District News

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

Posted on by Bode

When I was very young, my parents would send my sister and me to my aunt’s house in Columbus, Ohio.  That is where 4 of my father’s siblings lived:  My Aunts Clairette and Amanda, and my Uncles Marion and Obadiah (who we called Obie).  My Aunt Clairette was a pastor at a time when women serving as clergy was rare.  I don’t ever remember her preaching during a Sunday morning service.  Her duties at the church included presiding over the afternoon services, leading the Wednesday night prayer meetings and visiting with those who were unable to come to church because they were ill or unable to travel.  She was an amazing woman in many ways.  In addition to her position as a pastor, she held two other jobs.  She was a baker for a local department store.  She baked pies and cakes on the weekend, which she sold for extra money.  She would clean homes from time to time.  She did all of this with a very bad ankle, which had been crushed when a car rolled over it.

My aunt studied the Bible daily.  She memorized most of it by the time I was born.  Whenever we talked, she would share verses from the Old and New Testaments that affirmed our faith and helped us both recognize God’s love in and for our lives.  I believe she was the first person I knew who made God’s word the Living Word. 

I have not committed each chapter and verse of the Bible to memory. Still, I have my favorite verses which I say from time to time on my travels throughout the District.  The King James version of the 23rd and 32nd Psalms are my favorites.   Ruth’s promise to Naomi also speaks to my heart about my commitment to answer the Lord’s call.  My son can tell you how often I made him recite all the words of God’s first commandment in Exodus 20:2-3.  Often, we delete God’s deliverance which is the premise for this commandment.  Many New Testament verses have become part of my personal lexicon.  These include:  “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”’ (Matthew 18:20). “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2).  “And now, these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). 

I have committed longer passages to memory as well, because each one I have selected speaks to my heart.  Which passages bring God’s word to life for you?  How many verses could you commit to memory in a week or a month?  Each one can be a source of prayer, or a way of beginning contemplative time with God.  “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6: 24-26) And Amen.

We’ve a Story to Tell

Posted on by Bode

A long time ago, one Summer which is now far, far away, I went to see the first Star Wars movie, which now has the subtitle: A New Hope.  I was overwhelmed by the way the story unfolded along with the special effects which were introduced in the film.  Industrial Light and Magic, the director’s production company, was created to bring George Lucas’ vision into reality.  George also invented the THX sound system which was introduced to movie theaters in the 1980s.  This innovative sound design also transformed how audience members experienced movies.  Since the first Star Wars trilogy, the list of movies which have used Industrial Light and Magic and the THX sound is impressive.  Most of us don’t stay long enough to view the end credits of a film, so we miss the significant number of people who help to bring words on a page to life.

Fast forward to December 20, 2019, when the 9th film in the series will premiere.  Many of those who worked on the original films will not be listed in the end credits.  They were the first and second generation of the new wave of special effects.  Many of them created their own companies which continue to transform how we view film. Pixar and computer animated cartoons are just one example.  Those who currently work in the industry still share the stories of the early innovators.

We can learn from their example.  I believe the goal of Ancestry.com and other genealogy websites is to help us connect with our past and tell the stories of our many generations great grandparents.  Like the credits at the end of the film, these websites only provide us with names.  We have to dig a little deeper to learn the stories that accompany those names. 

The same is true of our Holy Bible.  There are so many people who we only know by name.  The genealogies in 1st Chronicles are only one example.  They are the first people of our faith heritage and yet there is so little we know about their relationships with our Lord.  Over the centuries, we have lost why these persons’ names were included.  Part of their story is missing.

I also believe that is true in our lives.  We fail to tell the story of how our grandparents or parents lived a life of faith.  We don’t always talk about how meaningful Sundays in church were as we grew up, or how the people who sat in the pews with us were like our family.  We are not sharing our Christian heritage with one another.  We are not learning how God is still shaping and molding us and the world.  We are not celebrating answered prayers, ways we are in mission, and ways we have and continue to transform lives.  That is the Good News the Lord asks us to announce.  Not just once, but every time we gather together.  I want to close with the words of an older hymn that encourages us to tell others about the Lord.  “I’ll shout it from the mountain top, I want the world to know, the Lord of love, has come to me, I want to pass it on.” (#572 United Methodist Hymnal).  And Amen.

