Dear Partners in Ministry,
ON THE ROAD AGAIN. It's been a while since I have been able to find the time to write to you.....this has been the busiest fall in my sixteen years as a Bishop. I am reminded of the person who wrote an irate letter to me a few years ago on one of those old manual typewriters that would skip spaces now and then. His salutation began, "DEAR BIS HOP." Well, the "bis" has gotten busier, and the "hop," hoppier. Since sending my last "Partners in Ministry," I have visited all nine districts for one reason or another, led six District Days, prepared and preached a dozen different sermons, including three in the last five days, plus the usual Cabinet meetings, appointments, and periodic crisis. In addition, as next spring's General Conference draws nearer, all of our Bishops are involved in meetings (I've been in a number in the last weeks.) preparing for some new ways of doing our "holy conferencing" as well as the major proposals that will be before us. I ask for your prayers as I continue preparation to deliver the Episcopal Address to the General Conference on behalf of the Council of Bishops. These weeks have been very full.
When Linda and I finally "hopped" in the car to go to be with some of our children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving (hallelujah!), we both spontaneously broke into singing "On the road again.....The life I love is making music with my friends...." Sounds like the "partners in ministry" that we all are, on the journey with heaven and earth singing of the joy that has come to the world in Jesus. However busy all of us are, and however late this edition of Partners in Ministry, may Christ continue to lead us on whatever road we travel in His joy and peace.
MIRROR THE LOVE. On the mirror in the bathroom of the Readfield (ME) UMC is this invitation: "LOOK WHO GOD LOVES." Even your church bathroom can share the Good News!
THE HEART STRANGELY WARMED BY PELLETS. Recently I was preaching in Rutland, VT, on a very chilly Sunday. The sanctuary is much larger than needed for this wonderful, innovative congregation. So, from October until it warms up in the spring, the congregation worships in a room next to the sanctuary which is easily heated by a wood pellet stove. The hundred or so who are in worship also feel the fellowship "warmth" of being much closer together, and much more flexible and creative in the use of this worship space. And the finance committee has really "warmed up" to the idea because of the significant savings in money....money that can now be used for mission and reaching out to their community. They now use a total of three wood pellet stoves to heat all of the areas of the building that they need for their very active ministry. The Rev. Deb Estey and leadership of the congregation would be happy to talk to any church interested in this form of heating...802-773-2460 (I have it on good authority that it may get cold in New England this winter!)
The service of worship also started with a "heart warming" time of thanksgiving as the pastor asked for anyone to share "where have you seen God this week?" There were many who shared in deeply moving ways....including how God had been there in the devastation of hurricane Irene that had completely isolated Rutland with roads washed out, electricity out, and the water undrinkable. God is doing amazing things in our lives....we need to give people an opportunity to share their "testimonies"...they can be better than the best sermon (or at least, my best sermons).
CAST YOUR BREAD UPON THE WATERS and Ecclesiastes 11:1 says it will come back to you! When hurricane Katrina and its waters ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi several years ago, the United Methodists from New England sent prayers, flood buckets, mission teams and money to help. When hurricane Irene and its waters ravaged Vermont, guess what "came back" to us?.......prayers, flood buckets, mission teams.........and $50,000 from the Mississippi Conference to help us!
We give thanks for everyone who is pitching in to help. Sunday I preached in Northfield, VT, where one of the members lifted prayers of thanksgiving for her home finally being repaired. The needs are long term. UMCOR and our teams are there for the long haul. Aren't you glad to be a part of this great United Methodist Connection...bread cast upon the waters, going and coming in whatever directions needed!
GLUTEN FREE, BROKEN FOR YOU. Thousands of people cannot eat the gluten which is found in wheat, rye, oats, or barley. Thus, they cannot receive communion bread or grape juice into which bread with gluten has been dipped. Even gluten free elements which touch or brush up against elements with gluten are unacceptable. Our churches must be sure that no one is excluded from communion or becomes ill, because we have not taken the steps to provide fully safe, gluten free elements separate from the elements with gluten.
Recently dear friends of ours were visiting us and came on Sunday to St. Johns UMC, Watertown (MA), where I was preaching (that proves they are really good friends). It was communion Sunday and sadly they were concerned because one of them is a Celiac who cannot consume any gluten. Sadly, they had been in too many services where, even when it was announced that gluten free elements were available, proper precautions had not been taken to separate the gluten free elements from the gluten ones. They were delighted to discover that the proper preparations had been taken at Watertown....it was a sign of radical hospitality....full inclusion....the table of the Lord truly open to everyone!
Later, my friends wrote the pastor, Mike Clark, "thank you so much for offering a gluten free communion station...I can't tell you how much that meant....you never know when a visitor will need the form of hospitality you showed!"
During this Advent/Christmas season, many visitors may be coming to your church. Be sure to show them radical hospitality in many ways....including your preparations to welcome everyone to the Lord's table.
As we continue "on the road again" to Christmas, may we as partners in this wonder-full ministry always know Emmanuel: God with us!
Grace and Peace,
Pete
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Spiritual Polar Bears
Dear Partners in Ministry,
SPIRITUAL POLAR BEARS. Recently we were on Martha's Vineyard for a weekend of meeting with the United Methodists who are doing great shared ministry with the resources of four church buildings, two pastors, and the historic Oaks Bluffs Camp Meeting Grounds. Ministry is happening with a food bank, clothing ministry, community free dinners, artists, Brazilians, everyone and anyone.....including polar bears. Yes, Linda and I were invited to go swimming at 7:30 am with the polar bears (they really should be called the "early birds"). We didn't make it for the 7:30 swim but we did catch up with them at the beach thanks to Arlene Bodge, one of our pastors who has lived and served on the Island for years......she's a polar bear too.
You guessed it. Every morning (the coldest part of the day...thus they are "polar bears" but not the winter kind) at 7:30 throughout the summer, a group of twenty or so folks of various ages, backgrounds, races and spiritual traditions gather to swim in the ocean. But more than that, they praise God together in singing, and praying, and encouraging each other in the Spirit.....sometimes in the water, sometimes on the land, and always "splashing" in God's love. There on the shore Linda and I joined with them in a circle of prayer...spontaneous, spirited, and sensitive to the needs of each other and the world around them. There was a rich bond of caring among this diverse gathering and great joy in both the physical and spiritual "exercises." Many of the polar bears had been there a couple hours that morning.
I thought of Jesus and those who gathered with him on the shore. I thought of Wesley and his daily morning hours spent with the Lord. I thought of some of our churches that every day have a time at the church, or at a coffee shop, or in a computer "chat-room", or at the Y gym, or in someone's living room, or at the beach (at least in the summer), where folks can gather to pray and sing and share the joy of the Lord in the morning. Does your church offer such a time and place....welcoming anyone from the community...splashing in God's love? Maybe you could be the first one to jump in!
"NO MAN IS AN ISLAND" Speaking of islands, along with Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and several islands off the coast of Maine, we have several United Methodist Churches in Vermont on the islands of Lake Champlain. I visited these in August and was amazed at the courage and commitment of the present Methodists but also the pioneer Methodists who came to these islands starting in 1799. On the Isle La Motte, circuit rider William Anson "nearly perished in his efforts to cross the lake in fierce winds but he managed the dangerous crossing in a final desperate effort. His service in the tavern the next morning drew a large and curious crowd. Although two men vowed '....to run Methodism out of the place,' when Anson left at the end of the year, he had established a chain of classes that extended into Canada with a total of 102 members on the new circuit.".....so says the history. Later, bringing a load of lumber to build the new church on the Isle, the boat capsized and they spent eleven hours in the freezing water before saving the lumber for the church. When Anson set out in 1802 to share the Good News in North Hero (don't you love that name), he was told that "the inhabitants of the islands were living in a savage state and that his labors would be wasted." But a group of "vigorous converts" met in homes, barns, groves and school houses, and Methodism is still "vigorous" on these islands. (North Hero has done one of the best remodeling jobs I've seen in any of our older churches....this one built in 1872...check it out if you are thinking of remodeling an old building for 21st century ministry).
Do we have the same passion for sharing the Good News with those who are seemingly living on their "own little island"? We are all connected . God loves us all. As United Methodists we need to be in the "bridge building" business. It often will take risk, and sacrifice, and leaving our "comfort zones." Many of our congregations are here and vital today because someone, years ago, dared to reach out to their community (in whatever "savage state" it was). Can we, by the Grace of God, do any less? Thank God that we are partners with Christ and one another in this ministry!
Grace and Peace,
Pete
SPIRITUAL POLAR BEARS. Recently we were on Martha's Vineyard for a weekend of meeting with the United Methodists who are doing great shared ministry with the resources of four church buildings, two pastors, and the historic Oaks Bluffs Camp Meeting Grounds. Ministry is happening with a food bank, clothing ministry, community free dinners, artists, Brazilians, everyone and anyone.....including polar bears. Yes, Linda and I were invited to go swimming at 7:30 am with the polar bears (they really should be called the "early birds"). We didn't make it for the 7:30 swim but we did catch up with them at the beach thanks to Arlene Bodge, one of our pastors who has lived and served on the Island for years......she's a polar bear too.
You guessed it. Every morning (the coldest part of the day...thus they are "polar bears" but not the winter kind) at 7:30 throughout the summer, a group of twenty or so folks of various ages, backgrounds, races and spiritual traditions gather to swim in the ocean. But more than that, they praise God together in singing, and praying, and encouraging each other in the Spirit.....sometimes in the water, sometimes on the land, and always "splashing" in God's love. There on the shore Linda and I joined with them in a circle of prayer...spontaneous, spirited, and sensitive to the needs of each other and the world around them. There was a rich bond of caring among this diverse gathering and great joy in both the physical and spiritual "exercises." Many of the polar bears had been there a couple hours that morning.
