District News

Please Help Our Sisters and Brothers

Posted on by Bode

The world is our community.  Everyone is our neighbor.  We live in a time when events are shared instantly.  Our phones alert us that there is breaking news.  Several channels are dedicated to stories, editorials, and documentaries 24/7.  Social media platforms record our reactions from friends and strangers alike. 

I have seen many heart-rending reports over the last few weeks.  The stampede in northern Israel was the first story I learned about this weekend.  The second was a report of how Covid is impacting the people of India.  I will not recount the details of the segment from India I saw late on Friday, nor the one I viewed Sunday evening.  Both were devastating, shocking, and tragic. 

Families were seeking oxygen for parents, children, and siblings.  The hospitals were either out of oxygen or didn’t have enough staff to care for inpatients and fill tanks for persons who were at home and waiting for help.  Cameras captured other images of people grieving, of long lines outside hospitals, and of persons lying on mats and blankets on the floor because all the beds were full.

I have been praying for the people of India: the health care workers, the people who have contracted Covid, and family members who are seeking help from every possible agency and resource.  Although India is on the other side of the world, the stories I saw brought the women and men who spoke with the reporters into my home.  I saw their tears, heard their anguish, and felt their pain. 

Today, I will make a donation to UMCOR to support their efforts for the people of India.  I would ask each of your faith communities to consider doing the same.  None of us know how long this pandemic will last.  Just when we think we have it under control, it rears its ugly head somewhere else in the world.  Those who are ill, those who are losing family members, those who are fighting for breath, need to know they are not alone.  Our Lord journeys with all of us, especially in the midst of what has become an overwhelming crisis for the people of India. Even if we cannot hold their hands, we can reach out to let our sisters and brothers know they are not alone.  I am including the link to UMCOR below.  Our Lord holds all of His children in His loving embrace.  And Amen.

UMCOR COVID-19 Response Fund – Global Advance #3022612
Website: https://umcmission.org/advance-project/3022612/

The First Time

Posted on by Bode

On Sunday evening, ABC aired the 93rd Annual Academy Award ceremonies.  This year’s presentation was different. Presenters, nominees and the audience maintained social distancing.  Interviewers on the red carpet remained a safe distance from the celebrities who stopped by their microphones.  Since the show has been without hosts since 2018, its producers have come up with different ways to keep fans entertained.

There were a few surprises.  The nominated songs were presented during the Red Carpet show.  Regina King, the first presenter shared the first time she saw a movie.  That became the theme for the evening.  The viewing audience learned a little of the backstory of how actors, writers, makeup artists, and costume designers were introduced to their future profession.  And, of course, that got me thinking.

Not about the first time I saw a movie, but about the first time I knew that Jesus was my Savior.  Whenever a person wants to become a minister, they are asked about their call.  Most tell a similar way in which the Lord touched and continues to touch our lives, affirming God’s indwelling presence.  But we rarely ask when a person becomes aware that God is speaking with us.

As I watched the Oscars I tried to think back to the moment when prevenient grace became something more.  I remember a conversation with my sister and father when I was six.  Her response to something my aunt said caused my sister to cry and my father to be angry.  I remember trying to comfort my father, and that’s when my aunt said that I had “the gift.”  Coming from a family of ministers, I knew immediately what “the gift” was.  But we never talked about what to do or how to be comfortable with the call.

It’s more difficult for me to remember when I first became aware that God was and is a part of my life.  I don’t believe I remember a time when He wasn’t.  There has always been a still small voice in my life and in my spirit.  The voice talks to me walks with me and affirms who I am. Passages from the Bible continue to strengthen and deepen the loving relationship I have with our Creator.  There are hymns that cause God’s voice to ring like a bell.  There are prayers that resonate with the quiet voice I hear most of the time.  There are moments in my life that bring the chills and goosebumps, as well as the tears that inform me God has gotten my full attention. 

