District News

Adrenaline Rush

Posted on by Bode

I first heard this term when I was in high school.  It is one of the body’s defense mechanisms when one senses danger, experiences stress or is fearful.  The release of adrenaline creates a flight or fight response in which there are physical changes in the body.  Heart rate and blood pressure tend to rise.  One may feel stronger and be less likely to feel pain.

Sometimes we may seek to experience the rush.  For nearly 20 years, I visited 9 major Amusement Parks to ride every rollercoaster.  Universal Studios, Disney World, Sea World, Cedar Point, Six Flags and even King’s Island were among them.  And each time I stood in line, waiting for my turn on the loops, twists and turns, I felt that adrenaline rush.  The feeling usually faded away after the slow ascent up the first hill ended with the pause before the first deep plunge. 

I had some control over which rollercoasters I chose to ride.  At any point, I could step out of the line if I was too afraid to be seated, strapped in and go up that first hill.  However, during my Clinical Pastoral Experience year, my experience with adrenaline rush was totally different.  Whenever I made my rounds, visiting patients in the pre-surgery area or their hospital rooms, I was fine.  Unfortunately, that was never the case when I was paged to go to the Emergency Room. 

I knew that something dire was probably unfolding there.  I was being called to sit with a family of someone was seriously injured, involved in a car accident, or worse.  My blood pressure would go through the roof, my heart rate would definitely increase, and sometimes, as I entered the ER, I had to take a moment to control my breathing.  I know that I was only there to be present with others who were feeling the same thing I was because someone they loved was in pain.  My role was to be the calm, supportive presence in the midst of the storm they were experiencing. 

These are some of the things I noticed while I journeyed with others.  Time was different.  Sometimes it sped up, but usually the minutes and hours crept by.  I became an advocate for others, making sure they took care of themselves.  I made sure family members had a little sustenance, whether it was something to drink or a light meal, I was the one who called the kitchen for them.  I was the one who located a quiet room for them to wait in, if they couldn’t stay with the patient.  I went and found all the tissues I could.  I prayed with families, sang with families and even cried with families.  I kept a vigil with those who had to make difficult and impossible decisions.  Often, I would go to the hospital’s chapel after I ministered to others, to pray and seek comfort from our Lord.

I believe we have entered a new kind of adrenaline rush.  It’s not like any rollercoaster ride any of us have experienced.  It isn’t even what we do to prepare for the call that brings us to an Emergency Room.  It’s as if we’re paused at the top of that first hill. We may be able to see what is before us, but we’re unable to move forward…yet. 

Breathe.  Just breathe, deeply. 
Find the quiet center in your soul.  You will discover that the Lord is already there with us, creating a space of peace, comfort and support.  And Amen.

Sheltering in Place

Posted on by Bode

As we enter the first week of the Governor’s order to shelter in place, it is far too easy for us to focus on what we can’t do during this time.  I have never been a cup ½ empty kind of person.  I live by the words of the 23rd Psalm.  My cup overflows. 

I consider this time as Sabbath, maybe even a Jubilee kind of Sabbath, where we may be taking not just a few days, but a few more weeks maintaining a safe physical distance from one another.  I can invest the time away from meeting face to face to being in connection with people through the phone, social media and even by using up some of the stationery I packed away before this move.

I can increase my meditation time each day.  I have the Peloton exercise package.  It comes with a stationary bike, and the ability to access other exercise forums.  I plan to focus more on the Yoga and Meditation exercise offerings, spending time relaxing each day.

In speaking with my son, who lives in New York City and is about a week ahead of us in terms of self protection, he has taken full advantage of Prime Video, Netflix and Disney Plus.  He now has the time to binge watch some of his favorite shows.  His film library has grown, and we exchange reviews on movies we have discovered for one another. I also learned that YouTube is releasing concerts for free viewing online.

Last evening, as I was channel surfing, I saw a great challenge for tennis players who are unable to play at present. It was a hot potato contest with a roll of toilet paper.  Some were able to hop it off their feet 15 to 20 times.  Others used their rackets.  Maybe that’s an activity we can train our children to do.  Please be sure to remove any fragile or breakable items in the play space. 