I thought of Jesus and those who gathered with him on the shore. I thought of Wesley and his daily morning hours spent with the Lord. I thought of some of our churches that every day have a time at the church, or at a coffee shop, or in a computer "chat-room", or at the Y gym, or in someone's living room, or at the beach (at least in the summer), where folks can gather to pray and sing and share the joy of the Lord in the morning. Does your church offer such a time and place....welcoming anyone from the community...splashing in God's love? Maybe you could be the first one to jump in!
"NO MAN IS AN ISLAND" Speaking of islands, along with Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and several islands off the coast of Maine, we have several United Methodist Churches in Vermont on the islands of Lake Champlain. I visited these in August and was amazed at the courage and commitment of the present Methodists but also the pioneer Methodists who came to these islands starting in 1799. On the Isle La Motte, circuit rider William Anson "nearly perished in his efforts to cross the lake in fierce winds but he managed the dangerous crossing in a final desperate effort. His service in the tavern the next morning drew a large and curious crowd. Although two men vowed '....to run Methodism out of the place,' when Anson left at the end of the year, he had established a chain of classes that extended into Canada with a total of 102 members on the new circuit.".....so says the history. Later, bringing a load of lumber to build the new church on the Isle, the boat capsized and they spent eleven hours in the freezing water before saving the lumber for the church. When Anson set out in 1802 to share the Good News in North Hero (don't you love that name), he was told that "the inhabitants of the islands were living in a savage state and that his labors would be wasted." But a group of "vigorous converts" met in homes, barns, groves and school houses, and Methodism is still "vigorous" on these islands. (North Hero has done one of the best remodeling jobs I've seen in any of our older churches....this one built in 1872...check it out if you are thinking of remodeling an old building for 21st century ministry).
Do we have the same passion for sharing the Good News with those who are seemingly living on their "own little island"? We are all connected . God loves us all. As United Methodists we need to be in the "bridge building" business. It often will take risk, and sacrifice, and leaving our "comfort zones." Many of our congregations are here and vital today because someone, years ago, dared to reach out to their community (in whatever "savage state" it was). Can we, by the Grace of God, do any less? Thank God that we are partners with Christ and one another in this ministry!
Grace and Peace,
Pete
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Dear Partners in Ministry,
THE POWER'S ON! All of us have been impacted by Hurricane Irene to at least some degree. Many of our sisters and brothers in communities all over New England have had serious damage and/or flooding. Our home, and many, lost power.... some still do not have power. As I write this, we are still assessing the damage to our churches and parsonages... so far, none have been a complete loss. We are all praying for those who have suffered major losses, including that of life. I am grateful for the churches that are already volunteering teams to help with clean up in communities and other churches. Our disaster relief coordinators and Volunteer in Mission Team organizers have been at work already (check with your DS or the conference office if you need help... or want to help).
For those of us who have lost power for any period of time, we are reminded how much many of us depend on electricity: lights, stove, hot water, TV, garage door opener, can opener, well water, hair dryer (well I didn't have to worry about drying my hair, but I did have to scramble around to find a manual toothbrush... I had forgotten how good it feels...really, how lazy have we become?). We take it so for granted. It was sooooo dark as I stumbled around looking for a flashlight. And what about all the food in the fridge? And how do you recharge the batteries needed for your cell phone, and computer,.. and toothbrush? Life seemed pretty limited.
One person told me that after several days without power in their neighborhood, they were out on the deck cooking on the grill when they heard someone several doors up yelling. They listened more closely, and other neighbors could be heard shouting and cheering.... soon all over this otherwise reserved and quiet neighborhood people were coming out of their homes exclaiming the good news, "THE POWER'S ON...THE POWER'S ON!”
I thought of the power of Christ in our lives...the power of hope, peace, joy, love, faith that energizes our lives as they are connected with Christ and each other. What Good News for anyone living a dim, limited existence and stumbling around looking for the shining light of life that Christ offers. The Power's on! How can we keep that Good News just to ourselves?
"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it!" (John 1:5)
Help someone who is recovering from Irene.... and share the Good News..."The power's on!"
Grace and Peace,
Pete
THE POWER'S ON! All of us have been impacted by Hurricane Irene to at least some degree. Many of our sisters and brothers in communities all over New England have had serious damage and/or flooding. Our home, and many, lost power.... some still do not have power. As I write this, we are still assessing the damage to our churches and parsonages... so far, none have been a complete loss. We are all praying for those who have suffered major losses, including that of life. I am grateful for the churches that are already volunteering teams to help with clean up in communities and other churches. Our disaster relief coordinators and Volunteer in Mission Team organizers have been at work already (check with your DS or the conference office if you need help... or want to help).
For those of us who have lost power for any period of time, we are reminded how much many of us depend on electricity: lights, stove, hot water, TV, garage door opener, can opener, well water, hair dryer (well I didn't have to worry about drying my hair, but I did have to scramble around to find a manual toothbrush... I had forgotten how good it feels...really, how lazy have we become?). We take it so for granted. It was sooooo dark as I stumbled around looking for a flashlight. And what about all the food in the fridge? And how do you recharge the batteries needed for your cell phone, and computer,.. and toothbrush? Life seemed pretty limited.
One person told me that after several days without power in their neighborhood, they were out on the deck cooking on the grill when they heard someone several doors up yelling. They listened more closely, and other neighbors could be heard shouting and cheering.... soon all over this otherwise reserved and quiet neighborhood people were coming out of their homes exclaiming the good news, "THE POWER'S ON...THE POWER'S ON!”
I thought of the power of Christ in our lives...the power of hope, peace, joy, love, faith that energizes our lives as they are connected with Christ and each other. What Good News for anyone living a dim, limited existence and stumbling around looking for the shining light of life that Christ offers. The Power's on! How can we keep that Good News just to ourselves?
"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it!" (John 1:5)
Help someone who is recovering from Irene.... and share the Good News..."The power's on!"
Grace and Peace,
Pete
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Plymouth Rock
Dear Partners in Ministry,
PLYMOUTH ROCK...or is it Plimoth Rock??
As part of our vacation this year, Linda and I decided to do some exploring on Cape Cod...we have often traveled there to preach or for meetings, but never taken the time to catch up on some of the history. Out near the tip of the Cape, not far from Provincetown we walked the dunes of the awesome National Seashore and imagined the Pilgrims finally landing there in November 1620, after their grueling voyage. This was not a "Life is a Beach," “break-out-the-flip-flops" moment. Winter and very uncertain days were ahead. They did not stay there long, but forged on to the mainland, supposedly stepped out onto a rock, and established Plimoth Plantation.....and the rest is history.
So much has changed...even the spelling of Plimoth....or is it Plymouth? The rock (which broke when they tried to preserve it by moving it to a museum) can now be easily missed, except for a grandiose Victorian/Greco/Roman pavilion which was constructed over it to protect what is almost nothing. Would the Pilgrims even recognize the place....or Provincetown....or the malls, or trinket shops, or summer traffic jams?
And yet, the faith that propelled and sustained them through the sacrifices and thanksgivings is the same Gospel Good News that is proclaimed and lived in more than a dozen United Methodist congregations sprinkled from Plymouth to Provincetown (Linda and I drove by many of them....just to make sure they were still there!) They are alive with the "old, old story of Jesus and His love," but in the context of a new day. On Father's Day I was blessed to preach at the West Falmouth Church which is bustling with ministries to its community and growing in strength and new people. These are not "my father's" Methodist churches (He did drive Oldsmobiles.). Some of the congregations are holding summer services outside....some on the beach (reaching the new weekend "pilgrims" with their beach chairs and bikinis). Some are planning ways on different days of the week to befriend and minister to the "service workers," many of whom are from other countries and/or cultures....different kind of pilgrims.
In the wonderful Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich (make sure you see the rhododendrons blooming...I'm sounding like a travel guide now, sorry) there is a portrait of an unnamed man from around 1830. The artist prominently displays the fact that he is reading the "Zion's Herald" newspaper, the Methodist newspaper which started publishing in Boston in 1823....while the Congregationalists were still the established state church in Massachusetts (till 1833) and antagonistic to the Methodists! Just recently "Zion's Herald" changed its name, but continues its great tradition as the "Progressive Christian" magazine. Things change, but we are called to continue to "publish glad tidings...of peace...Jesus, redemption and release" (see hymn #573, "O Zion, Haste"). Many of our churches are now doing it by email...to the whole community. Or pastors are sending daily devotional blogs out.
The context and times change. Like the Plymouth Rock pavilion, are our churches just grandiose structures protecting almost nothing....but a distant memory. Or are we new "pilgrims" of the faith, ready to risk and venture out? How are the ways, in this day, that we will share the Good News of "peace...Jesus, redemption and release?" No matter how you spell it, are people experiencing the love and power of Christ for the living of these days, as they did in 1830, and 1620, and the days when Jesus walked this earth? May it be so in your life and our ministry together.
EVERY DAY 100'S OF YOUTH ARE BEING MINISTERED TO BY YOUR CONGREGATION
This summer there are hundreds of young people in our New England Conference camping program nearly every day....because of the mission shares YOUR congregation contributes. These dollars (along with the prayers, young people, and adult volunteers) that come from our churches to support our five camps and retreat center make a huge difference in the lives and future of youth. And if you've been keeping up with the news, you know that youth are facing great challenges these days...I'm glad I can be part of helping youth through our camping ministries....it made a big difference in my own life and future. On July 16th I will join with many others to celebrate Camp Wanakee's fiftieth anniversary...1,000's of lives touched!
THANK YOU for your faithfulness in sending your mission share dollars in.....even during the summer. They are needed....and doing great work for Christ.
HOW ARE YOU "FALL-ING"?
I know...I don't want to think about fall yet, either. But here are a few things worth thinking about.
1. 9/11/11 will be the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. People's consciousness will be raised again.
How will your church respond?
a. Have the church open all day long for prayer, counseling, maybe a special community service (9/11 will be a Sunday)
b. Offer a study on peacemaking in the terrors of this world (in nations, in the neighborhood, in the family, with "enemies" of any kind). Maybe offer it not just at the church, but in homes, or at community centers.
c. Start an inter-faith dialogue group with Muslims, Jews, and other Christians or faith communities.
d. Do a sermon series on "How do we find security?"
