District News

We Have The Technology

Posted on by Bode

Each day I am amazed by the way technology has become such an integral part of my life.  I remember when I was the remote-control channel changer for our television. And cooking was an art.  My mom typically had something baking in the oven while simultaneously stirring whatever was simmering on the stove. Dinner would take hours to make. Now microwave ovens significantly cut prep time.

Long lines at grocery store checkouts and longer lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles were not uncommon.  Last week I renewed my Driver’s License online.  After a few questions, I was approved to receive a new license in the mail.  I realized that I didn’t receive a notice for my 2022 tags. As I visited the Secretary of State website, I learned how this process had changed as well.  It is now easier to request new tags, and I don’t have to type in a PIN anymore.

My phone has become a mini-encyclopedia. SIRI and I talk a few times each day. It’s also a navigator, meteorologist, and measuring tape.  I can take pictures, record videos, and create voice memos.  Voice transcription software has come a long way, too.  I remember struggling with convincing the first edition of Parrot software that I was saying “cochlea” and not “Coke and a”.

Our phones, computers, cars, and T. V.s are leading the technology wave.  What I wonder is how we create a space for including some of these innovations in our faith journeys.  Many churches have discovered the difference online worship is making for our faith communities. We are discovering that some persons are comfortable with attending worship from home.  Then how do we include these persons in a time of fellowship or a coffee hour following the service?

What do missions from home look like? How do we engage in social media to plant seeds for ministry?  In what ways can we share the Good News of our Lord and Savior, by posting videos, chatting, or tweeting the ways we are touched by God? Could we all answer the question that Jesus asks of the disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20).

I also ask us to consider how we bring John Wesley’s ideas for small groups into the 21st century.  How could we reimagine and reshape how we participate in Covenant Disciple Groups, Classes, and other small groups which ask each of us to answer God’s call upon our lives? We are a connectional church.  What ideas do you have, and can share, about the ways technology is being embraced by the people you serve?  Please let one another know what you have discovered and what you are learning. God is truly making all things new.  And Amen.

And Now You Know the Rest of the Story

Posted on by Bode

Before there was Sirius XM radio, and even before there were numerous FM stations playing top 40 hits, there were classic AM radio shows. One of the best was Paul Harvey. He had that natural radio announcer voice that drew the listener in to whatever he was saying. There were pieces that he shared that helped define what America was like in the middle of the last century. “So God Made A Farmer,” is still one of the best broadcasts I have heard. (https://youtu.be/ZRDaPEaDJ7E). 

My favorite segment of his broadcast was titled: “And Now You Know the Rest of the Story.” There are over 3,000 of these 3-5 minute segments which would describe an event in a person’s life or a moment that would have an influence on history that seemed rather insignificant at the time. Paul Harvey would offer a few details, even a couple of hints in the story as he related details about a person’s early life. But it wasn’t until the reveal at the end, which preceded his famous tagline, that evoked a smile or nod from the listening audience.   

Paul was a true storyteller. He had a gift for recognizing our potential. He took ordinary life experiences and shared how, in this one person, they became the foundation for who they would one day be. A lesson in school, the purchase of a toy or modeling kit, the first time someone saw a movie, entered a competition, or found inspiration to pursue a particular career were the ingredients in Paul Harvey’s works.   

Pastors and laity are called to preach. We have a story to tell the nations. It is the best story our Creator offers us. The Great Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20) invites us to share the Good News of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Our Lord has brought us a new and everlasting covenant, so that one day we may all feast at the heavenly banquet. Each of us is called to share how lives are continually transformed. We have a rich heritage of people in the Old and New Testaments who have shaped our own faith journeys.   

