Week exhibit: Are We Continuing to Execute Jesus? WNC United Methodists Grapple with the Death Penalty During Holy Week (wnccumc.org)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Poor People's Campaign: Poor People's Campaign – A National Call for Moral Revival (poorpeoplescampaign.org) Shane Claiborne : shane claiborne 957 mobile café - Home (957mobilecafe.org) Equal Justice Initiative Home (eji.org) advocates for criminal justice reform and racial justice. General Board of Church and Society GBCS Home • GBCS (umcjustice.org) Dontae Sharpe documentary: BBC News Channel - Justice Delayed

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