District News

Listening to Hearts and Souls

Posted on by Bode

As part of my journey toward ministry, I spent time in Iowa, as an Assistant Professor in the Speech and Hearing Department at The University of Iowa.  It is one of the few departments on the Iowa campus that has its own building.  It’s located between the football stadium and the basketball and wrestling arena. That isn’t what makes the building unique.  Known as the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center, it Is three floors, …well actually 3 and a half floors.           

When the building was constructed an anechoic chamber was built on one side.  It is a self-contained room, surrounded by concrete.  The foundation, walls and ceiling are a series of cones which are at least 6 feet deep.  The floor that one walks on is actually in the middle of the room.  It is composed of wire mesh suspended in the center of all the cones.  The room was the highlight of tours for prospective students at The University of Iowa.  The door to the room was about 3 feet thick, and when closed the room was utterly quiet.  This is the room where it is so quiet, you can hear a pin drop. 

You could hear your own heartbeat and if you stayed still long enough, even the blood rushing through your ears.  It is the quietest place I have ever visited.  In some ways it is a peaceful place.  Because there is no reverberation, your own voice sounds very different. No one spends a long time in the room, unless they are setting up an experiment. 

The room offered each of us who visited it, insight about how one’s hearing can be affected by the sounds, or lack thereof, around us.  It was revealing to know that the muffling that occurred in the room was sometimes how people heard sounds all the time.  Becoming quiet enough to listen for one’s heartbeat and blood circulation took time and skill.  The desire to say something became stronger, even when the goal was to sit quietly and listen for sounds within us. 

Time in that room taught me so much about how important the quiet spaces can be for our lives.  Listening is as essential to communication as speaking. Over the next few days, each of us will be invited to listen, not only with our ears, but also with our hearts and spirits.  I encourage each of us to hold one another in a loving embrace as the time for General Conference is at hand.  Create quiet spaces for prayer, reflection and discernment as we support the delegates at this special Conference.  Listen to the words being spoken, and listen to what is coming from the hearts and souls of all of us as we gather together for this momentous time.  And Amen.

Take time out to pray: GC 2019

Posted on by Bode

St. Louis, Missouri is also known as the Gateway to the West.  In an earlier time in American history, this city marked the border between cities and towns and unexplored and unsettled territories.  The city also has a special place for me because it is my adopted son’s birthplace.  It is the city he called home for the first four years of his life.  I made two journeys there as part of the adoption process.  The first was to meet him and spend a couple of days learning about each other.  The second was to pick him up and begin our lives as mother and child.

This weekend, nearly 900 delegates will make the journey to St. Louis for the special General Conference, called in 2016.  It will be a pivotal time for all who attend, and all who watch the livestream provided by our Conferences and other Conferences around the world.   

I ask that each of us take time out to pray for those in attendance, to pray for each and to remember that our love for the Lord and for one another still binds us as children of the living God.  May the Lord bless each of us now and in the days to come.  And Amen.

Bishop Bard’s Congregational Prayer for Feb. 24 is HERE

Watch the GC 2019 livestream HERE

Sign up to receive regular updates from MIUMC HERE

I Wonder As I Wander

Posted on by Bode

Like many of you, I have spent the last few days watching the live feed of the special General Conference convened in St. Louis, Missouri.  It began with a day of prayer, emphasizing this essential part of our faith practice.  Songs of praise were lifted up throughout the day, mostly in English.  The day ended as it began, with a loving embrace of the Lord who embraces each of us.  It was a blessed time for the delegates, observers and those of us watching from around the world.

Sunday came and I had questions.  I am not well versed in parliamentary procedure, and I did not have the ADCA book in hand to follow paragraphs referenced, and lines amended.  I couldn’t look to the rules to affirm which motions and procedures were out of order.  I only had a limited view of the room.  Cameras either focused on the presider or those called to microphones.  Other delegates were never seen.  Groups of people, or where they were from were never shown.

