Bishop's Blog

Black History Month 2012

2012-01-31T12:10:00.004-05:00

DuringBlack History month we pause to remember the great impact of African Americanleaders in this country. In December Ireceived a Christmas card from Kenyon and Betty Camper who are members of theEzion-Mt. Carmel UMC in Wilmington. TheChristmas greeting was a picture of a statue of Louis L. Redding and theinscription read: “Pioneer in the struggle for equality and tireless advocatein civil rights cases of national significance.” This was indeed a unique Christmas greetingand an appropriate one as Christ came to earth to bring equality to all peopleand as his followers we strive to walk in that path always, not only atChristmas time.

I did alittle research (“Diamonds of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore: SevenBlack Men of Distinction” by James E. Newton and Harmon Carey) and found thatLouis Redding spent most of his life in Wilmington, DE. He graduated from Howard High School, BrownUniversity and Harvard Law School. Hewas not only the first African American lawyer in the State of Delaware, he wasa respected civil rights leader for the entire nation. He was part of the NAACP legal team thatchallenged the school segregation policies in the Brown vs. the Board ofEducation case that was heard in the U. S. Supreme Court. Prior to that, “Lawyer Redding” (as he wascalled), brought a case before the Chancery Court against the University ofDelaware, which did not allow black students (Parker vs. the University ofDelaware). He won the case and theUniversity of Delaware became the first state-funded undergraduate institutionin the country to desegregate by court order. He also successfully challenged other discrimination cases that involvedhousing, employment and public accommodations.

TheUnited Methodist Church celebrates two kinds of holiness: personal andsocial. Social holiness is concerned with the rights and dignity of all people. May we take a page out of the book of thelife of Louis L Redding and work for the rights of people where we live, workand worship. In that way we trulycelebrate Black History Month with integrity.

Healing

2012-01-24T09:43:00.000-05:00

This week I attended an interfaith women’s conference inPhiladelphia where I was asked to talk about God’s creation. In my talk I related a personal experiencewith a disability. I was asked to postmy testimony:

It was thesummer of 1976. The elders laid hands onme, there were at least ten of them, all praying fervently and asking God toheal me. It was a hot, humid mid-summernight and swamp frogs outside were making croaking noises that seemed to mixwith the many prayers in a peculiar chorus. After a very long prayer they slowly lifted their many hands from myhead and I was still blind in my left eye. I came into this healing tent during this weekend camp revival with somefriends and we asked to be healed.

We were inour early twenties. There were six of us, newly graduated from college, full oflife and full of our faith in the power of God. We were part of the same Bible Study group that met on Friday eveningsat a United Methodist Church. We heardabout this camp meeting in Western Pennsylvania on the Christian radio stationand it seemed like a wonderful event. Christians camping together on a largefarm out in the middle of nowhere! It would be like a sanctified version ofWoodstock, the infamous hippie rock festival of the late sixties. A makeshift stage featured daily worshipservices, Christian rock concerts and heart-warming testimonies about the miraculousworks of God. Former drug addicts andmembers of motor cycle gangs spoke of their evil lives that had been transformedby God's amazing grace. There was a pondon this farm where new believers could be baptized by immersion and there was ahealing tent where the elders prayed for people to be healed of every kind ofinfirmity.

Three of usfrom this group of six had physical handicaps. My friend Stu was extremely myopic and wore glasses that looked like thebottom of a coke bottle. My friendArlene had polio as a child and she still wore a back brace. I was born with an under-developed left eyeand since the age of two I wore a prosthetic eye. It was a plastic shell that covered the blindeye so that I looked reasonably normal. The three of us decided to go to the healing tent for prayer.

The eldersin the tent told everyone who wanted to be healed to come forward and to surrenderthose things that they depended upon for mobility or assistance as a sign offaith. On the altar were crutches that aman no longer needed because his legs had been healed. There was also a hearing aid left by a womanwho was now able to hear. My friend Stuwent forward and clunked down his heavy horn-rimmed glasses on the altar andasked to be healed of his near-sightedness. Arlene put her back brace on thealtar and said she wanted to be free of back pain. But there were audible gasps when I wentforward and plucked out my plastic eye and laid it on the altar. "I wouldlike to see in my left eye" I said. The elders seemed a bit shaken and theywent into the back room to prepare for this healing service.

When theycame back in they prayed for Stu, Arlene and me individually but they prayed thelongest and the hardest for me. When theservice was ended none of us were physically healed. One of the elders saidthat it was because we did not have enough faith. "Faith comes from hearing and hearingfrom the Word" he said, quoting the Apostle Paul from Romans 10. He encouraged us to read our Biblesmore. I wondered greatly at that line ofreasoning. Another elder said that Godmay yet heal us and that we should leave our things on the altar and that wouldbe a sign of our faith that we would yet be healed.

"Nowthey were going over the line," I thought. I ventured a glance over at Arlene and Stu but they were shaking theirheads "yes" to the elder who had made the suggestion. I was notbuying into this. Maybe it was vanity, maybe it was a lack of faith, maybe itwas a moment of common sense, but I marched up to that altar, took my littleplastic eye and popped it back in. Every real eye was on me as I walked downthe center aisle and proceeded out of the tent. I drew a deep breath of reliefas I escaped into the dark, dark country night with the smell of grass and hayand a canopy of a thousand bright stars over my head. The stars looked all the brighter because wewere so far from any city lights.

I wondered"Why didn't God heal me?" Istared at the glittery light show for a long time. I got no answer.

The Christian camping festivalended with a closing worship service on the hill later that night. Everyone was given a small white candle andwe lit them by passing the light to one another. The speaker on the makeshift stage encouragedus to shine the light of Jesus in the world. "Surely," I thought, "there must be a reason why I wasborn with one eye."

The nextmorning the six of us packed up our tent and duffle bags and prepared to drivehome. As we worked no one talked very much.No one wanted to talk about the topic that was on everyone's mind: the healing servicethe night before. To talk about it would mean one of two things: we unhealedones did not have enough faith or God was not able or worse, unwilling to healus. And then there was the other theological issue about leaving the things onthe altar. Stu left his thick glassesand Arlene left her back brace as a sign of faith. Was I the faithless onebecause I took back my plastic eye? Andthere was the practical issue about the 5 hour drive home to Baltimore. Stu, without his glasses was legallyblind. Arlene, without her back bracecould not sit up. Since there were twocars it fell to me, in my old Dodge Dart, to be the sole driver with Arlene andStu in my car. It was a very quiet ridethrough the Pennsylvania turnpike and home to Baltimore.

Fastforward three years and I began to sense a call that God wanted me to become a pastor,to shine that light of Jesus by shepherding a flock of people and leading the lifeand ministry of a local church. But thecall was even more specific than that. God called me to work with deaf people,people who could not hear and used sign language for communication, people whothe world often marginalized, people, who sadly the church, for the most part, didnot understand. I began to realize thatbeing half blind was a part of my call into this work. I could identify with being born not quiteright. I met deaf people for the firsttime at a conference where there was a Deaf choir signing. It was love at first sight. I knew this was what I was supposed to dowith my life. It took ten years, manysign language classes, a seminary degree, two ordinations and a lot of hardknocks but I eventually found myself pastoring a Deaf congregation inBaltimore.

Everyone knew sign language there and no one wanted to behealed. They had their healing. Their sign language was their marvelous andvery sufficient access to knowledge and life. Their community was their place of sweet relief from a world that gavethem little intimacy and acceptance. Sadly the hearing world's church was often a place where Deaf peoplefound rejection and misunderstanding. That was because of this issue of healing.

As surelyas the sun, God heals people from many sicknesses. Just as surely I believe God allows, evenordains some people to be deaf or blind or whatever for a reason only known toGod. A disability can be a holy gift, as unique as a fingerprint, as much of agift as traditional skills that we value such as intellect, imagination, orathletic ability.

With thedisability comes a sensitivity to one's humanity and a sympathetic heart for thosewho walk the same road. Tenacity and resourcefulnessis developed when one has faced obstacles and rejections. People withdisabilities often know the real meaning of our inter-connectedness on thisplanet and how to truly trust one another for survival. Being physically and mentally able, beingbright and talented is a blessing. Being disabled has gifts that are just asblessed, yet the majority of people in the world don’t realize this. People with disabilities are overlooked andundervalued much of the time. Instead ofseeking the gift in our infirmity we often hurry to doctors and medicines andhealing services and although that can be the right thing to do, it might beright to accept a disability and use it as an ability in a new and wondrous way.

Healing cancome when people seek accommodations such as sign language for communication orelevators or ramps for mobility or Braille in place of written text. Where physical barriers are removed byaccessibility then where is the disability? It is gone. Harder to accommodateare hearts and attitudes that won't provide the access or fear of the differentones. When accessible hearts are presentthere are always funds for ramps and interpreters and large print books.

Healing cancome when community gathers and supports one another in love and caring. Healing can come when a mother will learnsign language in order to communicate with her deaf child. Healing can come when a baby born with oneeye grows up and finds a calling in disability ministry.

Dream

2012-01-16T22:45:00.000-05:00

Onthis Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2012 Iread once again his speech “I Have a Dream.” It will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of people around theworld. Dr. King’s talk included all areasof social justice, not only racial equality. On that immortal day at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963 Kingcalled for a day when “all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews andGentiles, Protestants and Catholics will be able of join hands and sing in thewords of the old Negro Spiritual ‘Free at last, free at last, thank GodAlmighty, we are free at last.’” This is what Jesus was trying to teach us aswell.

TheSunday after Dr. King was assassinated he was to deliver a sermon entitled “WhyAmerica May Go to Hell.” The main pointof his sermon was “if America does not use her vast resources of wealth to endpoverty, to make it possible for all of God’s children to have the basicnecessities of life, she too will go to hell.” He was working on this sermon just beforehe was killed.

Dr. King calls us still today to work for racial,cultural, inter-religious, gender and economic equalityfor all people. It is so simple, but wemake it so hard. We humans can’t seem tolive it because there is this tendency in our hearts toward bigotry, selfishness,and ethnocentricity. It is easier tohate than to love.

One ofmy all-time favorite pop songs is “Hands” by Jewel. The first line of this song goes likethis: “If I could tell the world justone thing it would be, we’re all OK.” That would be my dream on this cold winter day. I dream that everyone would accept everyonewho is different and tell them they are “OK.” I pray we can find ways to build bridges of understanding, forgivenessand collaboration. Then we will be freeat last.

Two Years Ago: The Haiti Earthquake

2012-01-12T12:18:00.003-05:00

Two years ago today (January 12, 2010) the terrible newscame about the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Three United Methodist staff from the General Board of Global Ministrieswere there at the time: Clint Rabb, Sam Dixon and Jim Gulley. Sadly Clint and Sam died from injuriesincurred during the destruction of the earthquake. Jim Gulley has dedicated much of his ministryto relief work in Haiti ever since.

I am proud to say that the United Methodist Committee onRelief is still working hard in Haiti two years later. At first they provided emergency reliefsupplies and recovery efforts. CynthiaFierro Harvey, the UMCOR Deputy General Secretary reports that our UM dollarshave been providing housing, educational opportunities, community-based healthcare, employment, and rebuilding capacity for development. The work is far fromfinished and the UMC will stay there as long as they are needed.

I will be taking some cabinet members from both the Pen Deland the EPA Annual Conferences in September to aid in the construction workthat UMCOR has organized. Teams areneeded to work there every week. Perhapsyou and your church might consider sending a team for a week or send funds tohelp support teams that are working there.

Two years from now it is my prayer that Haiti will be closerto full restoration and that God’s love can be expressed through our ministry.

Red and Yellow Balloons

2012-01-03T13:35:00.001-05:00

Recentlythe news reported that Iowa City has had an unusually large number of crowsflocking to the down-town outdoor mall shopping area. They seem to be attracted to the warmer cityarea as the weather gets colder. Thebirds are leaving a good bit of waste around and the city has a plan to scarethem away. They put up hundreds of redand yellow balloons around the shopping area with black dots in the middle ofthe balloons. This appears to the crowsas the eyes of an owl, the natural predator of crows. So far it has been working and many crows arestaying away because of their fear of the deadly owls. We know, of course that they are just balloonsand perhaps if a wise crow would bother to get close enough to one of those balloonsthey would figure out the same thing. But the fear factor is enough to keep the birds away and farmers havebeen doing this for years in their fields with “scarecrows.”

Fear isa big part of our life. No, we are noteasily scared by balloons that look like owls and some of our fears are realand troublesome. Jesus in factacknowledged the troubles of the world: “In life you will have tribulation.”(John 16:33). Many of the things we fearare not ever going to happen. Many ofthem appear to be terrible but they can be blessings in disguise or simplyred and yellow balloons that we think will harm us. Worry and fear does not make it better or adda single day to your lifespan. (Matthew 6: 27).

We havea friend in Jesus. We can bring all ofour fears and worries to Him. He is withus during all of our trials and will never forsake us. He says “be of good cheer, I have overcomethe world” (John 16:33) and you can too as you trust in Him.

Mayyour new year be free of fear and may you have the discernment of spirit to seefear for what it is: a bunch of red and yellow balloons designed to take youreyes off of Jesus.

The Audacity to Act

2011-12-26T16:19:00.002-05:00

RonMcNair was a NASA astronaut who was killed in the tragic Challenger launch in1986. He was born in South Carolina in1950 in a pre-Civil rights-era rural town. Ron was brilliant even as a young child and he wanted more than anythingto read books and to study mechanics and mathematics. At the age of 9 he walked a mile to thepublic library by himself, something that a child of color was not allowed todo. He went to check out a book and the librarian called the police. When the policeman arrived he saw a 9-yearold boy sitting there with a book in his hand. Ron had the audacity to act.

Ron McNair later gradated as the valedictorianof his high school class and later graduated from the North CarolinaAgricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro magna cum laude. He was a scientist, an athlete, a musicianand an astronaut.

God calls us to be our bestselves. Ron knew who he was, even at theage of 9 and he stood his ground when people wanted to deny him an opportunityto learn. It is my prayer for all of youin this New Year that you will have the audacity to act. Be who you are being called to be. Stand up against systems and negative thinkingthat would prevent you from following your calling. Some of that negative thinking can even beyour own voice of self-doubt. Paulreminds us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love andself-control.” (II Timothy 1:7)

Many your new year be bright withholy boldness and a clear vision for your future.

Special Request from Bishop Peggy Johnson

2011-12-20T14:36:00.004-05:00

Indeedthis is the season of giving. John 3:16reminds us that “God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begottenson.” Giving is the greatest joy onearth. People who know how to givegenerously are never without the things of life they truly need. I pray that this season of giving will be ablessing to you as you bless others. Iam writing to ask if you would consider paying 101% of your apportionments. In this way we will help our conference tomake the budget for the end of the year and get us on a good start for the NewYear. Please prayerfully consider thisrequest.

My thanks to all of you foryour hard work and service to the Lord.

Occupy Philly and the Christmas Village

2011-12-07T11:02:00.001-05:00

Ivisited “Occupy Philly” two weeks ago on the day when those who were encampedat Dillworth Plaza were to be evicted. There was much activity going on there because of the uncertainty of howthe eviction would take place. Somepeople were taking down their tents and moving out while others had decided tostay and see what would happen. The UnitedMethodist presence could be seen in the form of an informal worship service andsome of our churches provided food and meeting space for the organizers. Therewere other faith-based groups present as well. I met people who were assisting the many homeless people with bustokens, counseling, food and money. Agood bit of networking was going on among the activists who were present. There were people who were part of organizedpeace movements, homeless veteran groups, anti-war organizations, and groupsthat worked with ex-offenders who were homeless. Most of the people there were homeless andhad run out of options for life in Philadelphia. The lack of job opportunities, the cutting ofsocial service programs, the displacement of people with mental illness andthose who had substance addictions were some of the reasons for this increasingnumber of people living in extreme poverty. I was glad to see the church present offering support, food, counseling,and political advocacy.

Acrossthe street from Dillworth Plaza was the plaza where annual the ChristmasVillage is housed. It is a well-decorated,colorfully lit shopping area with vendors selling Christmas greens, gifts andholiday foods. The contrast between thetwo plazas was sobering. Side by sidewere affluence and desperate poverty.

Most ofus live in both of these worlds, especially at Christmas time. The malls are full-to-overflowing withclothing and housewares and gadgets for sale. There is a joy in giving and enjoying the festivities that is a part of healthyliving. Another part of celebratingChristmas is to intentionally live in the Dillworth Plaza and to seek out waysto observe a holy Christmas in the way it was in the beginning. Jesus came to us as homeless, poor, and unnoticed. His family became refugees inEgypt. His ministry was to bring goodnews to the poor.

How canyou do that this Christmas? Don’t justlive in Christmas Village.

Thoughts on the new Nicene Creed

2011-11-28T10:39:00.001-05:00

I was interpreting once a long time ago for a group of Deafpeople at a worship service and the closing hymn was “When the Storms of Lifeare Raging.” The last verse said “whenmy life is but a burden and I’m nearing chilly Jordan” and I signed “when Ibecome sick, burdened, near death.” “Chilly Jordan” is a symbol for death. When the Israelites crossed over the Jordan they arrived in the“Promised Land.” The “Promised Land” forus, of course, is heaven. After theservice a Deaf congregant came up to me and said “why did you take away theJordan?” I explained that when one isinterpreting in American Sign Language it is translating one language intoanother. The truth of the text wasrendered in my interpretation. Theconsumer countered that he wanted the exact text of the hymn. Some Deaf people prefer translation and otherstransliteration. It is important for theinterpreter to know their audience so they sign in a way that fits theirlanguage preferences.

Perhaps the exact Latin text of the Nicene Creed is what theRoman Catholic Church is aiming at as they unveiled their updated version ofthe creed that will be used beginning this week. Where it used to say “I have sinned through myown fault” it now says “I have greatly sinned, through my fault, through myfault, through my most grievous fault.” Those words are the true rendering of the original Latin, not theshortened one-liner that has been used in the past.

According to National Public Radio there has been a strongreaction to the change, some positive and some negative. I think this change, which includes anunmistakable emphasis on personal admission of sin and the gravity of sin,should give us pause to think as we enter the season of Advent. What is a more proper preparation for thecoming of Christ than an admission of sin? Sin is grievous to God and it spills over into self-abuse and pain orneglect towards one’s brothers and sisters. Sin separates us from God and from people and it always leads to moresin and more separation. We are quick toexcuse ourselves from our sins, minimalizing them, rationalizing them, orblaming other people. In this new NiceneCreed three times it says “my fault” so there is no getting around personal responsibilityfor sin. The ancient writer knewhumanity’s propensity for passing the buck.

As you prepare for the coming of Christ this Christmas of2011 and as you prepare for the coming of Christ at the end of the age, tworealities that are as sure as the sun, what sins do you need to confess? What do you need to change in your life thatis grieving the Lord? Make a list ofthose things before you write a Christmas gift list. Make amends with those you have offendedbefore you plan a holiday party. Write aplan for living in a new and Christ-like way before you address your Christmascards. Repentance and reconciliation isthe true heart of Christmas. It is whyChrist came. Through his death on thecross Jesus brings us life everlasting when we cross the“chilly Jordan” and enter the “Promised Land.”

United Methodist Student Day Offering – November 27, 2011

2011-11-20T08:35:00.001-05:00

Everyyear United Methodists receive a Student Day Offering to assist with highereducation scholarships for our young people. These funds are needed more than ever this year as many students arefinding it hard to find money to attend college in these challengingtimes. When you give to the Student Dayoffering you are supporting students who are finding new ways to serve God inthe world. You are touching the futurewith every dollar you give.

MorganPrettyman is a 2011 graduate of the University of Delaware. She was active in the WesleyFoundation as an undergrad and now is taking part in the Graduate Studentgroup. She is a gifted poet. For the dedication to the Wesley Foundationshe wrote the following poem:

I’ve heard this (Wesley Foundation) described in many ways;

A home away from home

A place to be when things go wrong

A place of love, laughter, and forgiveness

People who play hard, pray hard, work hard

A group of talent, of the future

A family

A family is the circle around these many words

It is the hands holding hands in the midst of prayer

It is the familiar faces, the strong smiles

It is the embrace when tears are falling

It is comfort and words of encouragement,

It is the eyes that see more in friends than the friends

Can see in themselves

It is the challenging conversations and the open ears

To hear all sides

It is a crowded home overflowing

From forgiveness and joy

It is a growing circle that loves to be stretched beyond

Its boundaries, loves to be too big for its walls

This circle sings and laughs and cries and struggles andtriumphs

And, above all, lives in communion, in this wide open

Ring of linked hands and hopes and friendships

That always finds a way to lift up

I’ve heard this described in many ways: because family is aliving word.

