Youth Prepare for Easter in Portageville
Transcription
Youth Prepare for Easter in Portageville
APRIL 2015 Youth Prepare for Easter in Portageville Many Engaged in Mission in Haiti Sharpening their Saws for Mission LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Fred Koenig, Editor Missouri Conference Publications Published by The Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church 3601 Amron Court Columbia, MO 65202 Phone: 573-441-1770 About the Cover: Youth gather at Portageville UMC for worship every morning before school for a week before Easter. Cover Photography: Eric Mattson For inquiries regarding content: [email protected] For inquiries regarding circulation: [email protected] I t’s time to check in about a few things that are new with The Missouri Methodists. First, last month the magazine was delivered in a plastic bag with the 2015 Catalog of Spiritual Formation for Next Generation Ministries. I can’t take any credit for that publication, it was prepared by the Camping and Retreat Ministries staff. The camp book has been traditionally sent out to people who had participated in camps the year before. This publication had been sent to that group as well, but it seemed that many people in the Conference did not realize that camps were being offered in the summer of 2015, due to the news about the Conference-owned locations not being used. There are camps being offered, and they still have room for more. The Camping and Retreat Ministries staff wanted to put the catalogue in more hands so people are aware of this. We’ve also started accepting paid advertising. This isn’t exactly something new – we also accepted paid advertising in the newspaper, The Missouri Conference Review. When we changed to the new format, I had just not made it a point to invite potential advertisers into the magazine. We now have policy in place to support accepting ads, and the invitation has been made. If you know someone who could provide a benefit to our readers by advertising in these pages, please pass along the opportunity. It doesn’t have to be a business focused on churches necessarily – an architecture firm or a roofing company may also find mutual benefits from advertising to our readership. Finally, this issue contains a business reply card to make it easy for your church to order additional copies of this magazine. It costs more to mail the magazine than it costs to print it, so getting a box full is the most economical way to go. Several churches have been doing this already. Some just get 10, some get more. You can personally give them to leaders in your church whom you want to keep informed, or you can just make them available in public spaces. And don’t forget, the magazine is available online. Just go to www. moumethodist.org/momethodists , and you will find the current and past issues. You can also install it as an app on most smart phones and tablets by searching your app store for The Missouri Methodists. So that’s the nuts and bolts of the magazine. But how about the content? It’s hard for me to look over the table of contents of this issue without being impressed with the scope of ministry that can be reported on in a single month. Various projects in Haiti, youth worshipping together during Holy Week, progress report from our new church start in Ferguson, wood-cutting and food ministries, those stories from a few churches don’t even scratch the surface of the depth of ministry going on in the United Methodist Church in Missouri on any given week. It’s an honor to have a role in sharing these stories with you. Fred Koenig, Editor Missouri Conference Publications EDITOR Fred Koenig WRITERS Jeff Baker Julie Christiansen Brian Hammons Jennifer Klein Hal Knight Jim McCarty Donna Nichols Trista Soendker Nicholson Mark Roach Raymond Varner PHOTOGRAPHY Jodie Allen Fred Koenig Eric Mattson Chris Wheeler 4 5 8 10 12 15 16 20 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 Message from the Cabinet: A Heart for Haiti College Students Bring Clean Water to Haiti Caring for the Orphans Preparing for Easter Clergy Appointment Changes United Methodist Foundation: Planned Giving 101 Reaching Out to Change Lives Laity Voices: Crucial Conversations 2015 Mobile Camp Additions Kids’ Weekend Food Program Intentional Faith Development: Opening Our Hearts to the Spirit of Grace 2015 Annual Conference Offering Being a Pastor in a Community in Crisis Wesley in the World Today: Salvation by Faith Music Matters: It’s Worth a Tribe Now Read This: A Pastor’s Practical Guide to Funerals Calendar of Events MESSAGE FROM THE CABINET WRITTEN BY JEFF BAKER A Heart for Haiti W e had be been traveling for our third day. The roads were more like trails. Something you might experience on a Jeep trail ride in the mountains of Colorado rather than a gravel county road. We slowly crawled over large rocks and through deep holes on the path. As I bounced around, I couldn’t help but remember when Jesus spoke to the disciples telling them to go to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth. I thought we were in fact, finding the ends of the Earth. The dusty road took us to a remote part of Haiti. The road ended at the edge of a small stream. The narrowest parts of the water were only eight feet wide. There were several areas where rocks had been strategically placed as stepping-stones to forge water. Robenson, our guide and translator, told us the water was ten feet deep and he had to use a boat to cross when he visited the area in December. It was quite the contrast. Now, locals were growing tobacco in the low plain and would harvest it before the next flood. We traveled by foot up the mountain to a small ridge. We met the pastor along the way who began to share a bit about the community. There were about 80 homes with as many as three families per home in 4 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists the immediate area. It was clear; life in the area was a constant struggle. As we walked up the trail, we came upon an area where a small spring created a pool of water where the locals would fill buckets for cooking, cleaning, and drinking. We spent some time visiting with the people that had gathered around the water source, and then walked to the small church on top of the ridge. The view was incredible. Sharing time with the locals and enjoying the beautiful views did not compare to what happened as we began our trek back to the vehicle. As we returned to the vehicle, we had to cross the small stream again. A few of the locals followed and helped us across. It was in those next few moments that I was reminded of the question posed to me many times, “Where have you seen Jesus Christ at work today?” As I stood and watched, I was amazed. I got those little goose bumps or chicken skin on my arms. A chill came over me in the hot, eighty-seven degree day. Bob, one of the guys in our group, stepped in the mud crossing the stream. One of men from the community we had just visited quickly grabbed a towel and a small jug with some water and knelt at his feet and began to wash them. He washed and rinsed until Bob’s feet were the cleanest they had been our entire journey. I was overtaken by emotion. www.moumethodist.org 5 6 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists WRITTEN BY TRISTA SOENDKER NICHOLSON S park@MOUMC, the college age ministry at Missouri UMC, sent a team to Duplan, Haiti January 12 – 18. The team installed 100 Sawyer water filters in the community, facilitated a hygiene training and learned from the recipients about the ongoing health struggles within the country. Because of this project, 100 families now have access to clean water, and no longer must fear that drinking water from the community well will bring the devastating illnesses caused by e-coli and cholera. Doran Vaillancourt, a student participant, reflected, “The most meaningful thing I saw during my trip to Haiti in January was the joy and excitement that the Haitians expressed when they were learning about hygiene and receiving their water filters. I could see the selfempowerment expressed on their faces from understanding the importance of cleanliness and being able to provide clean water for themselves and their families.” In addition to these life-giving filters, our team was able to develop new relationships that will continue long after our week in Haiti ended. Our team installed filters with the help of the Methodist Church in Duplan, Haiti. The church also serves as a host for a primary school, which we toured. We also had the opportunity to interact with a lot of the school children who wanted to learn more about our filters, and who stayed around one day to play soccer with us after school was let out. The team also prayed with the families to offer a blessing over their filter, and our prayers for their healing and wholeness continue. We continue to learn from the Haitian people, and