District News

In the article I posted immediately following General Conference, I stated that I had questions about the legislative process, the vote taken and what happens next.  I can say that the same is true of our Annual Conference.  I have questions about what we do next.  I attended Bishop Bard’s listening session, which I thought would be a time of addressing some of the questions we all have.  Most of those who spoke during the session did not have a question.  Each person spoke of their fears, concerns and woundedness. 

I wish to continue the conversation within the Midwest District.  Over the next few months, there will be a few Holy Conferencing sessions.  Below are the guidelines from UMC Discipleship Ministries ⇒ https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/guidelines-for-holy-conferencing-what-god-expects-of-us

Guidelines for Holy Conferencing: What God Expects of Us

Every person is a child of God. Always speak respectfully. One can disagree without being disagreeable.

As you patiently listen and observe the behavior of others, be open to the possibility that God can change the views of any or all parties in the discussion.

Listen patiently before formulating responses.

Strive to understand the experience out of which others have arrived at their views.

Be careful in how you express personal offense at differing opinions. Otherwise dialogue may be inhibited.

Accurately reflect the views of others when speaking. This is especially important when you disagree with a position.

Avoid using inflammatory words, derogatory names, or an excited and angry voice.

Avoid making generalizations about individuals and groups. Make your point with specific evidence and examples.

Make use of facilitators and mediators.

Remember that people are defined, ultimately, by their relationship with God — not by the flaws we discover, or think we discover, in their views and actions.

We believe Christians can discuss important issues without the acrimonious debate and parliamentary maneuvering that can divide a group into contending factions. We see too many examples of that in secular society. We believe the Holy Spirit leads in all things, especially as we make decisions. We want to avoid making decisions in a fashion that leaves some feeling like winners and others like losers.

We can change the world through honest conversation on matters about which we are passionate.

We offer our thanks to the participants at The Global Young People’s Convocation and Legislative Assembly, sponsored by the Division on Ministries with Young People, through the Discipleship Ministries, held in January 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa, for inspiring the framework of these guidelines. They adopted similar guidelines for Christian Conferencing at the convocation. This work is based on guidelines for “Holy Conferencing” that emerged from the United Methodist “Dialogue on Theological Diversity” in February 1998.

Currently, the District Office is working to schedule these Holy Conferencing sessions throughout our area.  An announcement with dates and times of the sessions will be shared in the near future.  I ask you to keep one another in prayer during this time.  I understand that we are divided on this issue, but I ask that we treat one another with respect, grace and compassion, and refrain from language that is hurtful, condescending and divisive. 

May God continue to be with us each day.  And Amen.

Last week, clergy and laity gathered together for the first official Michigan Conference.  As is usual, we began with the Memorial Service, honoring those who journeyed with us, and have now gone onto glory.  The Bishop, Laura Witkowski, Associate Director for Lay Leadership, and Rev. Dr. Jennifer Browne, Director of Clergy Excellence delivered powerful and inspirational messages about how we can put our courage into action.

We celebrated Local Pastors who completed the Course of Study or have become Associate Members.  We said farewell to our Retirees, who had a combined 600 plus years of service.  We also welcomed those who were commissioned and ordained at the Conference’s closing service on Sunday. 

Becca Farnum and Kirsten K. Grauer were invited Conference speakers.  Becca is an Environmentalist, Peacebuilder and Educator.  Kristen is a Foreign Service Officer in the U. S. Department of State.  Awesome titles.  And if you asked me what either of those women did, I couldn’t offer you any kind of job description until they spoke.  And then I was amazed.

Becca, a Preacher’s kid, works all over the world, helping communities find ways to use natural resources to provide food and water.  Becca is a thinker and a dreamer.  She enters into neighborhoods, recognizes a need and helps those living there develop creative ways to bridge the gap between what is and what is possible.  You wouldn’t know that from her title.  It’s the way she seeks to be the voice and hands of our Lord each day that was truly inspirational. 

 The same is true for Kirsten who is also a Preacher’s kid.  As she shared with us what it means to be a diplomat, she also spoke of the unique way she has answered the Lord’s call on her life.  She credits her upbringing in the church for how she is in relationship with other Americans and the people they serve throughout the world.  Like Becca, she has brought God’s love to her work and the people she serves.

Neither of their job titles encompass all that these women do each day.  They have met numerous people, developed meaningful relationships and transformed lives.  In their own way, they are both living out the call God has placed upon them.  They are making a difference by being present in body and spirit during some very difficult and complicated places in our world.  Each woman models what it means to live as a Christian in a world that needs more examples of how God’s love lives in each of us. 

We too have a title.  Whether it is lay leader, lay speaker, lay minister or clergy, these words do not begin to describe what we do.  We live out the call the Lord has placed upon us in both extraordinary and unique ways.  We embrace the call to mission and service with the spiritual gifts we have received.  Like Kirsten and Becca, it is not our titles which define our work.  It is how we seek to live out God’s commandment to make disciples for the transformation of the world that translates into what we do in our Savior’s name.  We are teachers, counselors, healers, environmentalists, ambassadors, orators, dreamers and doers.  May we continue to reach new people, build new relationships and create new communities of love for all of God’s children.  And Amen.

 

I watch sports on a regular basis.  Not every sport, but enough to be amazed by the choices we have to watch competition each week.  In memory of my sister who died, I watch the Indianapolis 500 each year.  I don’t follow any one racer, but I did notice that a British woman finished in the top 20.  The NBA Finals begin tomorrow.  The Toronto Raptors will be appearing in their first championship.  This will also be the first time that the games will be held on Canadian soil.  The French Open, the second of four major tennis tournaments, is going on now in Paris.  Major League Baseball is in full swing, pun intended.  National and international soccer tournaments are ongoing.  Very soon athletes will begin to prepare for the Olympics.

And all that is to say how much sportscasters talk about records.  Who’s at the top of a sport now, who has been at the top of the sport in the past and who has the potential for the next generation are constantly discussed to fill in the space between whatever’s happening on the court, field or arena.  Sometimes, I tire of hearing about the record breakers, and the “greatest of all time” monikers.

I often think about those who are able to compete and never receive the accolades of those who lift a championship trophy.  When I lived in Iowa, B. J. Armstrong, a graduate, came back to help with basketball camp.  For those who do not follow the NBA, B. J. played on the Chicago Bulls and often substituted for Michael Jordan.  Need I say more?  Whatever successes or accomplishments B. J. made, he never received the level of media attention as Michael Jordan.  And yet, because he was part of the Chicago Bulls, he was a part of their success. He returned to Iowa each Summer to inspire young children to play basketball.

Milestones are constantly happening in the sports world and the rest of the world as well.  People are making a difference in the lives of others.  What they do may never set a record, or gain the attention of any news organization, but I’d like us to reflect upon persons who have touched and changed our lives.  Remember a teacher who recognized your gifts and talents and encouraged you to follow your dream.  Thank a nurse, physician’s assistant or doctor who held your hand as they shared a diagnosis and developed a treatment plan.  Thank a friend who helped you pick up the pieces of your life when everything fell apart.  Thank the stranger who stepped outside of their comfort zone to help someone else.  Thank the pastor, lay speaker or church member who testified to how our Savior is alive and well and transforming lives.  Thank a child who is hearing the Good News of Christ for the first time and helps each of us to see the world through their eyes.  

The only way that any of these achievements will be known, is if we tell the stories.  Ordinary people are constantly doing extraordinary things.  We are changing the world.  We are transforming lives.  To quote an African song: “We are marching in the light of God.” And Amen.