District News

Information Overload

Posted on by Bode

Over the weekend, I was watching a series of classic Halloween movies.  For many soon-to-be stars, these movies were their onscreen debut. One of the channels I watched discussed how these classic films came into being.  That drew me to a deeper search about the movies, their cast, and their directors. 

While I was looking at some of their biographies, a little window appeared on the side of the screen, displaying ads for some of the latest items I had viewed or ordered online.  I understand that many websites have ways of looking over my shoulder so to speak.  I am sometimes overwhelmed with a variety of pictures and videos that companies hope I will view, visit, and possibly make a purchase.  And though the internet has become an encyclopedic source for me, I also am aware of these other pieces which are a snapshot of how I interact with the internet.

The same is true when I write these reflections or prepare a sermon.  I discover much more than I can include in a single message.  The thread of connections that are revealed from the search is sometimes wondrous and amazing.  Searching one Bible passage invites me to discover how words or phrases which resonate with me can be found in other places.  New connections, increasing my understanding of how awesome our Lord is, come from the way God has written and is writing the words of the Bible on our hearts.

The Shema, an ancient Hebrew prayer we first read in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, becomes the greatest commandment in Matthew 22: 36-38.  There are numerous illustrations of our Lord as a shepherd in both the Old and New Testaments.  “His steadfast love endures forever” is a refrain frequently sung in the Psalms and embodied in our Lord’s salvific acts from Isaac to the resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ. 

Sometimes, my preparation work leads me to look through either my Strong’s Concordance or my Hebrew one.  Both share how a particular word is present throughout the Bible.  Some words like ark (in English) appear mostly in one book.  In Hebrew there are two distinct words for ark. Noah’s Ark (tevat Noah) and the Ark of the Covenant (aron ha-berit) are not used interchangeably.  The information each word search reveals is like those ads which appear as I focus on the task at hand.

Those side journeys are often as enriching as my reason for reading a passage or reflecting on one of my favorite Bible verses.  God is renewed in the word whenever I conduct these searches to discover connections I never realize existed.  These revelations are ongoing and affirm God’s love for each of us.

Need I say that the same happens with people?  There is a series of books by Squire Rushnell called When God Winks. The premise of these books is that there are no coincidences.  There are moments in our lives when God nudges us to meet and journey with others in subtle ways.  Sometimes we are aware of these nudges.  More often, we only see God’s work in our lives when we take the time to look back. 

I close with this task for you.  I encourage you to tell a story of how a chance meeting has impacted and influenced your spiritual selves.  Maybe you assisted with a food pantry or community meal and made a connection with one being served or another worker.  Has that connection become a lifelong friendship?  Is it possible you were part of a Women’s Circle that provided lap blankets, baby blankets or prayer shawls, and you saw someone wrapped in one at a grocery store or waiting room? Have you had a conversation with a visitor to your church before or after the worship service, only to meet that person a few days later, with a smile or a nod, realizing that this person is no longer a stranger? How is God speaking to you today and each day?  And Amen.

I Am Inspired

Posted on by Bode

As the District Superintendent, I have the privilege to attend worship services, online and in person, of the faith communities in the District.  This is also the season for Church Conferences in which I learn of the missions and ministries which are beginning or discovering new life, following our journey through COVID.

I want to celebrate that many faith communities are journeying with congregants and those who are outside their church walls.  In one service I attended, the annual sale of their signature dessert was about to take place.  The coordinator described the day-long process and work commitment needed to ensure that the dessert was available for sale.  He did so with humor and joy because the church was finally able to restore this longstanding tradition for the greater community.

Watching the local news a couple of weeks ago, I learned of a new diaper ministry that one church started in response to the needs of young families in their area.  School principals and counselors are reaching out to churches seeking assistance for gaps in services that current school budgets and staff shortages can no longer provide.   

During Church Conferences, as pastors share their reports, most describe the plans for the coming year, seeking ways to be in mission and ministry with those who attend, those present online, and others who are just beginning to learn about what it means to be a child of God. 

Many churches have identified the importance of discipleship work for congregants.  Identification of spiritual gifts and how to share them in achieving the church’s mission and ministry are also being explored.

For the devotion I lead at the Church Conferences I am asking us to consider the Parable of the Sower. Imagine we are the farmer who tosses the seed into areas, most of which will not bear a harvest.  The seed which finds fertile soil will yield a harvest 100, 60, and 30-fold.  Our faith communities are beginning to cast those seeds once again.  And yes, the harvest is beginning to happen.

