Transition Mysteries and Certainties

Dear Partners in Ministry,

 

TRANSITION MYSTERIES:  It is finally time to say "goodbye"..."hello"...and "God be with you ‘til we meet again". I retire August 31.  Shortly after I arrived in New England eight years ago (it seems like yesterday), a mystery arrived in my office.  It was a beautifully hand-crafted coffee table with the words of one of my favorite hymns carved in the top.  What a wonderful mystery. Who carved it? How did they know this hymn held such personal meaning to me?  It is the "Hymn of Promise" which contains these lines: "From the past will come the future, what it holds a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see!"  I then discovered the table had been made by a retired pastor, the late Milt Smith, who had served with distinction for many decades and was continuing his ministry into the future in creative ways through woodworking.

 

The New England Conference has such a rich past of serving Christ - decades and centuries, in fact.  A new season of things that God alone can see is growing out of the past into a new future. Do you see it?  Are you ready to trust God's adventure ahead?

 

As the movers were taking some of the old, falling apart furniture (some would call it junk) out of our garage, one of them asked me, "Does this go too???"  I know it seemed a mystery to him, but God and I see some creative woodworking ahead, even as ministry.  Here are some "transition mysteries" we've experienced:

• The Junk Man taketh and giveth: We've been putting a lot out for trash as we have been trying to downsize (along with donating anything useable to Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.). One night I put out such gems as old sermon manuscripts (after all, they were all so "unforgettable," who needs to keep copies?), a tattered Red Sox pennant (Red Sox who?), and a badly scratched copy of the record album "We're On the Eve of Destruction" (remember records… scratchy music...HiFi rather than Wi-Fi? I used this record over and over 45 years ago with youth groups. Ugh!).  I also put out a very old exercise bike, actually hoping someone might pick it up who could use it.  Well, as often happens, someone did come in the middle of the night and took the exercise bike, but in its place that someone left a wheelchair!  Oh, the mystery of it all!  When we discovered the wheel chair the next morning, I said to Linda that I wondered if it was a sign that we are transitioning from the exercise bike to the wheelchair, but then again, some of the most vital, faith-filled people I have ever known used wheelchairs. We trust God for whatever the future holds.
   
• I'll Fly Away: On our last Sunday in New England before moving, without anyone knowing, we decided to attend Carter Memorial UMC in Needham where my sister's family had been members for many years.  To our surprise, the last hymn in the service was "I'll Fly Away", accompanied by a wonderful worship band.  Those of you who were at Annual Conference in June know that I was asked to play that on my trombone as the last number in a great evening of celebration.  Here it was again...totally unplanned.  Like all of us, we fly away into the future on the wings of the Spirit. Like the ducks we saw overhead later that day, we go with the gratitude that we are a part of a community.  Linda and I have been deeply grateful for all of you with whom we have been blessed by God to "fly", even soar, in these eight years of our journey.  We are not just partners in ministry, but partners in the mystery of God's love in Christ that links us together and connects where we have been to where God is taking us.

TRANSITION CERTAINTIES:  For certain, Linda and I will always treasure the relationships and experiences we have had, by God's Grace, here in New England. For certain, we will continue to give thanks to God for you.  For certain, we will pray for you, as we hope you will pray for us, that we all, wherever we are, will be joyful and faithful in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  For certain, God has very special and gifted disciples of Jesus coming to be partners in ministry with you:  Bishop Suda Devadhar and his spouse, Prema.  For certain, God is with us!

 

I love Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.  In II Corinthians 5:17 Paul writes with certainty: "If anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation:  the old has passed away, behold the new has come!"  This is the "life verse" I chose (or it chose me) when I was a teenager.  My simple testimony is that the mystery and certainty of this glorious new creation is still coming the deeper and deeper I go in Christ.  I pray this is true for you.  I pray that your church boldly proclaims and lives it.  I pray that one day our world will reflect that new creation Christ offers. Now, over fifty years after selecting that life verse, I conclude this season of life and ministry before retirement with Paul's concluding words to the Corinthians:

 

And that's about it, friends.  Be cheerful.  Keep things in good repair.  Keep your spirits up.  Think in harmony. Be agreeable.  Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.  Greet one another with a holy embrace.  All the brothers and sisters here say hello.  The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

        II Corinthians 13:11-13, The Message

 

As always, for always, Grace and Peace to you, partners in this extraordinary ministry,

 

Pete

General Conference is Done... but God is not!