Please support promising young people like Morgan as youreceive an offering this Sunday. Thefuture is bright for the United Methodist Church. Thanks to Morgan for sharing her poetry andfor the youth and campus chaplain at the University of Delaware: Rev. MaryHaggard.

What are you serving for Thanksgiving Dinner?

2011-11-15T15:41:00.001-05:00

By this time you may bethinking about Thanksgiving Dinner as it just about a week away. Will youhave turkey… ham? I know some people in Lebanon County have stuffed pigstomach. On the eastern shore some families serve oysters andcrabs. What you eat is not the main point of Thanksgiving ofcourse. The giving of thanks to God is the center of this national observance. As we give thanks we should always be "living" thanks by acts ofcompassion and sacrifice. Why not give to the Agricultural Project in theCentral Congo Conference of the United Methodist Church?

Lastyear a team of Congolese farmers were trained at an agriculture school inZambia, run by missionary Paul Webster. Volunteers in Mission from thePen-Del Conference assisted with this training. These new farmers aredoing some amazing work now in the Congo but they need help to continue totrain people and to establish more farms. This is critically important inorder to feed people as well as become a source of income. The Congo isslowly recovering from years of civil war and food is scarce. Our CongoPartnership that includes the Eastern PA and the Peninsula DelawareConferences, have provided $15,000 for start up funds. We need to raiseat least $25,000 for the next phase of the project. If everyone woulddonate to the Congo Partnership this Thanksgiving that project could feed somany people. Just imagine the blessing of adding the Democratic Republicof the Congo to your Thanksgiving guest list this year!! You can do so bydonating. Send funds to the following places:

Eastern PA AnnualConference

c/o Rev. David Ryan

Hopeland UM Church

295 N. Clay Road

Lititz, PA 17543

Peninsula-DelawareAnnual Conference

139 N. State Street

Dover, DE 19901

Be sure to write"Congo Partnership Agriculture Project" on the memo line when you donate.

The Agriculture Project Powerpoint (click on the blue link to download)can be shown at your churches and it further illustrates the incredible needand that wonderful progress. Happy Thanksgiving Philadelphia Area! We are blessed in order that we might be a blessing.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

Veterans Day

2011-11-08T23:00:00.004-05:00

November 11^th is knownas Veteran’s Day. It is a day in whichwe remember all those men and women who have served in the armed forces in ourcountry. Some gave the ultimatesacrifice. How will you observeVeteran’s Day this year? I received anemail from a friend that told me an interesting story about the people in theCity of Pilsen, in the Czech Republic. Every five years they have a “Liberation Celebration” to honor theliberation of Pilsen by General George Patton’s 3^rd Army in WorldWar II.

Every year since 1945 there is amemorial service in the woods near Pilsen at the location of a crash site wherean American war plane was shot down by enemy fire. For 65 straight years a woman named ZdenkaSladkova has cared for this memorial. She was 14 years old at the time of the crash and she was so moved bythis soldier’s tragic death (he was only 20 years old) that she made a vow tocare for his memory. She is now 79 yearsold.

The people of Pilsen also haveestablished a “General Patton Scholarship Fund” and they award money to agraduating senior each year who will either be entering themilitary or another form of community service. By awarding this scholarship they are liftingup the value of giving one’s life for a cause that is “greater than self.”

These incrediblehonors given by the people of the Czech Republic are touching indeed, given thefact that this is not even their country they are lavishing with suchaccolades. They have parades andceremonies and military citations during these celebrations. The people of Pilsen know how to say “thank you” for theservice rendered on behalf of their country. May we do the same! Say “thankyou” to a soldier that you meet. Helpout the families of veterans that may be challenged with loved ones far fromhome. Participate in services of honorand thanksgiving for those who gave their lives. Let us all dedicate ourselves to live for acause greater than ourselves….that of service to God and to others. Jesus said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’sfriends.” (John 15:13)

Paying Back

2011-10-31T14:43:00.003-04:00

November is the season for the celebration of Thanksgivingbut it is not necessary to wait until the fourth Thursday of November to givethanks. And saying “thanks,” althoughimportant, is best expressed in actions and not words alone. Recently thanksgiving came to life once againin the amount of a check for $50,000 that was sent to the Eastern PA AnnualConference from the Mississippi Annual Conference. This check was for Hurricane Irene floodrelief and it was sent as a way of saying “thanks” to the many teams ofVolunteer in Mission workers who came from PA to Mississippi after HurricaneKatrina destroyed so many homes and businesses. The people of Mississippi wanted the flood victims in Pennsylvania toreceive their thanks by returning the favor. I expect we will see some VIM teams from Mississippi coming to visit usas well.

What are you thankful for? Can you give back by returning the favor to someone who has done muchfor you? There are so many people we canthank for our blessings. Do ittoday. Returning thanks is a blessingfor both the giver and the receiver.

Buildings and Bodies

2011-10-25T09:20:00.000-04:00

In the second letter to the Church in Corinth Paul writes:“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have abuilding from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (5:1).This is indeed good news for our souls as we consider the inevitable declineand decay of our earthly bodies. I thinkthis also can give us hope as we consider our many church buildings that are indecline and decay.

Recently the newspapers reported on the front page that theEpiscopal Cathedral in Wilmington was closing. The $400,000 annual cost to maintaining the property was prohibitive.The small number of remaining members will be transferring to a neighboring EpiscopalChurch and the building will be sold. This is also a struggle for many of our large, aging United Methodistproperties, not only in cities but in the suburbs and the country as well. It is certainly a source of grief and a neonsign that announces decline and there is sometimes a feeling of failure.

Paul would not have us so bound to our church buildings justas we should not put too much stock in our earthly bodies. Buildings and bodies pass away but the Gospellives on forever. As we attach ourselvesto the mission of the church we will live eternally in heaven. There areconstant resurrections here on earth with churches closing and being re-born innew ways in new locations. It is thecycle of life. Church was never about abuilding in the first place. It is aboutthe spiritual life that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us in II Corinthians “we walkby faith and not by sight.” (5:7) Havefaith and hope even when the church is closing, that God is up to something newand the gates of hell will not prevail against the true church.

Poverty Summit Ponderings

2011-10-17T16:53:00.004-04:00

Lastweek there was a Poverty Summit held in Camp Hill, PA that was hosted by UMAdvocacy. There were many wonderfulpanel discussions, worship services, and a key note address by author andhumanitarian, Shane Claiborne. Duringone of the panels it was mentioned that relationships are more important thanmoney. The speaker had voluntarily livedon the streets in order to experience the life of homeless people and heexplained how mainstream society totally ignores street people. Even those who provide help often keep themat arm’s length and don’t want to relate to them as humans. The point was clear: we need to offer genuinehospitality and respect to people who are poor. That means taking the time to talk and listen and not just hand people abag of food or decide for a person what it is that they want.

My mindgoes back to an experience my husband and I had when we were pastoring inBaltimore. We became friends with ahomeless man who was mentally challenged. Herb spoke with a halting, sing-song voice and his imposing body, strongodor and long fingernails scared most people he would meet. My husband, Mike took the time to get to knowthis gentleman. They would talk in hisoffice for hours and Mike would drive him to get a shower at the food bank,help him get to the doctor, and at the end of every month Herb would be askingfor money

Mike and I worked with Herb faithfully for 10years and we longed for him to get into an apartment. He had diabetes and his legs were swollen andhe did not have any feeling in his feet. Because he was disabled he received a monthly Social Security check fromthe government. By a true miracle of Godwe were able to get him into a Section 8 apartment building that would onlycharge him 1/3 of his monthly check for his rent. Normally there was a 7 year waiting list buthe got in after only waiting 6 months. It was a warm, comfortable efficiency apartment and the food bank foundhim some nice, used furniture. Theapartment became available at Christmas time and our church people wereespecially generous. The little kitchenwas packed with his favorite foods and he even had a free telephone. The first night he was in the apartment itsnowed and I was so happy that Herb was finally indoors with his feet resting ona clean bed. And he could have a showerany time he wanted one.

A few days passed and we got a callfrom the apartment building manager. It seemshe paid someone to pack up all of his furniture and he was moving out. He did not like the cramped courters and thenoise in the hall. My husband rushed tothe apartment building just as the truck was loaded up and convinced Herb togive it one more try. The furniture wentback upstairs. Two more times he loaded up the furniture and headed back on thestreet and two more times my husband begged him to reconsider. Herb could stand it no longer. The fourth time he succeeded in leaving thecomforts of his own apartment in exchange for a life back on the streets thathe preferred.

We didnot listen to what he really wanted. Weimposed our values on him. He was simplyunable to live in “captivity” in an apartment and this makes Herb a very uniqueperson. What Herb valued and still values to this day (he still calls us) isthat relationship with my husband. Hejust wants to talk. Mike is the onlyhuman he really knows. Last week we were visiting my parents in Baltimore andwe stopped by the hospital to see Herb. He has a bad infection in his legs. Mike’s name is in the hospital charts as “nextof kin.” I guess he really is and Ithink we could all be a “next of kin” to someone like Herb. The world would be a better place. Knowing Herb is really the same as knowingJesus.

Thoughts on the Feeding of the Five-Thousand – Philip or Andrew?

2011-10-13T10:19:00.003-04:00

John 6:1-9

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea ofGalilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he wasdoing for the sick. Jesus went up themountain and sat down and there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jewswas near. When he looked up and saw alarge crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip “Where are we to buy breadfor these people to eat?” He said thisto test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages wouldnot buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’sbrother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and twofish. But what are they among so many people?”

We areseeing a goodly number of large crowds gathering in our big cities lately. Thereare crowds protesting the state of the economy and the plight of the poor inthis nation. These are crowds lookingfor answers, for relief, for justice. Long ago a crowd followed Jesus up a mountain. They followed him because he was the answerto their physical ills and the hunger of their souls. But Jesus was also concerned about theirphysical sustenance. He cared that theyhad food to eat while they were on this pilgrimage.

Jesusstill cares about our bodies, what we eat, what we drink, what we put on. On that day there seemed to be a lack of foodfor a crowd of that size. And there wemeet two disciples who have two different approaches to the problem:

Theyare Philip and Andrew. Philip’s approachwas practical but faithless: “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread foreach of them to get a little.” Don’t weoften feel that way when confronted with the staggering realities of worldpoverty and need? In our own strengthand our own resources there is little hope to feed this hungry world. We sometimes get so overwhelmed that we justwant to say it is impossible and give up.

Thenthere is Andrew. Equally aware of theenormity of the need he looks around for an answer anyway. He locates a humble lunch that a boy waswilling to donate. He admits it is notmuch to offer given the need, he offers it anyway. We can be like Philip and throw our hands upin despair or we can also be like Andrew and do something, even a small thing. That small thing made all the difference inworld because from it the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishescame to be. This miracle is so central to the truth of the gospel that it isthe only miracle that is recorded in all 4.

Thetext says that Jesus asked Philip where he would find bread for the crowdbecause he was testing him. Jesus knewwhat he was going to do. Still todayJesus knows what he is going to do. Heis going to use the likes of Andrew in this world who offer what they can toturn the world upside down and care for the needs of the poor.

So youdon’t have to have all the answers…just lunch…just lunch and Jesus will do therest. What do you have in your hand thatyou can offer to God to take and break and bless and multiply for the use ofthe kingdom? Habitat for Humanity wasbegun in 1976 with a couple with a tool box and a truck and God did therest. Michelangelo had a cast-off pieceof marble that he got from a dump and God used that humble stone to create thefamous statue of King David. God willtake whatever you have to offer him to bless and feed a hungry world.

Be an Andrew. It is how the kingdom of God works here onearth!

Reflections on a Class Reunion

2011-10-03T13:28:00.001-04:00

I am one of those people who goes to high school classreunions. I am not sure why. I did not go to the first few but after the15^th I was hooked on the idea and have served on the reunioncommittee ever since. It is a source offascination to see how everyone has turned out and who has grand-children,etc. Last Saturday was my 40^thclass reunion and out of a class of 430 graduates only 50 of them showed up butthat was actually better than the planning committee expected. Those who wantto be there come every time. In ourearlier years there was a great deal of loud music, dancing and people goingback and forth to the bar. As we havegotten older the music is quieter, the bartender had few customers and no onewas on the dance floor. We are gettingolder, maybe wiser. Here’s the God-part:

Into the class reunion came Mr. Redd, our civics teacher whotaught at the high school for 40 years. He was well-known to everyone. Some of his earlier students had children andgrandchildren in his classes at the high school. Mr. Redd came in with a CD player and amicrophone and proceeded to sing Elvis Presley songs to us. At the age of 77 his tenor voice was still trulybeautiful and the room was hushed. Hesaid to the reunion attendees that teaching was his greatest joy on earthbecause he got to work with students whom he loved and he had a chance to shapethe future. When he was finished he gota standing ovation.

Truly Mr. Redd shaped the future with his teaching. All of the students at Lansdowne High Schoolin Baltimore learned from him and also we experienced his warmth andconcern. Teaching is a very importantprofession. Teachers don’t have an easytime, if they ever did, in the classrooms of today’s schools. Pray for our teachers. May they continue to love their students,shape the future and make a difference in this world. Why not adopt a school near your church andfind ways to show appreciation for the teachers there? Church and school go hand-in-hand in manyways to set the tone for the character of our young people. Be a part of making the world a better placethrough education.

The DREAM Sabbath

2011-09-27T15:32:00.002-04:00

Oneof the saddest experiences I can remember was the deportation of a Bolivianfamily that attended the church I used to serve in Baltimore. The parents and the children were deaf. They came on a visitor’s visa and decided tostay. This was not permissible per thelaws of the Immigration service but they stayed anyway, sleeping in thebasement of a home of their friends who had come to the U.S. years before. The two deaf children, both teens, had theopportunity to attend the Maryland School for the Deaf for many years and theygot a good education there. Sadly, thefamily’s undocumented status was brought to light and they were told they hadto leave by immigration court. Theseyoung people were sent back with their parents and had to make a way forthemselves in Bolivia, where opportunities for deaf empowerment was much lessthan in the United States. I still get atext message from this family occasionally. Life is very difficult for them. I wish they could have stayed in the U.S.

TheUnited Methodist Council of Bishop’s committee on Immigration, the UnitedMethodist Interagency Immigration Task Force and the General Board of Churchand Society encourage congregations of Observe a DREAM Sabbath.

Theinterfaith observance to be held on a Sunday between September 16 and October 9will enlist churches, synagogues and mosques across the country to dedicatetime during or around their regular weekly worship service to a conversationabout the DREAM act, which is intended to rectify an injustice in U.S.immigration law. The bill, “Development,Relief and Education of Alien Minors (DREAM),” would give undocumented studentsa chance to earn legal status if they came here as children, are long-term U.S.residents, have good moral character, and complete two years of college ormilitary service in good standing. TheDREAM Act is bipartisan legislation pioneered by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill andSen. Orin Hatch, R-Utah.

Thereis a free downloadable toolkit available to help congregation participate inthe

Sabbath. The packet includes planning resources,sacred readings, reflections, and links to videos and sample bulletin inserts.(http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/index.php/2011/07/01/dream-sabbath-launch/)

AsUnited Methodists we have a history of speaking up for the needs ofchildren. This is an issue of justicethat we need to be more aware of. Othersmay not be concerned about the well-being of children, but we know that God’sangels are not only looking at our care for them, but reporting every injusticebefore the throne of God. No matter whatour political beliefs, God is going to look at whether we are causing hislittle ones to stumble by our actions or our inaction. I do not believe that willful ignorance willbe a useful excuse when we stand before our Lord. “When did we see you, Lord, and not respond?”

OlaKaso came to the United States from Albania in 1998, when she was 5. Ola recently graduated from a high school inWarren, Michigan. She was a valedictorianof her class. She took every AdvancePlacement class offered by her school and has a 4.4 grade point average. Ola is on the varsity cross country andtennis teams. She was treasurer of thestudent council and treasurer of the National Honor Society at her school. She tutors students who are learning English.

Olawas accepted into the honors program at the University of Michigan, where shewill be a pre-med student. In a letterto Senator Durbin, Ola wrote, “I aspire to ultimately become a surgicaloncologist, but more importantly, I intend to work for patients that cannotafford the astronomical fees accompanying lifesaving surgeries, patients thatare denied the medical treatment they deserve. My goal is not to increase my bank account; my goal is to decreasepreventable deaths. I wish to remain inthis country to make a difference.”

TheDepartment of Homeland Security granted a stay of deportation to Ola, to giveher a chance to continue her education. That was the right thing to do. Itmakes no sense to send someone like Ola, who has much to contribute, to acountry she barely remembers.

Observea DREAM Sabbath. Take time to listen tothe voices of these young people who cry out to God for justice. Educate yourselves on the issues and seek theLord’s guidance on how you are called to act, as a congregation or as adisciple of Jesus Christ.

More information: www.umc-gbcs.org or http://www.epaumc.org/news/stories/dream-sabbath.

Grapes Grow on New Wood

2011-09-19T16:06:00.002-04:00

Recentlyat a presentation of Large Church pastors, Dr. David McAllister-Wilson,president of Wesley Theological Seminary said an amazing thing: “grapes onlygrow on one-year old wood.” He was nottalking about gardening, of course, but about church growth and the “fruit” ofevangelism, which are new souls won for Christ. In John 15:2 Jesus reminds us that those who bear fruit will be prunedso they can bear even more fruit. Thatis so the wood is always new so the growth can keep happening.

Aspastors and lay persons committed to the ministry of Jesus Christ, how can yoube more effective? Is there somethingthat needs to be pruned from your life that is getting in the way of witness oreffectiveness? Pruning is not a pleasant experience but it ismore unpleasant not to be pruned. Makingdisciples is our goal. To stay as we areleads to decline and death. To choose tochange and be pruned leads to growth and life. Choose life.

Fruit and Vegetable Month

2011-09-13T10:49:00.003-04:00

When the children of Israel went into captivity intoBabylon, King Nebuchadnezzar enlisted the brightest and best of the Jewishyoung men to be trained to work in his government. Among them were Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego andDaniel. During their training time theywere offered food from the king’s table. Daniel objected and asked if he could eat vegetables and drink waterinstead of having meat and wine. Atfirst the servants of the king objected fearing that this diet would beharmful. But Daniel persuaded them toallow a trial for ten days. After theten days of eating only vegetables and drinking only water the Israelites werehealthier than the other interns, who had been eating theroyal rations.

The truth of the Bible never gets old. Still today we should be eating vegetablesand drinking lots of water to keep our bodies strong and nourished. This month is national “Fruit and VegetableMonth” and it is a reminder of the importance of these basics elements in ourdaily diet.

You are the temple of the living God. Take care of your temple! Eat right and you will be able to serve theLord better and longer.

Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

2011-09-10T16:55:00.002-04:00

As weapproach the 10^th anniversary of the modern day “Pearl Harbor” inthe American memory we can all remember where we were when we heard the newsabout the twin towers at the World Trade Center in NY. I was at home getting ready to go to churchin Baltimore and the report appeared on Good Morning America. My first thought was to go tell someone. I looked out my front door and called out tomy neighbor across the street, who was watering his plants. For the next few hours we sat spellbound,watching the nightmare unfold on TV, and many tears wereshed. That evening there was a prayerservice at the church and we all wondered what would happen next.

Tenyears later much has happened. Theinnocence of air travel has ended. Manylives have been lost in wars. Many tears have been shed. Muslims and people of Middle Eastern descent aresometimes profiled and feared. The poorhave become poorer. Terrorism hasincreased around the world and there is no telling where it will all end.

Ifwe are people of faith we are Easter people. We are people that work for life in the midst of death; people who seekhope in a deadly cross; people who personally find ways of waging peace in thisworld. The world needs the saving loveof Jesus more than ever and no one will know it unless we spread the word. Just as I urgently told my neighbor about theairplane that struck the World Trade Center on that fateful Tuesday morning 10years ago, we need to, just as urgently, tell people that God loves them andthat in Christ there is peace with God and with all people.

Tellingpeople is just one part of it. We needto live in peaceful ways in this world. Peace making only comes when there is justice for all people. We all want peace and tranquility but it onlycomes when the hard work of dismantling oppressive power blocks that keep thepowerful in power and the weak under their thumb. This year is the 50^th anniversaryof the Freedom Summer. In 1961 a groupof young people, mostly white college students, came from the north to work forcivil rights in Mississippi. They lent their political power to those withoutvoices, helping African Americans get voter registration cards, helping peoplelearn to read, and speaking out in political rallies. Much good was accomplished but many of themwere killed doing this work of peacemaking. Any time power is challenged the pushback is quick and fierce. But oppression is never the last word. Jesus rose from the grave and that ends theoppression of death in this world.