Samuel was a small boy, helping Eli in the temple when the Lord called him by name. Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi, a foreigner, a Moabitess until they returned to Naomi’s hometown. David was a shepherd who probably longed to join his brothers in battle before the day he met Goliath. Rahab sheltered two of Joshua’s spies, changing her life and the life of her family. A young girl named Mary was visited by an angel of God and told she would bear a son who she was to name Jesus. Four fishermen were invited to become fishers of people. Sight was restored to the blind, lepers were healed and a paralyzed man walked again. Men and women were forgiven for their sins, and 70 persons were sent out to visit towns and villages ahead of Jesus’ arrival.  

All these things happened so that we might know the awesome power of our Lord. His steadfast love truly endures forever. And because we know the rest of the story, that one day our Lord and Savior will return in glory, revealing all that He has done and will do for our salvation, we can tell the rest of the story. And Amen. 

Workers Needed

Posted on by Bode

There are numerous ads that promote search engines for finding a job.  The commercials make it sound so easy.  On some websites, applicants upload their information and wait for businesses and organizations to contact them.  Other sites boast about their success rate for finding the right person, with the right skills and experience for their dream job. 

That’s not quite how I remember it.  During my career as an Audiologist, I had to constantly tweak my resume. New assessment tools were being introduced all the time, and my goal was to quickly become proficient in order to be the top candidate.  More often than not, this was the response I heard.  “Thank you for interviewing with us, but you’re not quite what we were looking for.”  Sometimes I learned why I wasn’t offered the position.  I was overqualified, underqualified, didn’t have enough experience, had more experience than the salary permitted, or I didn’t match the academic philosophy of the department.

Some of the interviews were conducted at national conventions.  It felt like speed dating.  With a pack of resumes in hand, I’d visit different company booths, meet managers, share my training and eagerness to work, and then move on to the next company. It was during one of those visits that I was asked to consider doctoral studies at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis).  The professors I met chose me to be part of the next class of students.  I felt like I was recognized and welcome.  I moved from Cleveland to Memphis with little hesitation because of the way I had been treated from that first greeting.

Then the Lord called me to become a minister.  This was an invitation to consider a different kind of job. Jeremiah 1:5 is a clear statement on how our Lord chooses those who are to serve.  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.”  I hope these words strike a chord with you.  God has plans for us.

For those who are called later in life, we may have the experience of another career to help us become servant leaders, teachers, and preachers.  Peter, Andrew, James, and John became fishers of people.  Matthew (Levi) was a tax collector, and Judas Iscariot had some experience with counting and caring for money.  Until Jesus’ words of invitation transformed their lives…..and ours.

We are living in amazing times. We are still being asked to share the Good News of our Lord and Savior, seeking to make new disciples and transform the world.  When we realized that the Lord was asking us to join His team, we may have left another career to do so.  God hasn’t asked us to fill out a job application or submit a resume.  Our Lord has shaped us to serve in these times.  Our gifts and strengths are needed now.  Take some time to remember the moment God called you, chose you to be part of this wondrous journey.  Each of us, whether we are laity or clergy, has known or will know that special moment when we are invited to join the best team and the greatest workforce there is.  And Amen.

For Your Reflection

Posted on by Bode

When I purchased my first car in a decade in 2016, I had to adjust to all the items which had become automatic.  Instead of an ignition key, I now use a remote starter.  I had to learn to program climate control, which has separate and in sync options for the driver and any passengers.  I have a menu that notifies me when the tire pressure is low, the oil needs to be changed, or when it’s time for a fill-up.  The headlights go on and off automatically.  GPS came with the car, as did a free subscription to Sirius XM Radio.

I have purchased one car since and the second adjustment was easier.  I only used the car’s GPS until the free subscription ended.  I didn’t get a second free trial for Sirius XM, but by then I was already hooked.  One of my favorite stations is the ’80s station, the first decade that I really began to celebrate the top 40 songs of the era. Many of the VJs from that era are now DJs on this station.  Between songs, they often share what it was like to host shows and be a part of the first days of music videos. 