I have a very active dog.  In keeping the Governor’s order, he too is spending more time at home rather than playing with friends.  We are working on mini-agility exercises to keep him engaged and busy. 

I am also catching up on my reading.  I still read the Bible each day.   I have also picked up a few e-books as well.  Throughout the day, I try to rotate through a few of these options as I continue the work of Superintendency.  I take the time to pray for each of us, our families and our faith communities. I am hoping that there are Bible studies for you to participate in.  Or as you crochet, knit or quilt from home, that you are able to take pictures of what you have created to share with one another.

Please be in an attitude of counting your blessings during this time. “Reach out, reach out and touch someone.  Call up someone and just say hi.” (Bell telephone ad, circa 1970s) Be innovative in how we live out what it means to be connectional.  Share how you are living with one another.  Share how you are feeling and be honest.  Being afraid is okay.  Feeling vulnerable is okay.  Being happy, sad, full, empty, bored, frustrated or just so so is okay.  No person is an island.  We are not alone.  May God continue to bless us.  And Amen. 

Be Prepared, Don’t Panic

Posted on by Bode

How to begin.  I lived in Iowa for about 5 years.  The floods of 1993 happened while I was there.  That year, it had started raining in April, with a steady downfall of an inch or more each day.  Over the July 4th holiday, the skies opened up.  Nearly 10 inches of rain fell over three days.  Since the ground was already saturated, the water had nowhere to go.  Flood waters rose quickly and the entire state of Iowa was basically shut down overnight. 

The people came together in novel ways to help one another.  Shelters were set up for people who needed to move out of flooded homes. New travel routes were created to avoid impassable roads.

In 1998, just before I moved away from Iowa, a series of tornadoes hit.  I can still remember the warning siren going off, moments before I headed to a closet for safety.  Although no tornadoes touched near my home, that wasn’t true for all of Iowa City.  I was able to drive over to a friend’s house.  Their neighborhood was devasted by fallen trees and damaged homes.  No one had power. 

The people came together in novel ways to help one another. Several people brought out grills and we had an impromptu barbeque as clean up continued.  Many lawns were cleared of debris and no one went home hungry that night.

Because of these events in my life, I am usually prepared for staying in place for a couple of weeks or longer.  And although I never considered that a pandemic would be something to prepare for, here we are. 

Our lives have drastically changed in a week.  As the first cases of Covid-19 began to appear in the state, colleges and universities began shutting down and sending students home as a precaution.  On Thursday, Governor Whitmer announced the closure of all K-12 schools, as another precaution.  On Friday, the Bishop requested that churches suspend in-house Sunday worship services for the remainder of March. An added precaution in our places of worship. Our leaders are asking all of us to change our lifestyle, for protection. 

Over the past week, I have seen more panic than preparedness.  Understandably, there has not been a pandemic in our lifetime.  However, we can come together in novel ways to help one another.  Social isolation does not mean hibernation.  We can contact one another by phone or go old school and send out cards and letters.  We can take advantage of technology and participate in online chat rooms, blogs and other social media avenues for our Bible studies and prayer groups. 

We can be part of those who ensure our children and elderly have enough food.  Many grocery stores have a pickup or delivery system.  Take advantage of them.  Many restaurants have carryout or delivery options as well.  Use them when you can. Pharmacies have check out windows.  Most banks have a safety wall already installed.  Social distancing is already a part of our lives.  If you are sick, please stay home.  This recommendation is not only to protect yourself.  It is also to protect others around you who may already be susceptible to infectious diseases. 

Most importantly.  Pray.  Reach out to one another by phone or the internet and lift up each other by name over the coming days and weeks.  God be with each and everyone of you.  And Amen.