Whereveryou have power, can you lend it to someone without power? Wherever there is inequity in this world, canyou speak out? Is this not the work ofChristians in the post 9/11 world?

Prayers in Action

2011-08-23T22:19:00.000-04:00

At a recent meeting of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women that I attended, the preacher, Dr. Joan Wolf related a story about prayer time at her church in a inner city church whose constituents included people in poverty as well as people of means. On one particular Sunday morning when people were asked to give voice to their prayer concerns, one man stood up and said he wanted a job so he could buy his own clothes with his own money and take those clothes to the dry cleaner and pay to have them cleaned with his own money. He went on at great length about wanting a job. The failing economy of the city took away the job that he had and life was difficult. Dr. Wolf thanked him for his prayer request and told the congregation to pray for him. In a moment of “holy disruption” the man jumped back up on his feet and said “I don’t want your %$#@ prayers, I want a job!” Seated around him in this congregation were people who could provide a job for him. A shocked congregation had a lot to think about that day. Dr. Wolf reminded us that we have in our possession many times the ability to answer peoples’ prayers and yet we often withhold those things from those in need.

Be it apathy, selfishness, thoughtlessness or prejudice, we regularly neglect people who need our help. The Old Testament reminds us not to withhold the wages of the worker when it is in our power to pay them. The same is true about the goods and services that we possess that God has given to us for the express purpose of answering someone’s prayers. These things are not only our left-overs but our means. There is always something we can give.

I read a story about an old woman who regularly sent a check to a missionary in China. It was not much but it was regular. The checks began to increase and she wrote to the missionary and explained how. She said she cut off her cable service and the money she saved she gave to the mission. The next month she cut off her phone and the month after that she cut off her hot water heater. The missionary was not a little bit encouraged by this fragrant offering of sacrifice.

What do you have in your hand right now that you can give away that would bless someone? Jesus said that we would be rewarded for even a cup of cold water that was given to someone in his name. Be the water of life for this world that suffers from so much want.

Mincha

2011-08-23T16:05:00.000-04:00

Jewish people have traditionally prayed three times a day. The Shacharit prayer is the longer morning prayer and the Maariv is the evening prayer. Mincha is the afternoon prayer and it is the shortest time of prayer and sometimes overlooked in the busy-ness of the day. Mincha is a short time to stop and give thanks. Psalm 145 is to be read during Mincha: “I will praise you, my God and King and always honor your name. I will praise you each day. You are wonderful, Lord, and you deserve all praise.” This psalm speaks of the wonders of God’s world and how God graciously provides for the needs of the world. “You satisfy the desires of all your worshipers and you come to save them when they ask for help.”

Sometimes in the middle of the day I don’t feel like singing. Work piles up and I begin to think it is me that is running my life. That is when I need Mincha the most. It is a time to stop and recalibrate my soul and put God once again in the center of everything and to give thanks for God’s gracious providing.

Try it yourself. Giving thanks to God lifts the soul to a higher place and assures us once again of the presence of power of our loving God.

http://www.minchamoment.com/videos/video-3-our-treasures/

Please Help Save Starving People in the Horn of Africa

2011-07-27T05:42:00.001-04:00

The United Methodist committee on Relief (UMCOR) is planning a regional response to the growing hunger crisis in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti due to a severe drought. In Somalia, where relief efforts have been hampered by ongoing violence and war, has seen thousands of its citizens fleeing to neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia. It has been estimated that there are 400,000 people in refugee camps there. There are an estimated 3.7 million people in crisis.

Please take a special offering this summer for this urgent need, and earmark your gift to the “Horn of Africa Crisis,” Advance Special #982450.

Read more about the crisis on UMCOR's website: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/newsroom/releases/archives2011/hornofafrica/

Christian Education: What’s not Working

2011-07-18T12:17:00.001-04:00

Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Soon and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a) Christian Education is fundamental to the Great Commission and yet it appears that we are doing less and less of it with our children as Sunday Schools are dwindling.

What is not working:

1) Sunday School on Sunday – often that is a time for soccer practice, a weekend visit to the non-custodial parent’s home, or the time of the Sunday School is earlier than many people want to get up on a weekend morning. Many churches are finding that an alternative day of the week is working better. An after-school program can include Christian education as part of its program.

2) Vacation Bible School as the one effort all year. Many churches that don’t have much of a children’s ministry will still offer a Vacation Bible School with some success. For many parents this is something for kids to do and some will actually shop around and go every VBS in town just to keep the children busy during the long summer months. Follow-up is what doesn’t always happen. Invite those “one time VBS students to other events throughout the year. I know of a church that has a VBS type program during the month of December on a Saturday so that parents can drop off their kids and go shopping. Holidays such as Halloween and Easter also have tremendous outreach potential. The lives of the saints and light and hope can be taught at a Halloween social and an Easter Egg hunt can be combined with a Lent Fair that teaches about the Jesus and the resurrection.

3) Expecting parents to bring their children to church. I remember years ago having a judgmental attitude about parents who just “dropped off their kids” and did not go to church or Sunday School themselves. Now people often don’t do even that. The response of the church should be one simple word: “Go”. We should go out and bring in the children. If you have room in your car you can pick up kids and bring them to church. Transportation is often the thing that keeps it from happening, especially in these hard economic times.

4) The same Sunday School teacher who has taught for 50 years continuing to teach that little class. We need to teach in teams. Our “Safe Sanctuary” policy requires that there are always two teachers in every class. The dear elderly woman in the church who has always taught the children needs to have a second helper. This is protection for everyone as well as a great way to mentor a young person for the future. Remember that every classroom needs to have doors with windows so that everything can be seen from the outside looking in.

5) Taking care of the children of our church members only. That has never been a good way of operating because it insulates the church as an institution that only “takes care of its own.” The church should intentionally target the children that are not from the church family and those who live on the margins of life. We need to invite children of all ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, languages and abilities. Families with children with disabilities need the unique ministry of the church. Autism is a high incidence disability in our society and parents often find it difficult to have a meaningful faith community experience because of the behavior issues that often accompany this condition. A church that would reach out with an educationally appropriate class would speak volumes of love to that family.

Let Freedom Ring

2011-07-03T10:53:00.002-04:00

I was at Duke Divinity School on a training for UM Bishops and was having a conversation with Bishop Elaine Stanovsky, who told me this wonderful true story of empowerment that came from the heart of the United Methodist family. Long ago a man by the name of Wesley “Branch” Rickey was the first baseball owner who broke the “color line” and enlisted Jackie Robinson as the first African American player in the major leagues (April 1947). Both Rickey and Robinson were Methodists: Rickey from a devout Methodist family from Stockdale, Ohio and Robinson attended a Methodist Church in Pasadena, CA as a young adult. Later Jackie Robinson teamed up with Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier to help to fund the African American Student Foundation which supported college educations for promising young African people. One of those young people was Barack Obama, Sr., who later became the father of the 44th president of the United States.

The legacy of social justice and freedom for all people is a part of the United Methodist story and on this weekend of celebrating Independence Day in our nation we need to pause to think personally about our legacy of freedom. Who are we empowering to be free, to be all they can be, who can be lifted up to become a future leader in this world? You may never know what your influence will do far down into the future but one thing is certain that God will multiply your good works and use them to bless many people.

Why Pray When You Can Worry?

2011-06-14T15:37:00.000-04:00

We need to ask ourselves, “Why pray when you can worry,” because that is how we often live. It is truly a flaw in our human nature that finds us worrying instead of praying as our “default setting” in life. Isaiah 44:2 says “Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you in the womb and will help you: DO NOT FEAR, O Jacob my servant!” But we worry anyway. We worry because our faith is weak and we live with the erroneous notion that everything depends on us. God made us and promises to help us. We are not alone, even when God’s timing is slower than we would like it to be, or the provision is less than we wanted. It takes faith to believe that the timing and the provision is exactly what God had in mind and that kind of faith moves mountains.

Last fall I received a phone call from a Congolese student at Salisbury University. She was the daughter of a UM pastor in the Congo. She was beginning her senior year and had high hopes for a bright future working in the Congo as a teacher when suddenly her tuition money disappeared. Family members who had promised to pay were unable to help and the university had no choice but to deport her. That is when the United Methodist Church stepped in and between the Women’s Division and the Board of Higher Education and Ministry her tuition was paid. She just graduated last month and she sent me an email to thank me for the efforts that were made on her behalf. Looking back she could see God’s hand at work, even in the last-minute way it all came together.

Prayer is the greatest power on earth. It can change things, heal people, find money, and convert the world. Try praying instead of worry.

Memorial Day

2011-06-01T14:48:00.000-04:00

Jesus said “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 – NRSV) These words come to mind as I think about Memorial Day. Many who served in the armed forces literally laid down their life for their country in harm’s way. Many others suffered injuries (physical and psychological) that affected the quality of their remaining life. Still others, who did not suffer harm also made the sacrifice of putting themselves in the position of possibly dying or being injured. Love is the motivating factor in all of this. People do not willingly sacrifice unless there is great love and a great purpose that is worth dying for. This sacrificial spirit is very powerful. When something is worth dying for it speaks to the heart of all humans.

I thank God for the veterans who sacrificed and served and suffered for love of family, country and cause. May you spend some time this weekend pondering what is worth dying for in your life. Thank God for sending Jesus who loved us so much that he was willing to die for our sins.

May 21st – The Day of Judgment?

2011-05-18T23:31:00.000-04:00

Popular media is buzzing with a prediction that the end of the world is coming on October 21^st and that May 21^st will be the Day of Judgment and Christ’s return. The Bible teaches that no one knows the day or the hour that the Son of Man will come again (Matthew 24:36) so it would be unlikely that the prediction is true. However it is true that Christ will come again and he tells us to live like we are ready for his return at any time

I used to have a professor in college who would have pop-quizzes in woodwind class. That meant that at any time you could be called upon to play the chromatic scale on the clarinet and for every mistake you made your grade would go down by one letter. It was made all the worse because everyone in the class would be watching and no one knew who would be called on to play. Needless to say we all spent many hours practicing clarinet so to avoid the utter embarrassment of making mistakes.

Christ’s return is unpredictable like a pop quiz but so much more important. This is eternal life and God’s final judgment we’re talking about. Our own goodness counts for nothing in God’s grand plan. It is our trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins that is the righteousness which will get us to heaven. So we need to be sure that we know Jesus and then live like him, walking in obedience to his commands. What was Christ’s main command? Love one another. Is that Simple? Not really. But that is the sign of Christ in our life.

So on May 21^st spend the day showing the love of Christ to everyone you meet. The Jesus in you is the best advertisement we have for the truth of the Gospel in this world.

Voice of Hope

2011-05-09T13:52:00.000-04:00

Recently at the Council of Bishops meeting in St. Simon’s Island, Georgia we heard testimony from Bishop Boni of the Cote D’Ivoire Annual Conference about the violence that was happening because of the civil unrest over the presidential election. The bishop recounted how for days there was continual bombing and shooting and everyone was in constant fear for their life. At one point gun men came into the church where people were hiding. The people had to keep very quiet so the gun men would not find them. Among the group of people hiding were many women with babies. The babies had to keep quiet or the gun men would know their whereabouts and shoot them. They prayed earnestly that the infants would keep silent while the soldiers were looking around the church. God answered their prayer and for two hours they made no noise. The soldiers left and no one was killed.

Another amazing part of the testimony was the “Voice of Hope” radio station that the United Methodist church continued broadcasting throughout the constant bombing. All other radio stations and phone lines had been cut but the UM radio station continued to play Christian music uninterrupted by God’s grace. The music and the encouraging word of scripture kept hope alive during this terrible ordeal. The bishop thanked everyone for the support of this radio station. It was indeed a voice of hope and it continues to air in Cote D’Ivoire as the unrest continues.

Please pray for our United Methodist sisters and brothers in Cote D’Ivoire. They have one of the largest churches in the world. Our UM presence is waging peace in the midst of war. Thanks to God for protecting Bishop Boni and his staff during this difficult time.

Love your Enemies: Thoughts on the Death of Osama Bin Laden

2011-05-03T13:02:00.000-04:00

Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” He went so far as to say if someone slaps you on the cheek to turn the other cheek. When Jesus was being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Jesus said “No more of this!”

The assassination of Osama Bin Laden is contrary to Christian teaching. He was our enemy. Did we pray for him? Was the act of killing him a sign of love? Obviously this is a very difficult position to take as it is radical. Christianity is radical, self sacrificing and counter cultural. Acting like Jesus is not popular. Osama Bin Laden committed terrible crimes against humanity. He should have been tried by an international court.

I believe that the assassination of Bin Laden will spur on a whole new wave of terrorism. This act surely has infuriated his followers and they will need to find a way to strike back. Violence breeds more violence and the cycle of death and revenge will continue indefinitely. How sad for the future innocent victims. Think how many innocent people have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11.

I believe this is a sad day with sadder times to come. Proverbs 24:17 reminds us “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.” I pray for a day when we know in our hearts the futility of violence and the necessity of peace-making as our best Christian witness.

Pornography: it is a bigger problem than you can imagine

2011-04-28T10:20:00.004-04:00

Three weeks ago I attended a summit meeting of religious leaders known as the Religious Alliance Against Pornography. This interfaith group is working to educate religious organizations and the public at large about the widespread use of pornography in our society today. It also uses its corporate influence on matters of legal and public policy when appropriate. Members of this alliance are partnering with the National Coalition and iCare to educate people about how to protect themselves from pornography. With the advent of computers, internet, and many kinds of hand-held devices and cell phones pornography, sex trafficking and prostitution has become a multi-billion dollar industry around the world. Just about anything and everything is at the click of a mouse on a personal computer. Many innocent children and teens are being trapped into this culture.

If you have not already done so protect your home and church computers with filters and “smart limits.” Parents should study the kinds of protections that can be put on cell phones and video games. When you see pornography in stores or in the media use your voice to raise awareness and complain to managers and advertisers. Support international efforts to stop sex trafficking of young children and women. The United Methodist Women have many such programs. Speak to church groups and youth groups about the dangers of pornography. Get counseling and help for people with addictions to pornography. Above all else, pray for God’s grace to make a difference in this world by your pro-active witness.

For more info contact www.nationalcoailtion.org.

Resources from the General Board of Church and Society -
www.umc-gbcs.org:
Sex and the Church — Pornography and sexual addiction
Prevention of the Use of Pornography in the Church (#2082, 2008 BOR)
United Methodist Web site on sexual ethics: www.umsexualethics.org

UMSE Bulletin: Monthly News, Events and Information on
Sexual Ethics for The United Methodist Church:
http://www.umsexualethics.org/NewsandResources/UMSEMonthlyBulletin.aspx

CONFERENCE: Healthy Sexuality in Light of Internet Pornography: The Church’s Place
Camp Hill United Methodist Church, Camp Hill, PA. Save the date -- May 2, 2011.
COST $35 incl lunch. Contact: Darlene R. Schlegel, PA Council of Churches,
717 545 4761. d.schlegel@pachurches.org

Seder

2011-04-17T22:14:00.001-04:00

The Jewish Passover celebration begins today (Monday). This is the ancient meal that was instituted by the children of Israel to remind them about their escape from slavery in Egypt. The word “seder” means “order” and this meal has an orderly progression of courses of foods and rituals, all of which recount God’s delivery of the Jews from the hand of the Pharaoh. The steps include: the blessing over the wine, the washing of the hands, the dipping of vegetables in salt water, the breaking of the matzahs (unleavened bread), the retelling of the story of exodus, the second washing of the hands, the blessings over the matzahs, the blessing of the bitter herb, the better herb and the charoset ( an apple-nut mixture) eaten on a matzah, the festive meal (which includes lamb), the eating of the last matzah, the grace after the meal, the Psalm of praise, and the closing statements.

In the closing statement the seder is declared complete and all wish that next year the seder might be observed in Jerusalem. This declaration means that they hope that the Messiah will come soon and allow all to celebrate next year in Jerusalem that has been rebuilt.

Christ instituted the Last Supper during a Passover meal on the night before his death. In this meal he brought fulfillment to the promise long ago that God would save people from their sins once and for all. As we observe Holy Thursday and Good Friday this week, may we not only look back at this story of redemption but also look forward to the day when everything is fully restored. Just as the Jews say “next year in Jerusalem” may we pray “next year may the Lord come again and restore all things and we will feast at Christ’s heavenly banquet.” May we prepare ourselves for that great day.

Asleep on the Job

2011-04-12T15:21:00.000-04:00

Back in March the news reported a case in which an air traffic controller at Reagan International Airport fell asleep on the job around midnight. Two commercial jets approaching the airport intending to land could not get a response from the tower. They even called on the phone and still no response. Luckily both flights landed safely. I think we are all grateful for that and that we were not on those two flights that night. Certainly this could have been a life-threatening situation.

I think all of us can think of a time when we fell asleep at the wrong time. I remember once I dozed off during a particularly long testimony at a funeral in the deaf church where I was serving as pastor. It was quite embarrassing to wake up, realizing everyone was waiting for me to get up and finish the funeral.

Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before his death. He asked three of his closest friends to pray with him but instead of praying they fell asleep. Three times they fell asleep during Jesus’ most agonizing moments with God. If they had stayed awake surely they could have been a comfort and a strength for Jesus.

We can fall asleep literally during important times and not so important times of life. But more subtle are times when we figuratively fall asleep by ignoring important issues of our faith. God is often like a jet pilot calling to us in the control deck of our life but we are rushing through our prayers, ignoring God’s warnings and leading and living as if we were asleep on the job.

What is our job? To love the Lord your God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. To do anything other than that is to be asleep on the job. We only get one life to live and we need to be awake, alive and obedient to God’s direction for our life. What message is God calling to you? How is God trying to get your attention? Keep awake and focused on God’s will for your life, and you will never sleep through God’s plan for your life.

When Religion Divides and Hurts People

2011-04-04T11:30:00.000-04:00

The Spirit of God unites people and religion divides people. This statement sums up what is happening in the world today when religion goes painfully wrong and people get hurt. How sad that Rev. Terry Jones decided to burn the Koran causing riots and death to innocent people from the UN. How sad that the Westboro Baptist church hurts so many people during their funeral protests. They do this as a way of making a statement against gay people in this country. When beliefs are such that the people holding those beliefs justify hurt and destruction then things have gone far from the holy intent of religion. We shake our heads in disgust and disbelief.

But do we not do the same thing when we reject and hurt people with our words over controversial issues that arise in our churches? When there are divisions and painful arguments in church over anything whatsoever we have convicted ourselves of hypocrisy. Paul says in I Corinthians 6:7-8 “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead you yourselves cheat and do wrong and you do this to your brothers.”

Instead of engaging in controversy and disagreement, put energy into doing the things that make for the unity of the body. The fruit of the Spirit gives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22). Peace and unity among people of faith is the greatest witness we have to the love of Christ in this world. How can you wage peace in turbulent times in your church? If we can’t do it here in our churches then we have no room to judge others stirring up controversy and pain in this world.

Restoring the Passover…Restore Holy Week Services

2011-03-29T10:50:00.001-04:00

Long ago there lived and good and just king named Josiah. He was the king of Judah during the last years of its time as an independent kingdom. Josiah was a good king but his father before him had been a bad king. During the reign of his father, Amon, the Jewish people were worshiping the idols of foreign gods and did all the evil things that his father did. His father King Manasseh was even more evil. He worshiped idols, shed innocent blood, consulted mediums and wizards, burned his children as sacrifices and set up idols on the very altar of the temple.

Josiah became king at the age of 8 and the Book of II Kings compares him to King David. It says “Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.” (II Kings 23:25) When he was 18 he sent workers into the temple to renovate and to purge the house of God of all the foreign gods and evil practices. While they were fixing up the temple they uncovered the Law of Moses. It had not been read in years. When the law was read to the king he realized that God’s people were in serious trouble with God because of their years of idol worship. He tore his clothes and called for a national time of repentance and restoration.

He directed that all the people should come to the temple and hear the reading of the book of the covenant, he destroyed all the idols, he deposed the idolatrous priests, he broke down the houses of the male temple prostitutes. He even burned the bones of the people who had been idol-worshipers as a way of defiling the pagan altars.

He reinstituted the Passover celebration as well. Apparently the Jews had not been celebrating the Passover for a very long time. This was a feast that commemorated the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. It was the Passover that Jesus celebrated with his disciples the night before he was crucified.