2. Do a Community Leaders Luncheon
Some of you may remember that I have modeled this "Leaders Luncheon" format (which I used when I was a pastor) during my District Days on all of the Districts at least once. Simply invite key leaders of your community (mayor, chief of police/fire, leaders of service agencies, the business community, neighborhood groups, educational institutions, Superintendent of Schools, other pastors, etc.) to a lunch (noon ‘til 1:30 pm) to share a) what are the good things happening in our community, b) what are the major challenges we are facing, and c) how can the churches help as we all team together better. My experience is that the church is affirmed for "setting the table" for such a conversation, many of the "players" have never really talked to each other about collaboration (or may not even know each other), and issues quickly surface where everyone sees the benefits of working together. One of our churches recently initiated doing this, and the leaders are now meeting monthly to work on particular problems together. The church provides the lunch, nametags, etc. (we should be good at that). The pastor and lay leadership welcome the guests...offer grace for the meal and community...and simply ask the questions to get discussion started (people will jump right in)...and take notes to send out to all participants...and at the end of the time (be faithful to the 1:30 close) ask if the group, or some sub-set of the group, wants to meet again to continue working on one or more of the issues raised. In many communities this has been a great service to the communities, other institutions, and the church's own awareness of how it can be a better partner in addressing community needs.
3. Follow up, follow up after Vacation Bible School
If your church does VBS (and I hope it does) be sure to collect the names and contact information of the children. In September invite them back for a Saturday VBS "reunion" and Back to School event. Also invite them to your Sunday School or weekly after-school program....maybe using the VBS themes in that programming. Then each month have another "reunion" Saturday planned around the holidays or special events in your community. Don't try to "steal" other churches' kids who have come to your VBS, but there will be many who are not really active in any congregation.....offer them the gift of your community of caring and Christ!
4. Send out a mailer, or visit in your neighborhood to let folk know your church is alive and well with special programs (or a special sermon series...or new singles group....or cancer support group...or mission team helping tornado victims in MA on such and such a weekend...or you need volunteers for your food bank...or you're doing the Alpha or Genesis study group on basic Christian beliefs...or a Friday night youth group...or a new Saturday contemporary worship service...use your creative imagination....or what you've heard about people's needs in your neighborhood visits..) Sending out third class mailers to your area is relatively easy (have a "pastoral postal party") and inexpensive. New people have moved into your area and may be looking for a church home. Or non-churched people may be feeling the need to "turn over a new leaf" in life as the fall begins. Plan far enough ahead to put information about Advent and Christmas programs, sermons, and services in the mailer....or better yet....plan a follow up mailer in mid-November. As always, the best invitation is a personal one, one person to another. So have mailers available so that in September those at worship can take some with them to give to their friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Get the word out.
5. Plan a planning process for your congregation this fall. As a young pastor I remember reading, "the organization that does not plan for the future is not likely to have one!" We started doing five year plans....and then used them in every meeting to guide decision making. We started with the whole congregation involved in an intensive month of prayer focused on God's will for the future of our church. Then we had a weekend where Saturday morning was focused on listening to community leaders (see #2), and invited non-church people under-represented in our congregation (i.e. folks who were single, poor, single parents, of different racial/ethnicity, homeless, "yuppies", etc.)...it was always a great listening-learning experience. They were invited to stay for lunch. In the afternoon members of the congregation would do a process of brain-storming and priority setting, interwoven with prayer, prayer, prayer, to begin to shape a five year plan. A representative team would work to draft a summary of that day for "offering" to God and the rest of the congregation in Sunday morning worship. Small groups in worship, and following worship would prayerfully give feedback and additional ideas....ending with a Sunday lunch together for the whole congregation where we commissioned a team to further perfect what had been done that weekend....including looking at financial and "realism" factors for a next five year plan. Within the next few weeks a draft proposal would be brought to the church council, perfected, and then presented to the whole congregation through various means, and eventually at a "church conference," with the DS presiding, for vote. Then each year, the primary agenda for the church (or charge) conference was to see how the plan was going, and where God was leading us next in the plan.
There are different "plans for planning" but I offer this out of my own experience to illustrate how relatively simple an effective plan process can be, and how helpful it becomes as God guides us in our ministries. A one sheet summary of the plan was at every church meeting we held so it could be referred to easily.....sometimes it was printed on the back of that meetings agenda if we had one in print.. Best practices these days suggest doing a "rolling five year plan" based on the concept of "strategic direction." But however you do it.....this fall would be a great time to get started.
MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AS WE SERVE CHRIST AS PARTNERS IN THIS AMAZING MINISTRY THROUGH THIS SUMMER!
Grace and Peace,
Pete
PLYMOUTH ROCK...or is it Plimoth Rock??
As part of our vacation this year, Linda and I decided to do some exploring on Cape Cod...we have often traveled there to preach or for meetings, but never taken the time to catch up on some of the history. Out near the tip of the Cape, not far from Provincetown we walked the dunes of the awesome National Seashore and imagined the Pilgrims finally landing there in November 1620, after their grueling voyage. This was not a "Life is a Beach," “break-out-the-flip-flops" moment. Winter and very uncertain days were ahead. They did not stay there long, but forged on to the mainland, supposedly stepped out onto a rock, and established Plimoth Plantation.....and the rest is history.
So much has changed...even the spelling of Plimoth....or is it Plymouth? The rock (which broke when they tried to preserve it by moving it to a museum) can now be easily missed, except for a grandiose Victorian/Greco/Roman pavilion which was constructed over it to protect what is almost nothing. Would the Pilgrims even recognize the place....or Provincetown....or the malls, or trinket shops, or summer traffic jams?
And yet, the faith that propelled and sustained them through the sacrifices and thanksgivings is the same Gospel Good News that is proclaimed and lived in more than a dozen United Methodist congregations sprinkled from Plymouth to Provincetown (Linda and I drove by many of them....just to make sure they were still there!) They are alive with the "old, old story of Jesus and His love," but in the context of a new day. On Father's Day I was blessed to preach at the West Falmouth Church which is bustling with ministries to its community and growing in strength and new people. These are not "my father's" Methodist churches (He did drive Oldsmobiles.). Some of the congregations are holding summer services outside....some on the beach (reaching the new weekend "pilgrims" with their beach chairs and bikinis). Some are planning ways on different days of the week to befriend and minister to the "service workers," many of whom are from other countries and/or cultures....different kind of pilgrims.
In the wonderful Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich (make sure you see the rhododendrons blooming...I'm sounding like a travel guide now, sorry) there is a portrait of an unnamed man from around 1830. The artist prominently displays the fact that he is reading the "Zion's Herald" newspaper, the Methodist newspaper which started publishing in Boston in 1823....while the Congregationalists were still the established state church in Massachusetts (till 1833) and antagonistic to the Methodists! Just recently "Zion's Herald" changed its name, but continues its great tradition as the "Progressive Christian" magazine. Things change, but we are called to continue to "publish glad tidings...of peace...Jesus, redemption and release" (see hymn #573, "O Zion, Haste"). Many of our churches are now doing it by email...to the whole community. Or pastors are sending daily devotional blogs out.
The context and times change. Like the Plymouth Rock pavilion, are our churches just grandiose structures protecting almost nothing....but a distant memory. Or are we new "pilgrims" of the faith, ready to risk and venture out? How are the ways, in this day, that we will share the Good News of "peace...Jesus, redemption and release?" No matter how you spell it, are people experiencing the love and power of Christ for the living of these days, as they did in 1830, and 1620, and the days when Jesus walked this earth? May it be so in your life and our ministry together.
EVERY DAY 100'S OF YOUTH ARE BEING MINISTERED TO BY YOUR CONGREGATION
This summer there are hundreds of young people in our New England Conference camping program nearly every day....because of the mission shares YOUR congregation contributes. These dollars (along with the prayers, young people, and adult volunteers) that come from our churches to support our five camps and retreat center make a huge difference in the lives and future of youth. And if you've been keeping up with the news, you know that youth are facing great challenges these days...I'm glad I can be part of helping youth through our camping ministries....it made a big difference in my own life and future. On July 16th I will join with many others to celebrate Camp Wanakee's fiftieth anniversary...1,000's of lives touched!
THANK YOU for your faithfulness in sending your mission share dollars in.....even during the summer. They are needed....and doing great work for Christ.
HOW ARE YOU "FALL-ING"?
I know...I don't want to think about fall yet, either. But here are a few things worth thinking about.
1. 9/11/11 will be the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. People's consciousness will be raised again.
How will your church respond?
a. Have the church open all day long for prayer, counseling, maybe a special community service (9/11 will be a Sunday)
b. Offer a study on peacemaking in the terrors of this world (in nations, in the neighborhood, in the family, with "enemies" of any kind). Maybe offer it not just at the church, but in homes, or at community centers.
c. Start an inter-faith dialogue group with Muslims, Jews, and other Christians or faith communities.
d. Do a sermon series on "How do we find security?"
2. Do a Community Leaders Luncheon
Some of you may remember that I have modeled this "Leaders Luncheon" format (which I used when I was a pastor) during my District Days on all of the Districts at least once. Simply invite key leaders of your community (mayor, chief of police/fire, leaders of service agencies, the business community, neighborhood groups, educational institutions, Superintendent of Schools, other pastors, etc.) to a lunch (noon ‘til 1:30 pm) to share a) what are the good things happening in our community, b) what are the major challenges we are facing, and c) how can the churches help as we all team together better. My experience is that the church is affirmed for "setting the table" for such a conversation, many of the "players" have never really talked to each other about collaboration (or may not even know each other), and issues quickly surface where everyone sees the benefits of working together. One of our churches recently initiated doing this, and the leaders are now meeting monthly to work on particular problems together. The church provides the lunch, nametags, etc. (we should be good at that). The pastor and lay leadership welcome the guests...offer grace for the meal and community...and simply ask the questions to get discussion started (people will jump right in)...and take notes to send out to all participants...and at the end of the time (be faithful to the 1:30 close) ask if the group, or some sub-set of the group, wants to meet again to continue working on one or more of the issues raised. In many communities this has been a great service to the communities, other institutions, and the church's own awareness of how it can be a better partner in addressing community needs.