As I was on the road the other day, when I turned on the station, Rick Springfield, another ’80s icon, was guest DJing.  He shared a list of the 10 worst songs of the ’80s according to a Rolling Stone readers poll.  Many of the songs were number 1 hits at the time.  So I was surprised they made the list.  I share them with you for your reflection.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-worst-songs-of-the-1980s-20488/

I know that time changes our perspective.  There are some films I see today that do not resonate with me the same way they did when I saw them the first time.  When Harry Met Sally and A Fish Called Wanda are two examples, for me.  The same is not true for books.  Fantasy classics like the Lord of the Rings series are still the best!  Each time I read those books, I discover new threads in the story and the world that Tolkien created.

The same is true of the Bible.  I have lost count of the number of times I’ve read this Holy book.  Different passages have resonated with me over the years, based on what’s happening in my life and in the world.  God’s spirit breathes through each chapter, helping us see ourselves and others through our Creator’s eyes.  As I have the opportunity to hear many sermons in my role as District Superintendent, I am able to learn about each pastor’s understanding of Scripture, adding to my own spiritual growth and changing relationship with our Lord.

If I were to rank the 10 passages that resonate best with me or the 10 that I struggle with, I don’t believe that I would choose the same passages today as I did a few decades ago. My life and the world have changed so much since then.  The Bible continues to speak to us in awesome and miraculous ways.  These are dynamic words, living words, soul-filling, and faith-affirming words. I encourage each of you to discover your favorite and least favorite passages for this week and this year. Think about why you love them and why you may want to skip them. Reflect on who you are and whose you are every day.  And Amen.

We’ve Come This Far by Faith

Posted on by Bode

This is the title of one of my favorite Gospel hymns. The words of this song are a tribute to our Lord’s dedication to our lives and to our welfare. 

This past weekend as I watched documentaries covering the events of September 11, 2001, and what we have learned in the two decades since, I kept thinking of this song and its message. 

As we continue to live our lives through the filter of a pandemic, it may feel as if we will be forever stuck on pause. This song reminds us that our journey of faith continues.

Our Lord is preparing us for what’s next in our lives and the world. God is our constant companion on our journey. I invite you to play this song as you pray, meditate and reflect on how God is present in our lives.  May we be blessed. And Amen.

https://youtu.be/dqP0_wtfKmQ

The Eternal Flame

Posted on by Bode

Chuck Knows Church is one of my favorite United Methodist productions.  There are over 100 videos that cover a wide range of topics.  I have shown a couple of videos to Confirmation and New Member classes.  Chuck has a wonderful way of describing how what we do and say as United Methodists has a rich history and tradition.  Each video is about three minutes long and provides a starting point for delving into some of the practices we have.  For me, those videos have reminded me to look at the elements of our worship spaces and the language we use in church as if I was seeing and hearing it for the first time.

I have never learned how the subjects featured in the Chuck series were selected or if there are plans for Chuck to talk about our faith journeys.  I don’t believe that was the goal of the series.  At the end of each video, Chuck encourages the viewers to talk with the pastor if they want to know more.  I wish there was a video about the Sanctuary or Eternal Flame.  It is common to many worship spaces, but we hardly ever mention it as we gather for worship, lift persons up in prayer, or preach a sermon.

Sooner or later, each time I participate in worship, my eyes are drawn to the Sanctuary flame or Eternal flame that is located near the altar. The light is usually housed in a red lantern and has a soft glow which reminds us that the light of our Savior is always with us.  Today, because the light is powered by electricity, we really don’t think about turning it on or off.  In all the churches I’ve served, I never remember the bulb for this lamp burning out. 

When I looked up the history of the Sanctuary flame on the internet, I discovered that it was first mentioned in the Book of Exodus 27: 20-21 and again in Leviticus 24: 1-4.  Aaron and his descendants were given the task of tending the lamp.  The first lamps were fueled by pure pressed olive oil.  I can’t imagine how often the oil had to be replenished in order to keep the light burning all day.  In 1 Samuel 3:3, it appears that the oil wasn’t constantly replaced throughout the night.