Sometimes I think our churches are acting like the Jews before Josiah came along. For the most part we don’t take Holy Week services very seriously. We’ve forgotten who we are. Attendance at our Holy Thursday services are usually small and some churches don’t even have Good Friday services at all. This is a holy remembrance of the most important acts of Christ’s life and most of our church members stay home! This should not be. We go to Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday but skip the journey to the cross. Our churches should be just as full on Holy Thursday and Good Friday as they are on Easter.

I encourage you to be like Josiah. Put God first in your life. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength. Make the holy services a priority in your life. Put away the idols, the competing activities, and live for God only.

George Clooney Doesn’t Have to Die from Malaria

2011-03-22T12:06:00.006-04:00

I learned today that the actor George Clooney contracted malaria while he was on a humanitarian trip to Africa recently. This apparently is not the first bout with malaria and he has been treated and is doing fine. This disease, which kills a child every 45 seconds on this earth is still a killer. However in the United States, where we have more money and superior health care resources people can take life-saving medications so they don’t have to die from malaria.

It is true of many diseases. Years ago people died from illnesses that today would be easily treated with antibiotics. In a new book entitled, How they Croaked, by Georgia Bragg, we read about the death of many famous people. Most of them could have been saved from it they had our modern medicines. King Henry VIII died from infection in his leg caused by gout. When I studied my family history I learned of a woman in the family who lived in the 1800’s who died in childbirth. A simple C-section would have saved her life and the life of the baby.

Here is the point: we know how to save people from dying from malaria. It is not just about nets. United Methodists have raised $16 million dollars for campaign known as “Nothing but Nets.” The nets prevent people from getting bit by the deadly night time mosquitoes that cause malaria. The new campaign: “Imagine No Malaria” takes things even further.Life-saving medicines and lab tests are part of the program. It also teaches people how to properly use the bed nets and how to avoid contact with mosquitoes. In addition it pays for research on mosquitoes and how to stop them from infecting people with this deadly disease.

No one has to die from malaria. Please raise funds for this continuing effort at your church.It is one of the Four Foci of the United Methodist Church. Then bring your church’s offering to Annual Conference or send it to your conference office.

We believe in making disciples of Jesus Christ and then going out and transforming the world. There are many people who die needlessly and we can make a difference by our generosity.

For more information, go to: www.imaginenomalaria.org.

Saint Patrick

2011-03-18T11:33:00.002-04:00

Born in AD 387, Patrick was the son of a deacon who lived in Roman Britain. At the age of sixteen he was kidnapped by pirates who sold him into slavery to a rich man in Ireland. There he worked as a shepherd for six years until miraculously God provided a way of escape. In a vision he saw a ship that was to take him home and he escaped by the very ship he saw in his vision and returned to his family. He studied for the priesthood and was asked to return to Ireland to work as a missionary in this land that was entirely pagan. His six years of slavery there afforded him the knowledge of the language. His master was a high ranking druid and from him he learned the culture of the druid religion. God used the six years of slavery to train Patrick for his future service. Under his many years of missionary work in Ireland he converted Ireland to Christianity and brought about many social reforms.

I thank God for Patrick’s adversity that God used for good. As we face setbacks and troubles in life we need to remember this godly man’s experience and remember that “all things work together for good as we love God and are called according to God’s purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Here are some words of Saint Patrick that we should pray every day:
I bind myself today, God’s power to guide me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to reach me, God’s eye to watch over me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s Word to give me speech, God’s hand to guide me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to shelter me, God’s host to secure me against the snares of demons, against the seduction of vices.

Double Portion of Elijah’s Spirit

2011-03-04T06:20:00.002-05:00

Long ago there was a mighty prophet named Elijah. You can read about him in the Book of First Kings. He lived during the time of the kings of Israel and Judah. He was full of the Spirit of God. He told King Ahab that there would be a great drought in the land. During this drought he cared for a widow and promised her, by a miracle of God, that her oil and flour would not run out until the drought was over. Later he challenged the prophets of Baal (the pagan god) to a contest. The god that could light a fire on the altar on Mt. Carmel would be the one true god. The God of Israel won of course, and Elijah had the prophets of Baal put to a sword. Still later Elijah spoke against King Ahab for killing a man in order to steal his garden. Finally he was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Just before he went to heaven he asked his assistant, Elisha, if he had any last requests. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah told him that was a difficult request but if he saw him ascend into heaven then God would grant his wish. Elisha did see Elijah go up into heaven and a double portion of Elijah’s spirit began to manifest itself in the ministry of Elisha. His story can be found in the Book of Second Kings.

Elisha’s ministry was characterized by acts of social justice. He raised money for the pension fund for the widow of a dead prophet by multiplying oil, he changed polluted water into fresh water, he prayed for a childless woman to bear a son, later when that miracle-child, who was born to this woman, died, it was Elisha who raised him back to life, he removed poison from a pot of soup, he miraculously raised up an ax head from the water, he multiplied twelve loaves of bread into enough food for a hundred people, and he healed an army commander of leprosy.

One of Elisha’s most amazing deeds was to conquer an entire army. He did this with the disarming power of kindness. The king of the Aramean army sought to kill Elisha because he was able to predict his military maneuvers and tell them to the King of Israel. The Aramean army arrived at Elisha’s home with orders to kill him. He prayed to the Lord to strike the soldiers with temporary blindness. While they were blind he led them to the capital city of Israel (Samaria) where he restored their sight. The king of Israel saw the enemy army and exclaimed to Elisha, “Shall I kill them?” Elisha told him not to kill them but to give them food and water. This they did and after they feasted the army went home and there was peace between Israel and Aram from then on.

Having a double portion of Elijah’s spirit appears to me to manifest itself in acts of kindness, concern for the marginalized, helping the environment, feeding the hungry, showing compassion for one’s enemies and healing the sick. These are some of the basic ministries of a Christian and you don’t need to be a miracle-working prophet to do these things. God’s Spirit can lead you to places in your world where you can make peace. God’s Spirit can empower you to feed hungry people in your community. God’s Spirit can give you a heart for people who are left out of the things that make life meaningful. You can contribute to the Central Conference Pension Fund.

When you do these things it is evident that you too have a double portion of Elijah’s Spirit, which is the amazing Spirit of God.

Prison Reform

2011-02-23T14:53:00.000-05:00

Did you know that the United States now leads the world in incarcerations with 2.3 million people currently in the nation’s prisons? A recent issue of Response Magazine (February 2011) states that there has been a 500 percent increase in our prison population in the last 30 years. Much of that is due to the “War on Drugs” that has given out prison sentences instead of drug treatment programs.

The United Methodist Women are partnering with the “Sentencing Project” (www.sentencingproject.org) to call for restorative justice on local, state and federal levels. There are many ways that we as a nation work together to enable prison reform. We can also work with families of incarcerated people as many of the children of those in prison are at-risk on so many levels.

What can you and your church do to make a difference? You can write a letter, tutor a child, provide gifts, teach a Bible Study, provide after-care, speak in favor of reform, get to know a family that has a loved one incarcerated and provide transportation, postage, food….the possibilities are endless.

Messages on Quilts

2011-02-18T15:39:00.000-05:00

According to “The City of Owen Sound” (www.osblackhistory.com) historians have long known that secret messages in the form of quilt patterns were used by slaves who were escaping to freedom during the American Civil War. These quilt patterns were a form of written language since it was illegal to teach slaves to read or write. The quilt patterns gave messages to slaves who were preparing to escape. The quilts would be hung out on clotheslines or porch rails and slave owners did not suspect this kind of communication was going on since people typically put out their bedding to be “aired out” during the day. The quilt patterns included common pictures such as a wagon wheel, a star, a crossroads, and a log cabin, etc.

Using these quilt patterns for direction many people found their way to freedom in the north. Truth was marching on. During Black History month we look back on the many ways African American people overcame oppression and worked for social justice. How sad that people were treated this way: enslaved to a life of cruel labor, being regarded as property, and being denied education and an opportunity for advancement. We shake our heads at that generation and say this was terrible and glad that things are better now.

Things are not better now. Human trafficking still exists. People still discriminate against one another for a huge laundry list of reasons. People treat one another inhumanely in order to obtain or maintain power, money and privilege. People live in fear and not in faith. But the good news is that with God truth is marching on. Every place where there are shackles and injustice God sees and God is using God’s people to do something about it. You are either part of the problem or part of the solution. It takes courage to speak out for justice. Do it anyway.

Thirty-Three Retired Bishops

2011-02-06T12:56:00.002-05:00

Recently 33 retired United Methodist Bishops issued a statement that calls the church to reconsider Paragraph 304.3 from The Book of Discipline (2008)

“…the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.”

In the statement they raise a number of issues such as the gifts and graces for ministry that God has given all people, the loss of members due to this position (including many of the younger generation), the closeting of gay and lesbian pastors who are already in our system, the draining of the energy of bishops who disagree with the paragraph and are required to live in a way that is contrary to their convictions, the conflict between upholding the Book of Discipline and caring for effective gay or lesbian pastors, the call for greater flexibility from some seminary leaders, and the stress it places upon gay and lesbian pastors who feel called to seek ministry in the UMC but have to choose between leaving, staying and praying or challenging the BOD and accepting punitive actions.

My response?

1) Thanksgiving for freedom of speech.

I am grateful that the United Methodist Church practices tolerance and allows all parts of the body, be they bishops, pastors or church members, to state the official beliefs of the church and then they are free to give their opinion and share their convictions. We are a people of Holy Conferencing and dialog. God’s revelation is ongoing and it happens best through civil conversations, prayer and the expression of differences of opinion. Think about the early church when Gentiles were first “allowed” to be Christians or when our annual conferences became desegregated or when women were first ordained. In each case a change was happening as people listened to each other, prayed and discerned.
Some of our social issues, though already enacted into church law, are still in the process of debate. Since I became a bishop I have not had an appointment season yet that I haven’t heard from a church informing me that “you can’t send us a woman pastor.” We continue to have conversation and work together. But we work with each other in love and gentleness. The issue of homosexuality is an important dialog for the church in the 21st century. There would not be so much energy and polarization if it were not vitally necessary not only for to the church but for our souls as well. Social justice concerns are never easy as people of good will stand on both sides on this issue. Nonetheless, I believe we need to be in this dialog.

2) ”Compatibility Mode” sentences.

The Social Principles which state that the UMC does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching also states: “all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God.” It goes on to say “We affirm that God’s grace is available to all. We will seek to live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.” (Paragraph 161f).
On my computer I have several versions of Microsoft Word. When I send files out on a newer version I hear back from people with computers using different operating systems who say they cannot open my attachments. I send it again in “Compatibility Mode” and it can be read by everyone, no matter what kind of computer they have. I consider the statements I just quoted about welcoming, forgiving, loving and not to reject or condemn are our United Methodist “Compatibility Mode” rules for living. Can we try that? Is God glorified when we go to General Conference and groups from opposing views stand on either side of the street protesting against the other? Aren’t Christians supposed to be the models for the world on how to get along with each other? It is easy to pick a side and say “my side is right and your side is wrong.” Instead let’s do the hard work of compatibility and peacemaking.

3) Truth embraces the whole.

Homosexuality and the church is a difficult issue because each “side” of this debate has a piece of the truth that the other needs. It is not “either/or” but “both/and.” The scriptures are full of these polarities of truth: faith and works, grace and law, predestination and free will, “today you will be with me in Paradise” and “on the last day the dead in Christ shall rise first.” Holiness and hospitality don’t have to be in conflict with one another. In the amazing world of God’s truth they complement one another. Paul reminds us “the eye cannot say to the hand ‘I don’t need you.” (I Corinthians 12: 21a) My prayer is that we stop “othering” the side we don’t agree with out of love for Christ and out of a deep desire for the full truth. May we humbly acknowledge that this “other” side has something to offer us personally in our spiritual walk with the Lord and seek to dialog about it.

I like the 3rd verse of that great hymn of the church “The Church’s One Foundation.” It states “though with a scornful wonder we see her sore oppressed by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, ‘How long?’ And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.” (BOH 545) May we sing on that morning when the heresy of “my side is the only way” ends and schisms give way to true Christian unity.

4) Keep the main thing the main thing.

The ‘main thing” of course, is “making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” We need to agree on a main purpose for our church and seek unity that allows us to do this in the most effective way. The practice of constant fighting one another destroys our witness and slows down the central mission. Reaching all people for Christ is the goal, not just some people, not just the ones we agree with, who look like us, act like us, and live like us.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement, had such a spirit. According to the Oxford Diaries he came to the aid of a prisoner by the name of Thomas Blair who was charged with a homosexual offence. Out of Wesley’s concern for the eternal soul of this man, he ministered to him spiritually and proactively. He read to him, contacted his attorney, and did some legal writing. This ministry drew a good bit of criticism from the church but Wesley continued to help Blair anyway because of his passion for the gospel and for social justice. When the gospel is the main goal we preach and teach the gospel and we don’t need to choose who is deserving or worthy of our ministry. God will sort it all out.

5) Call to confession and prayer.

Ask God to call to mind the times when we have harmed a brother or a sister by our judgmental words and deeds. I remember being told by a well-meaning and concerned Christian that I was an “abomination” because I was a woman pastor. I understood his theology and his interpretation of scripture but it hurt anyway. I can think of times when I have judged those who disagree with my position on a particular issue and I ask God to forgive me. God is the judge, not us, and when we judge others we stand in line to be judged by a God who sees all. Pray for illumination on this issue and seek guidance on how God wants you to personally respond as we prepare for another General Conference in 2012. Pray with thanksgiving for the gifts that all parts of the Body of Christ bring to the table. Don’t pray that this struggle goes away. Pray that the struggle will bring us to a better day of inclusiveness and understanding for all.

The Central Conference Pension Initiative Fund

2011-02-02T22:14:00.000-05:00

One of the biggest shocks I had while visiting the Congo last summer was learning that many of the pastors were paid nothing for their services as local church ministers. The poverty was very great. Those pastors who retire are in an even worse predicament because they have less ability to earn money in other ways due to the health concerns of age. The Central Conference Pension Initiative was established to give some money to help these retired pastors. The goal is $25 million and so far I am happy to report that our denomination has raised a total of $16 million in cash. There are 984 recipients so far in six central conference areas. This is about half of the total need. This initiative, once fully funded, will be a gift that keeps on giving because only the interest from the money will be distributed. In addition this program trains the central conferences how to establish their own pension systems for self-sufficiency in the future.

The people who are getting help are our faithful pastors who have given their lives for years and are now living in extreme poverty. Rev. Pilar Page is one such pastor from one of our conferences in Africa. She was ordained in 1983 and retired in 2004. She recently purchased a mattress with her CCPI-supported pension payments. It is the first mattress she has ever owned. She writes “Until now I have slept on the ground my entire life. Now I sleep so much better. It is the best thing I ever did for my health.” Rev. Page is also in the process of purchasing some farm land and plans to donate a portion of this land to the church. Rev. James Piah was ordained in 1980 and served as the director of connectional ministries until his retirement in 1996. He had problems with his eyesight. With the CCPI support he has been able to have surgery on both eyes and was also able to repair his home. He says “life is very, very good.”

The Philadelphia Area has contributed to this fund. Eastern So far Eastern PA has sent in $60,815 and the Peninsula-Delaware Conference has contributed $91,376. Please continue to give to this very important effort. This is the kind of thing that the United Methodist Connection does that makes a huge impact because we join together to achieve the goal. Donations may be sent to your conference offices (EPA – PO Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482, PDC – 139 N. State Street, Dover, DE 19901). For more information check out the CCPI on line at www.ccpi-umc.org.

National Kazoo Day

2011-01-30T15:28:00.000-05:00

I have a 2011 calendar that gives an unusual listing of all the “national” holidays that are not particularly well known or agreed upon by the general public. This winsome list includes: national popcorn day, national gumdrop day, random acts of kindness day, toothache day, thank a mailman day, sunglasses day, etc. January 28th is “National Kazoo Day” and there is no clue in this calendar as to why this day was chosen or why kazoos are lifted up for appreciation.

I went online and studied up on kazoos. Apparently their origin goes back to ancient times in Africa where instruments known as “mirlitons” were used in tribal ceremonies for the purpose of imitating a voice using a vibrating membrane. Through the years people from all over the world have used some kind of instrument like a kazoo to create a masked voice sound in theatre, worship, and folk music.

I used to teach vocal music in the public schools and I found that everyone could play a kazoo. All you needed was a voice and the kazoo would use whatever tune you would hum into it and create an interesting imitation.

The Apostle Paul wrote many letters from a prison cell and in these letters he admonishes his churches to imitate him. In Philippians 3:17 he writes “brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.” Paul was not flattering himself but he earnestly had the best interest of the church in mind when he wrote these things. The early Christians did not have Bibles to read from like we do today. The fledgling church of Paul’s day depended on oral tradition, the teachings of the leaders and most importantly the example of these leaders to show the meaning of the Christian life. Paul offered himself as a model for others to follow. He was the” tune” and the early church people were like the kazoos, imitating his tune.

Every day you and I are being watched by someone who is on a Christian journey to maturity. Our example is the “Bible” that people see in action. A thousand times each day we make choices that can exemplify Christ or exemplify the world. Every time we model the Christian life we set forth an example for others to follow. May we be an encouragement and an inspiration for those who are watching.

2011-01-17T10:50:00.001-05:00

Sermon Delivered on January 17. 2011
Martin Luther King Day Celebration

Joshua 3:1-17
Early in the morning Joshua rose and set out from Shittim with all the Israelites and they came to the Jordan. They camped there before crossing over. At the end of three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people “when you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place. Follow it, so that you may know the way you should go, for you have not passed this way before. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, a distance of about two thousand cubits; do not come any nearer to it.’ Then Joshua said to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.’ To the priests Joshua said, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass on in front of the people.’ So they took up the ark of the covenant and went in front of the people. The Lord said to Joshua, ‘This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses. You are the one who shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant. When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan you shall stand still in the Jordan.’ Joshua then said to the Israelites, ‘Draw near and hear the words of the Lord your God,’ Joshua said ‘By this you shall know that among you is the living God who without fail will drive out from before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is going to pass before you into the Jordan. So now select twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan flowing from above shall be cut off: they shall stand in a single heap.’

When the people set out from their tents to cross over the Jordan, the priests bearing the ark of the covenant were in front of the people. Now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest. So when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water, the waters flowing from above stood still, rising up in a single heap far off at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, while those flowing towards the sea of the Arabah, the Dead Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people crossed over opposite Jericho. While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan

Marching orders! When you hear that term you think of a commander of an army sending troops into battle for a strategic attack. We read about Gideon, who led the Israelites in battle against a vast Midian Army with only 300 men. He ordered them to surround the enemy camp in three groups and blow a trumpet and hold up a torch and shout “For the Lord and for Gideon.” Amazingly this sudden light and sound attack threw the Midianites into confusion and they turned their swords on one another and fled.

We read about King David who was instructed by God to attack the enemy when they heard the sound of marching in the balsam trees.

Nothing can be more impressive to me than the moment when the children of Israel, after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, finally arrived at the banks of the Jordan and prepared to enter the Promised Land. The marching orders were from God, the message was clear, the purpose was unmistakable.

Today as we celebrate the life and vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. I can’t help but ponder the amazing parallels between Hebrew people entering into the Promised Land and the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s. The marching orders had many similarities. The march goes on with us in this present time in history. Civil Rights is a cause that is far from won on this planet we live on and the marching orders of the past call us today to continue to the work and ministry.

So what are the marching orders? God leads where you don’t know. In the case of the Israelites, Joshua commanded the people to follow the Levites who will carry the ark of the covenant. He said, “Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.”

God led Martin Luther King to a place he had never been before as well. He was the son of a Baptist minister, educated at Morehouse College, Crozier Theological Seminary and Boston University. While studying in Boston he was transformed by the teachings of Ghandi, who struggled for human rights in India and accomplished it using the principle of non-violence. King described it this way “Non-violence is not sterile passivity but a powerful moral force that makes for social transformation”. This was a radical and effective way of doing human rights work. With this philosophy in mind King led successful boycotts and marches and peaceful demonstrations. He traveled all over the country to places he never could have imagined.

Still today God calls us to do things in new ways and go places where we don’t know. Marching orders are a call out of the comfortable and the familiar to something new, different and unexpected.

Mary McLeod Bethume got an unexpected a call from God. She was in church one Sunday and a visiting minister urged her to move to Florida to manage a new mission school. She packed up everything and went. She taught at the mission school and this eventually led her to build her own school in Daytona, Florida. She had a dream to open a school for African American girls. She started with a bare house, some cast-off crates for desks and five students. Within 3 years she was able to move to a permanent facility with 14 buildings and 400 students. God used her because she was willing to go where she did not know.