3. Follow up, follow up after Vacation Bible School
If your church does VBS (and I hope it does) be sure to collect the names and contact information of the children. In September invite them back for a Saturday VBS "reunion" and Back to School event. Also invite them to your Sunday School or weekly after-school program....maybe using the VBS themes in that programming. Then each month have another "reunion" Saturday planned around the holidays or special events in your community. Don't try to "steal" other churches' kids who have come to your VBS, but there will be many who are not really active in any congregation.....offer them the gift of your community of caring and Christ!
4. Send out a mailer, or visit in your neighborhood to let folk know your church is alive and well with special programs (or a special sermon series...or new singles group....or cancer support group...or mission team helping tornado victims in MA on such and such a weekend...or you need volunteers for your food bank...or you're doing the Alpha or Genesis study group on basic Christian beliefs...or a Friday night youth group...or a new Saturday contemporary worship service...use your creative imagination....or what you've heard about people's needs in your neighborhood visits..) Sending out third class mailers to your area is relatively easy (have a "pastoral postal party") and inexpensive. New people have moved into your area and may be looking for a church home. Or non-churched people may be feeling the need to "turn over a new leaf" in life as the fall begins. Plan far enough ahead to put information about Advent and Christmas programs, sermons, and services in the mailer....or better yet....plan a follow up mailer in mid-November. As always, the best invitation is a personal one, one person to another. So have mailers available so that in September those at worship can take some with them to give to their friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Get the word out.
5. Plan a planning process for your congregation this fall. As a young pastor I remember reading, "the organization that does not plan for the future is not likely to have one!" We started doing five year plans....and then used them in every meeting to guide decision making. We started with the whole congregation involved in an intensive month of prayer focused on God's will for the future of our church. Then we had a weekend where Saturday morning was focused on listening to community leaders (see #2), and invited non-church people under-represented in our congregation (i.e. folks who were single, poor, single parents, of different racial/ethnicity, homeless, "yuppies", etc.)...it was always a great listening-learning experience. They were invited to stay for lunch. In the afternoon members of the congregation would do a process of brain-storming and priority setting, interwoven with prayer, prayer, prayer, to begin to shape a five year plan. A representative team would work to draft a summary of that day for "offering" to God and the rest of the congregation in Sunday morning worship. Small groups in worship, and following worship would prayerfully give feedback and additional ideas....ending with a Sunday lunch together for the whole congregation where we commissioned a team to further perfect what had been done that weekend....including looking at financial and "realism" factors for a next five year plan. Within the next few weeks a draft proposal would be brought to the church council, perfected, and then presented to the whole congregation through various means, and eventually at a "church conference," with the DS presiding, for vote. Then each year, the primary agenda for the church (or charge) conference was to see how the plan was going, and where God was leading us next in the plan.
There are different "plans for planning" but I offer this out of my own experience to illustrate how relatively simple an effective plan process can be, and how helpful it becomes as God guides us in our ministries. A one sheet summary of the plan was at every church meeting we held so it could be referred to easily.....sometimes it was printed on the back of that meetings agenda if we had one in print.. Best practices these days suggest doing a "rolling five year plan" based on the concept of "strategic direction." But however you do it.....this fall would be a great time to get started.
MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AS WE SERVE CHRIST AS PARTNERS IN THIS AMAZING MINISTRY THROUGH THIS SUMMER!
Grace and Peace,
Pete
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Storms, Steeples, Servants and the Savior
Dear Partners in Ministry,
STORMS, STEEPLES, SERVANTS AND THE SAVIOR When the storms and tornados hit central and western Massachusetts June 1st, United Methodists were immediately on the move. The steeple people, who "serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today," mobilized as the servant people in their communities. And it didn't even take the Bishop or anybody from the conference office to organize them!...they were way ahead of us....doing what followers of Jesus do! On Sunday, June 4th, my wife and I visited and worshipped in some of the areas that had been hardest hit. Our Director of Communication, Alexx Wood was also there collecting many of the stories I hope you have already read on our website. Here's some of the things we saw and experienced:
The Savior: In Monson, MA, the church organist's home had been "totaled." As we walked by it, we wondered how anyone could survive. But there Ellis was, Sunday morning, sitting at the organ in his choir robe. In the devastation, he and others had found physical and spiritual refuge in the church building. He sang a solo as we prayed and worshipped: "His hand is on my shoulder through the storm." During the worship people shared their stories of trusting God through the storm, knowing that even if the storm would bring the end of their journey on earth, through Christ, God's love would carry them into eternal life. A Savior in the storm...what a gift...what peace.
The Steeple: This sign of the church had been blown off the roof of the Monson Methodist church some 58 years before this tornado. The joke in town was that they were the church without a steeple for all those years, until last year when they put a new steeple on their church.....and now they are the only church in town with a steeple still standing... God does have a sense of humor. This sign of the church stood tall above all the rubble around it as an invitation to come and find hope and help. Every day following the tornado the church was open, offering shelter, food, breakfast every morning to residents and relief workers, and a "sanctuary" for the wounded spirit. People were coming and going constantly from that steepled "launching pad for ministry and mission." Isn't that what every church should be....all the time?
The Servants: When we arrived at the church we met Shannon and Elizabeth, two members of the confirmation class (called the "God Squad")who had been at the church since 7 a.m. (and the days before) taking water and food in their wagon out to people in need....."Mrs. so-and-so needs some spaghetti," they announced to some other servant-helpers standing there. The Director of the town Senior Center (and Lay Leader of the church), the town treasurer (and Sunday School teacher), and the town Manager (key leader in the church and helping to lead worship that day, in spite of very little sleep since the tornados) were all there to share with us the devastation of their community and the strength of their faith. It is no surprise that these active disciples of Jesus Christ are also leading servants of their community.....and also teaching their young people to be servants of Christ and others. How is your church doing in this regard?
When we got to Springfield in the afternoon we visited with teams of United Methodists from Trinity Church who were out with chainsaws and food and hope helping victims of the storm. At one site, a 93 year old man whose home had also sustained a fire after the tornado said, "God really showed up with these people!" At another site a young couple were amazed at the caring of the church. Other United Methodist churches also started arriving to help as soon as the tornado was over. These are churches large and small in membership, but all great in spirit. Some have part-time pastors but they are all full-time Christians. These stories are just few of the examples of hundreds of people in our conference who have been helping out after the recent tornados in Massachusetts and floods in Vermont, and the thousands of followers of Christ in hundreds of our churches who reach out and share the love of Christ with others all year round. I pray that you and your church are among them.
"ANNUAL CONFERENCE WAS AWESOME" exclaimed a first time attendee to the New England Annual Conference held at Gordon College June 8-11. She was one of 1300 who prayed, sang, voted, helped make 50,000 meals for "Stop Hunger Now," ran 5K for "Imagine No Malaria," celebrated 121 new pastoral appointments, saw six new elders ordained and 31 pastors retire, debated (not just legislation, but "will it be chocolate or vanilla ice cream tonight?"), met up with old friends and made new ones, and even slept some (not during sessions, of course). There were also thousands who followed the proceedings of the conference through live-streaming on the website. The rich diversity of backgrounds, experiences and opinions contributed to the sense of "holy conferencing" which John Wesley called a "means of Grace." Most importantly, as this "first attendee" said, "you could feel the Spirit of God moving."
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!
It is a joy to see what God is doing among us, and through us, as we serve as partners in ministry here in New England.
Grace and Peace,
Pete
STORMS, STEEPLES, SERVANTS AND THE SAVIOR When the storms and tornados hit central and western Massachusetts June 1st, United Methodists were immediately on the move. The steeple people, who "serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today," mobilized as the servant people in their communities. And it didn't even take the Bishop or anybody from the conference office to organize them!...they were way ahead of us....doing what followers of Jesus do! On Sunday, June 4th, my wife and I visited and worshipped in some of the areas that had been hardest hit. Our Director of Communication, Alexx Wood was also there collecting many of the stories I hope you have already read on our website. Here's some of the things we saw and experienced:
The Savior: In Monson, MA, the church organist's home had been "totaled." As we walked by it, we wondered how anyone could survive. But there Ellis was, Sunday morning, sitting at the organ in his choir robe. In the devastation, he and others had found physical and spiritual refuge in the church building. He sang a solo as we prayed and worshipped: "His hand is on my shoulder through the storm." During the worship people shared their stories of trusting God through the storm, knowing that even if the storm would bring the end of their journey on earth, through Christ, God's love would carry them into eternal life. A Savior in the storm...what a gift...what peace.
The Steeple: This sign of the church had been blown off the roof of the Monson Methodist church some 58 years before this tornado. The joke in town was that they were the church without a steeple for all those years, until last year when they put a new steeple on their church.....and now they are the only church in town with a steeple still standing... God does have a sense of humor. This sign of the church stood tall above all the rubble around it as an invitation to come and find hope and help. Every day following the tornado the church was open, offering shelter, food, breakfast every morning to residents and relief workers, and a "sanctuary" for the wounded spirit. People were coming and going constantly from that steepled "launching pad for ministry and mission." Isn't that what every church should be....all the time?
The Servants: When we arrived at the church we met Shannon and Elizabeth, two members of the confirmation class (called the "God Squad")who had been at the church since 7 a.m. (and the days before) taking water and food in their wagon out to people in need....."Mrs. so-and-so needs some spaghetti," they announced to some other servant-helpers standing there. The Director of the town Senior Center (and Lay Leader of the church), the town treasurer (and Sunday School teacher), and the town Manager (key leader in the church and helping to lead worship that day, in spite of very little sleep since the tornados) were all there to share with us the devastation of their community and the strength of their faith. It is no surprise that these active disciples of Jesus Christ are also leading servants of their community.....and also teaching their young people to be servants of Christ and others. How is your church doing in this regard?