I believe that the reason I can’t quite remember the first time is because there have been countless other times.  Nearly every day I have an epiphany of how the Lord continues to shape and mold us to serve an everchanging world.  Our Lord is in my every breath, my life, my spirit, and my soul.  And yet, I don’t say that very often.  Whenever I share my call story, I skip over its beginning and how I have come to know what it means to have God in our lives. 

In these days, when so many hunger to know that God is still with us, I encourage everyone to share those first moments when we learned that God is an essential part of our lives.  Those moments are the foundation for how we have answered or are answering God’s call, for how we journey with those in need, and how we seek to become like Jesus in all that we say and do in His holy name.  And Amen.

A Time to Heal

Posted on by Bode

Last Thursday I learned that the trial phase of the case against Derek Chauvin was ending.  Closing arguments were scheduled for Monday, with jury deliberation to follow.  Over the weekend, I thought about the possible outcomes of the trial.  I began to pray that justice would prevail.  And I also had doubts.  My perception was that the video evidence was overwhelming.  The number of people who could be heard asking former Officer Chauvin to get up unfolded for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.  The testimony of eyewitnesses and experts confirmed what I saw. 

And yet, the Defense also presented their experts, portraying Derek as an officer who was doing what he was trained to do.  If they were successful in creating doubt in only one juror, they would win the case.  Over the weekend, I waited.  I did not watch the closing arguments.  Instead, I read a brief summary online. 

Beginning Monday afternoon, I occasionally turned to one of the news stations to see if the verdict had been reached.  Yesterday afternoon, at 3:30 pm, I saw that the jurors would return to the courtroom after 4:30 pm to have the verdict read.  I tried to ignore the speculation newscasters are wont to do, as the time for the jury to return to the courtroom came and went.  As the panel I was listening to spoke, no one offered a reason for the delay.  Then, just after 5:00 pm, the judge entered the courtroom followed by the jury. 

The judge read the verdict while the camera focused on Derek Chauvin’s face.  I’m not sure if he was looking toward the jury or someone else as the verdict was read.  After the jury was polled, the prosecution asked for Derek’s bail to be revoked.  He was handcuffed and taken into custody.

The network I watched showed a split-screen of what was unfolding in court beside people outside the courthouse hearing the news.  Their cheering was a background to the judge’s reading of three counts of guilty.  I couldn’t tell if their celebration could be heard in the courtroom. 

Today, I am relieved that justice has been achieved in this case. I am surprised that I have mixed emotions. I thought I would be happier. Maybe, it is the brutality of how George Floyd died that dampens my celebration. I still wonder how this case would’ve gone if there was no video evidence. I am aware that the verdict will affect how officers try to protect and serve their communities. They may hesitate, fearing their actions will be seen as too aggressive. Some may resign or retire because they feel they will be over scrutinized for trying to do their jobs. Sadly, I also realize that there will be a next time.  And the next time, the outcome may be different for the police officer(s) and the victim(s) involved. 

Or perhaps, this is the beginning of a new way for the police to approach those they suspect of committing a crime.  We all have work to do if we are to change what happens.  I pray that we can begin conversations that help officers do their jobs safely.  I pray that we can begin to talk about the pressure African Americans and other minorities feel when they see flashing lights or hear an officer ask them to stop.  I pray that there can be healing and real change in the days to come.  I pray for all those in the courtroom who were involved in this case.  I pray for George Floyd’s and Derek Chauvin’s families.  I also pray for the officers who are awaiting trial.  Most of all I pray for all of God’s children.  And Amen.

The Flock is still in Need

Posted on by Bode

One of my favorite passages to preach on after Easter is John 21.  The opening verse tells us that Jesus appeared to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee.  Once again they were fishing.  As I reflect on this passage, I wonder why Peter had gone back to being a fisherman.  Was he doing this until things were quieter in Jerusalem?  Or was he still struggling with how to begin wearing the mantle that Jesus gave him when He named Peter as The Rock?   Or was he simply taking a break, going back to what was familiar in preparation for how the apostles would begin their work?