I love the hymn “The Summons.” It says: “Will you come and follow me if I but call your name….will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?” Be willing to go where you don’t know and you will be following the marching orders of God.

A second marching order involved sanctification. Joshua ordered the people to sanctify themselves in preparation for this crossing into the Promised Land. This required the ceremonial washing of their clothes, bathing and abstinence. Joshua told them to do that because “tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” God can do whatever God wants to do but God has chosen to order this world in such a way that we are partners with God in his amazing acts of redemption. By the acts of sanctification the people are preparing not just their clothes and their bodies but their hearts, clean before God with right motives, solely dedicated to God’s purpose and free from sin.

One of the things that made Martin Luther King such an incredible leader is that he called people in the Civil Rights movement to sanctification of self and he warned people of the sins that could get in the way if folks were not vigilant. He said: “There is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must ever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.”

Booker T. Washington once said a similar thing: “I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.”

Still today people in the ongoing Civil Rights movement are called to exhibit the highest standard of respect and civility for those they disagree with, while maintaining our positions. The moment people become bitter and demonize those from the opposing side then the cause is compromised.

Finally, marching orders call for risks and sacrifices. The most amazing part of this text from Joshua is when the Jordan River parts so that the Children of Israel could cross over on dry ground. It is reminiscent of the day long before that when the Israelites fled from the Egyptians and the Red Sea parted and they passed through in safety. The pursuing Egyptian army drown as the waters returned after the Israelites had crossed over.

This is a wonderful miracle but do you see the faith part in the story? God orders the priests who are carrying the ark to go and stand in the river. He did not say “when you get to the river’s edge I will part the waters and then you step in.” No, he asks them to walk in while there is still water there. This wasn’t a little stream. This was a river…I’ve been there. What God was calling for was faith and a willingness to take a risk out of obedience. Once they took the risk and showed God that they were willing to obey, THEN the waters parted.

Martin Luther King is considered a hero. Temple University psychologist Frank Farley writes about heroes. He says in all the national polls about who people consider a true hero, King’s name is always on the list, along with Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa. Farley explains there are three kinds of heroes: people who are heroes in situation, like pulling someone from a burning building. There are heroes who engage in life saving work as a part of their job like ambulance drivers and fire fighters. Then there are life-long heroes who have made a significant contribution to humanity. They have courage and strength, are loving and kind, have skill, expertise and honesty, and are risk takers.

King was willing to take risks. He once wrote: “If physical death is the price that some must pay to save us and our white brothers from eternal death of the spirit then no sacrifice could be more redemptive.” He also reminded his followers: “I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.”
Martin Luther King paid the ultimate sacrifice with his life. He stepped into the waters of this movement waist high out of obedience to God. His death and his life was redemptive and his sacrifice did much to further the work.

I love the hymn “O Young and Fearless Prophet”…O young a fearless prophet of ancient Galillee…thy life is still a summons to serve humanity, to make our thoughts and actions less prone to please the crowd, to stand with humble courage for truth with hearts uncowed.”

Every day we can make a difference in this world for good if we would be willing to obey the call of God, no matter how outlandish it sounds, and take the risk to step into the waters of sacrifice. We only get one chance at this life! Live it to the fullest following God’s call for your life.

In conclusion, on this celebration of the life of Martin Luther King, remember the marching orders of God: go where you don’t know, sanctify yourself for the work and be willing to sacrifice. By doing things God’s way you will always win the battle.

God and Dog

2011-01-11T10:30:00.003-05:00

Recently I saw a YouTube film that describes the similarities between a loving God and a humble family pet.* Both give unconditional love, forgiveness, faithful presence and joy. God is, of course so much more than that. God is the creator of the universe, redeemer of all, and empowering Spirit. God is ever present, all powerful, all knowing, and impossible to fully comprehend. And not every dog is a tail-wagging, faithful companion. Yet, we frail humans can grasp the essence of God in the word “love” and when we experience real love it is transforming. I Corinthians 13:4-5 reminds us that “Love is patient, love is kind, love is not envious or boastful or arrogant, or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.”

Dogs are often more loving than the people we know. In their humility and unconditional acceptance we can experience the love of God. I used to work with deaf-blind people, many of whom had seeing-eye dogs. These dogs were not only companions but also the eyes and ears of the owner. The bond between them was amazing. The key was the servant-hood, the humility and the faithfulness of the dog. Some of these dogs actually put themselves in harm’s way to protect their master when they were in danger.

This dog-like attitude remains the basis for all human cooperation and peace on earth: humility, a servant heart, forgiveness. It is disarming, it heals, opens doors of understanding, and it helps people who are different find a common bond. So…be a dog! Try it for a day and see how God can use you to warm up this cold, cold world.

*"GoD and DoG" by Wendy Francisco:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY&feature=related

Prayer request following tragic shootings

2011-01-09T11:20:00.001-05:00

The news is filled with reports of the horrific shooting on Saturday, which happened while U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona held a public meeting with constituents in a supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. Six persons died, among them a nine-year-old girl. Thirteen persons were wounded, including Rep. Giffords. Please keep all of the persons involved in this tragic event and their families in your prayers.

Both law enforcement officials and elected politicians have attributed an increase in violence and violent threats to bitter political rhetoric used in recent elections. I implore you to avoid this kind of divisive and antagonistic rhetoric that can lead to violence.

And please pray faithfully in your congregations as well as personally for an end to violence in our streets, across our nation, and around the world.

“ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4: 11-16 (NIV)

“Give Me 36”

2011-01-03T09:50:00.000-05:00

Last weekend when the snow moved up the east coast many of our cities found themselves blanketed with several inches of snow. In the city of Philadelphia there is a new law requiring that the path on the sidewalks now need to be thirty-six inches wide. This new wider path will enable people to walk safely on the sidewalk and not venture out into the streets. This will also be a distinct help for people who use wheelchairs as well.

Mayor Nutter himself went out to shovel snow last week and he called on everyone to “give me 36.” He led by example and encouraged everyone to dig wider for safety and accessibility. I hope that all of our churches will see to it that the snow is shoveled and there be a wide path to the doors of our houses of worship.

I hope that you will use this as an allegory for church growth as well in 2011. Set some goals to widen your congregation’s ministry! Widen your outreach to new people! Can you take in 36 new members this year? Can you increase your worship attendance by 36 or maybe by 360? Can you widen your circle of concern to reach out in ministry and mission with people who are poor, with people who look different than you, with younger people, and with people with disabilities? It might take some “shoveling” of old habits, fears and apathy, but it can be done. With God’s help and our pastors and lay leaders setting the tone we can reach more people for Jesus Christ.

Give me 36!

Freedom’s Eve

2010-12-28T22:47:00.000-05:00

The founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley and his brother Charles first called the people together for a Watch Night service on Christmas Eve in 1755. It was a time for the people called Methodists to rededicate themselves anew to God at the doorway of a new year. It was a time for the Covenant Prayer to be prayed by all:

I am no longer my own, but Thine,
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
Exalted for thee or brought low by thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Thou art mine, and I am Thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
Let it be ratified in heaven. Amen (Book of Hymns #607)

Recently the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference extended cabinet helped to serve lunch at the feeding program provided at Tindley Temple. Rev. Elaine Ayers, the pastor, explained to me the significance of the Watch Night service as it pertains to the African American community. On December 31, 1862 slaves all around the country gathered together in anticipation of the stroke of midnight when the Emancipation Proclamation would take effect and they would be legally free. On “Freedom’s Eve” they worshiped God and rededicated their lives to God as they moved into a new chapter of their life and history.

God is a God of new beginnings. God is always about the business of offering all of us “Freedom’s Eve.” Whatever is binding us does not need to hold us down if we are in Christ Jesus. I hope that everyone will take time, whether in church or with family and friends to observe a Watch Night time of worship on December 31st. Celebrate your freedom in Christ and rededicate all that you are and all that you have to God. Look forward to new avenues of service to God in the year to come.

Believe!

2010-12-22T11:20:00.000-05:00

The word “believe” is seen on billboards and bumper-stickers. It is a slogan for city rejuvenation and youth empowerment. It is used in lyrics of old love songs (“Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer!). However, I believe it is best expressed in the meaning of a relationship between God and people. A teenage girl was visited by an angel long ago and told some pretty amazing news: “now you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:31) Mary believed, even though she was a virgin, even though she was not married, even though she was poor and from a lowly family. When Mary visited Elizabeth, her aged cousin who was also pregnant with an unbelievable baby, she exclaims to Mary: “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” (Luke 1:45)

Every day the good Lord makes promises to you and to me. Some of them are pretty unbelievable. God is always working for good, doing impossible things through unlikely people. Yet we humans tend to get fixated on the negative and won’t believe what God is promising to do, despite the evidence. Mary had many fine attributes but her greatest one was her ability to believe where she could not see. That is the meaning of faith. What is God promising to you that you will not believe? Put away doubt, fear, and cynicism and believe. A believing heart is precious to God, not only at Christmas but for all time.

Parade

2010-12-13T15:17:00.000-05:00

Recently a pastor in one of our small town churches told me that they participate every year in a Christmas parade that marches down Main Street. Many years they have entered a float in the parade but this year they simply had a live donkey and a young woman dressed like the Virgin Mary carrying Baby Jesus. They walked along in the procession of colorful floats, marching bands and fire equipment. At the end of the event the parade judges awarded Mary, Jesus and the donkey first prize.

The celebration of Christmas with all of its material trappings, parties and food can occupy our attention and distract us from the real meaning of the season. I hope that Mary and Jesus will win first prize in your life this year and always. Jesus is walking with us in all of the parades of our life. He came to earth to be “God with us.”

Prayers for North and South Korea

2010-12-07T09:24:00.000-05:00

There are wars and rumors of war in every place on the globe. The recent conflict between North and South Korea brings to mind the Korean War and the threat of a new war there is yet another sobering reminder of the strife of human beings caused by sin. The affects of the Korean War (1950-1953) continue even today as North and South Korea are still divided, even after the end of the Cold War.

Bishop Jeremiah Park (the bishop of the NY Annual Conference), writes “Another war must never be repeated…as peace-loving people this is indeed the time to pray for God’s mercy, wisdom and guidance.”

During this time of Advent while we read the words of Isaiah that dream of a day when swords will become plowshares and spears are made into pruning hooks (Isaiah 2:4) let us renew our efforts not only to pray but to wage peace in this world. Wherever we are in the world we can be agents of peace by helping to bring reconciliation and forgiveness. Jesus is our “Prince of Peace” because he was willing to suffer and give his life for the cause of peace between God and people. Likewise, as his followers there is suffering involved in peace-making. Putting yourself in the middle of two warring factions is risky business. Do it anyway and in so doing you are ushering the day of the Lord and walking in the footsteps of the Lord.

Contact Lenses

2010-11-29T11:54:00.001-05:00

Recently I learned a new thing about contact lenses. The lenses are not always the same. Having sight in one eye all of my life I have a hard time understanding the two-eyed world sometimes. I learned that you can actually have one contact lens is for far-sightedness and the other for near-sightedness. How the eyes work together is a marvel.

During the season of Advent I think we need to have two different lenses in our spirit. One lens sees the current reality of the coming of Christ in this holy season of 2010. With this lens we ponder our personal walk with Christ and how we can prepare our hearts in such a way that we “bear fruit that is worthy of repentance.” (Luke 3:8) These actions are the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians s5:22). When we truly repent of the works of the flesh we engage in the fruits of the Spirit in new and ever improving ways.

The other contact lens that sees far is the one that reminds us of the second coming of Christ when all things will be judged and evil and enmity will be put away forever. With this far-sighted view we develop a long-suffering attitude, knowing that in the end God is going to make all things right. We want to live in such a way, through faith in Christ that we are worthy to attain life everlasting.

Martin Luther once said that he lived for two days: today and THAT day. That day is the day of the final coming of Christ. May we keep both lenses firmly in place as we experience this Advent Season.

Abolition Sunday

2010-11-23T22:08:00.001-05:00

What does the United Methodist Church believe about capital punishment? According to the Book of Discipline, Paragraph 164G: “The death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore, and transform all human beings. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable.” The Book of Ezekiel 33:11 says “As surely as I live,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”

Many Christian churches are working together to repeal death penalty laws across the country. They do so by contacting lawmakers and holding community events for dialog and information sharing. There are many excellent resource people who are willing to speak at your churches. Your church can host an “Abolition Sunday” in which the theme of the worship service revolves around this issue. More information is available at the Equal Justice web site at www.ejusa.org

As with many of our social issues people of good will are of different minds. It is good to prayerfully seek God’s guidance on your response to this issue.

A Sign of the Spirit

2010-11-08T22:54:00.001-05:00

I am thrilled to see the General Board of Church and Society and the Confessing Movement working together on a project for the whole church. They are calling us to an “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church” on November 14, 2010. All over the world Christians are being imprisoned and martyred for the faith. This is not a first century phenomena, it is happening today and there has been persecution since the church began 2000 years ago.

GBCS and the Confessing Movement are calling us to “prayerfully and publically stand with members of the Body of Christ who are suffering.” Christians are economically and politically marginalized all over the world but especially in Saudi Arabia, China, Pakistan, Viet Nam, Burma and Iran.

It is a sign of the Holy Spirit when two movements of the church are working together for a common cause…the cause of Christ. Many times the theological left and right are at odds with one another and stand on different sides of the road and wave flags and signs. How refreshing! How delightfully wonderful to see both sides working together on this issue of the persecuted church. I believe that there are more things that the left and the right agree on than disagree on. It is a ploy of the enemy to have us always quarreling among ourselves so the important work of the gospel is left undone. The spirit unites, religion divides.

Let’s stop “othering” and persecuting the theological side we disagree with and advance the gospel. Mark your calendar for November 14th for a day of prayer! May this be a day of new beginnings for the United Methodist Church as well. May we finally find a way to work together theologically.

Spiritual Direction

2010-11-01T23:29:00.001-04:00

Living a life of Christian discipleship is a journey. When we travel to a new place in our car it helps to have a road map, a GPS, or someone in the passenger seat who knows where you are going. Once I was preaching at a three point circuit and the pastor of the church led me to each church. This car in front of me did not just show me the way, it was the way. In a spiritual journey it helps to have a guide. The art of Spiritual Direction can provide useful resources, feedback and training that will assist you as you engage in spiritual disciplines. Spiritual direction has been around for centuries and many of the great saints of the faith have engaged in some form of direction. The Apostle Paul served as the spiritual director of Timothy, his son in the faith. John Wesley’s ministry benefited from the spiritual direction of Peter Boehler. Peter taught John that he needed to have a relationship with Christ and not just live by a code of conduct. He encouraged Wesley to “preach faith” until he had it.

There are many spiritual directors in our area. There is an international website that has a directory of directors from all over the world. The website is: www.sdiworld.org.

I have a spiritual director and I find the time I spend doing this to be a great blessing.

Everything You Are

2010-10-25T13:27:00.004-04:00

Last night I attended a musical praise event at Barratt’s Chapel. Composer John Thompson and his group “The Reminders” sang a new song with words that ring so true:

If you really want to praise Him then don’t wait till Sunday morning
He can hear an “Alleluia” in the choices that you make
Everything you do can be act of worship
Everything you are can be a song of praise

When all of life is praise we live like Easter people….celebrating life in the midst of a world of death and complaining. When we live like that people can see Jesus in us. It stands out as a beacon of light. I saw a store checker waiting on a very difficult customer in the line ahead of me. The checker was extremely kind and patient to the customer who was mean and unreasonable. In the end the transaction was complete to the customer’s satisfaction (after the checker complied with the customer’s demands with kindness). I gave God the glory for that checker as she was Christ in that food store.

And you can tell people about what Jesus means to you too. Live Jesus but witness to him too. Richard Foster writes “It becomes easy in our sophistication to miss the simplicity of inviting people to Jesus Christ. We do not need elaborate plans or erudite speeches. We need only love.”

Be the love of Christ and tell about it. It’s that simple.

Eliminating Poverty

2010-10-12T11:28:00.002-04:00

One of the four denominational “Foci” is “Ministry with the Poor.” For the past two days I attended a “Poverty Summit” in Harrisburg that was sponsored by the “United Methodist Advocacy PA” organization (formerly “UM Witness”). This group is a voice for justice issues that come before the state legislature in Harrisburg. The three United Methodist Conferences in the state of PA all support this effort. The information shared at this forum was practical and timely. These are difficult economic times for everyone and those who are poor are hit even harder and the suffering is enormous. In the United States our poverty levels are considered wealthy when compared to our sisters and brothers in developing countries.

Speaker after speaker stressed the same themes:

1) The existence of poverty is a spiritual issue. People of faith are called by God to respond to the human needs of others. It takes faith to sacrifice ones means for the poor and only when we trust God to take care of us when we “give ourselves away” are we able to give as we should.

2) Personal contact with people who live in poverty is vitally important. These are real people, not just numbers. It is easy to ignore a number, to stereotype people in poverty or to even judge people as deserving of their circumstances. When you take the time to get to know people and learn their stories and share their life it is a blessing for everyone. Likewise when we advocate for the needs of the poor we need to personally know state officials and leaders who make decisions about the distribution of wealth so as to have a greater influence on their votes.

3) Networking is the key to success in eliminating poverty. We need to work with other churches, civic groups, schools, community organizations, and individuals to accomplish the task. Each group has resources that the other needs.

Here are some websites that can help you and your church as you address the needs of people who live in poverty in your area:
http://www.pachurchesadvocacy.org (PA Council of Churches has an excellent training program)
http://www.MovetheMountain.org (Information about the “Circles” initiative that empowers people who live in poverty and pairs them with community advocates)
http://www.ahaProcess.com (Resources to equip educators)
http://www.thecaap.org (can show you how to coordinate a “Poverty Simulation” event in your community …this is a teaching tool)
http://www.umadvocacy.org (The United Methodist site that keeps PA people aware of legislative concerns and is also a clearing house for information on poverty)

Roma People: reach out to people who the world would prefer to deport

2010-10-06T14:19:00.003-04:00

Recently the news has shown stories about the deportation of Roma People from France. Roma people, sometimes known as gypsies are a heterogeneous ethnic group who live in South and Eastern Europe. This people date back more than a thousand years and have come from northern Africa. The people of France have been paying Roma people money to go back to their home countries and it has been a controversial and difficult situation.

I am happy to say that the United Methodist Church in Europe is reaching out to the Roma people in ministry and mission. In Hungary they have started Roma churches and last year the first Roma pastor was ordained. Besides worship there is a great deal of social work, literacy training, home economics and agriculture taught at the churches. They have their own song books and style of worship. One of their songs is entitled “I am Proud to be a Roma and a Christian.”

I am grateful to be a part of a denomination that reaches out to people who the world would prefer to deport. We are doing good work in the name of Jesus. Please pray for their ministry and look around for people in your community that people would rather not have around. Reach out to them and include them in your ministries.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

2010-09-27T10:29:00.001-04:00

Few things are sadder than mental illness. With it comes a stigma that results in alienation, rejection, misunderstanding and despair. It is more common than people think, with one in five Americans suffering from some form of mental illness. Most churches are ill prepared to welcome people with mental illness and some are outright unfriendly and fearful. Mental Illness Awareness Week is Oct. 3-9 with the National Day of Prayer for Mental illness, Recovery and Understanding on October 5th. There are some excellent resources available on line at

http://www.mentalhealthministries.net

Check out this website and learn how you can become a caring congregation through education, commitment, intentional welcoming and support. It also has a self administered test that helps you determine if you or a family member is suffering from depression. Resources for ministries with veterans are on this website as well. As Veteran’s Day nears (November 11) we need to remember the many veterans who are suffering as a result of service to our country.

How can your church be a more welcoming place and promote mental health for all?

Help for Military Families

2010-09-13T10:25:00.002-04:00

The idea of re-thinking church has a lot to do with the church going out into the world and doing acts of mercy and justice. The church does not just gather on Sundays for worship, fellowship and nurture. It is a “verb” that does the works of Christ where people need help the most. The re-thought church keeps a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other hand to be quick to see where people in the world are hurting and in need of Christ’s love and compassion.

Recently many soldiers left Iraq as this military effort has come to an end there. I thank God that we are ending this conflict. When our soldiers come home there are many needs. There are also many soldiers still deployed around the world with families left at home. Our military families are in need of support systems (housing, child care, food, community, counseling, etc.)

A Wesley Foundation near the Ft. Campbell Army Post saw this need and developed the “Lazarus Project”. This program provides for the many needs of our military families using students from Austin Peay State University students. The National Guard in Delaware has a similar program and it matches military families with churches that have indicated an interest in helping. What can you do to help people in the military…either here or abroad? Our area stretches across three states and each area is unique. I challenge you to find out what is happening in your area and reach out to these families. It is all about out-reach...it is all about love.