When we got to Springfield in the afternoon we visited with teams of United Methodists from Trinity Church who were out with chainsaws and food and hope helping victims of the storm. At one site, a 93 year old man whose home had also sustained a fire after the tornado said, "God really showed up with these people!" At another site a young couple were amazed at the caring of the church. Other United Methodist churches also started arriving to help as soon as the tornado was over. These are churches large and small in membership, but all great in spirit. Some have part-time pastors but they are all full-time Christians. These stories are just few of the examples of hundreds of people in our conference who have been helping out after the recent tornados in Massachusetts and floods in Vermont, and the thousands of followers of Christ in hundreds of our churches who reach out and share the love of Christ with others all year round. I pray that you and your church are among them.
"ANNUAL CONFERENCE WAS AWESOME" exclaimed a first time attendee to the New England Annual Conference held at Gordon College June 8-11. She was one of 1300 who prayed, sang, voted, helped make 50,000 meals for "Stop Hunger Now," ran 5K for "Imagine No Malaria," celebrated 121 new pastoral appointments, saw six new elders ordained and 31 pastors retire, debated (not just legislation, but "will it be chocolate or vanilla ice cream tonight?"), met up with old friends and made new ones, and even slept some (not during sessions, of course). There were also thousands who followed the proceedings of the conference through live-streaming on the website. The rich diversity of backgrounds, experiences and opinions contributed to the sense of "holy conferencing" which John Wesley called a "means of Grace." Most importantly, as this "first attendee" said, "you could feel the Spirit of God moving."
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!
It is a joy to see what God is doing among us, and through us, as we serve as partners in ministry here in New England.
Grace and Peace,
Pete
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Easter Eyes
Dear Partners in Ministry,
EASTER EYES. During Lent, one of the practices I have been following, along with special times of prayer and fasting, is rereading Wesley's thirteen sermons on the Sermon on the Mount. Wesley's four volumes of standard sermons, along with the Articles of Religion (found in the front of the Book of Discipline) and Wesley's "Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament" provide the doctrinal standards of the United Methodist Church....in case you were ever wondering. It's been a long time since I read some of this sermon. It has been a spiritually exhilarating experience....although I still wonder how 4,000 coal miners could stand in the fields listening to these sermons....but then, by God's grace, somehow people get through listening to even some of my sermons.
In his sermon on the Lord's prayer, which goes on for twenty-one pages, Wesley reflects on "give us our daily bread.” He says, "When we pray for daily bread for this day, we are 'not to worry about tomorrow'....Beyond each new day, we are to see nothing but eternity." Reading this, as I did in Lent, I thought of Easter....the risen Christ opening the doorway to eternal life for all who believe in Him. You and I may have the assurance of this day we are living....but beyond this???? With Easter eyes we see God's infinite love and eternity beyond, which transforms the way we live today, and our confidence about what is next....no matter what!!!!
Posted on big billboards around Boston is the announcement, "May 21 is Judgment Day." Someone seems to be certain, even though Jesus said that no one knows the day or the hour (Matt. 24:36). Frankly, I'm not worried. As my Sunday School teacher would remind us when we were teens, "If you are with Christ today, you don't need to worry about where you will be tomorrow, whatever."
May the risen Christ grant you the Easter eyes to "see nothing but eternity" ahead. Let Him change your life and view of things. And share that Good News with someone else this Easter.
ALL THE PLAYERS WORE #42 throughout major league baseball last Friday, April 15. Why? Because April 15, 1947, was the first time an African American ever played for a major league baseball team....the Brooklyn Dodgers....his name: Jackie Robinson....the man who made that decision was General Manager, Branch Rickey. Actually his full name was, Wesley Branch Rickey....and therein lies an important part of the story. Rickey was born and raised a Methodist, and had made the decision to follow Christ in all that he did. He was never afraid to stand up for what he believed. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan, he traveled the country as a part of the temperance movement, encouraging people to give up drinking because of its damage to so many lives and families. He was hired to play for the Cincinnati Reds, but later fired because he was committed to keeping the Sabbath and would not play on Sundays. But, other teams hired him and he eventually rose into the ranks of baseball management starting innovations such as the "farm club system" and "knot-hole clubs" for kids who couldn't afford to attend games.
Rickey's concern for "loving our neighbors as ourselves" led him to struggle over the racism in baseball and society. One of the first inklings that he might actually do something about it came in a sermon he preached as a Methodist lay preacher. Later, he went to see his pastor in Brooklyn and spent nearly an hour in conversation and prayer with him before making the final decision. He said, "This was a decision so complex, so far reaching, fraught with so many pitfalls, but filled with so much good....I had to talk to God about it and be sure what He wanted me to do."
On the day before Jackie Robinson was to take the field playing for the Dodgers, a sports reporter approached Mr. Rickey and said, "Tomorrow, all hell is going to break loose!" Rickey replied, "I believe tomorrow all heaven will rejoice!" The film maker Ken Burns called it "one of the finest moments in all of American history...not just sports history."
Rickey went on to be general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates and hired Roberto Clemente, one of the first Latinos in the major leagues. He continued all his life as an active Methodist, known for his deep faith and commitment to both "personal holiness and social holiness." In spite of his place in the world of baseball, as long as he lived, he never played, attended or coached a baseball game on the Sabbath, nor used alcohol or profanity. He was noted for his commitment to justice and equality as an expression of his Christian faith. And heaven rejoices, and the world is different.
Disciples of Jesus Christ, by God's grace, do transform the world. That is one reason our United Methodist mission is "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." How are you and your congregation doing in this mission?
WORSHIP FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS. Palm Sunday I was blessed to be at Grace Church, St. Johnsbury, VT (yes, I drove through a "spring" snow storm to get there...but then I remember snowy sunrise services in Pittsburgh....the lilies blended right in). As most of you know, I believe the best format for Sunday morning, and serious Christian growth is to have worship and Sunday School at two different times so that both children and adults can benefit from both of these very important facets of the Christian life. Is two hours or so too much to give to the Lord on the Sabbath?
I also know that having worship and Sunday School at the same time is very prevalent here in New England (a significant surprise to me when I came to serve here). Grace Church has addressed at least a part of this dilemma by having a brief worship time for the Sunday School teachers at 9:30 a.m. (Sunday School and the main worship service start at 10). It was a good, informal spiritual time in which I gave a "reader's digest" version of the sermon which, I hope, provided these very dedicated teachers with some centering for both their teaching and entering Holy Week. If you are not yet ready to have worship and Sunday School at different times, at least have some worship for your Sunday School teachers who serve so faithfully....and also deserve the gift of worship.
OUR FIVE SUMMER CAMPS (in ME, NH, VT, MA, and RI) offer outstanding opportunities for life-changing Christian experiences for children, youth (and the adults who are there too). A number of our churches have created "campership funds" to help make sure that their youth....and any youth from the community....who want to go to camp can do so. Faith Church in Chicopee, MA, where I preached recently, has a great, active youth group called WHAM..."We Have A Mission." It was started by a small group of youth from that church who went to Camp Aldersgate together....and came home on fire for Christ, and wanting to be engaged in fellowship and mission with each other...and now more youth are joining!
Check out all of our camp offerings on the Conference website (www.neumc.org/camps ....or find it under "Mission and Ministry" click "Camps and Retreat Centers").....and make sure youth from your church and community get there.
CHRIST IS RISEN...EMERGING EASTERS. I spent much of the past week in the semi-annual meeting of our denomination's General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Here's some of what we worked on: the United Methodist movement is growing so quickly in Vietnam that we now have 244 congregations.....six months ago we had around 150! Our United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already at work in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami and we are entering new stages of our long term commitment to work with the Methodist Church of Haiti for spiritual and material renewal. Thank you for your prayers and support. In a move to have more effective governance and good stewardship in our United Methodist mission work, the United Methodist Women's organization reduced the size of its Board and became structurally separate from GBGM while remaining in mission partnership. In turn, the GBGM approved cutting its Board size from 90 to 32.
This is an amazing time of "rethinking" our church. And why? So that more and more people in Vietnam, Japan, Haiti, and around the world might know the resurrection hope of the risen Christ and the eternal love God. You and I are a part of God's continuing miracles....emerging Easters....all around the world.
It is a great blessing to be partners in this ministry with the risen Christ and you.
Grace and Peace always,
-Pete
EASTER EYES. During Lent, one of the practices I have been following, along with special times of prayer and fasting, is rereading Wesley's thirteen sermons on the Sermon on the Mount. Wesley's four volumes of standard sermons, along with the Articles of Religion (found in the front of the Book of Discipline) and Wesley's "Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament" provide the doctrinal standards of the United Methodist Church....in case you were ever wondering. It's been a long time since I read some of this sermon. It has been a spiritually exhilarating experience....although I still wonder how 4,000 coal miners could stand in the fields listening to these sermons....but then, by God's grace, somehow people get through listening to even some of my sermons.
In his sermon on the Lord's prayer, which goes on for twenty-one pages, Wesley reflects on "give us our daily bread.” He says, "When we pray for daily bread for this day, we are 'not to worry about tomorrow'....Beyond each new day, we are to see nothing but eternity." Reading this, as I did in Lent, I thought of Easter....the risen Christ opening the doorway to eternal life for all who believe in Him. You and I may have the assurance of this day we are living....but beyond this???? With Easter eyes we see God's infinite love and eternity beyond, which transforms the way we live today, and our confidence about what is next....no matter what!!!!
Posted on big billboards around Boston is the announcement, "May 21 is Judgment Day." Someone seems to be certain, even though Jesus said that no one knows the day or the hour (Matt. 24:36). Frankly, I'm not worried. As my Sunday School teacher would remind us when we were teens, "If you are with Christ today, you don't need to worry about where you will be tomorrow, whatever."
May the risen Christ grant you the Easter eyes to "see nothing but eternity" ahead. Let Him change your life and view of things. And share that Good News with someone else this Easter.