Dear Partners in Ministry,

     GENERAL CONFERENCE IS DONE....BUT GOD IS NOT DONE! Thank you for all the prayers and notes that supported our New England Delegation, me, and our whole General Conference as we met in Tampa for two weeks (Linda and I were there three weeks because of the Council of Bishops).  As I mentioned in my Episcopal Address to the Conference as it began, the Spanish called the tidewaters splashing up against the Tampa Convention Center, not Tampa Bay, but "Bahia del Espiritu Santo" - the Bay of the Holy Spirit.  The challenge for each of us and each of our churches is to risk letting the Holy Spirit get a hold of us and lead us where God wants us to go...even when we are fearful or resistant.

     While for me, and many, some deep disappointments came out of General Conference, there were nevertheless some wonderful "splashes" of the Holy Spirit.  Let me share a few:

• Our New England delegation contributed much to the Conference in leadership, debate, and spirit.  We made a big "splash" for our size!
  
• The delegation tied prayer ribbons to a cross and gave it to me, along with their prayer-blessings, before I delivered the Episcopal Address.  I carried it in my pocket (and heart) the whole time.
  
• Delegations from outside the United States comprised 40% of the Conference. It was a great joy to see us becoming more and more a truly global church. It will test the commitments of all to be a truly inclusive church respecting all of the diversity that being global brings, but then our Oneness is not because we all agree, or even like each other, but because we are One in Christ.
  
• In my Episcopal Address, I told the story of those from the Congo who survived a horrendous massacre in the Gatumba Refugee Camp and who are now part of the Contoocook U.M. Church in New Hampshire.  I told of the Congolese teenagers who decided to become disciples of Jesus Christ and the Sunday we processed through town and baptized five of them in the Contoocook River.  Four of those young people came to Tampa, so I could introduce them to the Conference. You can see them and the address by clicking on http://www.neumc.org/pages/detail/728.  This was a Holy Spirit moment, but what most people do not know is that when these young men were flying to Tampa and transferring planes in Washington, D.C., they encountered an older woman who had been stranded alone in the airport for three days. She was from the Congo, spoke no English...and was on her way to General Conference!  She was lost and confused and these young men....with the spirit of Christ (and the gift of speaking French) took care of her until she was safely reunited with the Congo delegation in Tampa.  God's Spirit was moving.
  
• The "splashes" of God's Spirit were also evident in great times of worship daily with morning devotional centering, at noon with communion, and in the evening with creative music and great preaching.  It was evident in "holy conferencing" as I would see people I knew disagreed in conversation with each other about how to find common ground.  When people were in pain, people were there for each other.  One of my friends described the amazing insights he gained from getting to know and work with a delegate from Africa.  I saw a couple of delegates during a break one day simply sitting by the water with their hands stretched out and open in meditative prayer..."Come Holy Spirit".
  
• To be sure there were many things about General Conference, and frankly our own lives, that remind us that we are a long way from the perfection about which Wesley (and Jesus) spoke. One of the most quoted lines from the Episcopal Address was, "If God can bring to life the crucified Christ, then surely God can bring to life a calcified church." I deeply believe this, but we must again and again give ourselves over to God's Will and into God's keeping whether as disciples, congregations, or as a denomination.  As we drove away from Tampa, I thought of the 45,000 United Methodist congregations around the world that would gather millions of people together on Sunday, including 640 congregations in New England.  They would worship God, lift up prayers of joy and concerns, listen for God's Word for the living of these days, sing with gusto songs of faith, share the buzz of Christian fellowship, and open themselves to the splash of the Holy Spirit moving us out into the world to make a difference for the sake of Christ. Most of those congregations know little or nothing about General Conference.  It's not that General Conference and what was done or not done is unimportant; it's simply that what is most important is what is done or not done for Christ right where you and I are living out our faith today.

     God is not done.  Stay open to the splash of the Holy Spirit...Pentecost is coming!

     SPEAKING OF SPLASHES: After listening to my serious droning on about General Conference someone asked, “Did you have any fun in Florida?"  I could tell they were concerned about my soul...and sanity.  Linda and some of the other bishops' spouses had the same concern, so on a day the bishops were free, they planned a trip to Busch Gardens...including the roller coasters and some water rides.  We rode the original wooden coaster, which seemed a lot like General Conference - a little bit creaky, at times shaky (would it hold together?), with lots of ups and downs and twists and turns, and sometimes jerky.  We rode a rough water rafting ride, which again seemed a lot like General Conference - you can't escape without getting dumped on, there's a lot of going around in circles, and when it’s all over you are totally soaked clear through in ways that are very uncomfortable and from which you are not sure you will ever recover, but you are glad for the ride.  Why?  Because you have drawn closer with those with whom you share a common journey, and you share the blessed assurance, "be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you".  And in that, there is, if not fun, joy!