So, I have questions.  As the Traditional Plan passed and the other plans were not considered, I have questions.  I do not know the content of the plan, nor which matters were being referred to the Judicial Council.  As I heard impassioned speeches by those who support the Traditional Plan and those who are wounded by its passing, there is much I still want to know.

Our Bishop has asked us to take the time to reflect upon what has happened.  We will be receiving correspondence from him over the next several days, which I hope will answer the questions that remain in most of our minds.  I understand that some are angry, discouraged and disheartened by the decision of General Conference.  I also understand others are relieved, reinvigorated and renewed that the majority of the delegates have affirmed what is currently in the United Methodist Book of Discipline.

In the midst of all the questions I have, I ask of each of us, as we begin to take the next step in our journeys of faith, is to continue to love one another, offer grace to one another and continue to pray for one another.  Yesterday was painful to watch.  Again, seeing it from the live feed, and being unable to hear all that was happening away from the cameras was frustrating.  I know that those who were presiding over the last day’s session asked for grace, compassion and respect.  As the day continued, I saw less and less of that.

And so, I have questions.  About what happened.  About who couldn’t be heard because their names were not called from the pool.  About being more concerned about the order of the day than the need for people to provide witness and testimony on this historic decision.  About the protest that began.  About the 15,000 plus signatures from the young people.  I will wait for answers before I make any decisions.  For now, I will continue to pray for those who left General Conference with a sense of accomplishment and those who left weeping from the deep wounding of their hearts. 

May we continue to lift one another up in prayer, trusting in our Lord who loves each of us, His children and His creation.  And Amen.

We Are Still The Church

Posted on by Bode

“The poor are always with you” (Matthew 26) was the verse that Rev. Faith Fowler of Cass Community shared with the congregation of Court Street United Methodist Church while I served there as an Associate Pastor.  As Rev. Fowler gave this particular verse new life, she focused on the importance of each word.  Those who came to hear her message understood that as much as we do for “the poor”, there will be other persons who need to know of God’s love and how the Lord is at work in their lives. 

“Always” is a very long time.  No matter how much we accomplish, there will be another generation, another person or another place where more will be required of us.  Seeking to help the poor among us is not a 9:00 to 5:00 kind of job.  What we do for those in need comes from our vocation, dedication and obligation to be our Lord’s hands and feet for the world. 

“With you” invites us to journey beside those who are most in need in our neighborhoods and our faith communities.  We are not called to separate ourselves from those who need our help.  The Lord invites us to share a meal, our resources, and especially our very selves, so that we may make a difference in another’s life. 

Our work is difficult.  We may never learn how much we do will transform or has transformed a life.  We may be so focused on the next person entering the door, hoping to be helped, that we begin to wonder why we committed ourselves to this work in the first place.  We may be dismayed because the words of this Gospel passage are so very true.  

These are the words from Luke Chapter 4: 8-19: ………he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

We are the Good News of the risen Savior.  We are still the church.  We are still called to reach out to those who are poor, in body as well as those who are poor in spirit.  Our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is ever before us.

I ask and encourage each of us to consider these verses as we wrestle with the voting outcome of General Conference.  I also ask us to remember the towels that our Deacon brothers and sisters presented to us as a gift at the 2018 Michigan Annual Conference.  I want to close with the words written on those towels:

“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.”

And Amen.

Creating New Spaces for New Faces

Posted on by Bode

On Saturday, the Bishop called a special session for clergy in the Michigan Conference to come together for a time of worship, conversation and connection following General Conference, 2019.  I want to thank all those from the District who were able to attend.  There will be more opportunities for us, including Conference lay leaders, to gather again.  I ask and encourage one another to speak respectfully, with grace, compassion and love as we prepare for what’s next for our churches, and our denomination.  

We are now entering the second week of Lent, the time in our Christian calendar which calls us to remember and reflect upon our Lord’s salvific acts for us.  One of the many things I do each year is to take on a new mission.  Matt Witkowski, who serves as the Community Ministries Program Director at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids has shared an article, asking each church to consider creating a space for those who are suffering from addiction.  Please prayerfully consider how your faith community can make a difference in the lives of our sisters and brothers who suffer with addiction issues.  Click HERE to read Matt’s article.

Are you wondering if your church is a good place for this sort of mission?  Are you considering how to introduce a new ministry in your community?  Please sign up for one of the Mission Insite training days hosted by the Midwest District on March 30 and April 27.  There is no cost.  You will need a computer and a willingness to explore new ways that the Mission Insite program can be a source for creating new spaces and new faces to fulfill the mission our Lord has placed upon each of our hearts.  Click HERE for more information, including how to register, for either the March 30 or April 27 Mission Insite training events.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.  And Amen.

Tell Your Story

Posted on by Bode

This past Saturday, I attended a funeral for a friend, Rev. Mark Spaw.  He was the former District Superintendent for Ann Abor and served in that role for 8 years.  I first met him when I interviewed for Commissioning with the Board of Ordained Ministry.  I still remember the first question he asked me after he introduced himself.  It was and is a deep theological question to ponder.  “If Jesus can be viewed as three legs of a stool; each one representing His life, death and resurrection, which one would be most important for you?”  I was extremely nervous because this was my first interview of the day.  I took Rev. Mark seriously and began to imagine Jesus being represented by a stool.  So when he got to the question, I realized I missed it.  I had to ask him to repeat it. What followed was a reflection on how Jesus is manifested in our lives; through His servant leadership on earth, His willingness to give His live up for us, and the miracle of His resurrection.

During this season of Lent, we are asked to do the same thing.  Reflect upon how Jesus’ journey impacts our lives.  Consider how His life, death and resurrection has transformed and is transforming who we are.  I often encourage laity and clergy alike to tell our story.  As United Methodists, we are dedicated to doing work in and for the people in our churches, creating new ways to impact the lives of those who do not have a relationship with our Lord yet and celebrating who we are and who’s we are.  We are not good at telling our story.  Witness and testimony are a part of our Christian journey.  Christianity began as the apostles gathered in homes to share what they had witnessed during His mission and ministry.  People who were healed, spread the good news of how Jesus touched their lives and their hearts, restoring them and renewing them.  Cleopas and his friend rushed back from Emmaus to tell the other disciples that they had seen the risen Savior.  Personal witness and testimony of Emmanuel, God is with us.

Our faith was born through the remembrance of Jesus’ miracles, sermons and presence among us.  His message was not meant for one time, but for all times.  I invite and encourage all of us, whether we gather during worship, pot lucks, committee meetings, Bible studies or even pub conversations, to share how we have been touched, and are being touched, by Jesus’ presence in our lives.  Jesus’ mission is ongoing.  There is still work for us to do as we continue to be His hands, feet and just as important, His voice in and for the world.  And Amen.

Becoming More Like Jesus Everyday

Posted on by Bode

The winter of 2019 is quickly becoming a memory. I learned new phrases to describe the snowstorms that brought the state to a standstill in late January and a good part of February. Polar vortex and cyclone bomb have been added to our lexicon. As I write this blog post, all but a few inches of the snow mound that sits in my driveway, has melted away.

And the other day, I saw not one, but several robins. Dare I begin to hope that Spring has finally arrived? The promise of new growth and new life is in the air. The residents of Holland are preparing for the annual tulip festival scheduled for the first weekend in May. Some of our local churches are already considering which seeds to plant in their church gardens. Other people, with green thumbs, are waiting for the first thaw, so they can get busy tilling the soil. We are coming out of our time of hibernation as the days grow longer and warmer.

As we enter the last few days of this Lenten season and prepare for Holy Week, I invite you to consider and reflect upon what you may have set aside during the winter months. There are just a little over two weeks left to participate in the District mission call to make prayer shawls, lap blankets, port pillows and caps for cancer patients throughout the District. Click HERE for more info about the Stitching Challenge.