ALL THE PLAYERS WORE #42 throughout major league baseball last Friday, April 15. Why? Because April 15, 1947, was the first time an African American ever played for a major league baseball team....the Brooklyn Dodgers....his name: Jackie Robinson....the man who made that decision was General Manager, Branch Rickey. Actually his full name was, Wesley Branch Rickey....and therein lies an important part of the story. Rickey was born and raised a Methodist, and had made the decision to follow Christ in all that he did. He was never afraid to stand up for what he believed. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan, he traveled the country as a part of the temperance movement, encouraging people to give up drinking because of its damage to so many lives and families. He was hired to play for the Cincinnati Reds, but later fired because he was committed to keeping the Sabbath and would not play on Sundays. But, other teams hired him and he eventually rose into the ranks of baseball management starting innovations such as the "farm club system" and "knot-hole clubs" for kids who couldn't afford to attend games.
Rickey's concern for "loving our neighbors as ourselves" led him to struggle over the racism in baseball and society. One of the first inklings that he might actually do something about it came in a sermon he preached as a Methodist lay preacher. Later, he went to see his pastor in Brooklyn and spent nearly an hour in conversation and prayer with him before making the final decision. He said, "This was a decision so complex, so far reaching, fraught with so many pitfalls, but filled with so much good....I had to talk to God about it and be sure what He wanted me to do."
On the day before Jackie Robinson was to take the field playing for the Dodgers, a sports reporter approached Mr. Rickey and said, "Tomorrow, all hell is going to break loose!" Rickey replied, "I believe tomorrow all heaven will rejoice!" The film maker Ken Burns called it "one of the finest moments in all of American history...not just sports history."
Rickey went on to be general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates and hired Roberto Clemente, one of the first Latinos in the major leagues. He continued all his life as an active Methodist, known for his deep faith and commitment to both "personal holiness and social holiness." In spite of his place in the world of baseball, as long as he lived, he never played, attended or coached a baseball game on the Sabbath, nor used alcohol or profanity. He was noted for his commitment to justice and equality as an expression of his Christian faith. And heaven rejoices, and the world is different.
Disciples of Jesus Christ, by God's grace, do transform the world. That is one reason our United Methodist mission is "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." How are you and your congregation doing in this mission?
WORSHIP FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS. Palm Sunday I was blessed to be at Grace Church, St. Johnsbury, VT (yes, I drove through a "spring" snow storm to get there...but then I remember snowy sunrise services in Pittsburgh....the lilies blended right in). As most of you know, I believe the best format for Sunday morning, and serious Christian growth is to have worship and Sunday School at two different times so that both children and adults can benefit from both of these very important facets of the Christian life. Is two hours or so too much to give to the Lord on the Sabbath?
I also know that having worship and Sunday School at the same time is very prevalent here in New England (a significant surprise to me when I came to serve here). Grace Church has addressed at least a part of this dilemma by having a brief worship time for the Sunday School teachers at 9:30 a.m. (Sunday School and the main worship service start at 10). It was a good, informal spiritual time in which I gave a "reader's digest" version of the sermon which, I hope, provided these very dedicated teachers with some centering for both their teaching and entering Holy Week. If you are not yet ready to have worship and Sunday School at different times, at least have some worship for your Sunday School teachers who serve so faithfully....and also deserve the gift of worship.
OUR FIVE SUMMER CAMPS (in ME, NH, VT, MA, and RI) offer outstanding opportunities for life-changing Christian experiences for children, youth (and the adults who are there too). A number of our churches have created "campership funds" to help make sure that their youth....and any youth from the community....who want to go to camp can do so. Faith Church in Chicopee, MA, where I preached recently, has a great, active youth group called WHAM..."We Have A Mission." It was started by a small group of youth from that church who went to Camp Aldersgate together....and came home on fire for Christ, and wanting to be engaged in fellowship and mission with each other...and now more youth are joining!
Check out all of our camp offerings on the Conference website (www.neumc.org/camps ....or find it under "Mission and Ministry" click "Camps and Retreat Centers").....and make sure youth from your church and community get there.
CHRIST IS RISEN...EMERGING EASTERS. I spent much of the past week in the semi-annual meeting of our denomination's General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Here's some of what we worked on: the United Methodist movement is growing so quickly in Vietnam that we now have 244 congregations.....six months ago we had around 150! Our United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already at work in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami and we are entering new stages of our long term commitment to work with the Methodist Church of Haiti for spiritual and material renewal. Thank you for your prayers and support. In a move to have more effective governance and good stewardship in our United Methodist mission work, the United Methodist Women's organization reduced the size of its Board and became structurally separate from GBGM while remaining in mission partnership. In turn, the GBGM approved cutting its Board size from 90 to 32.
This is an amazing time of "rethinking" our church. And why? So that more and more people in Vietnam, Japan, Haiti, and around the world might know the resurrection hope of the risen Christ and the eternal love God. You and I are a part of God's continuing miracles....emerging Easters....all around the world.
It is a great blessing to be partners in this ministry with the risen Christ and you.
Grace and Peace always,
-Pete
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Take Jesus With You
Dear Partners in Ministry,
TAKE JESUS WITH YOU. The East Longmeadow (MA) UMC gave all their members a homemade Jesus finger puppet last summer to take with them wherever they went. As one of the organizers of the project noted, this was "to ensure that we were aware that Jesus was with us as we vacationed and to take pictures to send back" to the church. A wonderful variety of pictures were received and displayed. There were folks with Jesus...at the beach....at the Grand Canyon...on a hike....fishing....gardening....at Disney...having fun at Vacation Bible School...at the family reunion...in the car after a long, hot day driving....etc. It also created opportunities to share that Jesus is with us with strangers who noticed the Jesus finger puppets....and the pictures being taken. Kids and adults had a great time celebrating their faith that Jesus was with them. The theme carried over into Advent when the whole nativity story came alive in finger puppets. They even gave one to me....(Bishops really need to remember that Jesus is with them too!)
This is a creative, 21st century version of the old hymn (#536): "Take the name of Jesus with you, child of sorrow and of woe; it will joy and comfort give you, take it then where’re you go!" There are lots of great (and fun) ways to celebrate that Jesus is with us.....may He be with you always....everywhere.
FLIPPING FOR MISSIONS. Just as the service was beginning last Sunday at the Hampton (NH) UMC, a man started down the center isle. I thought he was looking for a seat. Then he pulled out a frying pan and began to flip a huge pancake. He had everyone’s attention...flipping along....ooops he missed it....laughter....another try....he made it....applause. When he got to the front he announced it was ALL FOR MISSIONS! Shrove Tuesday they would have a pancake breakfast to raise funds to support the United Methodist Maine (Down East) Economic Ministry.
With such enthusiasm and creative presentation of the mission challenge, I realized why this church continues to be deeply engaged in mission...mission teams...working with the homeless....100% mission shares....Advance specials....Haiti.....peace with Justice.....mission studies....youth mission projects.....etc.
Is your church flipping for missions.....lifting up the great mission opportunities we United Methodists have here in our community, in New England, and around the world? Learn about all these opportunities on our neumc.org web site....and share the stories in ways that get people's attention....and involvement.
SMALL GROUPS, SMALL GROUPS, SMALL GROUPS. The Leominster (MA) UMC is finding joy and growth (spiritually and numerically) in small groups. They now have nine small groups meeting weekly (mostly in homes) studying the "Essential 100" passages of the Bible: five each week, fifty from the Old Testament, fifty from the New Testament. It is enriching the participants, the congregation and drawing new people (who are more likely to come to your home....it's easier to get to know each other in a small group....and don't forget the Methodist cookies....or celery). The pastor may lead one or two groups, but he or she should really equip the laity to lead most of them.....a great way to use lay speakers. Think creatively about where and when to have small groups. Here's a list of places small groups were started by churches I served: in the mill, at an automobile dealer, in the jail, after-school "club" at the high school, at the Y, in senior citizen apartment building, a senior center, a youth gym, in restaurants over breakfast or lunch, at the university, in a homeless shelter, in a downtown office building, in "the projects," at a city park (for teens hanging out in the summer), in neighborhood homes all over the community. You can add to the list of possibilities.....wherever there are people.
Small groups were the secret of John Wesley's method for Methodists. A recent study of our most vital United Methodist Churches says small groups are a key to their vitality. Lent would be a great time to start new groups...during the week....or as new Sunday School classes for adults or young adults. Or, as I suggested around Christmas, plan new small groups to meet after Easter to meet the needs of the "seekers" or inactive members who will show up at Easter....invite them to keep coming....at least for a new small group. There are resources available through our Conference resource/media center....often with DVDs to help "lead" the small group.
Try it....and let me know how it goes....what good resources you discovered....where and when you had it??? THINK SMALL.....GROUP.
PPP. During worship at the North Charlestown (NH) UMC, people and the pastor lifted up names of shut-ins or folks in the community who were in need. Then the pastor called the congregation to the three P's: Prayer, Phone, Postcard. In other words, what will we do to connect, build relationship with these people? I would add a fourth P: "Pop in and visit." Clearly this church (founded in 1811) is still practicing and growing through building relationships with their neighbors.
I remember visiting another United Methodist church where the pastor asked people in the congregation to raise their hands if they would be willing to call or visit that week the person whose name was being lifted up for prayer. The list was long. There were about 1,000 in attendance. It was inspiring to see the number of people who committed themselves to "follow up" with a caring PPP or P with at least one person on the list. It could happen in your church too.
SIT TOGETHER MORE. On Jan. 23, the Sunday before President Obama's State of the Union Address, I was preaching in Springfield, VT. The service was at 9:30 a.m., it was 5 degrees below zero, and there was the usual snow and ice to contend with (after all "it's winter in New England"....I know, I've shoveled snow off my roof, too). I arrived at the church about a half an hour early and was followed into the building by an older gentleman who was all bundled up. (I later found out that he is 93 years old....I am so inspired by the "senior saints" in our churches.) "You must be the Bishop," he said. (He could probably tell by my "frozen" expression that I was "from away.") Without skipping a beat he went on, "Do you think they'll sit together?" He could tell that I didn't know what he was talking about...and I didn't. "Sit together....you know the Congress!" "Oh, yes." I blurted, finally waking up and warming up enough to respond. Then with a quiet wisdom, he added, "I think we need to sit together more." How true.