If you are wondering how to begin or continue this kind of conversation, I invite you to consider the Fresh Expressions events which are being offered on November 12th, 2022.  The link for more information is below. May the Lord continue to bless us on our journey of service for one another.  And Amen.

https://michiganumc.org/go-to-the-people-in-your-community/

We’ve Come This Far By Faith

Posted on by Bode

When I was a doctoral student, I enrolled in classes in Neuroscience in preparation for my dissertation. In the introductory course, each professor in the department shared their research and what they had discovered (or not) about the section of the brain they were studying. 

My favorite lecture was from a scientist who was investigating sleep patterns in humans and animals.  The introductory sentence of his lecture captures how exciting and frustrating research can be.  After twenty years of work, this was the conclusion he realized: “The longer we stay awake, the more likely we are to fall asleep.”

The lecture then involved the different ways he had tried to locate a sleep center in the brain, with no success.  Removal of targeted areas did not stop subjects from falling asleep.  Changes in the chemicals associated with wake and sleep cycles also had no effect. And though more recent research has identified the structures which control sleep, the process for how it works, is still a mystery.

Much about our physiology still needs to be understood. There is not always a correlation between what we do and a part of the body that is the source for these things. I am confident that there is no faith center in the brain, even though some researchers have sought to discover it for decades. Faith in our Lord is born out of the witness and testimony contained in Scripture, celebrated in our traditions, reflected in our sermons and Bible Studies, and lived through our dedication to the Great Commission.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a part of faith stories.  Stories of healing, of strength, of sorrow turned into joy, of doubt turned into hope, and of conflicts transformed into harmony and love. Nearly every day I am blessed by the ways that God is still moving in our lives and shaping us to journey with one another as we discover how God is with us and calling us to mission and ministry.

I have the privilege of hearing new ways that people in our faith communities are reaching out to invite others to be a part of our journeys.  Laity and clergy are asking those in their neighborhoods how to help them and by their example inviting new faces to be part of a journey of faith.

There are times when our faith is tested.  The work we do for one another doesn’t always work out as we planned.  Missions that were the way we were known in our community prior to COVID, no longer resonate with us or those we serve today.  We don’t see the same people on Sunday.  Some have gone on to glory, others are just gone.  We may be feeling as if what we do no longer matters or has meaning.

And then we hear a story of blessing, of ways we are truly making a difference.  These are the mustard seeds in our lives that once they take root, will continue to grow far beyond anything we can imagine, as an expression of how our Lord is at work in our lives, preparing the way before us.

I want to share a recent event in my life which affirms God is with us.  The daughter of one of my friends is experiencing a serious health issue.  When it was learned that specialists would need to be consulted, her parents realized that it would be months before they could get an appointment with the proper physicians.  After asking their faith community to pray for their daughter, the couple received news that they would be able to see a physician in two weeks, rather than two months or more.  

What stories of faith are being manifested in you and in those who journey with you? Are you inviting others to share their witness and testimonies of faith, so together we learn that God is with us? I close with this song as inspiration and affirmation of who we are and whose we are.  And Amen.

 

Midwest District Conference

Posted on by Bode

The 2022 Midwest District Conference was held on Saturday, October 15 at 10am

2023 Midwest District Budget is HERE

2023 Midwest District Leadership Roster is HERE

Midwest District Conference Minutes are HERE

The link to view the recorded Midwest District Conference is => https://link.edgepilot.com/s/4c42f66f/9FXBF7EpkEqC86MecpEwsg?u=https://michiganumc.zoom.us/rec/share/5rCoV7Vb-x4rMHfubtTkYYifqfuH2Yr9rLkolC0j5F3TlZAceIzmnimWBX7KGPmT.wcmJlXU70c57HWJc

Passcode: 9+Tqy*0b

I Am Not a Fair-Weather Fan

Posted on by Bode

This past weekend was not a good one for many teams.  Michigan State lost to the Buckeyes on Saturday.  The Lions were unable to score any points against the Patriots on Sunday. And as I write this post, the Cleveland Guardians are losing to the Yankees, once again.

For me, the most painful game on Sunday was the contest (or lack thereof) between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo scored quickly and often and never looked back. Midway through the fourth quarter, the network which aired the game switched to one that was more competitive.  In a way, I was disappointed. Because as painful as the game was to watch, I was willing to support the Steelers until the very end of the contest. 