Getting to Know You

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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 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 Rev. LuAnne Stanley Hook.

 

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

I am Reverend LuAnne Stanley Hook, a newly commissioned deacon in the Midwest District. As new clergy, I am not new to West Michigan, nor to ministry. I began following Jesus Christ at a UMC in Terre Haute, Indiana and became excited about serving God at DePauw University, where local work projects and mission trips widened my view and heart for God’s people. I went to seminary and received my M. Div. from Vanderbilt, but decided not to pursue ordination, as elder’s orders didn’t really fit how I felt called to serve God. I ministered through social service, while serving in the church through lay positions, such as teaching.

I became a Michigander in 2000 and joined First UMC of Holland, where I learned of the 1996 creation of the Order of the Deacon. While reconsidering a call to ordained ministry, I was hired as the Youth Director at First, where I served for 12 joyful and challenging years, living into ministry fully connected with the church and inviting youth to participation in those work projects and mission trips that formed me in college. Eventually, I decided to finish what I started in seminary, and in June I was commissioned as a Provisional Deacon.

In my new role as Director of Community Involvement at First Holland, I am happy to be partnering with a God who is always ready to do a new thing, and to find myself doing just that.

 

What Happened to the Amen?

Posted on by Bode

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 I took while I was in Elementary School.  I also took Spanish, learned a little Japanese and Korean while I was in high school.  I minored in Spanish in college and enrolled in American Sign Language as I explored the possibility of becoming an interpreter for persons who are deaf. 

When I began attending Seminary, courses in ancient Hebrew and Greek were offered.  I took 3 courses in Hebrew which has given me a new understanding of which English words have been selected for the translation of the Hebrew Testament.  I guess in some ways I am an amateur etymologist.  Our language reflects our cultural heritage. Words in our language have Latin, Greek, German, French, Spanish and even Sanskrit origins.  Some words have been altered a lot since they were introduced into the language.  Other words have remained the same. 

Amen is one such word.  It comes to us from the Hebrew language.  It meant right, just, true or certainty. The English definition is somewhat different.  Amen is a solemn expression of belief or affirmation.  Amen is used today to express agreement or assent.  When the word is used at the end of a prayer or hymn, it means so be it, or it is so. 

But have you noticed that modern songs of worship rarely include this wonderful word which is a declaration of our faith? I miss it.  Growing up, men and women in my parents’ church would shout this word out more than any other, as the Reverend shared a message, agreeing with him and affirming that his witness and testimony resonated with them.  The Amen concluded our time of singing our praises to God.  For us, the word was a way of expressing our gratitude as we moved from a time of song to a time of prayer and preaching. 

There is a rich heritage in this single word which connects us with our ancestors in faith.  Amen is integral to how we express our relationship with God.  I don’t believe that it is a coincidence that Amen is also the last word in the Holy Bible.  Because it is right, just, true and certain that the Lord has shared the Scriptures with us.  The Holy Bible is only one expression of our Lord’s love for us, showing us all that the Lord is able and willing to do for our salvation.  May we continue to praise God.  And Amen!

YOUTH LEADERS: START PLANNING YOUR 2020 MISSION TRIP TODAY!

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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 offer them an opportunity to be part of a transformative summer mission trip experience.

Youth are asked to contribute just $100 per person for the mission, which includes all food, lodging, materials and a t-shirt, the remainder of the fee will be cared for by the Midwest District Mission Team. Deadline for registration is January 1, 2020 with a $50 deposit per team.

Team planning meeting in early spring 2020 at a location/time TBD. Questions? Please contact Jody Pratt MI Vim Coordinator, Middleville UMC [email protected]. Click HERE for the flyer with details and HERE for the consent form to complete and return.

My Favorite Book

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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 his birthday, one year.  When he died, I inherited the Bible.  I believe it’s at least 45 years old.

It is a treasured legacy from my father because it was the first Bible that was truly mine.  Since then, I have received three Bibles as gifts.  The first was from my grandfather.  When he died, my mother received the Bible his last church gave him upon his retirement.  That Bible sits in my office to honor my grandfather.  The second is an intra-linear Bible, from my first student appointment.  And the third, I received from my home church when I was commissioned as a Provisional Elder.  I purchased an Oxford Bible for Disciple Bible Study and Seminary.  I also have a few books of the Bible which stand alone because they were part of my Hebrew and New Testament studies. 

