Author: Bode
Getting to Know You
The Midwest District has the honor of being the home for clergy who are starting their journey of servant leadership. These new folks were introduced at the District Conference on October 12. Each one will also be featured in a special Puzzler’s Corner in the coming weeks. I invite you, who are their sisters and… Continue Reading Getting to Know You
What Happened to the Amen?
I think I have always been interested in language. I was only six years old when I attended the World’s Expo in Montreal, Quebec. Our family spent about 4 weeks in the Province, staying in Quebec City before traveling down to Montreal. That’s when I learned some French. It was also the first foreign language… Continue Reading What Happened to the Amen?
YOUTH LEADERS: START PLANNING YOUR 2020 MISSION TRIP TODAY!
The Midwest District invites youth (9th-12th Grade) to participate in hands-on community development ministry at Cass Community Social Services in Detroit June 28-July 3, 2020. This trip is being offered by our District in partnership with staff at Cass, so that even churches with just one or two or a handful of high school youth can… Continue Reading YOUTH LEADERS: START PLANNING YOUR 2020 MISSION TRIP TODAY!
An Opportunity for Mission in the Midwest District
The Native American Elders Program (NAEP) is one of the District Missions that was part of the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Ministry. NAEP provides lunch, health and education screenings and information for Native American older adults living in the Grand Rapids area. The District continues to support this vital ministry. Your church is being asked to… Continue Reading An Opportunity for Mission in the Midwest District
My Favorite Book
I own several translations of the Holy Bible. When I was a child, one of the most popular versions was called a red letter Bible. In it, Jesus’ words are printed in red, which brings a new layer to reading the Gospels. My aunt gave my father a red letter Bible as a gift for… Continue Reading My Favorite Book
A Good Meal
Sometimes, I get nostalgic about cooking. I learned how to cook by watching my parents and my older sister create their favorite recipes. My mother made dinner rolls from scratch, just about every Sunday. There was a process that began with the heating of the milk. Over the span of 45 minutes she would combine… Continue Reading A Good Meal
Celebrate Good Times!
As I have been journeying throughout the District to participate in SPRC meetings and Church Conferences, I rely on music to fill in the silence between destinations. On Monday, I turned on the Metropolitan Opera radio station, to discover it was the season premier. There was a different kind of excitement with the opera hosts. … Continue Reading Celebrate Good Times!
Taquarius
Taquarius Wair. A unique name to describe a very gifted young man. I heard his story a few weeks ago, as the college football season began. When Taquarius was 4 years old, his house caught on fire. His mother was able to save Taquarius and his brother, but sadly their sister died. Taquarius was severely… Continue Reading Taquarius
I Am not The Energizer Bunny
Sometimes, I admit that I am preaching to the choir. With that said, I want to take the time to talk about the importance of Sabbath for those who are servant leaders. While I was a pastor at Saint Clair Shores First UMC, one of the youth asked if she could job shadow me for… Continue Reading I Am not The Energizer Bunny
Dorian
There is a tempest off the coast of Florida, by the name of Dorian. What was once a Category 5 hurricane, has now been downgraded to a Category 2 with sustained winds of 105 mph. The storm system stalled over the Bahamas, for a day, wreaking havoc in an area unprepared for the length of… Continue Reading Dorian