UMC Updates 10/14/2022

 UMC Updates    10/14/2022   first published in October PS. Update

If you are United Methodist, you may be aware that a conservative break-away group formed, the Global Methodist Church, in May 2022.   This, along with some inaccurate information in circulation, has prompted many questions, such as:

Q—“Do all UMC’s need to vote?”

A—No.  Right now there is no need to vote, unless a congregation is entertaining immediate disaffiliation(leave & either be independent or aligned with another denomination) from the UMC.

Q—Will the beliefs of the UMC change? (i.e. those in the historic creeds, such as, resurrection, or virgin birth.)

A—No. The only anticipated change is that the language about homosexuality, it will likely be adapted/removed/edited so that congregations & pastors will be able to follow conscience on this matter. (Historically true to the UMC pattern on issues with big disagreement.)

Q—What questions do you have?  

A—Ask and I'll see what I can find.   You may find more in the links below.

If you haven’t had a chance to see the Adam Hamilton videos responding to the GMC’s Rob Renfroe, check it out here on #proudtobeUMC.  Here are links to  histories (another here), Q&A’s, & more. Thanks for reading.

Hope in the Noise Oct.14, 2022

Hope in the Noise  Oct.14, 2022   
First published in PS Update 

“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love & good deeds”-Heb.10:24^NRSVUE 

“...what does the Lord require of you but to do justice & to love  kindness & to walk humbly with your God ” -Micah 6:8b^NRSVUE

 

Is it hard for you to hold on to hope in the noise of news, people, events, & politics?   You’re not alone.  Soundbites swirl around us promising certainty in place of honest engagement.  Problematically, certainty that diminishes others is arrogance, not confidence nor truth.   This then oozes into our being, polluting what was once kind talk, formerly open to the possibility of learning from & compromising with one another. Then hope is hidden.

These encounters hold anger, fear, control & sometimes hatred, instead of hope, mutual care, & shared interest in building up one another.  These are not elements of a strong community, faith, individual, or conversation. Yet we feel stuck with the present state of affairs.  Some react with defensive assurance that certainty is our duty.  Most ache as life-giving hope ebbs.  

What shall we do?  Is there hope?

Yes!  My faith teaches me that truth comes with a forbearing, patient love.  Good communication teaches deep listening as a prerequisite to being heard.  Strong business & negotiation skills speak of the sweet spot where we all leave with something of value—no one departs feeling deceived or disadvantaged.  I could go on with education, psychology, research methodology, journalism, health & wellness…. Suffice it to say domination deals death; mutuality nurtures hope.  This truth is multidisciplinary.

There is a better way! 

¨ “I’m going to show you an even better way.”-1Cor. 12:31 (intro to the famous “Love chapter” in the bible, 1 Cor.13)

¨ “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul- & sings the tunes without the words - & never stops at all.” -Emily Dickinson

¨ “Hope is patience with the lamp lit.” -Tertullian (2nd Cent. African Christian author)

Hope’s power comes from a foundation far greater than any one of us.  It’s power embraces a now-into-the-future positive perspective that there is more than what we see in the moment.  Hope is big enough to be framed with faith, wisdom, or spirit, yet is not limited by any one individual or group’s understanding.  Hope is available to all.

There is hope amid the noise of 24/7-confirmation-biased news.  There is hope beyond the deluge of negativity & hostility.  Hope is found in faith, friendship, learning together, honest sharing.   Hope need never fade away when firmly grounded.  There is hope amid the noise.

Allow me to offer two things:  First, my faith links my hope to Jesus Christ. And (this is very important) my understanding of Christian faith offers a broad, inviting, & including possibility;  one that some of the broader Christian family would take issue with.  For me all I’ve written is grounded in that faith & finds expressions in broader places.

Second, just this week I had a discussion worth sharing.   I sat down with a friend who holds a more conservative perspective, than do I, on faith & all that’s going on in the United Methodist Church.  (That is tensions about sexuality, biblical authority, & the nature of our heritage.)  I knew I needed to have the discussion but was a little uneasy at the start. But, we sat down to talk. An hour later, it turns out that we share more in common than we differ.  We both value the authority of scripture, our sacred text.  We both deeply desire to faithfully follow our God & share God’s love.  Where we differ is in details.   What we left sharing was common ground, mutual respect, & practical ideas of how we could support one another.   I left feeling lighter, encouraged, connected...HOPEFUL!