are excited to continue to connect with ways that we can be in relationship with those from Duplan. Another amazing part of our week in Haiti is witnessing the transformation of our team members. This experience often leads to greater discipleship, and to a commitment to continue to be in ministry in the world. While in Haiti, these college agers identified ways that they can use their gifts to be in service to God’s world and to God’s people. As one participant, Kennedy Krieg explained, “That is truly one of the best and life changing experiences of your life. It can sound cheesy, but I think until one truly experiences a trip like this, you cannot relate to just stories. It changes how you view everything. After my first trip to Haiti, I saw a change of my career plans and how I had a new desire to work with children. Seeing the Haitian children laughing and smiling in such poor conditions made me understand that children inspire me and make me happy whether or not they are trying!” Like Kennedy, many participants point to their experience in Haiti as a launching point to the new ways that they are called to be in mission and ministry with God in the world. “What we do in Haiti is simple, but the impact we leave is greater than anything you can ever imagine,” Vaillancourt said. “Not only are you changing their lives, you are forever changing yours and your outlook on life itself.” Another Haiti Clean Water Team from Spark is forming for a trip in June. Contact Rev. Trista Soendker Nicholson at [email protected] for more information. www.moumethodist.org 7 8 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists W hen the children’s ministry leader at First UMC in Sedalia told her pastor that she felt called to be in ministry with orphans, he didn’t realize that calling would lead her out the door. But after research and referrals grew into a mission trip to Haiti, a passion to develop an orphanage there became a fulltime job for Lorie Holt. “I had to quit my job at First UMC in children’s ministry so I could work full-time for Strong Tower Orphanage,” Holt said. She may be working full-time, but to be clear, her position is a volunteer one. She doesn’t receive a salary. Since she started working on the development of Strong Tower Orphanage in 2009, she has been to Haiti 13 times. The most recent trip was in March 2015, during which her team included Bill Beck from First UMC-Sedalia and Krista Corbett from Bethany UMC. It was a time of prayer and discernment that moved Holt to foreign missions, with a focus on caring for orphans. She considers Jeremiah 3:33 to be God’s phone number: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Holt herself was an orphan, adopted by her parents at age four months. She was born in New Orleans, a surprise twin, healthy but weighing only four pounds. Her and her twin sister were adopted together. “I’ve never been compelled to learn about my birth mother. I do know she had a choice, and I’m grateful for what she did,” Holt said. Holt’s adoptive father was a metallurgical engineer. They were a fostering family, and provided foster care for 85 different children. Holt first connected to Strong Tower through contacts she made at a children’s ministry conference at Saddleback Church. From the beginning Strong Tower’s partners were ecumenical. Strong Tower has partner churches in Maine, Nebraska and Kansas, and the United Methodist Women’s group at Lee’s Summit UMC are partners. “That’s how God put it together,” Holt said. When a team of volunteers goes to Strong Tower, the pastor brings them before the orphanage, where everyone raises hands and blesses them, praying aloud. “It’s overwhelming,” Holt said. “These girls are growing up in the presence of the Lord. They know him.” Holt describes disembarking from a plane in Haiti as being hit with sensory overload. Trash everywhere is an initial sign of poverty, although a much more poignant one is children with red hair or distended bellies as a symptom of malnutrition. But the feeling she feels most isn’t pity, it’s quite the opposite. “They truly know what it means to depend on God, to trust in him for your daily bread. They have a fullness of the spirit, void of business and distractions. I see the way they live and I want that. They have a fullness of faith,” Holt said. “They live by faith, not by self. It’s what they do.” The Strong Tower orphanage is on a property that had been priced at $30,000, that the church eventually purchased for $2,500. The children at Strong Tower mostly just speak Creole, and most children there do not learn English unless they go to high school. In addition to Holt’s personal connection, she believes all Christians are called to care for the orphan. “We were all lost, alone and without hope until our Heavenly father found us,” Holt said. “When we care for the orphan it is a reflection of the heart of God, a reflection of the gospel. www.moumethodist.org 9 10 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists F or more than six decades, Portageville UMC has been a place where the youth of the community take their faith much deeper at the end of Lent. For that last week of school, every morning they gather at church. “It’s a different start to the day,” said Debbie Nave, a member of Portageville UMC. “They are starting the day with God – in God’s house.” Rev. Barron Scott Willer has been pastor at Portageville UMC since 2012, and was informed when he first arrived that a special role that church has in the community is hosting the event. “At one time it was led by the United Methodists youth, but with fewer youth in the church it has become a community event with youth leading from different churches,” Willer said. The service, which started 65 years ago, is entirely youth led. It begins at 7 a.m. and includes an opening prayer, a meditation, a message, congregational singing and special music. People light a candle as they enter the church. The youth are from the whole community and various churches, including Baptist, Catholic, Assemblies of God, Church of God and United Methodists. “There are also a number of unchurched youth who will come and be part of this,” Nave said. Nave, who has worked as the high school secretary for 28 years, actively invites youth she knows from school to be part of the tradition. “I might tell someone, ‘Hey, you were awesome on the football field. Why don’t you come join us and be awesome for God?’” she said. Nave prepares scriptures and messages for the youth. Some take what she offers, and others choose to use their own. They take new approaches each year to keep the service that is rich in tradition fresh for those who come each year. The congregation consists largely of school teachers, administrators and staff, as well as parents of the youth. “A lot of the adults who attend had lit a candle here when they were young,” Nave said. The services are usually during Holy Week, but when Holy Week is the same week that the school is on spring break, as it is this year, the services are held the week before. “It really prepares you for Easter Sunday,” Nave said. www.moumethodist.org 11 WRITTEN BY FRED KOENIG S pring is in the air, and so are the announcements of clergy appointment changes. Changes in three cabinet-level positions were announced during the second week of March. The first change is by the book – the Book of Discipline. Rev. Bart Hildreth has completed eight years as District Superintendent, which is the maximum tenure allowed by the Book of Discipline. “Bart has done excellent work, has contributed to the growth of our churches, acted as mentor and coach to countless pastors, planned and led high quality learning events for laity and clergy, and was instrumental in uniting the two Ozarks districts,” Bishop Schnase said. “His thoughtful and thorough work will be missed on the cabinet.” Hildreth moving on meant that someone was needed to serve as Ozarks District Superintendent. That person will be Rev. Lynn Dyke, current Mid-State District Superintendent. “Lynn has served four excellent years as District Superintendent of the Mid-State District in Columbia, and this relocation to Springfield allows her to work closer 12 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists to her husband and family,” Bishop Schnase said. “Lynn brings to the new appointment her expertise as a superintendent, experience as a successful pastor of churches in the Ozarks District, service as chair of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, and experience from serving on staff in other conference offices. We will miss her in the Mid-State District and in the conference office.” Dyke was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Overland Park, Kan., with her family when she was in the seventh grade. There her family was active in a new church start, Indian Heights UMC. She attended Southwestern College, a