Whatever the reason, this is where Jesus meets them in the Gospel narrative of John.  There are many parallels with the call story of Simon Peter in the Gospel of Luke.  After an unsuccessful night in the boat, Jesus tells Peter to cast the net to the right side of the boat.  The catch was so full that they were unable to haul in the net.

Breakfast that morning was the fish they caught.  After a meal of bread and fish, Jesus spoke with Peter.  Jesus didn’t ask Peter about his plans for continuing the mission.  Jesus didn’t wonder who would follow Judas Iscariot, or when Peter and the other apostles would return to Jerusalem. 

Instead, Jesus asked Peter one question 3 times. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Then Jesus said, “Feed my lambs, Tend my sheep, Feed my sheep.”  With these nine words, Jesus shares with Peter what the focus of the new faith will be. 

From the love that Peter has from Jesus, Peter was called to care for the flock.  During his three years journeying with Jesus, Peter learned from the Good Shepherd how to feed the Lord’s lambs, tend the Lord’s sheep and feed the Lord’s sheep. As Peter began to wear the mantle Jesus placed on his shoulders, his mission was affirmed by Jesus.  Through love, care, support, and nurturing would the flock continue to grow and thrive.

I believe this passage is as much a part of our Christian heritage as Matthew 28 and the Great Commission. In many ways, Jesus continues to ask us if we love Him.  The greatest declaration of God’s love is to continue the tasks Jesus gave to Peter: tend the flock, and care for the sheep and the lambs.  

As part of how we answer God’s call, I invite us to reflect upon John 21.  Think of the ways that Jesus asks you and me: “do you love me?”  I hope that each of us can respond as Peter did: “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.”

Our Lord and Savior will encourage us to care for all of God’s children in numerous ways.  We are still being called to serve.  We are being asked, more now than ever, to care for God’s children. May we pray without ceasing.  May we find ways to feed the hungry, minister to those who are sick, and bring light into the darkness of people’s lives.  May we be innovative in our pastoral care for those who need to know that we are not alone.  May we share God’s love with everyone we meet, whenever and however we can. May we follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd as our answer to the question: “Do you love me?” And Amen.

And Now for Something Completely Different

Posted on by Bode

Growing up, I used to watch Monty Python, a British comedy group that was very popular.  Their shows were aired on PBS and many of the sketches are classic comedy.  In 1971, the comedy troupe created a movie called: And Now For Something Completely Different. I have used this phrase to introduce a couple of Sermon series, inviting congregants to reflect upon the Holy Scriptures in new ways.

The ancient covenant our Lord made with Abraham and every succeeding generation was truly something different.  Abraham’s faith was unwavering.  God’s promise to him, first described in Genesis 12 would not be achieved in Abraham’s lifetime.  The Book of Genesis offers us the story of those first generations of Abraham’s descendants.  At the time, God’s covenant with Abraham was something very different.  Abraham and his family were set apart to begin a new journey with our Creator.

What unfolds in the rest of the Old Testament are the ways in which God declared God’s dedication to the covenant He made with Abraham.  Women and men were called by the Lord to be prophets, teachers, and exemplars of what it means to believe in the one who created all of us.

The events which led to the liberation of Abraham’s descendants from Egypt are wondrously amazing.  Ten plagues were sent to the leaders of Egypt, declaring to the ancient Hebrews and the Egyptians that our God is God.  Each year, our Hebrew sisters and brothers retell this momentous declaration of God’s salvific acts in their lives.

We know that all of these things our Lord did for our salvation weren’t enough.  The people still turned away, going after other gods, forgetting the law which was written on stone but had yet to be written upon our hearts.  And then our Lord did something completely different, once again.  God came to us in human form, journeying with us, teaching us to live by the spirit of the law, and declaring for us how deep and profound our Lord’s love is for all of us.

Jesus’ mission and ministry offered us a new covenant, a new way of living, and a new way of being in relationship with our Creator.  We all know how the story continues.  God was about to do something truly amazing and transforming.  On Easter morning, Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body for burial.  We know what happened.  They were told: “He isn’t here.  He has risen!” The women were asked: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

God was making a new covenant for us, an everlasting covenant.  Each year, as we remember the Easter story, we do so knowing that Jesus will rise on Sunday.  Death could not hold Him. We celebrate that once again our Lord did something unexpected, something wonderful, something completely different so that each of us might have life everlasting.