     For these reasons, also, I am grateful to be a Partner in this Ministry with you.

     Grace and Peace,
          Pete

The Resurrection Revolution

Dear Partners in Ministry,

     THE RESURRECTION REVOLUTION Nothing in our world has even been as revolutionary as the Easter resurrection. Christ is risen...He is risen indeed. Death is overthrown by Life. Despair is overcome with hope. Doubt is overwhelmed by faith. Dread is overpowered with love.
Forget pastel Easter bonnets or plush mythical bunnies that entertain us and our friends for a day. The real story is as startling as a dead man walking who transforms us and our world for eternity. This is a revolution that can turn the way we live upside down and turn the most despairing soul around.
This resurrection revolution is not over. "Christ is alive and goes before us" as Brian Wren reminds us in his hymn, "This Is a Day of New Beginnings!" (UMH, 383) Not only is eternal life open for all who believe in the Risen Christ, but transformed earthly life is open for all who will follow the living Christ into the revolutionary Kingdom of God coming "on earth even as it is in heaven."
And the resurrection revolution can be a reality for our congregations if we open ourselves to it. In fact "The Resurrection Revolution" is the theme of the address I will make on behalf of our United Methodist Council of Bishops to the General Conference later this month in Tampa, Florida. New life is being offered by the living Christ to each of us, our church, and our world. Will we dare to follow Christ in this resurrection revolution? What about you? A blessed Easter to all!

     WHAT WONDROUS LOVE IS THIS? The final days of Holy Week were so full of violence, but the revolutionary truth of the Risen Christ is that Love prevailed over violence. These days of Lent and Holy Week 2012 have been so full of violence. The Martin/Zimmerman case, a teacher murdered in Vermont, students killed at a Christian university in California, innocents sleeping in Afghanistan, Syria, cases of domestic violence and bullying. The reports go on and on. Can we, who have experienced the wondrous love of Christ, carry that love, live that love, be that love in our own communities and world (and even churches)? What would love for the victims look like? What would love toward those who are violent look like? What would a community shaped by love, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation look like? How does Jesus, in the violence of Holy Week, show what wondrous love looks like? Will we follow Him or the violent ways of this world?

     ROBIN McDONOUGH HOEDOWN Robin McDonough was a homeless woman on the streets of Boston. She had a dream. She wanted to see all kinds of people come together and dance...have a hoedown in downtown Boston. Where better than in a church...on the Saturday of Palm Sunday when so many different people danced as Jesus rode into the city? The "Ecclesia Ministry", which serves the homeless at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral on Tremont St. across from Boston Common, decided to try it. Before it could happen, Robin died, but knowing her spirit was dancing now the Easter dance of new life in Christ, they announced on paper posters all over town the "Robin McDonough Memorial Hoedown at St. Paul's Cathedral". (Never doubt that God has a sense of humor.)

     They couldn't find a square dance caller, but somehow through Dean Moore at BU School of Theology, they heard that I had called square dances for the clergy/spouse retreat where she was the speaker in January. (Just to set the record straight, I did not learn this skill at BU but as a youth leader at summer camps in the days when square dancing was the only kind of dancing allowed! I may have a new "calling" in retirement.) The organizers contacted my office to see if I might do it. Brenda, our new administrative assistant, said, "Ah...ah...this is strange...I think someone wants you to call square dancing." I assured her that we get lots of strange calls and that I would be delighted to do it.

     It was a great experience. As Linda and I arrived, everyone was warmly greeting everyone (more so than in some of our churches). It was a gathering of a beautiful array of colors, races, ages, folks from the streets and those from churches in the city and suburbs who love being a part of this ministry. Nearly 100 in all and most joined in the dancing! Crazy, yes. Joyful, yes. Hosannas, yes. One of the regulars said he didn't think anyone would come, "but,” he added “we need each other...and God."

     And I was reminded again about what is at the heart of ministry - gathering together with each other just as we are (I had on my jeans and plaid flannel shirt), showing love and caring, and knowing God is with us. Robin McDonough had the right dream. Open your heart...and your church to your community - anyone, everyone...and DANCE!

     The next day, on Palm Sunday, Linda and I were at Hope UMC in Belchertown, Mass. which is full of life. For the last hymn, guess what we sang? "Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. And I'll lead you all wherever you may be, and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he." (UMH, 261)
Dance with the Risen Christ now and always as we are partners in His ministry!

     Grace and Peace,
     Pete

Alleluia!

Dear Partners in Ministry,

ALLELUIA! Last weekend I had one Alleluia after another. I was traveling for three days in the Northern Maine District.  Alleluia, there was still snow on the ground in many places. I really do love snow! And the purples and yellows of crocuses were pushing their way up in some places. Isn't God's creation and re-creation amazing...and surprising?
 