I have purchased two more Bibles in the past year.  The CEB Storytellers Bible offers commentary about many passages in the Old and New Testaments.  The scholars provide a new way of reflecting on stories that we know by heart, by introducing different questions about the culture, history and theology of ancient peoples.  My most recent addition is a Lectio Divina Bible.  The latest version has deepened my contemplative and prayer time with the Holy Scriptures.  I also use both Biblegateway and Biblehub to read other versions of the Bible, including The Message, the New Revised Standard Version and the New international Version of the Bible. 

I never tire of reading God’s word.  Sometimes, I even read it in other languages as well.  Each time I read the Bible, no matter what passage I have selected, I discover new lessons, new insights and new meaning.  I have committed to reading the Bible each day.  Even though the Scriptures were written centuries ago, it’s always amazing that God brings them to life each time we read them.  Maybe that’s why over 5 billion copies of the Bible have been printed, in nearly every language of our world.  Let’s commit to reading a chapter or two, or even a book or two this week.  And Amen. 

A Good Meal

Posted on by Bode

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 the separate ingredients of milk, yeast, sugar, eggs, oil and flour into enough dough to make 4 dozen rolls.

My sister had two favorite recipes. One was her mashed potatoes which are still the lightest and fluffiest I’ve ever had. The second was her signature barbeque sauce. My dad was a cook while he served in the Army. He could cook a variety of dishes, but my favorite was his salmon croquets. None of them used a recipe to create their dishes. They had prepared them so many times that they knew just the right amount of ingredients to combine.

However, that was before microwave ovens. That was also before the existence of numerous fast food franchises. Quick is the rule of the day. Cooking has become a lost art. Over the past few years, in an attempt to get back to home cooked meals, several companies like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh prepackage the ingredients for a delicious meal.

In all the ads I see for those companies, there is a clear focus on the ease of preparation. Open the box. Take out the ingredients. Follow the directions on the included recipe card,…..and voila, you have a wonderful meal. The commercial fades before anyone sits down to eat. Growing up, my family wasn’t as focused on creating the meal as we were on the conversation that happened as we shared it. The dinner table was the place where we talked about everything. My parents would share stories of work and the people who were in their department. My sisters and I talked about what happened at school and what homework we needed to complete.

On Sundays we’d talk about the church service, especially the sermon and how it would inspire us for the week to come. And sooner or later, my parents would ask us children about our plans for the future. We learned early that we were going to college, so we had to choose a career that required a college education. And most evenings, my parents would help us explore what we needed to do to achieve our career choices.

Does that still happen? Are our families so busy that we neglect a time to, not only prepare a meal, but also to spend time with one another? Our Lord and Savior showed us the importance of table fellowship. Feeding thousands fishes and loaves and the Last Supper are only two examples.

What are we missing because we don’t gather at the table anymore to share our dreams and celebrate the people in our lives? How are we failing to nurture the relationships we have with our nuclear and extended family when we rush to eat? Can sharing a meal affirm who we are, as well as whose we are? May we seek to create ways to meet over a meal, to begin, sustain, renew and deepen our relationships with one another and with our Lord.

Celebrate Good Times!

Posted on by Bode

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.  This was the first time in several months that opera was live.  A new production launched the 2019-2020 season.  The opening opera was Porgy and Bess.  The Gershwin composition has not been performed on the Met stage in 30 years.  What made the night special was the buzz around the cast, the choreography, the chorus and the traditional singing of the national anthem to begin the evening.  

Somehow, September is a time for celebration.  For parents (and some children) the new school year brings hope for what may be accomplished between now and next Summer.  If you are into sports, both college and professional football seasons have begun.  Baseball teams are gearing up for the playoffs and the World Series. 