The Eternal Flame has been a part of worship since God brought the Hebrew slaves out of the land of Egypt.  The lamp honors our Lord and continues to show us how God’s light continues to shine in our lives.  The flame is not bright or blinding, it never goes out and it hovers over us each time we gather to celebrate who we are and whose we are. This light is a reminder and an affirmation that God is with us always.  And Amen.

Sanctifying Grace

Posted on by Bode

One of my favorite hobbies is reading epic fantasy novels.  The first one I was introduced to was J. R. R. Tolkien’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series, followed by Terry Brooks’ Shannara series.  When I graduated from high school someone gave me C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia (not the Disney version).  There have been dragon series, mage series, and several which reach into earth’s far distant future or ancient past. 

What intrigues me most about these books is the character development.  Some authors are better than others, but each takes the time to share the best and worst attributes of the characters as they prepare for the war, trial, achievement, or success that the author leads us to.  Sometimes I find myself despising the hero or heroine, cheering for them, weeping with them, and laughing at them as they struggle with what it means to take on the task that only they can hope to successfully complete. 

I think what resonates with me most is the way that characters are transformed by what happens on their journeys.  Most seek a way to battle enemies and barriers that they face on their journeys.  At the same time, there is an internal conflict that is shared with the reader about the person’s doubts, flaws, and struggles to be the person they need to be to fulfill their destiny or goal.  And I never tire of the different ways the authors get me to do my own soul searching through the many men, women, elves, and magicians who seek to be the change agents in and for their worlds. 

Our journey of faith has a destination.  We are moving on to perfection. God is the author of who we are and one day who we will become. We seek to live a life of sanctifying grace, knowing all that we do deepens our relationship with our Creator.  We want to become more like Jesus in our every thought, word, and deed. 

How often do we reflect on our life story?  In what ways have we grown closer to our Lord? Which parts of our lives are still a work in progress?  Is it easy for us to find ways to reach out to others or do we struggle with what to do and how to begin?  Or, are we busy doing so many things that many seeds have been planted, but few have been able to take root and grow.

Have we chronicled our struggles and trials or our accomplishment and successes? Have we taken the time to see how far we’ve come, while simultaneously acknowledging that we still have a long way to go?

We are being shaped to be a vital part of God’s creation.  Our Lord’s plan for the salvation and redemption of the world includes each of us being transformed and transforming others to love God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, and all our strength.  We are called to love our neighbors.  May each opportunity to serve, to love, and to learn help to make us more like Jesus each day.  And Amen.

Plans Interfere with Life

Posted on by Bode

I have often shared the opposite with people: Life interferes with plans. My to-do list constantly changes as I respond to an unexpected phone call, email, or an unplanned issue that has arisen. I have also come to realize that plans interfere with life.

Several years ago, before Disney granted access to all visitors, a colleague created a vacation book, with details on how to reserve a spot for Princess teas, participate in the daily parades, and go on some rides without waiting in line.  My colleague even created a daily schedule, which included when to get up, who’s office to visit once you entered the park, and so on.

I was overwhelmed just looking at the book.  I have no idea how long it took her to put it together.  But there were dividers for each activity and just about every moment of the 5-day visit was planned.  At the time, I thought that this was a lot of work for a vacation.  With all the planning, was there room for spontaneity? What happened if the woman’s granddaughter didn’t want to be with the princesses, or if she wanted to explore an option her grandmother hadn’t considered.

How often do we make plans and keep to schedules in our own lives?   Are we so focused on the errands we have for the day, or the tasks we need to complete this week, that we don’t take time to just be still? Many pastors struggle to honor our Sabbath time.  Even on what’s supposed to be a day of rest, we have plans that we reserve for this day. 

Since the pandemic has forced us to sit at home, I am more aware of how I filled up my day off with going someplace and doing something.  Until one of those things was a visit to Meijer Gardens.  The first time I went, I was actually on my way to complete an errand.  Instead, I made a detour to walk through the gardens and see the variety of plants, sculptures (and of course butterflies) and sit in the shade of trees.  And be in conversation with God.

It is so easy for us to be busy, to create a schedule and follow it.  How long is your to-do list?  Is there a space which has nothing in it, to allow life to break into what we are doing?  God has created a wondrous world for us to enjoy.  God’s still small voice will come to us, not in the midst of the plans we’ve made, but in the quiet times of our lives.  May we embrace the words of Psalm 46: 10.  I want to share both The Message version and the NIV version with you for reflection. 

Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” (The Message)

Come and see what the Lord has done,  the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields[ with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (NIV)

And Amen.

I know I’m Forgetting Something

Posted on by Bode

There are skills that, once we learn them, we take for granted.  I have been actively crocheting for about 15 years now.  I don’t think about the stitches I work as I create blankets, shawls, and other crafts unless I am following a new pattern.  Luckily for me, I can go to YouTube and watch a video demonstration of the stitch I need, and in no time, it becomes a part of my skill set. 

The same is true of driving.  I can remember how meticulous I was after I got my license.  I’d check the rear and side-view mirrors multiple times, adjust the seat, test the brakes, make sure the temperature control was comfortable, turn off the radio, and then slowly back out of the driveway.  The preparation for those first few solo drives took minutes as I wanted to make sure everything was just right before I pulled into traffic. Driving through the city was very different from those first few highway ventures.  Getting up to speed and merging with traffic that didn’t need to yield (and usually didn’t) still makes me nervous.  Now, I hardly think about the routine I go through each time I get behind the wheel. 

A few days ago, I was on the way to a meeting and realized I left my driver’s license at home.  I was too far into the trip to turn around.  In the instant of realization, my driving habits changed.  I was back in that new driver mode, constantly watching all my mirrors, paying more attention to the distance between me and the car ahead of me, glancing at the speedometer more often than usual, and gripping the steering wheel as if this was my first time driving. I am generally a cautious driver and am not sure if not having my license would make me more cautious.  And yet, it was the awareness that I didn’t have my license which made me think about how I drive.               

And by now, you know that I’m going to relate this to my faith journey experience.  There are parts of our worship experience that I don’t think about.  Growing up, as part of the start of worship, the pastor or lay leader would ask congregants: “what do we believe?”  The response was to recite The Apostle’s Creed.  Prayer time began or ended with all of us lifting up the Lord’s Prayer.  And of course, there were Bible verses that any of us could share because we heard them so many times. 

Sometimes, I forget that the Bible is the living Word of God.  Our understanding of Scripture changes as our relationship with the Lord grows and deepens.  As we experience life, the words in the Bible resonate with us in new ways. 

I wonder if we have forgotten how the words of the Hebrew Testament are the foundation for the coming of the Son of God.  As we speak about the Great Commandment, do we also consider the words of the Shema which are its source (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)? The Lord as our shepherd is a theme throughout the Hebrew Testament.  Is it no surprise that Jesus comes to us as the Good Shepherd and we are His flock?  Jeremiah 31: 31-34 tells us of the new covenant God will establish with us.  That new covenant was created when Jesus broke the bread and blessed the cup of the Last Supper. May we strive to remember all that our Lord continues to do for our salvation.  And Amen.

Wesley Fellowship at GVSU

Posted on by Bode

Vision:
The Wesley Fellowship at GVSU is an inclusive community enabling individuals to grow in faith and social justice. 

Mission:
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by welcoming and affirming, equipping, challenging, the mind, heart and spirit.

Values:
Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds.
Inclusive, Accepting, and Committed to social justice.

Click HERE to read the latest e-newsletter.
For more information about the Wesley Fellowship at GVSU, please contact Nancy Janisch.
 
Nancy Janisch, Director
Wesley Fellowship at GVSU
616-821-0351
Midwest District