That is one of the many things I love about retelling the story of the empty tomb.  God declared that nothing would keep us apart. Paul says it best in Romans Chapter 8:37-39,  “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

May we rejoice in all that our Lord does for our redemption and salvation. For He is Risen!, He Is Risen, Indeed. And Amen.

Easter is Coming

Posted on by Bode

We are about to relive the most anguishing moments in our Savior’s life.  Maundy Thursday is still the night that I wish hadn’t occurred.  The celebration of that particular Seder meal had to be bittersweet for Jesus and the disciples.  This is the night that Hebrews celebrated each year, commemorating the promise that God made to Abraham and his descendants.

It is the night when 4 questions are asked.  The story begins with an invitation: Why is this night different from other nights? The youngest child at the Seder then asks the four questions.

1)  On all other nights we eat chametz (leavened food) and matzah. Why on this night, only matzah?

2) On all other nights we eat all vegetables. Why on this night maror (bitter herbs)?

3) On all other nights, we don’t dip even once.  Why on this night do we dip twice?

4) On all other nights, we eat either sitting upright or reclining. Why on this night do we all recline?

I don’t know who may have asked the question on the night when Jesus and His disciples gathered to share this holy meal.  Was it perhaps the youngest disciple? Or was someone else chosen to begin the Exodus story?

After Jesus informed the disciples that one of them would betray Him, he gave thanks, took the bread, broke it, and gave it to the disciples saying: “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then our Lord took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying: “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sin.” (Matthew 26: 26-28).

It was then that Jesus’ trial began.  Not only the trial before the Sanhedrin but the trial for our salvation.  The disciples couldn’t stay awake while Jesus was praying to the Lord, beseeching the Lord to take this cup from Him, yet understanding why He came into the world.

Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the false witnesses who testified before the Sanhedrin followed.  The darkness of Thursday night was not dispelled by the dawning of Friday.  Jesus was questioned by Pilate and condemned by the crowd which gathered.  He was flogged, given a crown of thorns, and made to walk to the place of crucifixion.  He was nailed to the cross.  As He looked into the crowds there, He asked the Lord to forgive us.  He told a thief that he would join Him in Paradise.  He gave his mother to the care of one of His disciples.  He felt forsaken and thirsted.  And then, when His task was done, He commended His spirit to God. 

Easter is coming. Friday was not the end.  The wonder of the empty tomb, the appearance of the risen Savior, and the birth of our faith all happened, not because of the pain Jesus endured on Friday, but because He rose from the grave on Sunday.  As we journey through this holiest of weeks for Christians, we must spend some time remembering Thursday and Friday.  We may still wonder why.  We may wish that He did not have to suffer.  We may never understand all that the Lord has done is doing and will do for our salvation.  Be assured that Easter is coming.  Hallelujah and Amen!

Seder questions are from: https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/passover/four-questions

Six Degrees

Posted on by Bode

This is one of those theories that defy explanation.  Like many people in the latter part of the 20th century, I played a game version of the idea known as Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.  My friends and I would try to connect other actors to this very prolific star.  I believe the game could also be played with Tom Hanks or Meryl Streep.  All are very popular and have been cast in nearly 100 films each.  Which makes the connections between them and other actors easy.

When the game was very popular, ABC investigated the theory by finding two people in New York City who were complete strangers, and using their connections, showed how interrelated we all are.  One was a boxer the other a dancer.  Over the course of an hour, viewers watched as the boxer and dancer discovered the one person who knew them both. 

When I have considered people I have met throughout my life, I realize that I am one or two degrees away from actors, scientists and even a president or two.  I don’t believe this is a new theory about how we interact with one another.  And I am not sure if social media has made it easier to make connections or not. 