United Methodist institution in Winfield, Kan., and majored in elementary education. After college she went to seminary at Iliff School of Theology In Denver. She was ordained elder in the Kansas East Conference in 1987. She started her ministry as an associate pastor, and was later appointed to Conference staff as Youth, Camping and Discipleship director for five years. She then moved to Seattle, and served in a similar Conference staff position for the Pacific Northwest BART HILDRETH Conference. She was then a pastor in the Arkansas Conference before moving to Missouri and being appointed first to Marshfield UMC, then Kimberling City UMC, both of which are in the Ozarks District. Dyke’s husband teaches at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. “I’ve loved the Mid-State District, and I’ve seen so many good things happen here, I will miss it, but it will be nice to be living in the same house as my husband again,” she said. Her son will also be close by, as he runs the 1,000 Hills golf shop in Branson. LYNN DYKE SHERRY HABBEN KIM JENNE As she goes to her new post this time, Dyke will be bringing four years of experience as a District Superintendent with her. “I now understand the appointment system in a totally different way, and I view everything through that lens,” she said. She also said she is not often surprised by things anymore. “I’m taking a different sense of calm into the beginning of this appointment,” she said. But if Dyke’s Ozark bound, who will be moving the Mid-State District Office? Here’s a clue: she doesn’t have to go outside to move offices. Rev. Sherry Habben, current Director of Connectional Ministries, will be the next Mid-State District Superintendent.“Sherry has done excellent work in connectional ministries, especially in coordinating annual conference sessions, supervising conference staff, and overseeing conference communications,” Bishop Schnase said. “Her participation for the last several years on the cabinet gives her experience and insight into the appointment process, and her knowledge of the Mid-State churches, laity, and clergy will benefit her leadership. We all look forward to working with Sherry in her new role.” Habben grew up in the Kansas City area. She wasn’t raised in the church, but was brought in by her then 12-year-old son to St. Peter UMC in Blue Springs. After a time she found she had served on practically every committee, including serving as chair of the Pastor-Parish Relations committee and the Administrative Council. “I realized I was no longer there just for my son,” she said. She followed her call to ministry and went to Saint Paul School of Theology, where she earned a Masters of Divinity with a specialty in Christian education. She started out as an associate pastor of Red Bridge UMC in the Heartland District, then was senior pastor of North Spring UMC in the Heartland District, and next was associate pastor of Salem in Ladue UMC in the Gateway District. She was appointed as the Director of Connectional Ministries in 2008. As Director of Connectional Ministries, Habben was responsible for the oversight of Annual Conference Session each year. “I’ve had a great Annual Conference Sessions team and staff to work with,” she said. “We’ve moved to a more learning and leadership model for Annual Conference that has worked well. It’s been a joy to start the process over again each year, from the selection of theme and speakers to working through all of the details. It takes a lot of people to make Annual Conference happen. I enjoy the planning part, and being there to see it all unfold.” As Director of Connectional Ministries, Habben was involved in many facets of the Conference, liaisoning with the Core Practices Team, Communications Commission, Rules and Procedures Committee, and Nominations Committee, as well as being on the “I now understand the appointment system in a totally different way, and I view everything through that lens.” LYNN DYKE www.moumethodist.org 13 “It will be compelling to take a step back closer to the local church, and offer direct encouragement and support to them as a District Superintendent.” SHERRY HABBEN cabinet and overseeing operations of the Conference as one of five Conference directors. Together with the Director of Financial and Administrative Ministries, she was responsible for the staffing the Conference Center, and responsible for oversight of the Safe Sanctuaries process. Habben also did most of the Days of Prayer and Repentance for the Healthy Church Initiative and the Small Church Initiative process. She’s looking forward to her new role as Mid-State District Superintendent. “It will be compelling to take a step back closer to the local church, and offer direct encouragement and support to them as a District Superintendent,” Habben said. “I want to be able to encourage pastors, laity and churches to be who God is calling them to be.” Habben’s path from her office to being a District Superintendent is well worn. The previous Director of Connectional Ministries, Steve Cox, went from that position to Pony Express District Superintendent. His predecessor, Elmer Revelle, went from his position as DCM to being appointed Mid-State District Superintendent. Habben’s transition means someone new needs to be the Director of Connectional Ministries. Rev. Kimberly Jenne, senior pastor of Webster Hills UMC, will be moving into that position. “Kim brings outstanding leadership, supervision, 14 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists and organizational skills to the work of Connectional Ministries,” said Missouri Bishop Robert Schnase. “We look forward to her service on the cabinet and her leadership in the conference office.” Jenne grew up s in Coulterville, Ill., where she was a member of the Coulterville UMC. She went to college at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. While in college she attended Centenary, Grace and La Croix United Methodists Churches. After college Jenne moved to St. Louis, where she worked for the Schupp Company, a marketing and advertising agency. She was attending Webster Hills UMC, and part of the team that launched The Gathering. At this time she was beginning to experience the call the ministry. Rev. Matt Miofsky, The Gathering’s pastor, shared that if she was considering going into ordained ministry, she might want to experience leadership at an established church, as it would be different than a new-church start. She ended up going to Grace UMC (St. Louis), where she worked in a part-time capacity at building relationships between the church and Washington University. In 2009, Jenne moved to Atlanta, where she attended Candler School of Theology seminary. She concluded this experience by spending a year in England. “I see mission experiences as an opportunity for a pilgrimage,” she said. “I found we have as much to learn from our brothers and sisters in Mozambique as we have to share with them.” KIMBERLY JENNE There she lived in a Wesley House with other seminarians, where they experienced a daily cycle of praying, worshipping and eating together. “It was much more of a monastic community than a typical theological school,” she said. Upon returning in 2012, Jenne was appointed to be senior pastor of Webster Hills UMC. The following year she became chair of the Missouri Conference Core Practices Team. “It’s been a great fit around my passions and interests in discipleship and sharing best practices,” Jenne said. “We have a fantastic team that makes a good example of the connection working well.” Jenne also served on the Gateway District Board of Missions and Growth. Last year Jenne traveled to Mozambique for the opening of the Gondola Training Center. She has previously served on mission teams to Haiti, the Gulf Coast and the Hinton Rural Life Center. “I see mission experiences as an opportunity for a pilgrimage,” she said. “I found we have as much to learn from our brothers and sisters in Mozambique as we have to share with them.” Jenne is looking forward to her position as a Conference director. “I think this position is uniquely suited for my gifts, and I’m excited to be able to serve the Conference in this way,” she said. Jenne is a huge Cardinals fan, but realizes as someone serving all of Missouri, she may need to soften her team alliances. She did cry last year when the Royals lost the World Series. UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION PG 101: The Charitable Gift Annuity I f you have made a gift to any charitable organization in the last fifteen years – a university, a hospital foundation, charities that seek cures for disease – then you have probably received information and solicitations to consider a Charitable Gift Annuity. This popular gift arrangement requires an up-front gift to the organization in return for fixed payments to the giver for life. Hundreds of United Methodists in Missouri