A couple weeks ago, many churches celebrated the start of the Fall season with new Bible studies, discipleship programs, meetings for United Methodist Women’s circles, United Methodist Men’s breakfasts, and the other ways we support our faith communities. All too soon, we forget about the energy and excitement we felt on that first Sunday.  But what would it be like, if every so often, we took another Sunday to celebrate how our relationship with our Lord, and with one another, is constantly being renewed and reborn.  We could share how Scripture came alive for us as we engaged in a Bible Study, or saw the light of God in someone else’s eyes, as they entered church for the first time. Our stories may inspire others to answer God’s call upon their lives; to step out in faith when what we are being asked to do seems impossible.  Our excitement will be impossible to hide and it may also be infectious.  Let’s set aside time to say thank you Lord for touching our lives and celebrate what it means to be a child of God.  And Amen.

Taquarius

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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 burned and had to undergo numerous surgeries. In the story, which aired on ESPN’s SportsCenter, when Taquarius found football at age 7, his life changed. Once he donned the uniform, no one could see the scars left by the burns and the reconstructive surgeries that followed. And Taquarius was quick. Fast forward to today. With all that he has endured, Taquarius is a wonderful, determined, dedicated, brave and strong young man. When he walked across the stage to receive his diploma, he declared: “I made it! I made it!” Students and families celebrated this significant milestone with him. This Fall, Taquarius enrolled in Mesabi Range College in Minnesota to continue his education and his hopes to one day play in the NFL.

For me, this was a story of healing. Taquarius’ spirit, and more importantly his mother’s were renewed when he discovered football. No one saw his scars when he was in uniform. He was a dynamic receiver, able to move faster than his teammates and opponents. He wasn’t a child with burn scars anymore. He was another kid, excited to be on a team, able to try something new and be accepted for the gifts and talents he brought. He was, not only welcomed, but embraced by his high school coach, and now by his college team. And yet, part of Taquarius’ story is missing. The identity of the first coach who welcomed him was never shared. Did that coach see something that others didn’t? Why was he willing to put Taquarius on the team? Was the coach able to see the possibilities, the potential and the promise of a seven year old; more than the scars, the brokenness and pain that were a constant part of his young life?

Isn’t that what being a Christian is all about? Jesus doesn’t ask us to see the sin in each other, or dare I say, ourselves. Our Lord doesn’t want us to focus on how we are broken. Our Savior doesn’t want us to dwell in a valley of despair or hurt. Jesus came to help us rise up and fulfill the hope and promise He has created for each of our lives. We have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within us. The light of our Lord shines through us. God does not see us as we are. Our Lord sees who we have the potential to be. In His eyes we all matter, we all have worth. May we continue to share God’s light with one another. May we seek to not only welcome, but embrace those who are wounded, broken or lost. May we be more like Jesus in all that we say and do, so no one feels separated from God’s kingdom. And Amen.

I Am not The Energizer Bunny

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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 a week, as part of a school assignment.  We sat down to talk about my usual weekly schedule. As complicated as it was for her, it was the first time that I actually sat down to make a list of how I spent each week. We were both amazed at how many hours I worked on a week that did not include funerals, weddings, unplanned hospital visits or other pastoral care needs.  I discussed with her, how for me, a portion of what I do each day, and each week, is based on the needs of the people I serve. 

I can honestly say that there was no conversation around how I took time away to renew my spirit, feed my soul and spend time exploring my relationship with God.  I know that I am not alone.  So much of what we do as elders, deacons, local pastors, lay ministers, lay speakers, and lay leaders is task driven.  No matter how you prepare for a sermon, it takes time.  Life interferes with plans.  Even if we are conscientious about our own sacred time, there are days we will lose, because we must sit with a family, plan for a wedding, prepare for a funeral or manage some of our administrative responsibilities. More often than we care to admit, the first thing we set aside is our own Sabbath time.  Intentionally or not, we place our self care on a shelf. 

We keep going and going and going.  And what begins as a couple of weeks, before we realize it, becomes a few months without a break.  Our bodies and our spirits may send us warning signs.  It’s harder to focus.  We experience a few sleepless nights.  Or it’s harder to get started in the morning.  Our energy level is low, and we can’t seem to raise it through our usual spiritual practices.  We can’t remember when we last spent time away, investing in those things that help us relax. 

We will be unable to effectively care for others, if we fail to care for ourselves first.  If, for whatever reason, your scheduled day off doesn’t happen within a week, find another day to step away for a time of rest, reflection, rejuvenation and renewal.  May the Lord bless you in all that you do.  And Amen.

Midwest District