Order your copy of Care for Returning Veterans, a DVD produced by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. According to Rev. Tom Carter, director of endorsement and pastoral care for the General Board of Higer Education and Ministry's United Methodist Endorsing Agency, "Many resources have been developed and provided for churches, but this DVD is the best that I have seen." To learn more, visit: www.gbhem.org/chaplains.

School’s Back in Session

2010-09-07T15:09:00.001-04:00

Fall is in the air and school buses are once again making their rounds through the neighborhoods of our towns and cities. For many parents this is a welcome time as summer was getting “old” and children were running out of things to do. But for some it is a difficult time because finances are tight and the cost of school clothes and supplies has been overwhelming. For some students school is a troubled place to be. The classes might be difficult. They may speak English as a second language and it is hard to follow the rapid flow of speech. For others there may be the pressures of gangs, bullies, overcrowded classes, and maybe even physical danger. Recently a school administrator from the Philadelphia School system reported to me that the graduation rate for high school seniors is only at 50%. The funds for school improvements, books, equipment and additional staff are hard to find.

The conditions of our schools should be a priority for all Christians. The future is cast in our schools. The quality of education can determine a person’s future success in life. I hope that all of our churches will consider adopting a school in their area. There is a great need for volunteer help at schools and although talking about God is not allowed in the schools we can model the love of God by our words and actions, which is about the best sermon around.

Your church can volunteer in the classrooms but also offer after-school and before school programs, assist with back pack feeding programs (where backpacks are filled with food for the weekend for students from low income families), provide tutoring, parties, summer enrichment programs, winter holiday Vacation Bible School, and help families purchase school uniforms.

As we “Re-think” church, think about getting out of the church building and into the world, where Christ would have us be, and make school more tolerable for young people in our neighborhoods.

Congo Partnership Visit

2010-09-02T13:33:00.001-04:00

From July 28th until August 12th I visited the Central Congo Area of the United Methodist Church with a team of people from both the Eastern Pennsylvania and the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conferences. On this team were: Rev. Jonathan Baker, Rev. David Ryan, Rev. Michael Johnson, Ms. Jackie Onwu, Mr. Bill Innes, and Ms. Karen Morgan. Much credit is due to Rev. Jonathan Baker, who organized the trip and handled an enormous amount of administration. Ms. Jackie Onwu, a former GBGM missionary in the Congo also was an invaluable help to the team as she served as our French and cultural interpreter throughout our visit.

The purpose of the trip was to visit the mission sites, attend sessions of Annual Conference with Bishop David Yemba, and explore new ways of partnering with this amazing area. The Central Congo Area consists of 6 annual conferences, all of which meet for one week when they have annual conference. Many of the participants walked for weeks to attend conference and many slept out in the open air with no conveniences. Their dedication, spiritual fire and dependence on God for daily survival was a humbling and awesome thing to experience. They provided comfortable hospitality for us in the midst of their poverty as a sign of God’s love. As I participated in the ordination service of these fine pastors I asked myself if I would be willing to serve as a pastor in a land where there was either no or very little compensation and survival literally depended on having a garden in the back yard.

When we arrived at the annual conference session in the city of Kananga we were greeted by a large crowd of United Methodist people who sang joyfully and played drums that were shaped like a thin, bowed suitcase with holes on either side. The drum was similar to a steel drum that made a variety of tones as well as percussive sounds. We attended a special ceremony in which Bishop Yemba was honored and we guests were officially recognized and welcomed. Each district presented the bishop with a gift and each gift had symbolism that speaks to the heart of the meaning of Christian leadership.

Eagle Claw I was a bit shocked to see them hand to the bishop a large, severed claw of a dead eagle. The presenter said that the eagle was a symbol of a king, as the eagle was the king of all birds. Leadership involves power, speed and the ability to rise above and see the big picture.

Bird This was a carved wooden bird and not a real bird, the first of many fine and intricate carvings we saw during our trip. The presenter explained that the bird was a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God is the source of power for the work of ministry and the direction for all of life.

Civet This was an animal, about the size of a house cat, that I had never seen before. A civet looks like a cross between a miniature leopard and a weasel. This creature was stuffed but appeared very life-like with shiny eyes and whiskers. The presenter explained that the civet is a tenacious creature that always finds a way to overcome obstacles by climbing over top of them. Leadership involves moving forward in the midst of adversity.

Machete The presenter of the machete explained that leaders need to cut away what is superfluous in ministry in order to keep the main thing, the main thing. The ability to prioritize and eliminate the less-important agendas is a vitally important skill for effective leaders.

Chairs The bishop received two chairs that look much like the American plastic lawn chairs that Walmart sells. These plastic chairs were everywhere in the Congo and usually were blue and had French words embedded on the back. They typically said things like “God bless you” or “I love you.” The presenter explained that a leader must have the gift of hospitality in order to bless people and show the welcome of God to all.

In those short minutes of presentation I received an insightful lesson on leadership that applies not only to bishops but to pastors and lay people alike. As you begin this fall season with all of its newness and agenda seek to be the leaders of the church! How do we do this? By depending on the Spirit of God for power and direction, by keeping an eye on the big picture of ministry and not just the day to day tasks, by overcoming obstacles and never giving up, by keenly prioritizing ministries and by exemplifying the welcoming heart of Christ’s hospitality.

It is also my prayer that we will continue to support this partnership in both conferences and find ways to resource our sisters and brothers in the Congo for years to come. Check it out on the website www.congomission.com.

Words of Comfort at the Memorial Service for the Hungarian Exchange Students – July 10, 2010

2010-07-14T09:38:00.000-04:00

Grace and peace to you from God our creator, who is with us and is the Lord of life! I send you greetings on behalf of the leadership of the Interfaith Center of the Greater Philadelphia Area. Our brothers and sisters of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith communities are united in prayer for healing and wholeness for all who are mourning this day. We share in a common hope of God’s providing in time of need, and we believe that nothing in life or in death can separate us from God’s great love.

The text that was read from the Gospel of John, Chapter 11, brings us into a personal, very moving tragedy in the lives of a family whose brother Lazarus had just died. We meet real people with honest concerns: “Lord, if you had only been here, my brother would not have died,” and “if this man Jesus could open the eyes of the blind, why did he not prevent the death of this brother?” Perhaps you have questions as well: “Why this tragedy?” “Why did these precious young people die?” “Where was God?” I do not know the answer. I do know that the story of the raising of Lazarus tells us all we really need to know.

Jesus, God’s son, is with us in our time of sorrow. He came to be with the family. As the Psalmist says “yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.” Jesus is with you at this time for comfort, for strength, for all of your needs, big and small.

Jesus feels our pain. The text says “Jesus wept.” This is the shortest verse in the Bible and maybe the most profound. Jesus knew that he would raise Lazarus but he wept anyway. Why? Because Jesus feels our pain, understands our deepest grief and cries with us. I know that Jesus wept out in the Delaware River on Wednesday and weeps with you now in your moments of pain.

Jesus reminds us that death is not the last word. Jesus is the resurrection and the life and in John Chapter 11 he restored the life of his friend. Jesus promises resurrection and hope still today! “Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet will they live.” As sure as spring comes after winter and sunrise after darkness there is life after death as we have faith.

Jesus said to Martha “do you believe this?” Jesus says to us as well: ”Do you believe?” Believe in Jesus and receive him in into your heart and you will live forever. No matter what country you are from, no matter what language you speak. This wonderful promise is for everyone. Jesus is that bridge between God and people that gives us life eternal and makes bridges of peace between people of all nations. My sisters and brothers, have faith and you will see the glory of God.

Reverse Mentoring

2010-06-28T11:50:00.000-04:00

While visiting the Western PA Conference for the College of Bishops, we took a trip to a new church start known as “Hot Metal Bridge.” This church, on the south side of Pittsburgh has an intentional ministry with the poor, homeless, and counter-cultural community that the church at large tends to ignore. Most of the members are young and many of them are new Christians who never grew up in a church family as children. This church is a model for the new kind of church that Christ is calling forth from the people called Methodists. Reaching new people for Christ and doing outreach that alleviates suffering and alienation is the meaning of “Re-Thinking” church.

Bishop Bickerton has instituted a program in the Western PA Conference known as “reverse mentoring.” In this program an experienced, older pastor is paired with a young pastor or missioner and the young pastor teaches the older pastor about heart of the younger generation. Concern for social justice issues such as immigration, health care reform, earth care and equal rights for all people are high on the list of their interests. They want to make a difference in the world for good as well as take advantage of technology and global networking to make it happen. So far this has been a very fruitful venture in Western PA.

Why not try that yourself? If you are an older pastor or lay person, sit down with young people and ask them to explain their perspective. If you are younger take the time to share. Ultimately everyone learns from each other as there is never one-way street when two Christians share from the heart and really listen to one another.

The Perfect Game

2010-06-07T09:22:00.002-04:00

On May 29th Phillies pitcher Roy “Doc” Halladay pitched a perfect game against the Marlins in Florida. That means no one from the other team was able to even get to first base and every person was “out” by the time they finished batting….27 “outs” in all. This is very rare, only 20 in baseball history. It is a great honor and a thrill for any pitcher to have achieved this moment and even the Marlins were happy for him that night.

Roy Halladay has great skill for sure but notable to me was when he achieved this moment he deflected much of the credit to the catcher, Carlos Ruiz. No one is an island. Our greatest moments are really a team effort. When we all work together and do our part all of us achieve. There were no un-important players on the field that night. Had anyone not done their part this victory would never have happened.
It is what Paul means when he says that all the parts of the body are important and no one part can tell another part they don’t belong and no part can disqualify itself from body membership. (I Corinthians 12)

Sea Glass

2010-05-20T06:22:00.001-04:00

Have you seen sea glass? It is simply that…glass that somehow got into the ocean and it floats around in there for years and washes up on the beaches. When it finally washes up much of the glass no longer has sharp edges but is smooth and clear. People are collecting it, cataloging it, making books about it and some of it is made into jewelry. One of my friends gave me a sea glass necklace. It is round and smooth and pale green. Probably when it started out it was angular and sharp and a darker shade of green. With time and the relentless exposure to the sea it has changed into a thing of beauty.

Here we are once again approaching Pentecost…the birthday of the church. Once again we read the Acts 2 account of the power of the Holy Spirit blowing into the disciples’ prayer room and changing the world forever. The Holy Spirit gives us power to witness, gifts for service, guidance for the work, and comfort in times of distress. Let’s not forget the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work that takes the likes of you and I, with all our sharp edges and unrepentant habits, and slowly shapes them into the likeness of Christ. This does not happen overnight but it is the reality of the Christian life. As we continue to walk with Jesus he works on us to perfect us in love and make us in his image.

As we ordain our class of Elders and Deacons this year at Annual Conference we ask them if they are going on to perfection. They say “yes.” May we all say “yes” to the Holy Spirit as it chips away at our faults and failures and makes us, like sea glass, into beautiful Christians.

Wet Wood

2010-05-10T11:02:00.000-04:00

Have you ever tried to start a camp fire with wet wood? It doesn’t work very well. Once as a camp counselor in college I had to make a fire for a group of campers who were having a picnic outing in the woods. It had rained the night before and everything in the woods was wet, except for a roll of paper towels that we brought along with the food we were to cook over an open fire. We decided to set the paper towels on fire and that combustion lasted for about a minute so we ate cold hot dogs that night. Wet wood does not a good fire make.

How I wonder at the prophet Elijah who was having a contest with the priests of Baal one day on Mt. Carmel. Elijah and the prophets of Baal each made an altar and put wood on the altar and placed a sacrificial animal on that wood and they called upon their god to light the fire. The contest was to see which god was the real god: the God of Israel or the god of Baal. Whichever God had true sovereignty and power would be able to light the fire on their altar. The account of this can be found in I Kings 18:20-40. It is an all-day event with the priests of Baal going to great lengths to call upon their god to light the fire but to no avail.

Then Elijah prepares his altar by repairing an altar that had been previously destroyed, arranging the wood and the sacrificed bull on the altar and then he does this additional step of pouring water on the altar. He drenches the wood with not 1 but 12 jars of water. He even builds a trench around the altar to catch the water so this altar is as wet as it can be. The point of this no doubt was to make it abundantly clear to the wishy-washy Israelites that only a supernatural, all powerful God would be able to light fire on this altar. The story ends with God sending down so much fire that the altar is consumed, the wood, the stones, the burnt offering, the dust and even the water in the trenches were “licked up.” The people were more than convinced and fell on their faces and cried “The Lord indeed is God.” Our God can do the impossible. The power of God is able to overcome any obstacle.

In our daily lives we face difficulties, challenges, disappointments, tragedies, want and suffering. Sometimes it seems like the old phrase “when it rains it pours” and just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does. I am thinking of the people of the Gulf shore region who are suffering now from a tragedy of the oil slick. These people who lived through Hurricane Katrina and other storms have another difficult crisis. I am reminded of the people in Haiti who are going to be getting the rainy season, which will cause flooding in an island that is hardly recovered at all from the earthquake.

Sometimes in life it seems like jars of trouble are poured into our lives. That is when we realize, like the people in Elijah’s day, that it is only God that can make a way out of no way. In our own human strength we cannot overcome the many troubles on our earth. Humanity more or less has made a mess out of things and it is only the power of God that can heal and help and bring solutions to our problems. When things begin to look impossible, remember the wet wood and God’s power to light the fire. Trust in God to bring about the answers. Ask God to direct you in what you need to be doing next. Don’t be overwhelmed by hard times. See it as a workshop in faith and pray for the eyes of faith to see God’s victorious hand in the midst of it. Wet wood is no match for God’s fire.

Deacon Sunday is Coming Up

2010-05-03T21:43:00.002-04:00

The first Sunday of June is Deacon Awareness Sunday. The Order of Deacons in the UM Church has only been around since 1996 but it is mighty indeed. Deacons are ordained ministers of Word and Service who connect the church to the world in some amazing ways. This spring I had the privilege of meeting with Deacons from both the Eastern PA and the Peninsula Delaware Conferences. They are involved in a plethora of ministries: youth, chaplaincy, teaching, counseling, hospice, music, nursing, advocacy, HIV/AIDS ministry, retirement community ministry, disability ministry, church planting, international missions, Christian Education, ministry with grieving children, etc. The possibilities are endless. Invite a Deacon to your church to share about the ministry. Encourage people who are feeling God’s call to full time ministry to explore the Order of Deacons.

Deacon Sunday Litany

Leader:
Within the people of God, some persons are called to the ministry of deacon. Very early in its history the church . . . instituted an order of ordained ministers to personify or focus the servanthood to which all Christians are called. These people were named deacons. This ministry exemplifies and leads the Church in the servanthood every Christian is called to live both in the church and the world.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
Deacons are persons called by God, authorized by the Church, and ordained by a bishop to a
lifetime ministry of Word and Service to both the community and the congregation in a
ministry that connects the two.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:

Deacons fulfill servant ministry in the world and lead the Church in relating the gathered life
of Christians to their ministries in the world, interrelating worship in the gathered community with service to God in the world.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
Deacons lead the congregation in its servant ministry and equip and support all baptized
Christians in their ministry.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
Deacons give leadership in the Church’s life:
in teaching and proclaiming the Word
in contributing to worship
in assisting the elders in administering the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
Deacons give leadership in the Church’s life:
in forming and nurturing disciples
in conducting marriages and burying the dead
in embodying the church’s mission to the world
and in leading congregations in interpreting the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
Deacons exemplify Christian discipleship and create opportunities for others to enter into discipleship:
In the world, the deacon seeks to express a ministry of compassion and justice,
assisting laypersons as they claim their own ministry.
In the congregation, the ministry of the deacon is to teach and to form
disciples, and to lead worship together with other ordained and laypersons.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
Deacons are accountable to the annual conference and the bishop for the fulfillment of their call to servant leadership.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
The deacon in full connection shall have the rights of voice and vote in the annual conference where membership is held.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
Deacons shall be eligible to serve as clergy on boards, commissions, or committees of the annual conference and hold office on the same.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
Deacons shall be eligible for election as a clergy delegate to the General, Central, or jurisdictional conference.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
The deacon in full connection shall attend all the sessions of the annual conference and share with elders in full connection responsibility for all matters of ordination, character, and conference relations of clergy.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Leader:
As members of the Order of Deacons, all deacons in full connection are in covenant with all other such deacons in the annual conference and shall participate in the life of their Order.

All: We give thanks for the ministry of the deacon.

Adapted from BOD ¶328 &¶329

What are you Afraid of?

2010-04-21T15:16:00.000-04:00

Fear is everywhere. We see it on the national scene with the way politics have become meaner and even violent as protestors clash on the streets. We see it in the faces of earthquake victims and people stranded in airports in Europe due to the recent volcanoes in Iceland. We see it in our churches where there are dwindling numbers and rising costs. At a Town Hall meeting recently some people told me they came because they feared that their church was going to be closed. We experience fear personally with health issues, family relationship strife and financial shortages.

It’s been said that fear is “false evidence appearing real” (an acronym for F. E. A. R.) and indeed, much of what we fear, is exaggerated in our mind by the emotions of the anticipated calamity. It’s been said that 75% of all the things we fear never happen and 10% of it is not nearly as bad as we expected it would be. However, some things we fear are real and serious. Getting a diagnosis of cancer and seeing the spot on the X-ray film is hardly an imaginary monster under the bed.

Our faith teaches us that we can experience a difficult ordeal without fear. I John says that “perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18). We have the resources of God at hand that we are not fully taking to heart when we live in fear. As the hymn writer says “Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer.” (“What a Friend we Have in Jesus”) That is good advice. The thing that the gospels record that Christ said more than anything else is: “Fear not!” It can be found 52 times, one time for every week of the year. The presence of Jesus can relieve our fear and show us the way forward. The more perfected we are in love, the more we trust and the less we fear. It is a journey of Christian perfection as we travel with Christ.

Steve Bradbury in a recent edition of “Encounter with God” (Scripture Union) describes the world of the Apostle John, who was exiled on the Island of Patmos for preaching the Gospel. “The power of the earthly emperor who demanded their worship must have seemed far more real than the power of Jesus, who had not met their expectation of returning in triumph. Wherever we are, no matter how crushing our circumstances, there are wonderfully liberating truths that we can grasp in faith. There is only one God who loves us and has freed us from our sins, whose Kingdom is already under way among the ordinary and even fearful people who serve him, who holds the keys to eternity, and who holds us securely. It is this all-powerful, all-loving God who says to us ‘do not be afraid.’” (Revelation 1:17)

The powerful Roman government has been gone for centuries. The seemingly weak church of the first century still lives on today. That is because of this powerful, curiously amazing God we serve, who works through our weakness and makes a way in the midst of our fearful circumstances to bring about God’s ultimate kingdom.

Look at your fears in light of the whole picture of God’s final kingdom and the sure promise of eternal life and the fear of our times are mere brush fires by comparison. I Peter 1: 4-7 reminds us that our “ultimate inheritance is imperishable, undefiled and kept in heaven for us as we are being protected by the power of God through faith. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

So fear not! Christ is with you! Hold on to the God’s eternal truths as you experience troubles and fears in this life. Trust God to see you through. And to our churches, who are experiencing fear due to low membership and resources, I say “Look up!” Pray for a vision for new ways to reach out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Turn your fears into positive energy around new mission and ministry through the power of God!

Native American Awareness Sunday

2010-04-12T11:45:00.003-04:00

Sun. April 18th we will observe Native American Awareness Sunday and also receive a special United Methodist offering for our ministries around the country. This year at the PD Annual Conference Mr. Ray Buckely, a member of the Lakota/Tlingit tribe, will be one of the guest speakers. He reminds the church that what matters in life is “not what someone has but what the person is able to give away to others.” In our world of people clamoring to have more things, better things, longer lasting things and the value of people is often judged by their car, their house, their clothes. The voice of the Native American is the voice of God who promises to bless those who give and always take care of what we really need in life. We should measure our Christian devotion by how much of our income we have given away this year. If we are growing in grace and going on to Christian perfection we should strive to give away more than we did the last year. John Wesley, our founder lived on 20 pounds a year during his whole ministry. When his income increased he continued to live on that same 20 pounds and gave away more and more.

Giving from the heart is the main goal here, not so much the amount. Ray Buckley says “it is not the value of the gift but the giving itself that is culturally relevant. Giving a gift that may not have significant monetary worth still has significant spiritual value as it is a sign of a giving heart.”

For more information and resources to promote our six Special Sundays in your church: http://www.umcgiving.org/.

