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
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