Always Present—Wind, Rain, Earthquake, Fire

It seems like a week has not passed lately without a catastrophic disaster of nature. There have always been such things since the dawn of time, but scientists are confirming that the force and breadth of these events have been more severe than usual.

Humanitarian crises result, and it all leaves us unsettled, sad and finding ways to alleviate suffering through the collection of flood buckets, health kits and donations to the UM Committee on Relief.  There is hardly a person who does not know someone who has been displaced or adversely affected by hurricanes, floods and fires in our region.  

Yet, the devastation from hurricanes, mudslides and earthquakes in countries around the world has left even more peoples’ lives destroyed due to their fragile infrastructures and the poverty many of our global friends must suffer and struggle through.

As we prepare for World Communion Sunday on Sunday, October 1, let us remember all people around the world who are suffering and the rescuers who rush in to aid those in need with great sacrifice and love.  May we continue to collect offerings to offer them our help.

But may we also remember to support the efforts of many diverse United Methodists who, through higher education and training for leadership, are preparing their hearts and minds to relieve suffering and improve the lives of their churches and communities. Our United Methodist World Communion Sunday offering supports many of them with scholarships and grants, thus helping to prepare the next generation of leaders among us.  

As we give to this Special Sunday offering, may we plant seeds for a brighter future of principled leaders. Leaders who will be able to guide the church into the days ahead, when we will likely see more storms but also more heroic Christian acts to rescue victims and aid survivors.

The love of God in Jesus Christ is passed on into the future through Christ’s devoted disciples and servant-leaders, as we help prepare those leaders with quality education today.

Please feel free to use this suggested “Great Thanksgiving” Communion liturgy, prepared by the Rev. Michael Johnson, on this World Communion Sunday or any appropriate Sunday during these trying times. May God bless you and your faithful ministries.

In remembrance of Christ,

Bishop Peggy Johnson

Call to prayer for the Dreamers

Elimination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) federal policy is being considered, and a decision to end it may be announced by the Trump Administration on Tuesday, September 5.  I ask that we as the people called United Methodist, and others, pray for our country and for the fate of nearly one million anxious young people who, as immigrants, are part of our American family.  

Please pray that the ten state attorneys general who have threatened to sue the administration over DACA will end their threats and instead support the U.S. Congress’ Dream Act of 2017. The bill, which is still pending in Congress, would provide a path to citizenship for the undocumented young people who were brought here by their parents as children. 

Our United Methodist Social Principles affirm the rights of immigrant people: “We urge the church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.  We oppose immigration policies that separate family members from each other or that include detention of families with children; and we call on local churches to be in ministry with immigrant families.”

These are tense and difficult times for young people who have never known anything but a life in this country. Please pray, speak and work for people who need your voice.

As difficult and divisive immigration issues loom large in the halls of power, many lives hang in the balance, especially the lives of young people who had no say in coming here to live but who now contribute to our culture and society as vital threads in the rich, diverse fabric of our nation. Let their dreams be our dreams.

I invite you to pray this benediction from Bishop Woodie White and to know that no matter the outcome, our burning thirst, our quest for justice, mercy and righteousness, in the name of Jesus Christ, must not end:

And now, may the Lord torment you. May the Lord keep before you the faces of the hungry, the lonely, the rejected and the despised. May the Lord afflict you with pain for the hurt, the wounded, the oppressed, the abused, the victims of violence. May God grace you with agony, a burning thirst for justice and righteousness.

May the Lord give you courage and strength and compassion to make ours a better world, to make your community a better community, to make your church a better church. May you do your best to make it so; and after you have done your best, may the Lord grant you peace.