Precious Lord

Posted on by Bode

Last week I was watching a documentary which debuted in 1982.  Its title is Say Amen, Somebody.  Through interviews and performances, the film chronicles some of the early composers and musicians of African American gospel music.  One of the people featured was Thomas A. Dorsey.  In one scene, he told the story of how he wrote Precious Lord, Take My Hand. In 1932, Dorsey went to St. Louis to sing in a revival, a month before his wife Nettie was to have their first child.  He didn’t want to leave her, but she encouraged him to go anyway.

As he sat down to perform, a young boy from Western Union handed him a telegram informing him that Nettie had died. He returned home to their baby boy, experiencing both grief and joy.  Within two days, his newborn son died too.  Over the next several days, Dorsey grieved.  And that grief created the song Precious Lord, which was his own prayer to God for the inconsolable grief that he experienced in those first few days.   The entire story around the composition of this song can be found HERE. 

Over the years, this song has become a prayer for me when I have grieved over the loss of family members, friends and saints whose lives I have celebrated.  I know that the Lord is holding my hand each time I walk through the valley of loss.  Like the 23rd Psalm, this hymn takes us from the depths of despair to a place of hope and assurance. 

We are living in anxious times.  I don’t feel I need to list the topics that may be causing us to lose sleep, to worry or to be fearful about what could happen or even what will happen.  I pray that you know that our Lord is always with us, sharing our joys and our griefs.  May we turn to the Lord, asking Him to take our hands and lead us from our grief into a time and place of hope and promise.  And Amen.             

The Roads We Travel

Posted on by Bode

Last weekend, I put nearly 1,000 miles on my car. On Friday, I was invited to the transfer of property ceremony of the Saginaw Chippewa tribe in Standish, Michigan. And on Sunday, I went to St. Clair to celebrate a friend’s 90th birthday.

Because I have never been to Standish before, I mapped out Friday’s trip, before I left home. After traveling up US – 131, I exited onto M-10 and after some twists and turns on back roads, going on US-127, then onto M-61, I arrived at the Tribal Center. It was an interesting way to arrive in Standish.

On the way back, I thought I’d just reverse my course. Instead, Siri took me another way. Down M-13, to merge onto I-75, I passed the Midland, M-10 exit and a chance to head west sooner. Across the Zilwaukee Bridge, one of my least favorite places to go, and then onto I-69. After passing Lansing, I was back on I-96 and headed to Grand Rapids. Surprisingly, the different routes took about the same amount of time, and were the same mileage.

Once I left US – 131, I was in new territory. I had never been on M-10 past Midland before. I passed a few small towns that I had only seen on a map. I even saw a sign for a United Methodist Church as I went through Gladwin, I think. When I arrived at the Tribal Center there were people I knew. There were many more I didn’t. I still felt welcomed and was glad to be part of the ceremony.

The journey home looked unfamiliar at first. Then I passed Wilson’s Cheese Shop in Pinconning and I knew where I was. I think that was when I actually relaxed. Because I recognized that Saginaw and I -75 were just ahead, I was comfortable with the directions Siri was giving me. Past Saginaw, over the top of Flint, through Lansing and back to Grand Rapids. That wasn’t true on the road to Standish. I’ve only seen the names of cities and towns above Big Rapids a couple of times. Even though I mapped out the route on my phone, I still wasn’t confident that I would arrive at my destination.

The trip on Sunday was very different. I have driven the I–96/69 corridor more times than I can count. I didn’t even put the destination in my phone. It was the about the same mileage as the trip to Standish, and it took the same amount of time. This time, the road was familiar. I knew exactly where I was going. This trip was very different as I was looking forward to the birthday party as I drove across the state. I knew what would happen when I arrived back in St. Clair.

This Saturday, laity and clergy across the state will gather at Albion College in Goodrich Chapel for a Special Session of Annual Conference. We are coming from different directions for a Yes-No vote to bring the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation Legislation to General Conference 2020 so it might be considered by the delegates to the General Conference (May 5-15 in Minneapolis, MN). We may also be in different places spiritually as we consider what will, or won’t, happen in May at General Conference. This is not an easy time for we who are called United Methodists. We are torn, we are saddened, we are fearful, and we may even be angry about where we are today. The road ahead is not clear. Our destination is yet to be determined.