People started arriving for worship...and sitting together. Young and old, the more affluent and the less, singles and couples, the robust and the frail, those who sang and those who just listened, all of our differences gathered together in one place...for the one purpose to worship the one God. We talked about the two teenagers, Leah, 16, and Connor, 15, who had committed suicide earlier that week in the area....we asked questions together...sought a Word from the Lord together....prayed for them...and us. During joys and concerns there was mention of cancer and unemployment and birthdays and hospitalizations and world peace and silent thoughts too deep or private for words. But there we sat together. A young doctor from Virginia had "come home" to check on his mother and her house. He stood, and with a voice full of emotion thanked the congregation for all of their caring and support.....for being the church.....sitting and praying and serving and hoping and believing together.
I give great thanks to God for all of our congregations that gather, as Springfield does, as the Body of Christ, in all of our diversity, One. Through Christ, God has made us partners in this ministry. May we all learn "to sit together more" and discover in each other the gifts of this partnership....even when it’s five below zero.
Grace and Peace,
Pete
TAKE JESUS WITH YOU. The East Longmeadow (MA) UMC gave all their members a homemade Jesus finger puppet last summer to take with them wherever they went. As one of the organizers of the project noted, this was "to ensure that we were aware that Jesus was with us as we vacationed and to take pictures to send back" to the church. A wonderful variety of pictures were received and displayed. There were folks with Jesus...at the beach....at the Grand Canyon...on a hike....fishing....gardening....at Disney...having fun at Vacation Bible School...at the family reunion...in the car after a long, hot day driving....etc. It also created opportunities to share that Jesus is with us with strangers who noticed the Jesus finger puppets....and the pictures being taken. Kids and adults had a great time celebrating their faith that Jesus was with them. The theme carried over into Advent when the whole nativity story came alive in finger puppets. They even gave one to me....(Bishops really need to remember that Jesus is with them too!)
This is a creative, 21st century version of the old hymn (#536): "Take the name of Jesus with you, child of sorrow and of woe; it will joy and comfort give you, take it then where’re you go!" There are lots of great (and fun) ways to celebrate that Jesus is with us.....may He be with you always....everywhere.
FLIPPING FOR MISSIONS. Just as the service was beginning last Sunday at the Hampton (NH) UMC, a man started down the center isle. I thought he was looking for a seat. Then he pulled out a frying pan and began to flip a huge pancake. He had everyone’s attention...flipping along....ooops he missed it....laughter....another try....he made it....applause. When he got to the front he announced it was ALL FOR MISSIONS! Shrove Tuesday they would have a pancake breakfast to raise funds to support the United Methodist Maine (Down East) Economic Ministry.
With such enthusiasm and creative presentation of the mission challenge, I realized why this church continues to be deeply engaged in mission...mission teams...working with the homeless....100% mission shares....Advance specials....Haiti.....peace with Justice.....mission studies....youth mission projects.....etc.
Is your church flipping for missions.....lifting up the great mission opportunities we United Methodists have here in our community, in New England, and around the world? Learn about all these opportunities on our neumc.org web site....and share the stories in ways that get people's attention....and involvement.
SMALL GROUPS, SMALL GROUPS, SMALL GROUPS. The Leominster (MA) UMC is finding joy and growth (spiritually and numerically) in small groups. They now have nine small groups meeting weekly (mostly in homes) studying the "Essential 100" passages of the Bible: five each week, fifty from the Old Testament, fifty from the New Testament. It is enriching the participants, the congregation and drawing new people (who are more likely to come to your home....it's easier to get to know each other in a small group....and don't forget the Methodist cookies....or celery). The pastor may lead one or two groups, but he or she should really equip the laity to lead most of them.....a great way to use lay speakers. Think creatively about where and when to have small groups. Here's a list of places small groups were started by churches I served: in the mill, at an automobile dealer, in the jail, after-school "club" at the high school, at the Y, in senior citizen apartment building, a senior center, a youth gym, in restaurants over breakfast or lunch, at the university, in a homeless shelter, in a downtown office building, in "the projects," at a city park (for teens hanging out in the summer), in neighborhood homes all over the community. You can add to the list of possibilities.....wherever there are people.
Small groups were the secret of John Wesley's method for Methodists. A recent study of our most vital United Methodist Churches says small groups are a key to their vitality. Lent would be a great time to start new groups...during the week....or as new Sunday School classes for adults or young adults. Or, as I suggested around Christmas, plan new small groups to meet after Easter to meet the needs of the "seekers" or inactive members who will show up at Easter....invite them to keep coming....at least for a new small group. There are resources available through our Conference resource/media center....often with DVDs to help "lead" the small group.
Try it....and let me know how it goes....what good resources you discovered....where and when you had it??? THINK SMALL.....GROUP.
PPP. During worship at the North Charlestown (NH) UMC, people and the pastor lifted up names of shut-ins or folks in the community who were in need. Then the pastor called the congregation to the three P's: Prayer, Phone, Postcard. In other words, what will we do to connect, build relationship with these people? I would add a fourth P: "Pop in and visit." Clearly this church (founded in 1811) is still practicing and growing through building relationships with their neighbors.
I remember visiting another United Methodist church where the pastor asked people in the congregation to raise their hands if they would be willing to call or visit that week the person whose name was being lifted up for prayer. The list was long. There were about 1,000 in attendance. It was inspiring to see the number of people who committed themselves to "follow up" with a caring PPP or P with at least one person on the list. It could happen in your church too.
SIT TOGETHER MORE. On Jan. 23, the Sunday before President Obama's State of the Union Address, I was preaching in Springfield, VT. The service was at 9:30 a.m., it was 5 degrees below zero, and there was the usual snow and ice to contend with (after all "it's winter in New England"....I know, I've shoveled snow off my roof, too). I arrived at the church about a half an hour early and was followed into the building by an older gentleman who was all bundled up. (I later found out that he is 93 years old....I am so inspired by the "senior saints" in our churches.) "You must be the Bishop," he said. (He could probably tell by my "frozen" expression that I was "from away.") Without skipping a beat he went on, "Do you think they'll sit together?" He could tell that I didn't know what he was talking about...and I didn't. "Sit together....you know the Congress!" "Oh, yes." I blurted, finally waking up and warming up enough to respond. Then with a quiet wisdom, he added, "I think we need to sit together more." How true.
People started arriving for worship...and sitting together. Young and old, the more affluent and the less, singles and couples, the robust and the frail, those who sang and those who just listened, all of our differences gathered together in one place...for the one purpose to worship the one God. We talked about the two teenagers, Leah, 16, and Connor, 15, who had committed suicide earlier that week in the area....we asked questions together...sought a Word from the Lord together....prayed for them...and us. During joys and concerns there was mention of cancer and unemployment and birthdays and hospitalizations and world peace and silent thoughts too deep or private for words. But there we sat together. A young doctor from Virginia had "come home" to check on his mother and her house. He stood, and with a voice full of emotion thanked the congregation for all of their caring and support.....for being the church.....sitting and praying and serving and hoping and believing together.
I give great thanks to God for all of our congregations that gather, as Springfield does, as the Body of Christ, in all of our diversity, One. Through Christ, God has made us partners in this ministry. May we all learn "to sit together more" and discover in each other the gifts of this partnership....even when it’s five below zero.
Grace and Peace,
Pete
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Transformed World
Dear Partners in Ministry,
A TRANSFORMED WORLD When I awoke this morning, through mysteries of God's creation beyond my understanding, the world had been transformed ... not by millions of disciples of Jesus Christ (our UMC mission statement is to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world") ... but by millions of snow flakes! So far, 16 inches of such flakes, together being the snow God meant them to be, have transformed the shape of our trees, the color of our lawn, the thickness of our sidewalks (actually they've disappeared), the texture of our roof, the nature of the sky, the delivery of the mail, the pickup of the garbage, the amount of traffic on our street, the inclination of our neighborhood dogs to go out (what happened to my "spot!"), and the schedule for my day .... almost nothing can change my schedule ...... but an accumulation of snow flakes has! And, small flakes at that. TRANSFORMATION!
Maybe, in the mysteries of God's New Creation, an accumulation of small, individual, seemingly inconsequential disciples (at times we've been called "fools," "flakes" for Christ) can transform the world together by being the Christians God meant us to be.
"WE MUST DO BETTER" One of the "transformations" desperately needed in our life together as God's children was illustrated by the tragic events last Saturday in Tucson, Arizona, where six were killed and Congresswoman Giffords and others seriously injured by Jared Loughner. Many have pointed to the need for a change in tone and greater respect for one another in our discourse about things where there are disagreements in our civic and, I might add, church life. If we truly believe that God created and loves every one of us, then personal attack and demeaning caricature, let alone the intent to do verbal or physical violence are a sin against God and each other. Jesus calls us to love one another ... even our enemies .... in word and deed. Yale law professor Stephen Carter in his book, Civility, writes that we need a sense of humility about ourselves and a sense of awe concerning the other as a child of God as we enter into disagreements with each other. All of us, "left," "right," and in between must reflect our own rhetoric and behavior. Are we a part of the "problem" or the "solution?"
Could we who follow Jesus be that "accumulation" of folk to help transform the tone and way we treat each other in our times of disagreement. Could it begin in our personal relationships where some of the most hurtful things are said and done? Could it shape our "holy conferencing" (to use Wesley's phrase) in church gatherings? Could it help guide my decisions about whom I listen to/watch/read in the media? (I have decided not to watch a commentator with whom I often agree, but who often personally demeans the "opposition" ... and I am writing to explain to him why.) Could transformation begin with me ... and you ... and you ... and you?