have created gift annuities to benefit a local church or other favorite ministries. Nevertheless, many church members remain unaware that this option exists, or uncertain how it works. History Something like a gift annuity was actually created in the US as early as the 1830s for the benefit of Yale College. In the 1920s, the American Bible Society conducted a very successful national gift annuity campaign that popularized the arrangement. The Missouri United Methodist Foundation began administering gift annuities in the early 1990s and currently has 126 active gift annuities valued at over $3.25 million. How It Works The primary purpose of a gift annuity is to make a gift to charity – but with the added helpful feature of fixed payments for life. The terms of a gift annuity are spelled out in a simple contract between the donor and the charity. Based on the age of the donor(s) at the time of the gift, the charity agrees to pay a fixed annual amount to the donor(s) for life. This amount is calculated as a percentage of the original gift amount and does not change for the life of the annuitant(s). Gift annuity rates are determined and published by the American Council on Gift Annuities, a national association of charities. The goal of the rate calculation is to allow at least half of the original gift amount to be available for use by the charity when the annuity obligation ends. Example Donor age = 80 Gift amount = $10,000 (cash/stock/property; a portion is tax deductible) Annuity rate = 6.8% = $680 annual payment to donor (a portion is tax-free) When the annuity terminates, the gift remainder is distributed to the church or charity designated by the donor(s). Some donors will instruct that the gift become a permanent memorial endowment at the Foundation – in turn, providing sustaining annual support for church or charity. Learn More Visit the Foundation website at www.mumf.org or call 800-332-8238 to find information or to request a personalized illustration and application. www.moumethodist.org 15 I n a small room at the Stockton United Methodist Church, a group of men gather around a table. Maps of the Holy Land rest on easels in the room, but their focus is much closer to home. The first cold snap of the year has pushed temperatures into the low 20s. Doyle Fry tells the men about someone who needs firewood to stay warm. Neale Johnson has some good oak that has been cut but needs to be split. Rick Spiker has a splitter. Don Levi offers his dump trailer. Doyle 16 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists sets a date, and others agree to be on hand to help load, unload and stack the firewood. In an area where nearly 18 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and many people heat with wood, keeping the fires burning is just one way the church’s Methodist Men’s Group strives to live up to the ideals of the faith’s founder, John Wesley. The men who make up the group are dedicated to making life better for those who find themselves in a bad situation. They are a vital part of a community that insists on taking care of those in need. “It’s a group that is very welcoming of ideas on how to help people,” says Marvin Manring, a member of the group and the lay leader for the church. “They have a long tradition of cutting firewood or doing whatever they can to make people more comfortable.” Most of the men know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of help. In May 2003, a tornado WRITTEN BY JIM MCCARTY struck Stockton. The twister killed three people, leveled much of the downtown and stripped the landscape of prized trees. Those who experienced the destruction in the southwest Missouri town of 1,819 will never forget the devastation, nor the many strangers who showed up in droves to rebuild. “After what happened, there were a lot of good things that took place,” recalls Marvin, who also is the band director for the Stockton R-1 School District. “We were going to rebuild, here we come. I think we have built back bigger and better.” The tornado destroyed the church sanctuary and heavily damaged its Family Life Center. Heavy debt followed, and the Methodist Men’s Group helped pay it off the best way they knew how: cutting firewood. “We cut something over 100 cords of wood,” says Harold Beck. “It may not sound like a lot, but it is when your back is killing you.” It’s not unusual for the group to learn about a needy family from the local school. That was the case with one ongoing effort that saw a family receive electricity for the first time. Roy and Tamarah Burch live on 43 acres of land near Jerico Springs. They moved there 15 years ago, planning to build their own barnstyle house and live off the land. “When we came here, we came with the pioneer spirit to do things the way we wanted to,” Tamarah says. “But shortly after we did, my husband came down sick with leukemia. I’ve had several injuries. I www.moumethodist.org 17 18 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists “It’s a group that is very welcoming of ideas on how to help people. They have a long tradition of cutting firewood or doing whatever they can to make people more comfortable.” MARVIN MANRING fell and ripped both of my rotator cuffs in my shoulder. I also have fibromyalgia. Things have been a struggle.” Another setback came when the couple attempted to gain custody of their granddaughter, an expensive process that required them to live in Indiana for seven months before succeeding. Debt grew, and the house they started building never was completed. Solar panels they hoped would power the home failed, and the couple rented a generator to supply electricity to their well. They used oil lamps for light and wood for heat. Their only “luxury” was a radio. Marvin learned of the family’s plight from the couple’s 10-yearold granddaughter, who was one of his students. He spread the word among the teachers, and a collection started. Meanwhile, Don and Neale, who are members of the board of directors at Sac-Osage Electric Cooperative, looked into what it would take to bring electricity to the home through the co-op’s lines. Two things were needed: a cleared right of way and $1,640 to pay for the line extension. “That was an impossible number for us,” Tamarah says. The Burch family soon learned what a caring community they lived in. Inspired by the donations from the teachers, others offered money. The Methodist Men’s Group chipped in, as did the Stockton Area Ministerial Alliance. A Sunday school group at another church helped, individuals made contributions and before long, the money was there. “Whenever we got enough checks made out to Sac Osage, I took that over there, and we just got in the queue like everyone else,” Don says. “I suppose it took a couple of weeks.” The co-op’s crews staked the route for the line, and on a hot Saturday, the Methodist Men’s Group showed up at the Burch house to clear the right of way. “We went out there with a long rope and laid it down and said that’s going to be our center line,” Don says. The right of way ended up a little crooked, but it did the job. With a lot of help from a backhoe supplied by Scott Smith and a skid-steer loader owned by Stewart Thomson, the route for the power line was cleared in about four hours of hard labor. Sac Osage had power flowing to the house by September, much to the delight of the family. “We had no electricity for 15 years,” Tamarah says. “We were ecstatic. I was telling them I have appliances I’ve held on to for 15 years. Now I’ve got to dust them off and see if they still work.” The Methodist Men’s Group isn’t through helping the family. They are working on replacing the roof and doing some much-needed wiring.“We are very grateful to them,” Tamarah says, “more than what we could ever express.” Over the years, the group has established a number of ministries. They financially support Barceda Families, an organization that works to prevent child abuse, mentors parents and helps them care for disabled children. They sponsor a Cub Scout troop, coordinate a recycling program, clean up litter and for 20 years have been active in a prison ministry at the Cedar County Jail that includes weekly visits. They host a Christmas Angel Tree ministry with donated gifts that creates a connection between children and fathers who are in jail. “They are a capable bunch, and they have been for a long time,” says Marvin. “We try to improve what we can, and sometimes you have to put some muscle into it to make it go.” Explaining why the men give so much back to the community, Don tells a story related to him by his wife, Chris. “A couple moved back to the area after retiring. The lady said when they lived here before, they didn’t remember anyone being poor. Well, nobody recognized it. It was just a way of life. There, but for the grace of God, go I.” This story was originally published in Rural Missouri, the statewide publication of the association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives: www.ruralmissouri.org/digitalrm. www.moumethodist.org 19 LAITY VOICES S ometimes in leadership we come across something that just seems to fit the times, the situations we’re going through. A book I’ve been reading, Crucial Conversations, just seems to fit right now. For many reasons. The book has four named authors, and I recall hearing one, Joseph Grenny, talk about the subject at Leadership Summit last August. My pastor recommended that all our congregation’s leaders read the book and discuss it in a recent leadership training, so I’ve been reading and absorbing what I can. A “crucial conversation” is described as one where opinions vary, emotions are strong, and stakes are high. The authors describe how people often don’t handle these situations well and the result is... not good. They describe skills and techniques that can help us stay in dialogue and work through these conversations. They remind us to remember a common purpose while maintaining mutual respect. Sounds like many of us could use these skills, doesn’t it? Think about 20 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists how often conversations break down in our personal lives, our workplaces, and our churches – really anytime people are doing things together. We’ve all seen people who can work through “crucial conversations” well, and others who seem to let strong emotions and differing opinions cloud their judgment. As I think about our church and the upcoming session of the Annual Conference in June, it seems like the skills in Crucial Conversations will be needed. The “Holy Conferencing” concepts, inviting God’s Spirit to be part of the process, also will help. After all, with elections, proposals on camping, and perhaps other issues, there is a danger that we could lose focus upon our common purpose and our mutual respect as leaders in Christ’s mission. Hopefully we can work through those and come away energized with ideas from the main theme, Discipleship: Growing in Grace. Now, regarding the “crucial conversation” of GC / JC elections, I’d like to share a few thoughts – and will be interested to know yours. You see, I believe that the 2016 conferences will be very important for the future of our church. We will need to elect people who can humbly offer reasoned perspective, a focus upon local congregations, and spiritually engaged leadership experience in Missouri. We especially need to elect people who can keep focused upon the “Main Thing” in transforming lives by helping people follow Jesus. Of course, General Conference will include many proposals. I think the biggest issue really isn’t the church’s position on homosexuality or other potentially distracting, divisive issues. The church will need to deal with those proposals, hopefully in a respectful way, and I do believe it’s important to uphold faithful understanding of scriptural truth, accountability, and excellence as we make decisions. “Crucial Conversation” and “Holy Conferencing” skills can help here. But the biggest issue involves the church’s ability to redirect attention, energy, and resources toward increasing the number of congregations that can be healthy, reaching more people. With less bureaucracy that inhibits effective change. That’s the “adaptive challenge” for the future of the church, as our bishops and other leaders have continued to remind us. In addition, Leadership issues will be important, particularly recruiting and training clergy leaders. Also tenure and accountability. As we look to electing bishops at jurisdictional conference, I WRITTEN BY BRIAN HAMMONS believe that future bishops need to be exemplary leaders. Bishop Schnase has been one of those exemplary leaders with us – doing remarkable work in transformative leadership, and I’m excited to see his ideas making a difference across Methodism. Our delegation should expect future bishops to reflect the five expectations we have of leaders in Missouri – and I would add the following descriptors: 1. Christ-centered – spiritually engaged, solidly Wesleyan in theology; 2. Excellence – strong record of teaching, preaching, and leading in congregations and conference roles; 3. Accountable – willing to listen, allow review, take responsibility, and work within prescribed boundaries; 4. Fruitful – consistent record of growth in congregations leading people to follow Jesus; 5. Collaboration – effective work with colleagues, laity, and staff to accomplish the mission and goals of the church. Finally, somehow we’ve got to recapture the spiritual energy of the Methodist movement that can change the world. Yes, the conversations we’ll have at annual, general, and jurisdictional conferences will be “crucial” in many respects – often with differing opinions, strong emotions, and high stakes. Can we hold these conversations with mutual respect and focus upon our common purpose? Can we invite God’s transforming Spirit to help us in Holy Conferencing so that we come out affirming relationships and offering Christ to the world? I hope and pray that we can. Thanks for all you do in following Jesus every day, making disciples where you are! Paid advertising space is now available in the The Missouri Methodists. Prices start at $400, with a free ad for every three purchased. For more information email [email protected]. 2015 Mobile camp additions by raymond varner F or the summer of 2015 the Missouri Conference has decided to add the amazing camping experience of Mobile Camps in addition to the residential camps (AKA CORE Camps) and Mission Camps. Over the past few months we have been working closely with the Navigators to bring the camping experience to you at your church. We had a fantastic response from churches filling out applications to be one of the 10 churches to host a mobile camp this summer. After several weeks of planning, strategizing, prayer, and research the selection committee was able to select the 10 churches (see our map) to fill the summer schedule. We wanted to make sure that we reached a wide demographic of churches and their congregations. We chose churches in the middle of the city and out in the country, we chose churches spread out across the state, and we chose both small and large congregations. When the churches hosting mobile camps were asked why they wanted to be a host church here is what they said: Aaron Talbott from Oakton UMC in Lamar said, "it gives our kids a great experience at a low cost" and "it's super affordable for our families". And that's the truth, at only $25/kid for a week of Mobile Camp! Jill Chaloupka from Kearney UMC said, "We are super excited about hosting the mobile camp this summer at First UMC, it is a great opportunity for us to reach out to the unchurched children in our community and to share Christ with them and give them a chance to experience Him first hand." Jill also said, "Another great thing about the mobile camps is the fact that we have many children who are unable to attend an overnight camp for various reasons, so to have the camp meet the kids where they are is absolutely a win-win situation." Lynae McFarland from Kirksville UMC said, "We have prayed and prayed and PRAYED about Camp Jo Ota closing and what this means for our children/youth. I believe that God doesn't just open windows, but he truly teaches us how to soar out of them by wholeheartedly putting our trust in Him. This mobile camping experience is going to offer something to our children that is new, adventurous, thrilling, meaningful and challenging. All of those words should and need to describe our daily walk with Christ! Our vision for the children and youth 22 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists at First UMC in Kirksville is that they will own their faith and become life-long followers of Jesus Christ who wholeheartedly love and serve God in all that they do. I believe this will help our children in their journey!" Mobile Camps provides amazing opportunities for spiritual growth bringing today's youth closer and deeper in a relationship with Christ. The host churches are also working with surrounding United Methodist churches, the community, and other churches in order reach as many kids in their community as possible. All in all Mobile Camps is a great addition to the United Methodist Conference Camping & Retreat Division. For more information about camping ministry in the Missouri Conference, go to www.nextgenumc.org. WRITTEN BY JULIE CHRISTIANSEN W hile going through the Healthy Church Initiative process at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, one of the things we discovered was that our mission and service projects were all over the place. While all were good causes, by trying to support too many things, we felt we weren’t effectively supporting anything. We also wanted to find a way to serve people right in our neighborhood