We all have gifts to share, and ways to make a difference in the lives of those we know and others we have yet to meet. Is there a possible mission opportunity that is taking root in your heart and soul? What do you need to get started? How can we get connected with one another to bring ideas to fruition? What is energizing and electrifying us in new ways that we didn’t notice even a month or a week ago?

As we begin to look forward to our Easter celebration, what are you preparing to do to transform lives? There are many ways that we can make a difference for people in our communities. Look around as you seek to accomplish your daily and weekly errands. How can you plant seeds of hope in the homeless who may be displaying a card asking for money or help? How can you till the soil for those who are struggling with depression, grief, or addiction? Can you bring words of grace and mercy which will take root in the hearts of those who find themselves in a physical or spiritual prison? As lives break down or relationships break apart, are you able to provide a place for people to mend and begin a new journey? What balms can you offer to heal those who are struggling with illness and disease? How can you share your love with one another, knowing that we are loved by a Creator and creating God?

The wonderful story told through the 4 Gospels tells us how our Savior did all these things, and more, for the salvation and redemption of the world. I pray that each of us can continue our journey to become more like Jesus each and every day. And to quote one of our hymns: “They’ll know we are Christians by our Love.” And Amen.

A Sobering Moment

Posted on by Bode

We are midway through the season of Lent. Each year I commit to giving something up, as well as taking on a new spiritual discipline. Often, I spend these 6 ½ weeks in prayer, sometimes by reading the Psalms, and others creating or reading a different prayer each day. I try to pray without ceasing as our founder John Wesley encouraged us to do.

The people, places and events we lift up in prayer can seem overwhelming at times. Crises happen daily. Celebrations are just as frequent. Because someone out there keeps track of these numbers: worldwide, there are approximately 15,000 new lives and 6,400 deaths each hour (http://www.ecology.com/birth-death-rates/). Praying over these 21,000 souls individually could take a lifetime. And yet, how spiritually fulfilling would it be to take time to pray for someone who is beginning or ending their life journey in this moment.

We are encouraged to spend this season of our Christian year praying about how our Lord’s salvific acts have transformed and are transforming our lives. During the rest of Lent, I encourage you to spend time in the Gospels reliving and remembering some of Jesus’ miracles. Reflect upon the ways our Savior gave new life and new meaning to those whose sins were forgiven. Named and unnamed persons in each of the 4 Gospels were touched and made whole by Jesus’ words and actions. Consider Zacchaeus, the Samaritan woman at the well, 10 lepers, feeding thousands with just five fish and two loaves, or the raising of Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter. Contemplate what the Lord has done for your life as well. Each of us has been touched by our Lord, shaped by our Lord and called by our Lord to continue His work in the world. What is your story of Jesus’ saving acts for your life, and how will you express their meaning for you and others during this time of Lent? And Amen.

Midwest District Treasurer’s Report

Posted on by Bode

In January we received $37,800 from our churches toward the Midwest District ministry budget of $225,000.  Thank you for your support.

At the start of 2019, the Midwest District supports the programs of the former Grand Rapids Metro Ministry. These programs include Native American Elders Program, ReadGR, Circles.

Grants for other programs will begin in March. The process for requesting funds will be outlined soon.

The 2019 budget for the Midwest District is $600,000 with $256,000 budgeted for the Circles program and GR Metro Ministry commitments for 2019 that have not been included in past district budgets.

I will continue to share monthly updates as we go thru 2019.

If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected].

Emil Jensen
Midwest District Treasurer

Midwest District Lay Speaker Certification Meeting

Posted on by Bode

The Midwest District Lay Servant Committee will be holding their annual Certification Meeting for Lay Speakers on Saturday, March 9 at 10am at St. Paul’s UMC in Grand Rapids. Applicants must pre-schedule their time with the committee by emailing Jody Pratt [email protected]. The deadline to schedule your time is February 28. Click HERE to view the Michigan Conference Lay Servant webpage. 

Midwest District