Still, I wonder how many people were able to say they knew Jesus.  A Samaritan woman invited all the people in her village to come and hear the man who knew everything she ever did (John 4:29).  A Centurion recognized Jesus’ authority and asked for healing for his servant (Luke 7: 1-10 or Matthew 8: 5-13).  Friends of a man who was paralyzed heard that Jesus was near and brought their friend to Him to be healed (Mark 2: 1-12). Jesus taught at the Temple, on the shore and in the fields of Israel (Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 and Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6).  He fed crowds and drew crowds as he traveled throughout the region.  Many knew him or knew of Him.

Jesus was a source of conversation for people on the roads from Egypt to Rome.  Those who traveled in caravans, family groups or pilgrimages to Jerusalem, talked about Jesus: the places he visited, the miracles He performed, and the ways He brought the Scripture to life.  To some he was popular.  For others he was notorious. 

And each time we remember His mission and ministry, by retelling His story, we also share the names of those He called to be His disciples.  We lift up those he healed, forgave and blessed.  We bring new life to the disciples who journeyed with Him, the people who followed Him and the ones who received His grace and forgiveness.  We affirm the connections made by the 72 Jesus sent out to prepare for His arrival in towns and villages (Luke 10). As those tasked with the Great Commission (Matthew 28), we are called to share the Good News of our Lord and Savior. May we continue to make new connections until all know the Lord as our personal Savior.  May it be so.  And Amen. 

More Puzzle Pieces

Posted on by Bode

The first time I came to Grand Rapids was nearly twenty years ago.  At the time I was on the faculty at Wayne State University Medical School.  I was taking Hebrew so I could read some of the Old Testament verses in their original language.  That’s when I heard about the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids.

So, my son and I made the trip across the state to learn the story behind the discovery of the scrolls as well as the patient dedication of putting the pieces together to recreate as many of the ancient manuscripts as possible.  Pictures were shown of the workers who sat at 15-foot-long tables with pieces of the scrolls spread out upon them. 

The first scrolls were discovered in 1947 in caves near Qumran.  The most recent discovery was reported yesterday.  Archeologists and scholars are very excited about these new pieces, anticipating what can be learned from these writings, to be placed alongside the other scrolls. Read more HERE.

Because I understand that each piece is a treasure, the puzzler in me would love to help place the fragments of the scrolls together to reproduce even one page of the manuscript. We will have to wait to see if these new scrolls enrich the holy texts which are so much a part of our lives.  May this latest discovery help us to see God’s work more clearly.

We are in the midst of our Lenten journey.  Holy Week is less than two weeks away.  During these 40 days, we have reflected on different parts of our Lord and Savior’s journey to the cross.  We may have a favorite healing miracle that not only restored a person’s physical abilities but also renewed their spirits.  The awesome power of grace shines through Jesus’ salvific acts. Each parable has multiple levels of meaning.  Even though there are cultural differences between today and the time of Jesus, these lessons of wisdom hold as much meaning for us today as they did in first-century Israel.

Each of the 4 Gospels offers us a different view of our Lord and Savior.  The Wedding of Cana and the Samaritan Woman at the Well are among my favorite passages from John.  The parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan are only found in Luke.  Jesus quiets the storm in Mark. And my favorite passage from Matthew 25 is the parable of the sheep and goats. 

Together, the 4 Gospels give us a deeper understanding of our Lord and Savior than each one does separately.  And yet, as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter, we may still ask one another why our Creator was willing to do so much for our salvation.  May we be blessed on this journey as we continue to work on the puzzling and yet fulfilling relationship we have with our God.  And Amen.

We’ve Come This Far by Faith

Posted on by Bode

It is difficult to believe that we have been living with a pandemic for an entire year now. I spent those first few days rethinking how I would spend my Sabbath day.  Before the pandemic, I often went to the movies or had lunch at Barnes and Noble, sampling a book or two while I enjoyed a cup of hot tea. I stopped by the grocery store a couple of times a week, usually on the way home from the office.  Tucker went to doggy daycare twice each week, playing with his own group of friends.