In my mind, the incident in Tucson connects with many other important conversations we must continue to have as Americans (and Christians): how do we relate to and help the mentally deranged; given the 2nd amendment, what reasonable laws should we have governing the use of guns; how do we address a culture of bullying sometimes leading to violence or suicide; how does the "beloved community" connect with and welcome the "loner" or marginalized? These, and other questions, ought to be explored in our churches ... Sunday School classes ... sermons ... council meetings ... Bible studies ... women's groups ... youth groups ... men's groups.
Commander Scott Kelly, the brother-in-law of Gabrielle Giffords and currently orbiting in the International Space Station, looked down from space, knowing the terrible things that had happened in Tucson and yet noting the peaceful beauty of our world from afar. He reflected, "We are better than this. We must do better." Surely, we must. Can we do our part personally and in our churches?
APPLAUSE AS DOXOLOGY Last Sunday at Immanuel UMC in Waltham, MA, there was a great spirit and wonderful worship. When it came time to bring the offering forward and sing the Doxology the congregation broke out in applause ... for nothing ... other than God's many, many blessings .... which really is something! Applause may not be your congregation’s style, but finding creative, fresh ways to express authentic praise to God in your worship is very important. Maybe someone can write a song to be sung, or do liturgical dance, bring some special symbol of blessing forward with the offering, or give their testimony. How do you praise God with a "new song." (Psalm 40:3)
The congregation also gave all visitors (including me) a bag of microwave popcorn with a note that said "Thanks for poppin' in!" along with information about the church's ministries. I noted that the brand of popcorn was "Act II"... like Acts 2 ... when at Pentecost the church explosively popped out of their "container" to take the Good News to all.
OPEN DOORS?????? There are lots of ways to talk about having open doors as a church. But visits to several different churches this fall/winter reminded me of the most basic, practical meaning of that question: Are the wooden/glass/metal doors that you have in your church building literally unlocked and open so people can come in and go out? I may be missing something, but when I park my car and see a door nearby, that's the one I try to go in ... and if that one's locked, I'll try the next one ... and if that one's locked, my next impulse is to figure they aren't "open for business" and go home ... until I remember that I'm the one who is supposed to preach! So I better persevere and try yet another door. No kidding, more than once it has taken me three tries to find the open door, in spite of other doors being closer to where I (and others) had parked. In one parking lot a woman actually told me, "Oh, we all know you can't get in that door!" Well, think of visitors ... pleeeeeeaaaase think of visitors ... some, including the Bishop, might even come someday ... as far as I know, only Jesus was able to come in through locked doors (John 20).
The best is to have your doors open ... at least one half hour before the service ... with greeters (I mean really friendly greeters) there to welcome visitors inside, or even better outside in the parking area. Greeters should also learn the name of the visitor and introduce them to someone else so they can invite the visitor to sit with them and tell the visitor something about the good things happening there. Those folks can give the visitor a little welcome gift (see above) and make a point before or after the service to introduce the visitor to the pastor.
At the very least, if you have doors locked for some reason, there should be a sign on the door welcoming the visitor and directing them to the right door (that everyone else knows about). I also find it strange that the "best" parking places are often reserved for the pastor and/or staff or taken by church leaders who often get there early. Those "best" parking places ... near an open door ... ought to be reserved for the handicapped and visitors. And by the way, once the visitor is inside the building, is there signage to help them find their way around ... and a truly friendly congregation to welcome them? It frankly surprises us how often no one initiates talking to my wife in the congregations we visit, unless they have seen us come in together. Linda often then takes the initiative ... but many visitors won't. Keep the doors of your building and hearts OPEN.
PRAY FOR HAITI Thank you again for all the prayers, health kits, contributions, and study groups supporting the people and United Methodist mission work in Haiti. The earthquake was a year ago and our UMCOR work continues with your faithfulness to Christ and our Haitian sisters and brothers. It is a great honor to be a Partner in Ministry with you in this new year.
Grace and Peace,
Pete
A TRANSFORMED WORLD When I awoke this morning, through mysteries of God's creation beyond my understanding, the world had been transformed ... not by millions of disciples of Jesus Christ (our UMC mission statement is to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world") ... but by millions of snow flakes! So far, 16 inches of such flakes, together being the snow God meant them to be, have transformed the shape of our trees, the color of our lawn, the thickness of our sidewalks (actually they've disappeared), the texture of our roof, the nature of the sky, the delivery of the mail, the pickup of the garbage, the amount of traffic on our street, the inclination of our neighborhood dogs to go out (what happened to my "spot!"), and the schedule for my day .... almost nothing can change my schedule ...... but an accumulation of snow flakes has! And, small flakes at that. TRANSFORMATION!
Maybe, in the mysteries of God's New Creation, an accumulation of small, individual, seemingly inconsequential disciples (at times we've been called "fools," "flakes" for Christ) can transform the world together by being the Christians God meant us to be.
"WE MUST DO BETTER" One of the "transformations" desperately needed in our life together as God's children was illustrated by the tragic events last Saturday in Tucson, Arizona, where six were killed and Congresswoman Giffords and others seriously injured by Jared Loughner. Many have pointed to the need for a change in tone and greater respect for one another in our discourse about things where there are disagreements in our civic and, I might add, church life. If we truly believe that God created and loves every one of us, then personal attack and demeaning caricature, let alone the intent to do verbal or physical violence are a sin against God and each other. Jesus calls us to love one another ... even our enemies .... in word and deed. Yale law professor Stephen Carter in his book, Civility, writes that we need a sense of humility about ourselves and a sense of awe concerning the other as a child of God as we enter into disagreements with each other. All of us, "left," "right," and in between must reflect our own rhetoric and behavior. Are we a part of the "problem" or the "solution?"
Could we who follow Jesus be that "accumulation" of folk to help transform the tone and way we treat each other in our times of disagreement. Could it begin in our personal relationships where some of the most hurtful things are said and done? Could it shape our "holy conferencing" (to use Wesley's phrase) in church gatherings? Could it help guide my decisions about whom I listen to/watch/read in the media? (I have decided not to watch a commentator with whom I often agree, but who often personally demeans the "opposition" ... and I am writing to explain to him why.) Could transformation begin with me ... and you ... and you ... and you?
In my mind, the incident in Tucson connects with many other important conversations we must continue to have as Americans (and Christians): how do we relate to and help the mentally deranged; given the 2nd amendment, what reasonable laws should we have governing the use of guns; how do we address a culture of bullying sometimes leading to violence or suicide; how does the "beloved community" connect with and welcome the "loner" or marginalized? These, and other questions, ought to be explored in our churches ... Sunday School classes ... sermons ... council meetings ... Bible studies ... women's groups ... youth groups ... men's groups.
Commander Scott Kelly, the brother-in-law of Gabrielle Giffords and currently orbiting in the International Space Station, looked down from space, knowing the terrible things that had happened in Tucson and yet noting the peaceful beauty of our world from afar. He reflected, "We are better than this. We must do better." Surely, we must. Can we do our part personally and in our churches?
APPLAUSE AS DOXOLOGY Last Sunday at Immanuel UMC in Waltham, MA, there was a great spirit and wonderful worship. When it came time to bring the offering forward and sing the Doxology the congregation broke out in applause ... for nothing ... other than God's many, many blessings .... which really is something! Applause may not be your congregation’s style, but finding creative, fresh ways to express authentic praise to God in your worship is very important. Maybe someone can write a song to be sung, or do liturgical dance, bring some special symbol of blessing forward with the offering, or give their testimony. How do you praise God with a "new song." (Psalm 40:3)
The congregation also gave all visitors (including me) a bag of microwave popcorn with a note that said "Thanks for poppin' in!" along with information about the church's ministries. I noted that the brand of popcorn was "Act II"... like Acts 2 ... when at Pentecost the church explosively popped out of their "container" to take the Good News to all.
OPEN DOORS?????? There are lots of ways to talk about having open doors as a church. But visits to several different churches this fall/winter reminded me of the most basic, practical meaning of that question: Are the wooden/glass/metal doors that you have in your church building literally unlocked and open so people can come in and go out? I may be missing something, but when I park my car and see a door nearby, that's the one I try to go in ... and if that one's locked, I'll try the next one ... and if that one's locked, my next impulse is to figure they aren't "open for business" and go home ... until I remember that I'm the one who is supposed to preach! So I better persevere and try yet another door. No kidding, more than once it has taken me three tries to find the open door, in spite of other doors being closer to where I (and others) had parked. In one parking lot a woman actually told me, "Oh, we all know you can't get in that door!" Well, think of visitors ... pleeeeeeaaaase think of visitors ... some, including the Bishop, might even come someday ... as far as I know, only Jesus was able to come in through locked doors (John 20).
The best is to have your doors open ... at least one half hour before the service ... with greeters (I mean really friendly greeters) there to welcome visitors inside, or even better outside in the parking area. Greeters should also learn the name of the visitor and introduce them to someone else so they can invite the visitor to sit with them and tell the visitor something about the good things happening there. Those folks can give the visitor a little welcome gift (see above) and make a point before or after the service to introduce the visitor to the pastor.
At the very least, if you have doors locked for some reason, there should be a sign on the door welcoming the visitor and directing them to the right door (that everyone else knows about). I also find it strange that the "best" parking places are often reserved for the pastor and/or staff or taken by church leaders who often get there early. Those "best" parking places ... near an open door ... ought to be reserved for the handicapped and visitors. And by the way, once the visitor is inside the building, is there signage to help them find their way around ... and a truly friendly congregation to welcome them? It frankly surprises us how often no one initiates talking to my wife in the congregations we visit, unless they have seen us come in together. Linda often then takes the initiative ... but many visitors won't. Keep the doors of your building and hearts OPEN.
PRAY FOR HAITI Thank you again for all the prayers, health kits, contributions, and study groups supporting the people and United Methodist mission work in Haiti. The earthquake was a year ago and our UMCOR work continues with your faithfulness to Christ and our Haitian sisters and brothers. It is a great honor to be a Partner in Ministry with you in this new year.
Grace and Peace,
Pete
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