My dedication to my favorite teams has not waivered over the years. Rarely has Cleveland won a championship, and it’s been a while since the Steelers have lifted any trophy.  Yet, my home still contains several souvenirs from each team.  Even though I can recount far too many stories of the way my teams have been able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, I still have hope that one day they will make it to the next level, and possibly raise a trophy.

The world is changing around us.  Being a Christian does not have the same meaning and importance that it used to.  Even before COVID hit, regular attendance in our faith communities was declining.  Many churches have not seen the recovery they hoped for, now that the pandemic has waned.

We are on a new journey of faith, being shaped by God to bring the Good News to people who are unchurched or de-churched.  There are more people outside our faith communities than in. Some see the cup we have as half full, at best.  Others are not as optimistic and believe the cup is more than half empty. 

I can’t help but remember the words of the 23rd Psalm.  Our cup overflows.  Now and always.  We are living through a time between what was and what will be.  God is preparing the way forward, cultivating the soil in order to plant new seeds which will take root in the future.  We are called to share our witness and testimony of how the Lord is with us, guiding and guarding our lives, supporting and comforting us, inspiring and moving us to share the Good News of God’s love in and for the world. My faith endures.  It has not waivered, even though we find ourselves in a difficult place. I know that God is not going anywhere.

I have been to the Holy Land twice.  In so many ways it is a very moving and affirming journey.  Over 10 days, I listened to tour guides tell stories of our religious ancestors as if the women and men of the Bible were alive and with us today.  The recounting of King David’s success and struggles are shared as one travels through Jerusalem. As I sat on the Temple steps, listening to a person in our group read one of Jesus’ parables, it was easy to imagine how the disciples and others gathered around Jesus in that very same place over 2000 years ago. God is present with us each and every day.

We have a story to tell the nations (Matthew 24:14) about one who loved and loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son so that we might have life eternal (John 3:16). Our Lord’s promises for our lives have yet to be fulfilled. May we share what it means to know God in ways that inspire people to join us on our journey with God.  Faith is truly like a mustard seed (Matthew 13: 31-32).  Let it grow in you. And Amen.

Devastation

Posted on by Bode

When I was a child, I remember being affected by only one hurricane.  It was Camille, a category 5 storm. Landfall was in the Mississippi and Louisiana areas.  By the time the remnants of the storm reached Ohio, it sparked tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and very strong winds.  I was at camp at the time, and it seemed as if the cabin’s roof would be torn off.  The next morning, we awoke to the damage the storms caused.  There was a downed powerline which trapped us inside the cabin for a couple hours.  The stream on the campground had become a raging river.  There were downed trees everywhere.  Even with all that, the damage was minor.

Over the past two weeks, I have watched as first Hurricane Fiona and then Hurricane Ian made landfall.  Both developed into Category 4 storms with sustained winds of 155 mph.  And each slammed into areas with fierce winds and storm surges that decimated Fort Meyers, Englewood, San Juan, and Toa Baja to name a few places.  Some persons were unwilling or unable to evacuate in time, many needing to be rescued after the hurricanes passed.

Power has yet to be restored to most of the island of Puerto Rico.  Roads are impassible in southern Florida. The bridge from Fort Meyers to Pine Island has been partially destroyed.  Homes and businesses have been turned into rubble.

I have watched coverage for both of these storms since September 13th.  As Fiona left Puerto Rico and headed toward Bermuda, and then Nova Scotia, our eyes turned to the second tropical storm in the region which became Hurricane Ian.

After both storms passed, stories of heroic rescues began to be shared.  A man who swam ½ mile to rescue his mother.  A woman who needed help escaping from her flooded car.  Families that were carried by boat from their homes to drier areas. And each day, we learn more and more about the courage and determination of those impacted by both major storms.

Help has come swiftly.  United Methodist Disaster coordinators are already in both regions, assessing the damage and asking how can we help? Requests for Flood Buckets aka Cleaning Kits have come from the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC).  There are many ways we can help.  Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Caledonia (84th Street campus) has been designated a drop-off site for these materials.  They will be collecting items until October 24th.

If your church is able to donate monies, they can be sent to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC).  MMDC can purchase supplies directly. Donate by texting “Donate” to 855-589-1314 or go to midwestmission.org/donate.

Your church may also contribute directly to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR): US Disaster Response and Recovery HERE

A third option is to purchase needed supplies online.  I am also including the links to Walmart and Dollar Days for this option. These items can be sent directly to MMDC.