Then at the Northern Maine District Day, I heard it again: Alleluia, Alleluia!  One by one, dozens and dozens of laity and clergy stood up to share stories of amazing and surprising things happening in their churches, by the grace of God:  people healed, restarted Sunday Schools, outreach to prisoners, free community meals, new worship styles, mission teams on the go, concern for economic justice, adults baptized into the faith, and on and on.  After each testimony, the 100 or so gathered (some got up at 2 AM to travel to be there) would exclaim “Alleluia!”
 
We have been receiving your "Vital Congregation Goals" from all over the Conference. (Thanks for sending these in. If you haven't yet done so, we look forward to getting yours.)  These goals are in the form of numbers, but they represent real people who can share in the real Alleluia stories of lives changed and communities transformed...like those we heard in abundance last Saturday and then again in the Alton and Milo congregations Sunday morning.  In fact, there is far more "vitality" going on in our congregations than we will ever capture in numbers. The numbers are one measure, but we also need to tell the stories...and have the goal of sharing the Alleluias of life in Christ with more and more people.  Why not share a few Alleluias in your worship this Sunday.

SPRING BREAK IN MISSION Recently, I was blessed to help commission a number of students from our United Methodist-related Green Mountain College who, along with President Paul Fonteyn and members of several of our United Methodist congregations around Poultney, VT., were heading to our Red Bird Mission in Kentucky for Spring Break to work on houses and build relationships with those facing economic hardships.  As one of the students, Alexandra Hilliard, said, "Each of us strongly anticipates a life-changing experience!"  In addition, they gave me a challenge to learn to play a dulcimer that was handcrafted at Red Bird Mission in order to help sing the great songs of faith that come out of Appalachia and accompany the Red Bird Choir that will be singing at General Conference!  Pray for me - and my fingers...I'm working on it.
 
Volunteers in Mission work teams are needed all over.  They are a life-changing experience for youth, young or older adults...anyone.  Teams are particularly needed for the Maine U.M. Economic Ministry's Summer Home Repair Program (call Crystal Cook at 207-678-2611) and to continue helping in Vermont and Western Mass following last year’s floods and tornados.  If your church doesn't have a team, you may want to connect with a team from another church. For more information, call our conference Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, David Stackpole at 603-465-7885.

THE WITNESS OF WINDOWS While I was at the Poultney UM Church, I noticed, as I do in many churches, their stained glass windows, each with the name of the donor at the bottom.  Those names so often go unnoticed or forgotten.  But that church had a fascinating four page brochure that tells the story of each of these faithful "saints" who had served Christ in notable ways in generations past in that church.  Elijah, who had been a farmer and metal "molder"; Harriet, mother and jeweler; Judson, who manned the cannons protecting Washington during the Civil War and become U.S. Consul to Africa; Frank, photographer and musician in the Trojan Orchestra;  Nettie and Charles, teachers and President at Troy Conference Academy (now GM College); Ralph, poet, pastor, author, Bishop; Frederick and Mary, father, mother, general store owners.  The short, but inspiring biographies celebrated this great variety of followers of Jesus and made me think about my life and witness as well.  Do some research...and tell the stories.

   "I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true,
   Who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew.
   And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green;
   They were all of them saints of God, and I mean, God helping, to be one too.”                          
                        (Hymn 712, UMH)

MORE GREEN THUMBS UP  After mentioning the wonderful work of community gardens in an earlier Partners in Ministry, I have heard of many other churches that have joined this movement.  As I mentioned a couple of years ago, retired Bishop Dale White has inspired the starting of many of these, not just because he loves the soil, but because of our Christian commitment to care for the earth and share all the bounty God gives us.  If you are interested in following up with other churches that are doing community gardening, here are some more (though not an exhaustive list): St. Paul's, Newport, RI; Calvary, Middletown, RI; Eliot, ME; First Bangor, ME; First, Framingham, MA; Montpelier, VT. Keep planting the seeds of community, justice, and caring for the earth and our neighbors...the harvest will be Gospel!

WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER While sharing in a wonderful Sunday at First UMC in Hudson, MA, I saw this poster:
                         
"IF WE HAVE NO PEACE, IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER"
                                                                                                Mother Teresa

As we belong to each other, let us continue the Lenten Journey with Jesus who has called us to love each other completely.  I am grateful to be a Partner in Ministry with you.

Grace and Peace,
Pete

New Year... New You!

Dear Partners in Ministry,

NEW YEAR...NEW YOU! My dear close friends at Amazon.com (they only have a couple hundred million "dear close friends") sent me a personal email this month that started out, "Peter D. Weaver: A New Year…A New You!" What followed were all kinds of suggestions about how I could improve in this new year. How did they know I needed so much improvement? Actually I didn't know I needed so much improvement until I saw all their offerings of diet books, exercise videos, and self-improvement guides. Wasn't that thoughtful of them!

To be sure there are lots of areas I need to improve. Maybe you have some, too. Maybe your church has some, too. Certainly our world has some. The one thing Amazon.com somehow missed listing: the Bible (still the #1 selling book) promises that God is "making all things new". It affirms that "if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation". Every new year, new week, new day is an opportunity to go deeper "in Christ" and experience the newness of life, joy, peace, hope, purpose, faith, and love that can transform your life, your church, and our world. What are the ways you are looking to be new or have a renewed church or participate in a transformed world? What are the fresh ways you are opening yourself each new day to our God who can make all things new?...even me...even you.

LIGHTEN UP Two Sundays ago, right after the Epiphany celebration of the Magi following the star-light to find Christ, we were worshipping in the Family United Methodist Church in Saugus, Mass. It is a lively, growing new congregation primarily made up of persons from Brazil. The church was abuzz with families and children and youth and young adults as well as older folks. Everyone joined in to make great music…with enthusiasm for God's many blessings. People came forward bringing their offerings with overflowing joy. My wife and I talked about the contagious Spirit there and how some of our churches need to "lighten up" just as those Magi did in stepping out, risking, going in a new direction, following the light. Indeed when the children's choir got up to sing a couple of songs, including "Amazing Grace", a little boy in the front row started to move to the beat and tap his feet. Every time his little athletic shoes would tap the floor, they would light up! Maybe the choirs in all our churches (or preachers...or Bishop) should buy such shoes..."how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one who brings good tidings." (Is 52:7) Let's lighten up with the joy and enthusiasm of the good tidings of God's Amazing Grace.

The Sanctuary of their older building has also just been "lightened up" by creative design - beautiful color selections and some hard work by members of the congregation. It is one of the best examples I have seen of remodeling an older sanctuary into a highly attractive, creatively flexible, worshipful space for the twenty-first century, including outstanding technical equipment and without big, big bucks. And speaking of "lightening up", the lighting in the whole sanctuary and particularly around the altar area, which has been redone with contemporary stone, is very effective. If you are looking for ways to "lighten up" an old sanctuary, call the pastors, Juarez or Clauri Goncalves (781-233-0825) to arrange a visit.

The Spirit of this congregation has been "lightened up" by spiritual growth, unity, and a new commitment to evangelism through a twenty-one day fast which started January 2nd. In this case, they have followed the Daniel 10 fast which calls for fasting from foods like meat, milk, and eggs and confining one's diet to fruits, vegetables and cereals. Some members have also been "fasting" from watching television and using the internet. Every Monday and Friday, everyone calls in at the same time to a "conference call" prayer time when they pray for each other, their church, community, and world. Now get this part...this time of fasting was originally the idea of the youth group and then the rest of the congregation decided to join in also. It has been a transformational experience for the whole congregation. We should not be surprised. Wesley practiced and recommended fasting. As clergy we vow to fast by precept and example, and I have personally seen the blessing of it in the congregations I served as pastor. You and your congregation may want to try some form of fasting during Lent this year.

It will come as no surprise to you that this congregation is now letting their light shine by planting another new congregation in Everett, Mass. which already includes Brazilians, Haitians, Hispanics, and Anglos...and the Spirit of Christ, who is the Light of the World. Lighten Up!

KIDS’ BIRTHDAY KORNER Looking for ways to reach out to children in your community? Bethany UMC in East Rochester, NH realized that gifts are often collected for kids at Christmas time but no other time of the year, so they have started the "Kids’ Birthday Korner" which about twice a month invites kids (ages 1-12) from the community, particularly low income areas, to come to the church for a birthday party. Each kid gets to pick one present from a room full of mixed gifts of toys, games, stuffed animals, dolls, etc. There are also cupcakes and photos and lots of fun, plus the recognition that God created them, loves them, "and so do we". The pastor, Jean Main, says the church does a lot around Christmas, but birthdays are forgotten, and this new outreach is a way of relating to kids the rest of the year. Jean would be happy to tell you more about this ministry (603-332-3618).

IT IS A NEW YEAR, AND GOD CONTINUES TO DO NEW AND AMAZING THINGS THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS IN MINISTRY. AS ALWAYS, I AM SO GRATEFUL TO SERVE CHRIST WITH YOU.

Grace and Peace,
Pete