Like many of you, I didn’t really have time to prepare for those first couple of weeks.  As the Governor’s first order was issued, I was still trying to figure out what I needed to make it through the rest of March.  I spoke with my sister and niece, who were both physicians.  They had been reassigned from their regular clinics to help out with persons who needed to be hospitalized.  We prayed for one another constantly as PPE supplies quickly became unavailable. 

Grocery shopping changed the most.  Those first few weeks, I bought what I could, though most of the basic items I needed were gone.  The store I usually shopped at implemented social distancing and mask rules.  Shoppers had to wait in line to enter and each aisle became a one-way route. 

That first Sunday, as many churches were announcing that they were suspending in person worship, I hoped that a few churches were already streaming services online.  Some were.  I remember speaking with my brother-in-law and we agreed to tune into Olivet Baptist Church’s service on that first Sunday morning.  And even though we were separated by two states, we worshiped together. 

I have enjoyed participating in worship services throughout our District and across the state during the past year.  I have found comfort, inspiration, compassion, and understanding about our shared experience.  Some pastors have given voice to our fear, frustration, and futility that so much of who we are and what we do has been placed on hold.  Other pastors have shared where we are, while simultaneously asking us to focus on our dedication to our mission. 

We have been on this journey long enough to be able to look back over the last 12 months.  God has been with us and will continue to be with us on this journey.  We have come this far by faith, acknowledging that there is a new normal taking shape in our lives, our communities, and even our places of worship.  Whether in person or online, worship is essential for our relationship with our Lord.  Church, in all its forms, is where my struggles are voiced and valued, where my soul is nourished and encouraged, where my energy is refreshed and revitalized, and where my strength is reborn and resurrected. 

I offer you this gospel hymn for the days to come.  Know that the Lord isn’t through with any of us yet. And Amen.

Donnie McClurkin sings “We Come This far by Faith”

https://youtu.be/dqP0_wtfKmQ

Soul Reset

Posted on by Bode

In 2019, at the School for Pastoral Ministry, attendees were invited to begin reflecting on the theme for this annual session: “Streams of Healing Water.”  The speakers for our time of gathering were Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Chief Connectional Officer of the Connectional Table, and Rev. Junius B. Dotson, General Secretary and CEO of Discipleship Ministries. 

Both speakers talked about creating a personal space and space for our faith communities to have time to think about what was unfolding in our lives.  Possible options for the 2020 General Conference were presented.  Rev. Bigham-Tsai spoke of how members of the Connectional Table were engaged in continuing the mission of United Methodists.  We are a denomination that seeks to help those in need.  The words attributed to John Wesley are an integral part of our devotion and commitment to answer God’s call upon each of our lives.  “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” As part of her presentation, Rev. Bigham-Tsai asked each of us to consider how we might live out this quote while simultaneously facing the issues which are dividing the denomination.

Rev. Dotson shared how many of us, laity and clergy alike, are so focused on work and the goals of the kingdom that we have neglected our own spiritual well-being.  Rev. Dotson actually broke down at a funeral before he realized his life wasn’t fine and he needed a change, a soul reset.  Out of that experience, he wrote a book to help all those who seek to be God’s instruments, care for ourselves as we care for others. 

The work was published before we had any idea that we would be caught in the pandemic.  The work was published before the shooting of Breonna Taylor and the death of George Floyd. The work came before people began protesting about injustice.  And the work came before Rev. Dotson was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He lost that battle and went home to be with our Lord on February 24.  I include his memorial in this week’s Puzzler’s Corner.

Memorial Information/Obituary

Rev. Dotson’s book came for such a time as this.  A time for us to reset our souls as we prepare for what’s next in our lives, our faith communities and our neighborhoods.  There is hope that we are nearing the end of COVID restrictions.  I invite and encourage us to begin conversations about what is possible when we are able to be together in person again.  What can we do to live out God’s call upon our lives? What missions and ministries are possible now and once the guidelines of the pandemic end? And in the midst of our work, how can we also reset our souls, engaging in those spiritual practices which nurture and strengthen us? God continues to walk with us on our journey of discipleship.  And Amen. 

Midwest District