Walmart verified supplies needed: https://www.walmart.com/registry/RR/c9f2e7dc-d623-4d8e-a819-80965282d0bf

Dollar Days verified supplies needed: https://www.dollardays.com/cleaningkit/wishlist.html

Midwest District Conference 2022

Posted on by Bode

We dare to hope that our decisions for mission and ministry are no longer being driven by the pandemic.  We have been living in a liminal space for over two years.  And yet, there are more decisions before us.  On the morning of October 15, 2022, from 10:00 am – 12:00, we will gather for the last District Conference of the current Midwest District.  The event will be available via Zoom. There will be 4 different phases of our time together. These are some of the questions and thoughts I have had or heard about since March 2020. They will help shape our time together.

  • Are you grieving over the people who stopped attending church at the start of or during the pandemic, and are yet to return?

  • Are you saddened by missions that could not be started, sustained, or expanded because they had to be placed on hold by the constraints of sheltering in place?
  • Are you wondering how to create new spaces for new faces, and have no idea whether that means learning more technology to create a holy gathering place online or reaching out in new ways in the neighborhood surrounding your faith community, or both?
  • Are there resources out there to help us begin to vision again?
  • How do we support one another in and between our faith communities to continue God’s work in and for the world?
  • Do you have questions about the future of the United Methodist Church, the transition from nine to seven Districts, and the possibility of a new Bishop, beginning in January 2023?

Our time together on October 15th will be an opportunity to just breathe. We will also explore what we have experienced and how to discover new ways to connect with one another, support one another, and celebrate God’s presence in each of our lives.  Whether you wish to light a spark, reignite a flame, or hear God’s still small voice continuing to call you for mission and ministry know that we are blessed in all we do in our Savior’s name.

  1. A Time of Prayer
  2. A Time of Reflection
  3. A Time of Conversation
  4. A Time of Prayer

Recently a survey was sent to the pastors in the Midwest District for the Leadership Team to have some sense of where we are in our churches, across our District, and around the state.  I want to thank those who responded so quickly to the survey.  During our District Conference, Pastor Alex Fernandez, Chair of the Leadership Team will lead part of our conversation time as we seek to prepare for the future mission and ministry of our churches.  May God be with us.  And Amen.

Register for the 2022 Midwest District Conference => https://michiganumc.org/event/midwest-district-conference/

 

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Posted on by Bode

Last week I watched a video that brought me joy and laughter.  It was with a 7-year-old boy named Tariq.  Tariq lives in South Dakota and loves corn.  Rather than me describing the video, please take a moment to watch it (the link is below).  Tariq describes corn in a new way.  I only heard about the video after it went viral, and Tariq was made the cornbassador of South Dakota.

His interview was a bright spot for me, as the news this past week has been anything but.  On Saturday, I found myself watching the path of Fiona as the storm developed into a hurricane and devastated the island of Puerto Rico.  I also learned of major storms which hit Alaska and Japan.  There was an earthquake in Taiwan, and someone captured the collapse of a gym roof on film as people narrowly escaped the debris.

So, I needed a child to tell me how much he liked corn.  When I was an Audiologist, many of my patients were children.  Before the hearing tests began, we would have a brief conversation with them, building rapport as we called it, so they wouldn’t be nervous when we put the headphones on or did other measures.  The conversations were usually delightful and always enlightening.  The children chose the topics.  It could be their favorite cartoon, action hero, snack, or what they learned in school or church. 

Each Sunday morning, when possible, children are invited to a special time in the service where they can share their own witness of how God is moving and shaping our lives.  They may be invited to recount the story of creation, the animals that might’ve been housed in the ark, what happened with baby Moses, or other events. When asked an open-ended question, the children are often prompted to say that Jesus is the answer. 

There are also special Sundays when we invite the children to tell the stories they have learned.  Sometimes it’s reenacting what they experienced in Vacation Bible School.  Or the annual Christmas pageant, that’s supposed to follow a script but hardly ever does.  I am always moved when 1st and 2nd graders lead The Lord’s Prayer for the first time.

I realize that not every faith community has children in attendance.  There are videos available which chronicle how children relate to the world around them.  While I watched Tariq’s video, I also found several recordings on how children describe God, heaven, and some of the Bible stories they were taught. I invite each of you to seek ways to share our children’s stories whenever and however we can.  Seeing the world through children’s eyes can bring new light and life to ours.  And Amen.

https://youtu.be/1VbZE6YhjKk

Looking Back

Posted on by Bode

This past Sunday was a momentous day in the world of sports. The NFL season kicked off with several games pitting quarterbacks against their former teams.  Two games went into overtime.  As the Major League Baseball season draws to a close, races for the pennant are becoming more exciting.