Let us pray for one another as we come together on Saturday. May we also continue to pray for one another in the weeks to come as delegates from around the world prepare to travel to General Conference. May the Lord continue to be with us during this time. And Amen.

Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley

Posted on by Bode

The title of this week’s Puzzler’s Corner comes from a song I learned in Elementary School, back when we sang Christian songs and there were music classes.  The verses of this song capture what these 6 ½ weeks of our Christian year are all about.  Like Jesus, we must spend time in a valley of solemn reflection. Our United Methodist tradition offers us a variety of ways to journey through the season of Lent. 

We may choose to give up something; usually a habit which is detrimental to our bodies and souls.  We may also be encouraged to take something on, a mission or ministry that will make a difference in our lives and the lives of those we are called to serve.  Some do a Daniel fast, following ancient dietary restrictions for the entirety of Lent.  Others engage in greater individual and community devotional time. 

There are also films produced to share this wondrous story of Jesus’ mission with us.  Ben-Hur, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Jesus of Nazareth, and The Passion of Christ are among them.  Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar were 70s Broadway musicals that are experiencing revivals across the nation. 

And of course, there are the Four Gospels.  Each one offers us a different understanding of Jesus’ life, mission, ministry, sacrifice and resurrection.  We learn from the authors of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John how transformative His time on earth was, how significant His salvific acts are and how much our lives are still being shaped by the promise of His return. 

The Lenten Season is a time for us to reflect upon what Jesus has done, is doing and will do for our salvation.  We may wrestle with why Jesus had to take the path He did, remembering the prayer He lifted up in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22). As Christians, we are called to walk through this valley with Jesus now, even though we know Easter is coming.  Please know that Jesus’ story is part of our story of faith.  Please share what you are doing during these 46 days (40 days if you don’t include Sundays) with one another as we remember and celebrate the love of our Lord and Savior.  And Amen. 

Getting to Know You

Posted on by Bode

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, 2019. Each one will also be featured in a special Puzzler’s Corner. I invite you, who are their sisters and brothers to reach out and welcome them to the Midwest District and the journey toward answering the Lord’s call upon their lives and vocation. Today’s guest blog post is from Pastor Zach McNees.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43:19a

mcnees family photoPastor Zach McNees serves two half-time appointments at GR Northlawn UMC as Lead Pastor and as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship at Valley Church in Allendale.

He and his wife Sarah (an adolescent counselor) just welcomed their first child, a son, Logan, to the world in January 2020.

Zach has been serving in youth and local-church college ministry for the past 12 years and has a heart for connecting people in Intergenerational Ministry.

In his free time, Zach loves watching sports (Go Blue!), reading a good book, playing a variety of instruments, and hanging out with friends and his amazing family.

Zach loves meeting new people and learning their stories; reach out and he’d love to meet you for a cup of coffee!

 

Open a New Window

Posted on by Bode

When I was in high school, one of the musicals we performed was Mame. The play and musical are based on the story of Patrick Dennis’ eccentric aunt who must raise her nephew after his parents die. One of the songs that explains Mame’s philosophy of life is called Open a New Window. The song encourages Patrick, and each of us, to try something new every day of our lives. I have taken these words to heart and will often take on new projects, teach myself new crafts, or go on an adventurous vacation because it’s different.

A couple of years ago, I went to Arizona to view the Grand Canyon. Seeing this natural wonder of the world was fantastic. But that wasn’t the best part of the trip, as thousands of people regularly travel to Arizona for a view of the canyon. I also went on an off-road tour. Our jeep was never more than 2 miles from civilization. And yet, it felt like we were in a wilderness.

Last Spring I attended my first Star Wars Celebration where nearly 100,000 people gathered to experience an imaginary galaxy filled with thousands of peoples and planets. I have traveled to New York city to watch Broadway shows, operas and walk through the Metropolitan and Guggenheim Museums. But whenever I go to the Big Apple, I always discover something new that wasn’t on my planned list of activities.

I treasure some of these moments more because they get me out of my routine. A few years ago when I traveled to the Holy Land, our tour group spent a day in Old Jerusalem. Our tour guide led us to the Tomb of the Holy Sepulchre and then announced we were on our own for the rest of the day. I spent two hours at the Tower of David, located near the Jaffa Gate of the Old City. Its rooms help recount the 3000 year history of this holy city.

Every day is a new way that the Lord affirms the promises He has made for our lives. God invites us to partake of all that is offered to us on our journey through life. May we embrace each day with wonder, with excitement and with the knowledge that God is with us. For our Lord is making all things new. And Amen.

Alphabet Soup

Posted on by Bode

We are drowning in acronyms.  There are too many abbreviations in our language.  I began using them when I was in high school during my training to be a Nurse’s Assistant.  One of my main responsibilities was recording vitals for patients.  Since all medical records were written back then, shorthand codes were a must.  BP was blood pressure, HR was heart rate or pulse.  SOB was shortness of breath.  When I rotated through the Emergency Room, I learned about CVAs (Cerebral Vascular Accident or strokes), MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident) and GSW (Gun Shot Wound).  Later I learned about the APGAR and the PKU tests which are performed on newborns.

And that has begun a journey of abbreviations and codes which describe our lives.  Texting has added so many more of these to our language.  LOL, YOLO, JK, and IDK are just a few of the many texts my son and I exchange.  The other day, I had to look up FTW (for the win). 

The same is true for the how we talk about our Lord and Savior.  Sometimes we refer to the two sections of the Bible as the OT or NT.  IHS, which is a monogram of Christ’s name has also been interpreted as In His Service.  Several years ago, we adorned bracelets which had the acronym: WWJD. And the text OMG is a common commentary between myself and my son.

Many of our agencies are only known by their letters.  UMCOR, GBHEM, and even UMC are among the acronyms we share with one another.  In the secular world there are phrases like SSA, CPS, and DHS.

Whenever we use acronyms, we unintentionally exclude persons who aren’t part of the inner circle.  I encourage us to be intentional about describing and defining who we are and what we are about in our Christian walk by using all the words.  Let us reflect upon how we can engage and communicate with one another in new ways that embrace our relationship with God.  And Amen.

The Never-Ending Story

Posted on by Bode

There are phrases and sentences which have become classic.  We may not remember how some of them became part of our lexicon.  Others take us back to the moment we saw the movie, read the book or first heard the song.  One of my favorite movie phrases is “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away….”  That phrase has introduced 11 movies to date.  Even if you are not a fan of the series, you probably recognize this particular introduction to a battle between good and evil. 

Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities begins with this epic sentence: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”  The remainder of this book tells the story of the French Revolution. 

And even though we have just celebrated the Advent season and the birth of our Lord and Savior, Hark the Herald! Angels Sing is one of Charles Wesley’s numerous hymns which commemorates this most holy day.  One of the first prayers we learned may have begun with “Now I lay me down to sleep.”  At some point we also learned the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed.

Some of us have one or more favorite Bible verses.  I love Genesis Chapter 1, Verse 1.  “In the beginning” is a wonderful way to introduce an origin story.  What follows are the accounts of our fore- fathers and mothers.  Their journeys of faith make up the entire Hebrew Testament.  All in anticipation of God’s promise for our salvation which is contained in the New Testament. I often repeat a variety of verses from the 4 Gospels each day of my life.  Matthew 9:37, Mark 1:3, Luke 4:18, and John 10:11 are among them. 

Even though I have read countless books, I do believe the Bible is tops on my list. I can read a passage over and over and learn something new each time. The struggles of the people in the Old Testament resonate with me more and more.  I view the journeys of Abraham and Sarah, Kings Saul and David and the faith stories of Ruth and Esther in more, rather than, less complicated ways.  More than any work ever produced, the Bible is our never-ending story of God’s love for all of His children.  And Amen.

Midwest District