Evangelical Lutheran Church of American and The United Methodist Church in Full Communion

On August 20^th the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America at their church wide assembly in Minneapolis, MN voted to be in full communion with the United Methodist Church. In 2008 at the UM General Conference the United Methodists voted for full communion and now with the vote on August 20^th the Lutherans have also agreed to it. Full communion is when two denominations establish a relationship based on a common confessing of the Christian faith and a mutual recognition of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. It also recognizes the ordinations of the clergy. This day was long in coming. The dialogs around this began 30 years ago. This does not mean that the United Methodists are merging with the Lutherans. It means we recognize either others faith statements, sacraments and ordinations. It can pave the way for United Methodist clergy and ELCA clergy to serve in each others’ churches. Most importantly, it is a call for all of us to work together with the ELCA churches in our neighborhoods in new and fuller ways.

When I was growing up there was a Lutheran Church in my neighborhood. My family attended the Methodist Church just down the street from the Lutheran Church. The Lutheran Church building was much more grand and beautiful than the Methodist flagstone building. The Lutheran Church had gothic architecture and a large red wooden front door. Not understanding a whole lot about history or geography I remember hearing about Martin Luther and nailing the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church in Germany (the beginning of the Protestant Reformation). I figured that it happened at the Lutheran Church down the street and I looked at the door when we passed by and wondered why the 95 Theses were not there. Sadly we never really knew much about the Lutherans because their religion and ours in those days were kept separate. I never got to see the inside of the Lutheran Church until much later when as a young adult I helped teach a cooperative Vacation Bible School with the Lutherans down the street. How much more we could have been doing together all those years but our polity kept us apart. My little home town was poorer because of it.

We are living in a better day now. People of good will from a variety of denominations are freer to share ministries due to the ecumenical work of full communion. Religion divides but the Spirit unites. I see the Spirit at work here.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

Why I Love the United Methodist Men

My first encounter with the United Methodist Men was when I was 14 and I was the director of a children’s choir at my home church. The men voted to buy a set of rhythm instruments for my choir to enhance our program. It was quite an encouragement to me at that time. It was not until much later in life that I learned that the United Methodist Men’s goal was to be involved in Discipleship Ministries. They strive to organize men for ministry and outreach, especially to men but not limited to only men. They have many vital projects:
-Prayer Advocacy (Upper Room Prayer Center)
-Scouting Ministry (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire, 4-H)
-Mentoring children (Big Brothers and Big Sisters)
-Potato Project (gleaning small potatoes from farms and ship them to food banks)
-Hope for the Hearing (hearing aids for deaf children in Haiti)
-Bible Study
-Prison Ministry
-Athletic Ministries
-Strength for Service (devotional books and Bibles sent to our servicemen and servicewomen)
-Support of the children of incarcerated parents through “Amachi”
-Men’s convocation every 4 years

In addition many of our local units have additional kinds of local outreaches and ministries. Each unit has unique gifts and opportunities specific to its setting.
I wish that every church would have a United Methodist Men’s unit or if you have had one in the past that has become inactive, to get it started again. We are United Methodists. We have many wonderful programs and support systems to do many good works together. When we do our own thing separately we cannot be nearly as effective. RE-think United Methodist Men!

Why I Love United Methodist Women

I love all of the organizations of the United Methodist Church. This summer I was blessed to take part in both Schools of Mission from EPA and PDC and found them both to be an inspiration. I have long been associated with the United Methodist Women. I am even old enough to remember the Women’s Society of Christian Service at my home church. It was back home that I learned that it was all about missions, not about having pot-luck dinners or paying for church repairs. The women at my home church helped send me to seminary and to my first experience at the Consultation of Clergywomen (1979).
There are many things about United Methodist Women that are noteworthy:

They are an organization where women have a great opportunity for leadership development.
They do missions with a special emphasis on helping women, children and youth.
They intentionally include youth, young adults and people of all ethnicities in their work.
They are passionate about social justice, both locally and globally
They partner with many organizations to get the job done
They do practical ministry in the world that makes a difference
They encourage women to read, continue their education and to be all they can be
They teach about spirituality and encourage prayer and Bible study as the fuel for the work
They print wonderful, practical, interesting materials (in more than one language)
They have a wonderful world wide conference that is an inspiration to everyone who attends (The next one is April 30-May 2 in St. Louis, MO)
They have organizations all over the world.
They give away everything they have at the end of the year for missions

We are being encouraged to “Re-think Church” in our advertising campaigns. I would encourage you to “Re-Think United Methodist Women” if your church does not have a unit or your unit has been struggling. Contact your conference presidents for help in getting geared up. There are some new and exciting things happening. Give it a try! Support your denomination’s mission organizations…..they do GREAT WORK!!