so we searched for an area where we could make a difference. Mount Zion is across the street from Craig Elementary School and we were working to establish a closer relationship with them. In the fall of 2012, we were approached by the Polar Star Rose Hill #79 Masonic Lodge, also located in the area. The lodge members wanted to start a weekend food program for children in need at Craig School. They had received approval from the school and were looking for a partner with facilities and volunteers to shop and pack each week. The school suggested that they contact us. Our search for a local, ongoing mission project was over! School staff identified children in need and registration forms were sent home for parents to complete. Food was purchased and volunteer packers were lined up. The first bags were packed on April 26, 2013. On that first day, we served nine children (eight students and one sibling). Bags are packed with food items including two breakfasts, two lunches, two snacks, two fruits and two drinks for each child. These are guidelines established by similar programs around the country. Dietary restrictions, either religious or health-related, are observed for several children. Items consist of oatmeal, cereal bars, pop-tarts, mac & cheese, ramen noodles, peanut butter crackers, applesauce, fruit cups, juice boxes, and similar items. All require little or no preparation. The program does not operate during the summer but started up again in August 2013. In the spring of 2014, Parkway Northeast Middle School was added. In November 2014 we began serving students at Ross Elementary and look forward to adding McKelvey & Bellerive Elementary Schools before the 2014-15 school year ends. We are currently preparing food bags for over 150 children each week. The Kids’ Weekend Food Program is supervised by Tara Mooney and David Reiling. Volunteers from Mt Zion and the Masons pack the bags each week. For more information about the program, contact the church office at [email protected] or (314) 432-4251. www.moumethodist.org 23 INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT WRITTEN BY JENNIFER KLEIN “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21) This year’s theme for Annual Conference focuses upon spiritual formation as a means of grace. Being formed in the image of Christ as the body of Christ in loving action is our business at hand as we come to Conference this year. How can we do so with integrity and an attitude in which we can agree to disagree, working toward resolutions regarding difficult topics? I believe we do so with an attitude of holy conferencing and a spirit of grace and love. 24 Opening Our Hearts to the Spirit of Grace April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists This year every delegate to Annual Conference will receive a copy of “Listen: Praying in a Noisy World.” It is the most recent book on prayer and devotion by Bishop Reuben Job. The book is a six week study, approximately 40 days, of scripture and prayer practices that are aimed at helping persons learn to “listen anew and develop habits that can lead to a deep and vital relationship with God” and thus with one another. It is the hope that many of the churches in our conference will use this daily devotional as a means of prayerfully preparing for Annual Conference. During the Easter Season, encourage persons to use it as an individual study, with small groups, or as a church wide focus on prayer (also available is leader’s guide and DVD for group facilitation). Please join me, and so many others from around the Conference, in a time of listening for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is already intervening on our behalf, and preparing this Annual Conference to be conducted and shared as means of grace. May God bless all those who attend and all of our Conference who are represented and effected by the prayerful work we undertake together. 2015 Annual Conference Offerings The Mozambique Initiative www.mzinitiative.com T he Mozambique Initiative is a holistic ministry based on partnership with the Church in Mozambique. We focus on enabling the sustainability of United Methodist communities in Mozambique, so that they might be the catalyst for growth and development in their region. This past year, with the help of teams of volunteers, we developed resources to tell our story in new ways through congregations here in Missouri. These new ways of telling the story of this ministry include video material, curriculum guides, and recorded original Mozambican music, all of which will be available at Annual Conference for telling the story in your own congregation. When you give to the MI in this year's offering, you become part of the story and help us write a new chapter of ministry both here in Missouri and in Mozambique. Haiti Clean Water Project www.ifyouknewthegift.com F or the last four years, congregations and individuals have continued to support communities in Haiti with access to clean water through distribution of bio-sand and Sawyer water filters. In 2014, we sent fourteen teams to Haiti as part of this ongoing project. These teams were able to provide nearly 1,600 filters or 8,400 individuals with a way of eating, drinking, and cleaning without fear of becoming ill from the water they were using. With your support, we can continue this amazing ministry opportunity distributing filters for clean water and developing the many relationships as teams continue to serve. The Church in Ferguson wellspringchurch-stl.org H ow can we help? Many times this question has been asked around the country regarding the situation in Ferguson. Rev. Willis Johnson and Wellspring UMC have been pillars in the Ferguson community providing a home for peace, respite, and leadership while tension and emotions ran high. It is through the work of Rev. Johnson and the congregation at Wellspring that the United Methodist Church has had an ongoing presence in this community. We want to make sure they can continue to share hope and peace in these challenging times. www.moumethodist.org 25 Being A Pastor In A Community In Crisis I n the category of what news happened while you were sleeping, the news from Ferguson, Mo., got even worse,” said Steve Innskeep, as he led off the Morning Edition national newscast on National Public Radio on March 12. The previous day, the police chief in Ferguson had resigned following public outcry from a report from the U.S. Attorney General. That night, around midnight, two police officers were shot while they stood outside of the Ferguson police station monitoring a demonstration. That next morning, Rev. F. Willis Johnson of Wellspring UMC was meeting with his clergy coach, Rev. David Bennett of Kirkwood UMC. Bennett had called in Rev. Kimberly Jenne of Webster Hills UMC, who had previously helped Johnson with media relations. He also had over his local chief of police and a city council member to share any advice they might have. During the meeting, Johnson’s phone kept buzzing. “I was just starting to get used to my phone not doing that,” he said. Wellspring UMC is a new-church start. The church was about three years old when Ferguson became the focus of the national spotlight last summer. Wellspring has been in the middle of everything that followed, serving as a common ground for community discussion. Johnson has been in the streets, trying to balance an ethical approach and prophetic voice, and trying to keep people safe and keep things moving forward. Johnson first learned of the police officers being shot on March 12 via social media at around 4 a.m. He had seen the buildup the previous day, but had hoped things would diffuse. When he heard the news he was disappointed, disturbed and anxious. When friends started calling, they asked, “Can you stop this?” “Can you temper this in some way?” Johnson also wonders how, and when, it will stop. 26 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists “How do we move towards an end that will bring about a resolution, that is needed at this time?” Johnson asked himself. “When we were at our most vulnerable, this did not occur. Now that we’re at a point where we have some momentum, and actions are being taken to address some issues that are systematic in nature, this occurs.” Johnson lives in Ferguson. The police station is about halfway between his house and the church. He has seen people come in protest of police department, and people demonstrate in support of the police department. One thing he’s found the two groups have in common is their lack of Ferguson residents. “I don’t think Ferguson residents have made up 10 percent of any demonstration,” Johnson said. “This has been like hosting the Super Bowl or basketball tournament. We have to deal with everyone coming here, but our team isn’t playing, and we don’t have tickets to the game.” Johnson doesn’t decry protest, but would like to see local voices heard. “We need to be more coordinated and conscientious about how and where we are moving forward to,” he said. “It’s about transforming how we see one another. We have a lot of growing up to do, and a lot of growing together to do.” “I haven’t stopped praying,” Johnson said. “I haven’t stopped reaching out with both arms, in both directions. And I haven’t stopped listening. That’s something that is hard for all of us. We’re living in a society that wants us to discount ‘the other’.” The shooting of the officers was happening at a time when most pastors were focused on making sure everything is in order for Holy Week. And for Johnson, that side of being a pastor goes on as well. Lent has been a season of prayer and reflection. Maundy Thursday at the church will be a special service involving foot washing. Good Friday will be a pilgrimage to Indianapolis, to a church where Johnson used to work, where they will join with other congregations for a worship service based around “The Seven Last Words.” Resurrection Sunday will have special music, an Easter egg hunt, and candy for the children. This is also a time of Launching Of Leaders (lol) and the start of the confirmation class. This summer Wellspring will be hosting the new Missouri Conference mobile camps program for a week. They will be partnering with other North St. Louis United Methodist Churches, including Asbury, North Park and Harmony. “I’m really excited about partnering with these churches, and about the opportunity hosting mobile camps is bringing us,” Johnson said. “This is a real gift to the community, because we wouldn’t have had the manpower or resources to do this on our own.” Johnson said he’s working on building a whole month of programming around the mobile camp experience, so it isn’t just a here-and-gone activity. He doesn’t know what will be coming next in the story everyone just refers to as “Ferguson,” but he does know that in addition to being the pastor whom the media calls, he needs to be the pastor in his own young congregation in the middle of it all. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future,” Johnson said. “It’s in that power and purpose that I put my trust and faith.” www.moumethodist.org 27 WESLEY IN THE WORLD TODAY WRITTEN BY HAL KNIGHT I n 1738, less than a month after John Wesley found faith at a prayer meeting on Aldersgate Street, he stood in the pulpit at Oxford University to preach on “Salvation by Faith.” He began by distinguishing the faith by which we are saved from other kinds of faith. The faith that saves, he says, is not “the faith of a heathen.” In Wesley’s day this term was not so much demeaning as it was descriptive: it was the catchall designation for anyone who was not Christian, Jewish or Muslim, from Hindus and Native Americans to Roman and Greek philosophers. God expects a heathen to believe there is a God who rewards those who seek God, give thanks to God for the blessings of creation, and practice moral virtue. Those who did not at least believe these things did not have the faith of a heathen—they did not have faith at all. Second was the faith of a devil. The “devil believes, not only that there is a wise and powerful God, gracious to reward and just to punish, but also that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” The devil knows more about God than a heathen, and may tremble in believing. But this knowledge has no effect on the devil’s heart and life. Third, there is the faith of the apostles while Jesus was upon the earth. Although they had faith in Jesus, it was inconsistent. They had left everything to follow Jesus, but also repeatedly showed weakness of faith, as Jesus himself told them. The faith that saves is “faith in Christ—Christ, and God through Christ, are the proper object of it.” That it is “in Christ” distinguishes it “from the faith of ancient or modern heathens.” It is distinguished from the faith 28 April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists “The salvation we receive by this faith is a present salvation from not only guilt and fear but from the power of sin itself.” of a devil in that it is not “a speculative, rational thing, a cold, lifeless assent, a train of ideas in the head; but also a disposition of the heart.” And it differs from “that faith which the apostles themselves had while our Lord was on earth” in that it is “not only an assent to the whole gospel of Christ, but also a full reliance on the blood of Christ, a trust in the merits of his life, death and resurrection….” His death redeems us from sin and death, and his resurrection restores us to life eternal. It is a faith only possible after Easter. The salvation we receive by this faith is a present salvation “from not only guilt and fear but from the power of sin itself.” It is to be reborn such that the love we see in Christ takes root and grows in our hearts, and from there increasingly governs our motivations, desires, and actions. This salvation is offered to all, a gift of new life made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This Easter let us renew our faith in the risen Christ, and receive afresh this new life of love. MUSIC MATTERS WRITTEN BY MARK ROACH I remember when I started as the Music/Media Director for Morning Star Church almost 16 years ago. I was 24 years old. I don’t know if I’d classify myself as succinctly as ‘young and stupid’ but that probably comes pretty close. One of the reasons, looking back, that I would say that is that I resisted the idea of meeting regularly with and gathering wisdom— and friendship—from those in my area doing the same thing I was doing. As I looked around, I thought I was pretty capable and didn’t think I needed wise guides who were further along than I—or even people in the trenches I had just jumped into for that matter. It wasn’t that I didn’t like other people. It wasn’t even really that I thought I was better than everyone else. I just didn’t see the value of a tribe. Now, as I turn 40 and look back at almost 16 years of ministry—the joy, the pain, the reward, the sacrifice—I see the immense value of a tribe. We all know that community is important, but sometimes we lie to ourselves by believing that community can exist exclusively within the confines of our ministry. After all, the ministry is reaching out, there are constantly new people entering our community. Still, I submit to you that community outside your context is incredibly important, too. For several years I’ve been attending a small, intimate conference in Nashville, TN that really emphasizes the tribe—the word itself and the concept of it. Since then, I’ve worked to foster relationships between like-minded creatives here in our area as well. It’s been fascinating to hear the ideas others have. It’s been a privilege to be able to pray for them and their ministries. I lead at a larger church than many in our area, and I’ve had the blessing of being able to resource other worship leaders in a pinch with gear, stage props, ideas, musicians, my time, etc. And when life and/or ministry gets rough—or I just find myself facing a conflict, question or situation that I just can’t or don’t necessarily want to tackle alone—these are the people who I know I can turn to. I get the way they’re wired, and they get me. These are people that will pray for me on a moment’s notice. People that have had to have difficult conversations with volunteers, have struggled with their Pastors, fielded complaints from the congregation, and sacrificed time with their families for the sake of ministry just like me. This part is important: it really doesn’t matter if they sing well, direct well, make records, write songs, prefer hymns, serve communion weekly or even agree with me about politics for that matter! They. Are. In. Ministry. And a creative ministry at that. That’s an enormous common denominator and if you plan to have any sort of longevity in ministry, you need them and they need you. So my point is short and sweet. Lock arms with likeminded people doing what you do at other churches in your area. Pray for them. Pray with them. Love them. Help them. Serve them. Give them an opportunity and a reason to do the same for you. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about ministry, it’s this: If it’s worth your time, your energy, your passion, your sacrifice...it’s worth a tribe. www.moumethodist.org 29 NOW READ THIS WRITTEN BY DONNA NICHOLS A Pastor’s Practical Guide to Funerals Offering Help, Assurance, and Hope D eath happens – often at the most inopportune times - and no pastor would deny that caring for the dying and the grieving is at one and the same time both hard work and sacred privilege. In “A Pastor’s Practical Guide to Funerals: Offering Help, Assurance, and Hope” - author Lee Franklin, a hospice chaplain and ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) presents a thorough guide to pastoral care of the dying and the bereaved. The book contains many complex and interrelated processes that are integral to proper care. None of the processes of grief care presented by Franklin are unimportant. Franklin’s book offers chapters on Preparing for Death; Caring through Anticipated Death; Caring through Sudden Death; Meeting with Family 30 follow-up care. There is, of before the Funeral Service; course, God’s story of loving Creating the Funeral presence and future hope as Service; Creating the well as stories of the dying or Funeral Sermon; and an the deceased; stories of the impressive chapter about grievers most impacted by Following up with Grievers. the death; the congregation’s The stated purpose of the stories; and the pastor’s book is to offer ways to assist story as he or she engages in the pastor in providing “a helping others with meaning ministry of presence and making throughout the hope before, during, and process of dying, death, after the funeral.” Franklin’s funeral/memorial and work succeeded in that follow-up care. purpose as well as affirming As pastors, our story that ministering through the usually intersects with all of funeral is one of the great the other stories; therefore, privileges of ministry. Franklin The book is rightfully systematically laid points out “it out and is indeed is important a “practical” to come to guide even as it is grips with our thoroughly and own death deeply theological. experiences or She develops lack thereof and scenarios of how we cope or pastoral care in DONNA NICHOLS haven’t coped a well-reasoned with them.” progression of Pastors who are desiring “story-centered” topics, to be better companions to all of them intersecting others in their grief, will with the various ways get in touch with their own grieving persons experience stories of grief. the presence (or seeming Frankiln provides absence) of God. numerous examples of caring One of the things that pastoral interactions with impressed me is the way the dying and bereaved in a Franklin consistently uses broad spectrum of situations “story.” Her guide is entirely from preparing people for story-centered as it unfolds an expected imminent death in many examples of the to caring for those bereaved intersections of five stories by unexpected sudden that are heard throughout deaths from most prevalent the death and funeral and April 2015 | The Missouri Methodists causes. Examples range from pastoral care of a couple whose infant was stillborn, those grieving loss of a loved one to suicide, and other tragic losses. She advises pastors: “If you want to affect the faith of your community, and if you want to bring God’s good word to a hurting world, you will plan out funeral services with care and love.” The three chapters on ministry through the funeral are central and helpful for following this advice. Franklin concludes the book by stating: “By manifesting God’s loving presence and hope, the pastor has the holy task of companioning grievers as they make meaning of this death event and construct their own next chapters of their life stories beckoned by God’s hope and held in God’s love.” “Beckoned by God’s hope and held in God’s love” – is that not the very place to which we pastor’s want to lead not only the dying and the bereaved but also all of those to whom God sends us? A Pastor’s Practical Guide to Funerals can be purchased from Abingdon Press at www.abingdonpress.com APRIL 23, 2015 Joyful Generosity: Serving God’s Vision Time: 10am-2pm Location: CMU, Inman Student & Community Center Registration: www.mumf.org/weems-seminar Contact: [email protected] Cost: $35, Includes Lunch Nationally recognized author, educator, and church leader, Dr. Lovett Weems, will be featured at the 8th annual Leadership Institute at Central Methodist University. Renowned for his insight and wit, Weems will address practical ways to increase giving and fund your churchs ministry. With lots of take-home material, this will be an excellent opportunity for pastors and lay leaders to talk about, plan and build a better financial ministry. Sponsored by your Missouri United Methodist Foundation. APRIL 27, 2015 & MAY 5, 2015 Soul Connections Regional Day Apart Time: 9:30am-3:30pm Location: Unity Retreats and Events, Unity Village, MO (April 27) or Old Kinderhook, Cadmenton, MO (May 5) Registration: www.moumethodist.org/registrations/register/225 Contact: Jenny Gragg, [email protected] Cost: $25, Includes Lunch We all dream of it – just one day where we can step away from the office. One day where we can escape the chaos of our calendar. One day where we can experience God in a new and different way. Good news! Your “One Day” is here! Clergy and church leaders are invited to enjoy a Day Apart in one of three regions this Spring. The day will commence with a brief and informal worship followed by a day of unstructured set-apartness. There will be space for silence, space for creative expressions, space for worship planning, space to fellowship with friends and colleagues… whatever you need your day apart to look like. Visit http://mosoulconnections.org for more information. View More Events Online: www.moumethodist.org/events www.moumethodist.org 31 THE MISSOURI METHODISTS Missouri Annual Conference 3601 Amron Court Columbia, MO 65202 PHOTO BY CHRIS WHEELER I AM THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE... J ennifer Bell has played a piano since the second grade. That didn’t mean she could play the organ. “I tried once, and thought no way,” she said. “I couldn’t believe how hard it was to use your hands and feet at the same time.” But later, when the meditation organist who played before church needed a few weeks, Bell was asked to step up. Her son, who was born premature and was a high-risk pregnancy, was two months old and doing well. So filled with gratitude for how things had turned out, Bell stepped up to the task, practicing the organ between Sundays. “I learned as I went, missed notes and all,” she said. About five years ago, Bell’s husband Mike shared that he felt called to ministry. At the time they were figuring out how to pay for their son’s college, and when they looked into seminary the cost was daunting. Then they were told that Campbell UMC, a nearby country church, needed a pastor. Mike Bell started preaching there, and soon Sumach UMC was added to his charge. “We’ve gone in as a team, he preaches and I play the piano,” Bell said. “We’ve grown to love these two little churches. When there are only a few of you attending, you become very close. When someone is gone, we know where they are.” Bell and her husband remain members of First UMC Kennett. She still plays for the children’s choir, and sings with the choir at Kennett once a month. “This is like a mission for us,” she said. Sometimes Bell’s role in the three churches bring them together. She leads a Bible study for women at her home on Sundays at 6 p.m. The group includes women from First UMC Kennett, Campbell UMC and Sumach UMC. It’s not the only small group that she leads. Bell fell into a state of depression after witnessing a child being killed while riding a bicycle. Through that experience she felt called to minister to others suffering from depression, and formed a weekly small group ministry called Whispers of Hope for women who are experiencing depression and anxiety. Serving a small church is like going home for Bell. She grew up in Caruth UMC, although she was involved in the youth group at Kennett when she was young. Now Caruth UMC is served by Jim Pemberton, who had also been a member of Kennett. After high school, Bell attended Missouri State University in Springfield, and ended up singing in the choir at Schweitzer UMC. Her son attends Missouri State now, and has been active in the collegeage ministry there, and with Wesley South. “My son’s faith grew a lot through the youth program at Kennett led by Chris and John Wheeler, and through his involvement in CCYM (Conference Council Youth Ministries) and Conference youth mission trips,” Bell said. Her son currently plays music and helps lead worship at Wesley South. “He’s under the assumption that when you are at a church you don’t just attend, you serve,” Bell said. Bells gratitude for First UMC doesn’t just extend to how it’s forming the generation that follows her, she’s also eternally grateful for how they’ve cared for the generation before her. Her mother has been in her final stage of life in the past year, and the church has been there for her. She said she’s received much more from the church than she has ever given. “I couldn’t begin to name all the church programs that have reached out to my dad and mother,” she said. “They have ministered to them at the nursing home, have brought them cookies, the youth ministry has been out there, even the kindergarten Sunday school class loaded up and came one Sunday. They’ve done so much.”