For the first time ever, at Flushing Meadows, a nineteen-year-old won the Men’s Championship in tennis, breathing new life into the sport.  And if you aren’t into sports, the movie Barbarian topped the box office this past weekend.

News outlets were still covering the death of Queen Elizabeth and how her reign impacted the world.  Before attending a church service, I searched for at least one documentary which commemorated September 11, 2001.  I couldn’t locate one.  On the way to church, I listened to President Biden’s address from the Pentagon, but other remembrances were absent. I was more than a little surprised that there were no programs being aired on this day.

I reached out to my niece after church.  In 2001, she and her mom were living in New York City.  She had interviewed for a position at the World Trade Center in late August, and was not offered the job.  Her first day would’ve been September 10th. Shortly after the planes hit both towers, I was able to reach my sister and her daughter who shared they were alright. After that, we couldn’t get through for five days. Speaking about it 21 years later, brought back all the feelings we had on that Tuesday morning and the days that followed.  I didn’t want the day to pass without honoring the victims and their families.

I discovered this Esquire article, written by Tom Junod on September 9, 2021.  It is entitled The Falling Man: An unforgettable story. https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a48031/the-falling-man-tom-junod/

I hope that, as painful as it is, we continue to share what happened on September 11, 2001.  I attended a worship service which celebrated Communion, following a prayer for all those affected by the attacks on September 11.  We told the story of our Lord’s sacrifice, that was in its own way a tragic event.  On the night when He gave Himself up for us, Jesus was suffering.  This was the last meal He would share with the disciples.  Judas Iscariot was about to betray Him.  The other disciples were going to hide and deny that they knew Him.

But out of that meal, came a new promise for all of us.  In the midst of tragedy, there was also grace, joy and love. Each time we gather for Communion we celebrate the new covenant that was born on that night.  Through worship, study, mission and ministry, may we continue to share the transforming story of our Lord and Savior.  May we be blessed by what our Lord has done is doing and will do for our salvation.  And Amen.

God’s Light

Posted on by Bode

I am hoping that this Fall we are returning to the routine of in-person church.  I’m not sure if it’s true for you, but I think I took Sunday mornings and what happened in worship for granted.  During the worst part of the pandemic, I missed the singing the most.  Zoom is not really good for blending voices unless you have a special earpiece that takes care of the auditory feedback which occurs.

And of course, online fellowship, in the chat section, isn’t quite the same.  I couldn’t see the people I was speaking with.  There was no time to have that casual conversation before or after the service to ask how family members were doing or sharing the latest prayer needs or reasons to celebrate.

I believe not sharing Holy Communion was one of those things I missed the most.  I think I had taken the importance of breaking bread and lifting the cup together for granted. 

Over the past couple weeks, I have enjoyed sitting in a pew and really looking around the Sanctuary.  In a way, I am reacquainting myself with all those elements I didn’t see for a long time.  The vestments were the first thing that caught my eye.  The color of the season is green, but the different styles that I see reflect, not only the church year but the faith community’s heritage.  Some have been homemade by members, others donated to honor or remember a beloved member of the family of faith.

Throughout the year, the vestments change to reflect the journey through our Christian seasons, from Advent, through Lent, from Easter to Pentecost, and Kingdom Time.  Other elements around the altar also change.  Churches that offer Vacation Bible School will use thematic materials to introduce the story of Jesus to our Lord’s youngest children.  Candles are lighted to symbolize the light of Jesus entering into our world and our lives at the beginning of each service.  At the close of worship, that same light is carried back into the world.

Almost in every service I attend, my eyes are drawn to the Sanctuary lamp, the light which never goes out.  Its presence reminds us that God’s light is everlasting.  And even when we couldn’t attend church in person, these lights still shone in each of our worship spaces. 

Each time we see the lamp, we have God’s blessed assurance that He is with us at all times, to dispel the darkness which surrounds us.  This one light is a beacon for who we are and whose we are. And yet, because it is always there, I wonder if we have overlooked the importance of the lamp, rather than celebrating that God’s light has never dimmed in us.  I hope that as we return to worshipping in the same place together, we take time to see the lamp which burned for us while we were away, and that somehow shines brighter now that we are returning.  And Amen.

Midwest District