Racism

Racism is still a part of our world. Recently I have seen some glaring examples: some children experienced racial remarks and discrimination at a swimming pool in Huntingdon Valley. Dr. Henry Gates, a Harvard professor, experienced racism as he struggled to prove to police officers that his house was his house. Last Sunday in Cambridge, MD, the statue of Harriet Tubman was covered with racial slurs. We need to pray for all of those involved in these incidences. Pray for healing and understanding and that those who have racist attitudes can change. As a church we should not tolerate this kind of thing and need to speak out against it whenever we see it happening. Diversity education must be continually offered so that people can be made aware of the causes and effects of racism. Both EPA and PDC offer classes. “Healing the Wounds of Racism” and “Nurturing Wholeness and Community” are scheduled every year. I encourage every lay person and clergy to attend these events.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

Signs of Life

I spent last week at Camp Innabah directing a camp for deaf young adults and reconnected with nature, as well as literal and figurative “hands on” ministry and deaf people. One day we went to French Creek with nets to look for life in the water. The campers each got a little net and we waded into the water and looked for life. When we started no one expected to catch anything. When you look at a stream it is impossible to see the many creatures in the water but with the help of a net one can find all kinds of baby bugs, larva, crayfish, minnows, and dragon flies. The creek was like a nursery for future life in the water. Mostly unseen by the eye, they grow and flourish in their season.

Some of the work we do for the Lord is like the life in that stream. Sometimes we can’t see the results, but there are small beginnings and not much growth….however it is there! God provides the growth! Sometimes we get discouraged because we can’t see our accomplishments. They are in there. God will use every good work to grow something for the future. Nothing you do for the Lord is in vain.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

What I Learned at the Phillies Game

I am not much of a sports fan…never have been. But when the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference United Methodist Men asked me to go to United Methodist Night at the Phillies and throw out the first pitch, I stepped up to the plate (or I guess it was the mound, literally and figuratively). But I was dreading it! I had never thrown a baseball before. This is true. I threw a few softballs as a kid but never a baseball and never in front of 45,000 people. So I got some good advice from Bill Westbrook, the financial officer of Pen-Del. He said, “When you throw a ball, aim high.” That’s what I did and it worked! The ball did not hit the ground, it did not look like I was bowling, it actually got to the catcher (which was the Phillies Phanatic - what an interesting mascot).

In life we need to aim high - epecially when you don’t think you can do something. Within every one of us God has given gifts and talents and they are not to be hidden “under a bushel.” Do more than you think you can; pray for more than you can possibly imagine; trust God to do what you can’t.

Another lesson I learned was in the bottom of the 9th inning. The Phillies were losing. They were behind 7-4. But they got a second wind and began scoring runs one after another and within minutes (and a few homeruns) they had won the game. Who would have guessed? I had written them off in the 3rd inning. Life is like that too. Always have hope. God’s timing is not our timing. Never give up or you might be missing out on a blessing.

Philadelphia has a pretty good baseball team!

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson

World Population Day

July 11th is “World Population Day” according to the United Nations. This year the theme is “Fight Poverty: Educate Girls.” United Methodists have been doing that kind of mission work for centuries. Some of the first missions schools that were founded in India and Korea were established to educate girls and young women. The United Methodist Church is still about the business of educating females and this is one of the best ways of eliminating poverty and disease on our planet. The United Methodist Women have taken the lead on ministries to women and children for over 135 years. They have missions in over 100 countries. Girls and women are taught to read and write, learn a trade, learn how to care for children, and learn how to prevent diseases like HIV/AIDS. Both of our conferences are having Schools of Christian Mission this summer (Pen-Del: July 9-11 and Eastern PA: July 23-25) Learn more about how we do missions and make a difference in the world.