It Wasn't Our Fault

2010-04-05T12:33:00.001-04:00

On Good Friday I attended a worship service in downtown Philadelphia that was held out on the street near a gun shop. A large and very diverse group of about 200 people were there to remember the death of Christ and to speak out against gun violence in the city and in this country. We were there to worship, pray, give testimony and also to call the gun shop next door to adopt a code of conduct to deter illegal purchasing and trafficking of handguns. This was not an attempt to stop people from owning guns or change the Second Amendment of our Constitution. It was an attempt to call for a crack down on “straw purchasing” of handguns by people who have clean records who then in turn sell them or give them to people who are unable to purchase guns because they cannot pass a background check. “Heeding God’s Call” is a new multi-faith movement whose aim is to prevent gun violence by calling people of faith “to protect our brothers and sisters and children.”

The United Methodist Book of Resolutions (paragraph 3426) calls us to be involved in advocacy that seeks to eliminate gun violence in our society. Included in that is a call to “visible public witness to the sin of gun violence and to the hope of community healing.” I was heartened to see a large number of United Methodists involved at the service on Good Friday.

Along with the group giving the public witness on Friday was another group of people who were opposed to this witness and they stood in front of the gun shop. During the service they voiced their opposition by shouting things while the Good Friday speakers were presenting. They waved many large American flags and sang “God Bless America” at the same time the service was being conducted at one point. Although there were clearly people with strong differences of opinion standing on the same street corner, I was pleased that there was no violence or verbal arguing between the groups. I was grateful for the presence of a large number of law enforcement officers monitoring the activity.

When I got up to speak there was relative quiet coming from the opposing group except for one comment. I held up a small paper cross that was given to me before the service. It had the name of a young person (age 28) who had been killed in gun violence in May of 2009 on the streets of Philadelphia. I held it up and said “he was alive last Good Friday when the first rally was held, but less than a year later he was killed by a gun on our streets.” Someone from the opposing group shouted “It wasn’t our fault.” It is true that no one in the crowd that day, I am reasonably sure, pulled the trigger on that young man last year.

But what is equally true is that when good people see harm happening and do nothing it is the same as condoning the evil. The sin of omission is seen when committed Christian people do not work toward the elimination of evil in our society. We can’t be saying it is not our problem, especially those who live in the safer, comfortable suburbs. It is our problem as long as someone, anywhere, is getting hurt. Apathy, greed, racism, ignorance and fear are huge issues we need to overcome. Many of our pastors bury young people on a regular basis who have died from gun violence. It is just too easy to do nothing and in doing so…it is our fault. What can you and your church do to speak out against gun violence? The more people who get involved the harder it is for this to be ignored.

For more info about Heeding God’s Call contact info@HeedingGodsCall.orgor call 267-519-5302.
www.heedinggodscall.org

"And Peter"

2010-03-30T10:48:00.000-04:00

I am always struck by the Gospel of Mark’s account of the Easter story. It is short and to the point but it adds two words that speak volumes. Those two words are: “and Peter.” In Mark 16:6-7 the angel in the tomb tells the women “Do not be alarmed, you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised, he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee, there you will see him, just as he told you.”

Peter was one of the disciples. Why didn’t the angel say “Go tell his disciples that he is going ahead of you to Galilee”? He included Peter’s name. This can be nothing other than a word of grace to the distraught disciple who denied Jesus in a moment of fear and panic. How Peter must have suffered from guilt and shame during that terrible weekend. But to get this message on Easter Sunday that was especially for him must have sent his heart soaring. Jesus knew he needed to be drawn back in. Jesus knew he had to call Peter by name in order to make it clear that all was forgiven and there was new work for him to do.

You and I have denied the Lord many times and have fallen short of God’s call for our life. Remember the grace and mercy of Jesus to forgive you. Take that verse from Mark 16:7 and replace Peter’s name with your name and know that Jesus calls you by name to receive forgiveness and then go forward into renewed service. Jesus goes ahead of us to lead the way. We don’t go alone and we don’t have to chart the path. Easter Sunday is an eternal day of forgiveness, new life and a call to mission.

A Lenten Reflection: Are You an Atheist?

2010-03-23T12:04:00.002-04:00

If I were to ask you: Are you an atheist? I would expect all the good people of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference to respond with a resounding: NO! The word “atheist,” according to Webster’s Dictionary is a “person who believes that there is no God. An atheist “rejects all religious beliefs and denies the existence of God.” Surely we believe in God and as Christians we know the God who is revealed in the Trinity: the Father (creator), Son (Jesus, the redeemer) and the Holy Spirit (the sustainer).

The word “atheist” conjures up a reminder of a famous, now deceased woman by the name of Madalyn Murray O’Hair. She was best known for her lawsuit which led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling ending government sponsored prayer in American public schools in the 1960’s. Life Magazine referred to her as “the most hated woman in America.” Although she was murdered in 1995, rumors of her continued activity lived on in the form of internet spam claiming that she was suing the Federal Communication Commission in order to eliminate Christian radio stations. Fear of her atheistic power in a pluralistic society runs deep. Surely none of us would say we were atheists. We know there is a God.

So why do am I asking this question? You can say that you believe in God and that makes you NOT an atheist. But the proof is in your actions, not only what you say. James 1:19 says “Even the demons believe and shudder.” If we truly believe something we act upon it. If I believe that after an ice storm that the roads will be dangerous I will act upon this by staying home and not trying to drive on the ice. If I believe that summer is going to come then I order seeds from the garden catalog.

If I believe there is an active and all powerful, all knowing, ever present God in this world and I have given my heart and life to that God then I need to act like I believe that God is real and has an influence and a presence in my life.

Still you might say, I do believe, so what’s the point? My point is that often we good Christian people say we believe but we function (act) like we don’t believe. Here are some examples:

1) Worry We sing “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.” Then we worry
about things. We worry about our family, our money, our health, our future, our power, our influence. We even worry about food and clothes. Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-32 “Therefore do not worry saying, ‘what will we eat? Or what will we drink or what will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles (the unbelievers) who strive for all these things and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” When we worry we are functional atheists.

2) Lack of Prayer We sing “Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care.” Most of us, if we are honest, do not give God an hour of prayer each day. Jesus prayed all night. Jesus prayed for 40 days in the desert to prepare for his ministry but we are so busy that we give God a few minutes in the morning and run out the door. This is evidence that we believe that it is all about us and not about God’s power. So much more good could be done in this world if we spent more time in pray and in faith believing that God was going to answer that prayer. When we don’t pray then we are functional atheists.

3) Studying the Bible We sing “Thy Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.” How sad that many of our Sunday School classes and Bible studies are poorly attended. The Apostles were relieved of temporal duties in the early church so that they could dedicate themselves to their teaching ministry “It is not right that we should neglect the Word of God.” (Acts 8:2) We are privileged to have Bibles in many translations and Bible studies of many kinds available for our public and private use. Why don’t we make that an important focus in our daily life? When we study it, why do we often neglect to follow what it says? James 1:22-24 says “But be doers of the Word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the Word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror, for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.” When we neglect to earnestly study and obey the Word of God we are functional atheists.

4) Love One Another We sing “Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart” and then we spend time talking against our neighbors, passing judging and holding grudges.
I John 1:9-10 says “Whoever says ‘I am in the light’ while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling.” Loving our enemies and those who annoy us is probably the hardest discipline of all. That is why Jesus said “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Love of neighbor is a unique and radical proof of a person’s Christian faith. If we are in conflict with our brothers and sisters we are functional atheists.

We are all human and we surely fail every day to live up to our high calling. The Good News is that Christ died for us and our sins are forgiven as we confess them. It is God who forgives and gives us the power of the Spirit that enables us to walk closer and more humbly with God. This is nothing new but we need to be reminded of it again and again. The enemy would want you to be ineffective. Don’t fall for it! During this time of Lent take a look at your walk with Christ. Do we act like we believe? Does our devotional life and subsequent behaviors demonstrate that we are walking with a higher power that sets us apart from the world? Let us act like believers and not functional atheists.

Who, What, How, Why, Where, When

2010-03-22T13:13:00.001-04:00

When writing a news story good reporter always answers the questions: who, what, how, why, where and when. Scripture can be interpreted through this lens as well. Take Philippians 4:13 for example. Paul writes: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The “who” is you. You can do all things. The “what” is “all things.” That means all the things that God calls you to do. The “how” is “through Christ.” Christ alone is the answer to every need. Why can you all things? Because of the strength of Christ who is all powerful. Philippians 4:13 does not answer the questions “when” and “where.” That is for you to answer. When does Christ empower you to do all things? Now is the time. Christ’s power is available now for any need you have. Where is Christ’s strength found? It is everywhere! The whole earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Just stop and look around you at the miracles that God is doing in your life.

You have the power of the universe through Christ. Be encouraged that you are surrounded by a God who is more than sufficient for every need.

Keep Moving!

2010-03-20T17:04:00.001-04:00

Both the Peninsula Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania Conferences have begun a well-ness program in their group insurance plan known as “Virgin Miles.” Participants in the program get a pedometer that connects to your computer. Every few days or so you download the results of the pedometer on your computer so you can track your progress. The idea behind this pedometer is to “keep moving.” I got my pedometer back in November and in just a few days I noticed the difference it makes in my health: more energy, clearer thinking, all together better health. I hope that everyone who got a pedometer will use it. Better health means better ministry but also less claims on our insurance and that means better stewardship of God’s money.

“Keep Moving” not only works for our bodies but for our ministries as well. We need to keep moving with new ideas, new people, new outreach opportunities. The first two letters of the word “Gospel” are “G-O.” We need to GO in order to spread the Gospel. Psalm 96:1 says “Sing to the Lord a NEW Song.” Keep moving….don’t get in a rut…exercise your creativity and potential. God is always doing a new thing. If you keep moving God will be doing that new thing through you!

One Great Hour of Sharing

2010-03-08T22:30:00.002-05:00

In the past few months we have seen the important work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief as they have responded to the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. These events were just the ones that made the headlines. There are so many other disasters that the rest of the world may have over looked, but not the God we serve. Before the cameras come, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is there transforming the lives of people as servants of Jesus Christ. After the cameras have be turned off, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is still there, not just for days, or weeks but for decades helping people rebuild their lives as the presence of a caring Christ in their midst.

One of the reasons people love to use UMCOR to respond to emergencies, is that 100% of the money donated goes to that concern. Nothing is taken out to pay for the overhead: to share information and make appeals, to pay for staff and for readiness. That money is raised through the “One Great Hour of Sharing” offering. The cost of the initial response, before even the first dollar has been donated to meet the emergency is raised through this offering as well. The money needed for the United Methodist Church to respond to all the needs the news media never tells us about comes from the undesignated funds raised through the “One Great Hour of Sharing” offering. When we use 100% of money designated for a particular cause, we don’t use money raised for one appeal to pay for another. Without this offering the church would be limited to only funding those causes that interest the news media.

Please give generously to “One Great Our of Sharing.” (March 14th). Allow your United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to have the resources to respond to human need, not just for the short term, but for the long term, until the job is done. When the rest of the world has moved on, God still cares. Your gift makes a big difference in the lives of many desperate people. Pray about your gift. What does God want to do through you?

Celebrate Women’s History Month

2010-03-01T14:28:00.002-05:00

March is Women’s history month and we have a great history to celebrate. Check out http://www.gbgm-umc.org/ for some inspiring information about the Women of Wesley’s times in the UMW section of the website. Dr. Charles Yrigoyen, Jr. a prolific church historian from EPA is quoted from his book: John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life. “Methodists flourished under the direction of class and band leaders, persons of spiritual strength and insight. Most of them were women! Among them were Sarah Crosby, Dorothy Downes, and Grace Murray, exemplary Christians whose witness persuaded many to accept God’s grace and begin a new life.” Because of this Wesley officially authorized women to preach despite the objections from some of the male preachers.

It is still true today! Women are doing the bulk of teaching in our Sunday Schools and Bible Classes. More and more women are being called into the ordained ministry and serving as excellent pastors in our churches. Do you have a woman teacher or preacher? Tell them “Happy Women’s History Month,” and thank them for their faithful service!

Some Assembly Required...

2010-02-22T11:22:00.002-05:00

Recently a friend told me about a huge pile of snow that she saw in a field. Next to the snow was a sign that read “Free Snowmen, some assembly required.” This is funny because we all have had enough snow and would not want any of it even if it was given away free. It is ever more humorous because of the “some assembly required” part of the sign. That conjures up for most of us images of a child’s toy or an appliance that we purchase and when we get it home we have the challenge of assembling a thousand little parts with an instruction manual that was written by a mechanical engineer. But when it comes to assembling snow men it is more about seeing the potential of a snow sculpture while it is still a blob of snow. God made Adam from dust and breathed in him the breath of life. Michelangelo, the famous artist and sculptor would look at a block of marble before he would begin making a statue and imagine the figure inside the marble and that he was charged with the task of “freeing” the statue that was trapped inside.

Having the eye for potential that is not yet realized is a gift from God for people of faith. Whether it is a mission project at your church or building expansion or even a person called into ministry we need to see beyond the present blob of snow and imagine the potential that God sees before it has yet been created. Once we have the vision for what God wants us to do then get busy doing the ”required assembly” to bring it about.

I love these words of Natalie Sleeth from the “Hymn of Promise:”

In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree
In cocoons, a hidden promise, butterflies will soon be free
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. (BOH 707)

May you have eyes of faith that sees the promise in everyone and everything and a diligent spirit to make a reality that potential in partnership with God.

Olympics 2010 – Vancouver

2010-02-18T12:23:00.000-05:00

The Winter Olympic Games begin in Vancouver on February 12th. Many athletes from all across the globe will compete for medals and to surpass previously set records. Some athletes see these games as a higher calling. On a recent interview Tyler Jewel , an American athlete, said that competing in the Olympics was the best way for countries to engage one another in a “fight without death” where athletes “lay down arms” of war and promote peace. The Olympics symbolize for many an opportunity for nations to come together in a unified effort as an inspiration to our broken world.

The symbol of the Olympics: the 5 interlocking rings (blue, yellow, black, green and red) represent the 5 continents of the world. The connection of rings reminds us that though we come from different countries we can have a common purpose and unity.

May we find unity in places in our life where we see diversity and may our competition with one another only serve to improve what we already do well.

Father Peter Spencer

2010-02-06T12:13:00.002-05:00

Peter Spencer was born into slavery in 1779 in Kent County Maryland, but he became one of the great leaders in the cause of religious liberty. While he was still a slave he accepted the invitation to join the Christian community. He lived in slavery until the death of his owner, when he gained his freedom.

When Peter moved to Wilmington, Delaware he sought Christian fellowship at Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. They welcomed him with open doors but not with open hearts nor with open minds. It was alright for him to be seen in worship, but he was not given the dignity of full participation in the life of the church. The Holy Spirit would not allow Peter Spencer to remain silent. He expressed his disapproval of the racism that he experienced in the church. He believed that people of color were entitled to religious equality.

The church refused to listen to Peter’s protests and there came a time when he was no longer willing to submit to the discrimination that existed in the church. Peter Spencer asked permission to build a church where he and his followers could worship freely. He wrote: “In the year, 1805 we, the colored members of the Methodist Church in Wilmington, thought that we might have more satisfaction of mind than we then had if we were to untie together and build a house for ourselves, which we did the same year. The Lord gave us the favor and the good will of all religious denominations, and they all freely did lend us help, and by their good graces we got a house to worship the Lord in.”

Peter’s followers succeeded in getting their own church and holding separate worship, but because of the color of their skin, they were denied any say in the business affairs of their new church. Peter Spencer did not want to start an independent church. It was his intention to only to worship separately in a Methodist Episcopal denomination. However, these faithful African Americans were told they had no rights to conduct any of the business in their church and would have to remain under white control. This seemed unreasonable and unfair to them.

They continued to struggle over their civil rights. Some were expelled from the church membership and others went to court to protect their right to oversee their own affairs as free people. Finally in December of 1812, when Peter’s group realized that the forces against them were more than they could overcome, they decided to organize a free and independent church of their own.

On June 1, 1813, Peter Spencer (known as “Father Spencer”) and his flock left the church they had built and began worshiping as a free and independent church. The church became legally recorded in Dover, Delaware, September 18, 1813 under the title of the Union Church of Africans. This was the first free and independent church entirely under the control of African American people in the United States. It pre-dated the famous beginning of the African Methodist Episcopal Church under Rev. Richard Allen.

Father Spencer died July 25, 1843, after thirty years of service to his church and people. His character, veracity and honor were beyond reproach.

Father Spencer’s fight continues in the church today. We still have open doors, but not always open hearts or minds. There are still those that are kept from being full participating members of our church. They may speak a different language, have a different ethnicity or different political views. Let us not force brothers and sisters of God out of God’s church. Let us learn from the past, repent, and show greater hospitality to all.

The Ministry of Lay Speakers and Christ Servant Ministers: Leading, Caring, Communicating

2010-01-25T14:05:00.000-05:00

This past weekend the Philadelphia Area hosted the annual meeting of the United Methodist Association of Conference Directors of Lay Speaking (and in Eastern PA: Christ Servant Ministers). A lively group of 80 people gathered at the Ramada Inn in Philadelphia for three days of inspiration, business meetings and encouragement. The Christ Servant Ministers of EPA served as the hosts and did an excellent job preparing for the event, arranging for historic tours and offering superb hospitality.

Lay leadership in the United Methodist Church is as old as Methodism itself. The church has always relied greatly on its lay leaders for conducting worship and sharing the love of Christ in the world. During the circuit-riding days of the early Methodist movement in America, the pastors would only be able to come to each church a few times a year to administer the sacraments and assist with the organization of the church. The lay people did all the work in between the visits of these pastors on horseback.

Still today the ministry of the laity is vitally important. Lay Speakers in the United Methodist Church are more than speakers. Here are some of their ministries: visitation, crisis ministry, pastoral care, leading volunteer mission teams, teaching Bible study, work with youth groups, assisting with church administration, prison ministry - and the list could go on for pages.

Lay Speaking ministries strives to help disciples become aware of their gifts for ministry by offering educational events to enhance and develop skills for fruitful service. To learn more about lay speaking, read about it in the Book of Discipline Paragraph 267, 268 and 269. Check out the website: www.layspeakingministries.org.

Mr. George Hollich, Jr. is the director of Christ Servant Ministers in EPA and Ms. Luray McClung is the Director of Lay Speaking for PDC. They can tell you about training events in their respective conferences.

I encourage pastors to use your Lay Speakers/Christ Servant Ministers as much as you can to extend the ministry of the church. In the church of Jesus Christ there is truly a “priesthood” of all believers.

The ministry of the laity motto proclaims:

All God’s people in

All places,

And in

All times,

Are called to love

And serve.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

First Haitian United Methodist Church

2010-01-19T11:39:00.001-05:00

As a cold winter rain was falling in Salisbury, Maryland, the members of First Haitian United Methodist Church came to worship. It was their normal Sunday morning worship service but since the earthquake of January 12, nothing was ever going to be normal again. Many of the members have lost family and friends who live in Haiti and many more have been waiting to hear from people whom they have lost contact with in their mother country. Their part-time supply pastor happened to be in Haiti at the time of the earthquake and members were greatly comforted to learn that he had finally been in touch with his family and was safe. The service was being led by the lay leaders of the church. About 100 people gathered in a small building that the members purchased from a printing company 10 years earlier and remodeled it into a place of worship.

I arrived at the church expecting a scene of grief and devastation but was heartened to find a group of people who had hope; hope in the Lord for comfort and strength. The entire congregation speaks French and Creole. Some are also fluent in English, however the worship service was conducted entirely in French. The singing was loud and joyful. I asked one of the English-speaking members what they were singing: “We have no troubles for God is here” she whispered. These words were fulfilled as they were being sung.

When I was introduced to the congregation by the lay leader, Faubert Baptiste, he spoke one sentence in English for my benefit and then a sentence in French for the congregants. “We have never had a bishop here,” he said “we are glad you have come.” With Faubert’s help, I offered words of consolation and support. When I announced that I would be reading from the Psalm 46, everyone immediately took out their Bibles and rose to their feet.

“God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea….the Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

Following my comments another lay member, Lucien Jendy, came forward to bring the sermon for the day. He read from Matthew 24: “As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the building of the temple. Then he asked them ‘you see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you not one stone will be left here upon another, all will be thrown down.’”

He explained that every word of the Bible is true and that our earthly buildings and our lives are temporary. He stressed that in life we will have suffering but those who endure to the end will be saved. “We must not lose faith but have hope in God,” said Jendy. His sermon was met with many “Amens.” The service ended with a spirited prayer and the passing of the peace.