Hope comes in connection, community, honesty, courage… all elements of my world view & faith.  I hope (& pray) that you would have: the courage to connect even when it’s hard; the grace to forgive when the connection isn’t reciprocated; the honest wisdom to know that you are not in charge of the world or of fixing others (I’m not either!); & the gift of a loving community that both heals the wounds of the journey, & celebrates  the hope that is ours.

Go prepare for a conversation with reflection.  Go engage with honesty.   Go listen to others with deep attention & patience.  Go claiming hope. You’re not alone!

 

Prayer-  Hope of the World surround us with a higher purpose that draws together, makes whole, includes, & restores.  Forgive us when we feign so great a confidence that we diminish our neighbor.  Teach us of the ways of love, kindness, learning, & faith that build up Hope in each of us.  Finally, may we rejoice in that possibility as we care for one another, grow stronger together, & seek a deep & lasting peace.  May It Be So.

UMC Questions

("UMC Questions" first published 9/16/2022 in "PS Update")

“See I’m making all things new”-Rev.21:5 

“For I the Lord do not change.” -Mal.3:6a

       What’s up with those Methodists?  The answer is that churches & culture have grappled with some questions for decades. These conversations have reached a pivotal moment.

First—God is unchanging; God is love; God renews, & remakes things.  All of that is true for the United Methodist Church (UMC).  UMC core beliefs are not being changed.

I know that here at Cornwall Manor we are from many backgrounds.  I also know that UMC questions around sexuality, & interpreting scripture (the key issues at hand) are raising questions for United Methodists and they also ripple into conversations with neighbors.

Here is a word of information about all this.  The UMC continues to affirm & believe what it has for decades.  A new traditionalist denomination formed, the “Global Methodist Church” (as separate from the UMC), as a different voice in the conversation.  With that genesis comes the tacit query, “With whom do congregations & pastors align?”  In truth, UMC congregations can decide by doing nothing and their familiar church home will not be altered from the core beliefs or general governance.

Wow that’s a lot!  And that’s what’s up with those Methodists.  If you need details ask Chaplain Dave, he’s got histories (another here), Q&A’s, & more. Both of your chaplains are happy to talk further.

What I encourage for ALL engaged in any unsettling or difficult conversations, is to engage the other with the goal to better understand their thoughts & heart, before sharing yours.  When we converse to prove a point, to fix a position that we believe is wrong, or to attack, it helps no one & rarely changes anyone’s mind.  Additionally, it often polarizes further.

One thing I know (among the myriad that I don’t know), is that God’s got this.  I know we’re richer & happier when we learn about one another.   I know that hard topics don’t have to create losses of friends, security, or convictions. We can do this! Let’s talk.  Peace

Prayer-  Loving God, teach us how to love in our differences;  to build one another up in love; to learn from one another through love; & to seek redeeming ways in love. Amen.

 *Added after 1st publication -- Another resources  Proud to Be UMC--6 Adam Hamilton Videos

Let’s Talk

 Let’s Talk  [First published 8/26/2022 in P.S. UPdate]  (UMC & local congregation decisions)

“...let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger .”-James1:19b^NRSVUE 

“If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame. “ -Proverbs18:13^NRSVUE 

We can have better conversations. More life-giving & loving conversations. We know how. It starts with respect, a shape that love takes. It includes patience. Good conversation involves humility, “I may be wrong about some of this.” Better talk means listening first until your partner feels heard.

Webster defines hearing as the “process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically: the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli.” Listening, on the other hand, means “to pay attention to sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention; and to give consideration.” A good conversation require listening.

“Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.” (Jane Goodall)  A conversation is about respect not winning, learning not debate, cooperation, not domination. I invite you to intentional listening. Then, let’s talk.

Prayer- Attentive Creator, teach me to listen deeply & respond only with love. Amen.