I shook hands with the congregants after the worship service, including no small number of children and teenagers, all dressed in their Sunday best. Warmth and respect flowed from their hands to mine. They expressed the desire to go Haiti to help it rebuild and to search for people who are lost. One of the most difficult aspects of this ordeal is not knowing the fate of many who are missing. A faith-filled and determined people are making plans now to visit Haiti as soon as they are allowed to come. They will also be raising money for the UMCOR relief efforts and offering the most valuable resource of all: prayer.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

Martin Luther King, Jr.

2010-01-19T11:37:00.000-05:00

We remember Martin Luther King, Jr. and the legacy of freedom and equality that he brought to the world. One of the most important things to remember is that the civil rights movement was born in the church. Rev. King’s non-violent campaign to end segregation landed him in jail many times. From a jail in Birmingham, Alabama he wrote to the clergy: “If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning.”

Still today his words ring true as the struggle for human rights and equality continues. Wherever I go, the churches who are thriving and making a difference in this world have that spirit of sacrifice and service that gives it authenticity. Only when we choose to suffer for righteousness sake we can change the wrongs in this world.

May Martin Luther King Day be a day “on” and not a day “off” in service in your community. May you speak out for justice when you see someone being treated unfairly. May you use your means, your influence, your heart, your soul, your strength to work for peace where there is discord. As you go, have hope and don’t be discouraged when the work is difficult.

Rev. King said in his “I Have a Dream” sermon: “Go back (home) knowing this situation can and will be changed. Don’t wallow in the valley of despair.”

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

You Did It Unto Me (Re: Earthquake in Haiti)

2010-01-13T13:30:00.000-05:00

Matthew 25 reminds us as we give to those in need it is the same as giving to Jesus. We have an important opportunity to bless Jesus this week. The earthquake in Haiti has just made the poorest nation in the world more poor and the suffering is unbelievable. Please take an offering this Sunday at your churches and places of ministry for the Haiti Relief (Advance #418325 – Checks can be sent through the conference offices). May God use this crisis to make a blessing happen on the island. When the eyes of the world are on them may the resources begin to flow in new and better ways. Most importantly PRAY for all those who are affected by this crisis and for the many emergency workers.

Bishop Peggy A Johnson

Do Whatever He Tells You

2010-01-04T15:01:00.000-05:00

In the gospels there is not much that we know about the Virgin Mary by what she says apart from the passages in Luke that speak about the birth of Christ. In the Gospel of John is a tiny passage about a wedding in which an older and wiser Mary appears. Here we find her encouraging her young adult son, Jesus to intervene when the wine runs out at the wedding reception. Jesus appears to give some push back at the request “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” But almost as if she does not hear a word he says she turns to the servants and says “Do whatever he tells you.” I love that about Mary. Jesus is God but she is still his mother. We all know the rest of the story is the marvelous miracle of the water that becomes wine.

This new year may we do just that “whatever Jesus tells you.” God speaks to us every day in quiet and not-so-quiet ways. We do a fair share of push-back, especially when the request means a sacrifice or an impossibility. Can you imagine what the servants thought when Jesus told them to “draw some out and take it to the chief steward.” They had just filled 6 stone jars full of water. But they did it anyway. Was their obedience and the miracle in some way connected? I believe it was and it will always be that God works miracles through the likes of us when we are obedient. This is especially true when we obey God’s call when we think it is preposterous, an inconvenience, and we cry out “Lord, send someone else.”

Do whatever he tells you this year and see what God will be able to do through you.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

Snowflakes

2009-12-28T15:02:00.001-05:00

Recently we have seen a couple of trillion snowflakes in the Philadelphia Area. For some snow is a welcome event, for others a hardship but whatever you think about snow there is not much one can do about it. One might wonder about God sending snow on a Sunday closest to Christmas when those critical offerings will make or break a church budget. We know that in all things God works for good those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose (Romans 8: 28). So we need not fear the future or the bills or the budget as ultimately God is in control, making a way out of no way.

I would want to take note about snowflakes as they teach us profound truths about God. A snowflake is a tiny molecule of frozen water vapor. Every snowflake has 6 sides as that is the shape of the molecule but although they are all 6 sided, that is where the similarity ends. There has never been, nor will there be, two snowflakes that are totally identical in pattern. That gives us a tiny glimpse at the awesome creativity of God, who does not settle for sameness but is constantly creating and recreating. As we serve this God, that creative Spirit can work through us to create new things and new plans for service and ministry. When it is the “same-old-thing” the Spirit of God has not been called in to help. Seek God’s creativity to pattern your life in this New Year.

Another lesson of the snowflake that we never seem to learn is the power of community. One snowflake is about as fragile and insignificant as can be. I remember as a student in school looking at real snowflakes under a microscope but struggling to keep the glass slide at ice-cold temperatures because the slightest warmth would melt them in an instant. Yet if a couple trillion snowflakes come together they have tremendous power. They close schools, block traffic, and stop every manner of business that you may have planned.

Thus it is true the likes of you and me. Individually we are weak but when we work together with others we can do great things. Getting people to cooperate is sometimes not easy but the results can change the world when we do. All the great movements of social justice that ever happened on this planet came about because a group of people got behind it and worked together. There is no good on this earth that cannot be accomplished if the humans would work together and make a snowstorm happen…a snowstorm of goodness, justice, kindness, peace, and love.

Whatever you have planned in this New Year, partner with others and stand back and be amazed at what God can do. All the tools we need in life we already have in the Body of Christ. Let’s use them and find ways to put aside our differences and wage some peace in this world.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

What to Do When Church Gets Cancelled

2009-12-21T08:51:00.003-05:00

It does appear that we will be having a “white” Christmas this year. It would be hard to imagine all of this snow melting before Christmas and there is always a possibility that more might be falling next week. It appears that just about every church had to cancel its services on December 20^th and some had low attendance on Dec. 6^th and Dec. 13^thdue to less-than-perfect weather. One might wonder why the Lord sends snow on Sunday in the first place. Doesn’t the Lord know we need the offerings to make the end-of-the-year budget? Doesn’t the Lord care that people tend NOT to make up their offerings as much the following week when weather is more favorable? Didn’t the Lord see all of these cantatas and pageants we had been practicing? What do we do when church gets cancelled?

We thank God! Ephesians 5:20 says to “Give thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thanking God in all things is a prayer of faith, faith that trusts where you cannot see, for the provisions that will come from a faithful God.

We still have worship! You don’t have to physically go to church for worship. Worship can happen in your homes. One family is gathering their neighbors into their homes this morning for worship because their church is closed. Another church is holding services at 4 pm because it is likely that the snow will be cleared by then. Some churches offer internet worship where the pastor’s sermon can be viewed live using Skype technology. If you can’t do any of that then you can hold worship by yourself or with whoever is in your house. Sing familiar hymns, pray, read the scripture and give testimony of what God has done for you! Christians are not the same as children who get out of school work when snow cancels school. Worship is a relationship with a living God, a joyful, important, life-giving, soul-feeding experience. We don’t skip it because the doors of the church are closed. We continue the worship where we are. The Spirit of the Lord is not only present in our stone structures. God lives in your heart.

Give your tithes and offerings! Giving offering is not dependent on being in a pew when an offering plate is passed. Giving money is the barometer of your heart! It is a gift of devotion that we give out of love for Christ. If we only give when we are in the pew, then that makes worship comparable to a spectator sport or going to the movies. A relationship with a living God requires a response and giving of our wealth is a vital part of that response. Holding back our money is a sign of spiritual immaturity and it means that you are in the driver’s seat of your life and not God.

Enjoy the snow! Thank God for next year’s harvest that snow is preparing us for! Worship God! Give from your heart! Be blessed!

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

Baby Names

2009-12-14T15:06:00.000-05:00

When a family is expecting a new baby they often spend much time and even money buying books to find out the meaning of names. They select the new child’s name with great care because names denote character and even a sense of prophecy about the person’s life and destiny. Such was the case with the Bethlehem baby, whose birth we celebrate on December 25^th. The Christ Child, according to the Angel Gabriel, was to be named “Jesus” because he will “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus was indeed sent to be our Savior and that is the tidings of great joy that the angels sang about on Christmas night. Jesus also was called “Wonderful Counselor,” “Ever-lasting Father,” “Prince of Peace,” “Emmanuel” and many other insightful names. Indeed Jesus is all of this and more. His name is above all names. He desires his name and his character to live and reign in your heart and life….at Christmas and always. Tell people about the name of Jesus and live the name as his agents here on earth today.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

Molasses, Garlic Salt and Rum

2009-12-07T10:07:00.000-05:00

During the snow last weekend I heard a newscast on TV that explained that some states are using new compounds on the icy roads instead of salt. They are experimenting with molasses, garlic salt and rum with great success. They are more bio-degradable, less expensive and doing a better job. The financial crisis has encouraged these experimentations and the new compounds are helping states to stay within their smaller budgets.

In our churches and ministries we have been experiencing a financial crunch in recent years and it is an opportunity as well as a crisis. Sometimes indeed “less is more.” A better way can sometimes be the more affordable option. The gift of having less is the creativity it produces and in that creativity can come a surprising blessing. In Romans 8:28 reminds us “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.” The “all things” here can include having less funds to work with or less people to do the work.

Molasses instead of salt is a sweeter deal. What lack has God placed in your life that is really a blessing in disguise?

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

“We Gather Together to Ask the Lord’s Blessing”

2009-12-03T11:45:00.000-05:00

This beloved hymn is sung throughout the church year but especially during Thanksgiving. The original text was written in 1626 after the Dutch people became free from Spanish domination. It was later translated into English by Theodore Baker (1894). The translation is clever in that the rhymes come in word pairs. Each describes the salvation of God.

Chastens and hastens (his will to make known)

Wicked oppressing cease from distressing

Beside us to guide us

Ordaining, maintaining (his kingdom divine)

From the beginning the fight we were winning

Let thy congregation escape tribulation

May you celebrate the hastening, guiding, and triumphant God described so well in this hymn as you celebrate Thanksgiving this year.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

High Hopes

2009-12-03T11:37:00.001-05:00

If you know anything about the Phillies, (which I didn’t but I am learning), there was a broadcaster by the name of Harry Kalas who used to sing about “High Hopes.” It is a song about an ant that was able to knock down a rubber tree because of his “high hopes.” Indeed many a baseball game has been won because of “high hopes.” But here we are in football season but more importantly we have just begun Advent Season. It is the ultimate time of “high hopes” because we are hoping for the coming of Christ. With Christ all things are possible. As Paul says: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Where are you having doubts and fears? What are you hoping for? Put your trust in God in all things. Expect the impossible! Even at Christmas time we are Easter people, finding life in the midst of death and hope where there is no hope. Bring some hope to a hopeless situation this week. Even the smallest ant with hope can knock over life’s rubber tree obstacles.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

Nor'easter

2009-11-16T13:39:00.002-05:00

Last week the coastlines of the Mid-Atlantic states experienced heavy rains and flooding as a nor’easter compounded by the affects of Hurricane Ida came to visit. There has been considerable damage to beaches, roads and homes. Some of our churches have experienced some water damage and our Disaster Response teams have done an excellent job in responding to the crisis. I send my personal thanks to all who took part in this effort, and for those who will yet be lending aid to the clean-up. I encourage folks to also contribute monetarily to help as well.

Two weeks ago at the Council of Bishops there were bishops from all over the world, including those from the Philippines. They have experienced a typhoon this summer and there was a huge amount of property and human loss. The photographs that were shown to us of the devastation were sobering. Then one of the bishops from the Philippines said “A typhoon is an opportunity to re-order our life.” This statement hit me like a bomb. He said it was passion and faith. His faith was such that he believed that God was going to work some good from this unquestionably terrible disaster.

We may experience nor’easters and typhoons of sadness and heartache in life. It may be the death of a loved one, an illness, a financial struggle, an interpersonal difficulty. May we have the faith to trust God in the midst of it all and believe that God is re-ordering our lives for good. God’s ways are higher than our ways and God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Though we cannot always understand the suffering we experience in life, we can trust our creator to work all things together for good. May we see how God’s amazing hand can re-order our lives and use it for God’s will and purpose.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

National Native American Heritage Month

2009-11-09T14:58:00.003-05:00

On October 30, 2009, President Obama signed into the law a proclamation designating November as National Native American Heritage Month and he called on all Americans to celebrate November 27, 2009 as Native American Heritage Day. The following paragraphs come out of that proclamation:

“The indigenous peoples of North America -- the First Americans -- have woven rich and diverse threads into the tapestry of our Nation's heritage. Throughout their long history on this great land, they have faced moments of profound triumph and tragedy alike. During National Native American Heritage Month, we recognize their many accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices, and we pay tribute to their participation in all aspects of American society.

This month, we celebrate the ancestry and time-honored traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in North America. They have guided our land stewardship policies, added immeasurably to our cultural heritage, and demonstrated courage in the face of adversity. From the American Revolution to combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, they have fought valiantly in defense of our Nation as dedicated servicemen and women. Their native languages have also played a pivotal role on the battlefield. During World Wars I and II, Native American code talkers developed unbreakable codes to communicate military messages that saved countless lives. Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars. Our debt to our First Americans is immense, as is our responsibility to ensure their fair, equal treatment and honor the commitments we made to their forebears.”

President Barack Obama

Did you know: (from the Native American Communications office)

There are over 18,000 known Native people in The United Methodist Church. The largest group are members within the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, but Native United Methodists and ministries may be found from the tip of Florida to Alaska. Native people serve the church in every capacity: laypersons, seminary professors, district superintendents, conference directors, employees of general boards and agencies, Christian educators, lay missioners and pastors. Native churches have the highest percentage of female pastors in the denomination.
There are over 554 federally recognized (those with nation-to-nation status with the U.S. federal government) Native tribes, nations and villages in the United States. This does not include state recognized tribes, or those in the process of recognition with states or the federal government. In addition to these, there are over 500,000 people of primarily Native blood who are ineligible for tribal membership for one reason or another. Add these to the numbers of indigenous people from Central and South America and Canada, and one gains a picture of the complexity of cultures and backgrounds that represent Native people in the United States and The United Methodist Church.
Most tribes still retain unique language, culture, religions, government and a physical tribal home. Some have lost original languages and many customs, but have retained a sense of identity as a people. There is simply no one "Indian" way of thinking, feeling, or worshipping. In order to become aware of Native people, one must be intentional in the process of ministering to them.

There is such a need to share the “truth” about issues surrounding Native peoples and Dancing with a Brave Spirit: Telling the Truth about Native America, 2005-2008 (http://www.umcgiving.org/atf/cf/%7BA5DA7032-3D61-4AF7-88B9-96B0E1145FF4%7D/dancing.pdf) is a good place to start. Other resources can be found at

www.gbod.org/nativeamerican.

As United Methodists we must recognize the need to walk softly, hand in hand, soul to soul, with our Native American brothers and sisters, to respect the roads they travel and the lessons they have to teach, not only during National Native American Heritage Month but all the time. Please enjoy this poem by Nakakakena:

Walk Softly

by Nakakakena*

When joy fills us
We will walk softly

When our hearts are rejoicing
We will walk softly

When we recognize Jesus sits, walks and stands beside us
We will walk softly

When we hear of pain and suffering of others
We will walk softly

When hearts are stricken by grief
We will walk softly

When all around us is attacking our faith
We will walk softly

When doubt fills our days
We will walk softly

When others are watching
We will walk softly

As we lead others into the path of righteousness for His name's sake
We will walk softly

Amen.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

*Boe Harris-Nakakakena (which means 'rattles with feet') is a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa and Spirit Lake Dakota tribal groups. Boe travels and does presentations extensively and is known also for her gifts in traditional dance, jingle dance and Native American flute. Boe Harris-Nakakakena is a member of the St. John's UMC in Seaford, Delaware.

Wellness Ministry/Parish Nurses

2009-11-02T07:36:00.000-05:00

The Philadelphia Area is blessed with many churches that have “Wellness Ministries” or “Parish Nurse Ministries.” They provide many helpful and holistic services to our local churches and communities. Here are some of their ministries: blood pressure screenings, shut-in visitation, post-hospital visitation, get-well cards, wellness training, safe sanctuary training, spiritual formation, blood drives, women’s health conferences, cancer awareness programs, HIV/AIDS education, nutrition education, support groups, grief counseling, walking programs. They also have been known to install AED equipment and first aid kits at church, post health education notices inside the bathroom stalls about flu prevention, write grants for training classes and conferences and sponsor health-related Bible Studies.

One Parish nurse offered a “Blue Christmas” service on December 21st for people who have lost loved ones during the year and who are feeling especially sad at Christmas time. December 21st is the longest day of the year and during this service candles are lit as a symbol of Christ’s light even in dark times. Another parish nurse sponsored a “Walk to Bethlehem” and challenged parishioners to don their pedometers and track how many miles they walked during Advent with the goal of walking as many miles as Mary and Joseph walked on their way to Bethlehem. Some parish nurses have taken their health concerns out to the global scene and educated people about the health needs of women in developing countries and raised money to pay for medical services overseas. It seems that the possibilities are endless.

My personal experience with parish nursing comes from my years serving in a low income Deaf congregation. On several occasions the visiting parish nurse who came each week for the blood pressure screening ended up taking church members to the emergency room for extremely high blood pressure readings. They literally saved the lives of many.

The purpose of our church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Wellness Ministry/Parish Nurse ministry transforms the world!

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

Our Hiding Place

2009-10-27T13:18:00.003-04:00

The following meditation was shared with a group of people at First UMC of Pottsville, PA at the prayer service on October 24, 2009 following the murder/suicide of October 23^rd. Our prayers continue to be with the people of Pottsville and our thanks to the pastors who supported Rev. Storm Hutchinson and Rev. Kris Perry. Thanks to Rev. Robert Wilt, District Superintendent of the NW District for his ministry as well.

“You are a hiding place for me, you preserve me from trouble, you surround me with songs of deliverance. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice O righteous! And shout for joy, all you upright in heart.”

Psalm 32: 7, 11

I used to love the game “hide and go seek.” There were many interesting places to hide in my house growing up as a child. I was very good as finding the best places. One of them was in the attic in the closet where the winter clothes were stored. Another good place was the wooden bath tub in the basement. The room where coal used to be stored was also a good place. The point of this game was to not be found. When you had a very good hiding place you could always win the game.

With God as your hiding place you have the best place of all. David wrote this psalm when he was going through a time of sadness. Through it all he felt the overwhelming protection of God. The hymn “Rock of Ages” was written by a pastor who was caught in a thunderstorm while traveling on horseback through an open field. He hid in the cleft of a rock while the storm passed and he likened this rock to God, who protected him from all sin and trouble.

On October 23, the town of Pottsville experienced a sadness that was terrible and devastating. It was an irony that the troubled one was seeking refuge in a church in his last moments before he took his life. I wish that he had reached out to God for help. Today there is shock and sadness over all that has happened and yet there is hope.

God is our hiding place still! God is the one who saves us from trouble. God is the one who surrounds us with songs of deliverance. We don’t need to fear, we don’t need to worry. Just trust in the hiding place of God to keep you safe.

The Psalmist goes on to say that we should be glad in the Lord and rejoice. Perhaps that is the last thing you may be feeling right now. Being glad in the Lord during sad times is a sign of faith that we know we will ultimately be alright. We can praise God in spite of the circumstances.

We can be like a bird perched on a branch in a wind storm that is still singing. The bird can sing because it knows it can fly. If a gust of wind may knock him off his branch he can just lift his wings and fly and not fall to the ground. We can sing for joy in the midst of the storm because we know that in Christ was have another life waiting for us. Christ brings us a hope for the future and a peace that passes understanding now.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

A New Thing!

2009-10-21T08:19:00.000-04:00

Isaiah 43:19 says “I am about to do a new thing: now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” God is a God of new beginnings and new life. Over 200 years ago at Old St. Georges Church a sad act of racism caused a group of African American Methodists to leave the service and begin a new denomination. Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was started by Bishop Richard Allen because at the Methodist Episcopal Church there was racism and rejection. On Oct. 25^th there will be a reunion of the two churches in a joint morning worship service at OId St. Georges. This will be the first time they have come together in over 200 years for a Sunday worship. Rev. Alfred Day (pastor of St. Georges) and Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler (pastor of Mother Bethel AME church) deserve much credit for their work to bring about this day. This reunion is a part of St. George’s 240^th church anniversary and the 250^th birthday celebration of Bishop Richard Allen. What seemed like an impossible thing years ago is now coming to life before our eyes. God is doing a new thing. May this day of unity and worship be just the beginning of better relations and understanding. May the racism and evil of the past be put totally behind us. May even newer and better things happen among us in the future.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson