Reflections from Pastor Kim This year seems to be taking wing to get us to the end quickly! I, for one, have come to appreciate the moments when we have time to rest and enjoy the people and places around me. However, fall is not the best time to just let things "be," is it? There's the harvest race against the seasons, preparations to homes, vehicles, and equipment for the upcoming winter, not to mention getting back in the groove after summer schedules that often look completely different than the other three seasons of the year. What we all know to be true is that each season brings change, some celebrated some, well, some, not so much. Yet, we know the inevitable steps of each season and prepare ourselves for the best and the hardest parts of each. I will make them and the region around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season, they shall be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:36 NRSV God is offering a covenant of peace with God's people. The surrounding scripture is quite descriptive and you can almost visualize God's blessings raining down. I wonder if the folks who are hearing these words from the prophet's lips understand that they are part of the blessing? Do they realize the seasons will still change and there still might be grief in their midst? Is there an understanding that God walks with them in all seasons? I wonder if we truly realize this? Do we realize that when God has called us to a place or into a season, that God does indeed walk with us? That even when things don't move as fast as we want or we get stuck in a rut or we surge ahead too early, we cannot shake the presence of God? We are in a season of "what's next" at Oakland UMC. We have some ideas, we know it might be a bit bumpy as we step into the next season; that we may need to be flexible or not only proclaim grace, but carry out grace. There might be some "new" things, some "old" things and things that look "different" in the midst of the season(s) to come. No matter what comes next, God walks with us! There "shall be showers of blessings," in the midst of what is to come. We might not all agree on what color a wall should be, what floor covering to use, or how big the offices are to be, but as Children of God, we know that in the midst of our challenges, opportunities, and joy, God is beside us, closer than the air we breathe. I share these thoughts not to strike fear in the hearts of all, but instead to prepare us for the seasons to come. We know the following things to be true: we are loved by God, change brings joy and yet is frustrating at times, and together we will move forward. Today's big "C" Church looks different than in the not so distant past. Folks aren't as engaged, volunteers are harder to bring on board, everyone is busy and an atmosphere of energy is harder to create. However, in the midst of those truths stands us! We know that together we can do amazing things, because we have past evidence. We know that together we are better because we have seen the fruits of this, and we do not underestimate the power being in community with each other brings. Above all things, regardless of the season, we must remember our mission to Offer Christ, Accompany Each Other on the Journey, and Kindle a Life of Faith, so that all might know the love and to experience the showers of blessings from our always present God. Might all our seasons at OUMC be lived out for God's glory! Be blessed, be a blessing and take someone with you on the journey!
Pastor Kim The Oakland community has had a rough start to 2023. In 111 days three young men under the age of 40 have been lost. This can be hard on a large community, but in a small community it becomes a greater grief encrusted weight. Often we feel that we should just move on, that we all will process and move on in our own ways and that will be that. However, these times of multiple grief inducers often result in unresolved grief from many in the community. There are often indicators that this is true, but we must know what to look for. We must also realize that each of us is also going through other grief producers simultaneously. That could be loss of a job, a change in income, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of others we are connected to in some way. What we must remember is that we are a community. In the case of Oakland United Methodist Church, a Community of Faith, a Faith Family.
So, how do we go about working through our own grief, while continuing to support others who grieve, some more deeply than we ourselves? We are all familiar with the five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. What we often don't talk about is what grief "does" to us. We rarely speak of the physical impact; the dreams, the sleeplessness, the loss of appetite, never feeling like we can eat enough, drink enough, cry enough, love enough, do enough, be enough, scream enough. Howard Clinebell suggests that we do need to focus on survival and working through our grief, it's also important to look at how we move past survival and into a season of growth as we move forward to heal as completely as possible. As in the stages of grief, each will work through these tasks in different ways and in different time, but they help us to grieve in a healthy manner. Task I: Deal with Numbness and Shock Task 2: Expressing and Talking through Feelings as They Are Gradually Released Task 3 and 4: Coping and Then Rebuilding Task 5: Enhancing Spiritual and Ethical Wholeness Task 6: Reaching Out for Mutual Support and Care We know that in some cases we never quite completely heal from grief, especially when we experience a grief that is tragic or untimely. Our goal is to come through grief together, able to share our experiences, tears, love and laughter. “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 We come through grief with Jesus. Our Savior, our hope, our joy. We come through grief together, as a community and a Family of Faith. We come together to love each other through the times we can't imagine getting through on our own. Together we are so very much better, in mind, body, spirit and grief. Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone with you on the journey, Pastor Kim Reflections from Pastor KimI will be the first one to stand up and admit that I have little knowledge of this world, and even less wisdom, in the grand scheme of things. Why do I say that? Over the years I have spent much time living life, digging into scripture, and praying that somewhere in the midst I can come close to being who a lifetime of faith in God, Son and Holy Spirit has called me to be at a given time, in a given place. I may know why, but I don't necessarily understand most of why people do what they do or make the choices they do, but I've not been called to be the person who has to understand to love. Instead, I am called to love, regardless. Like a large majority of people, I can say things that might not reflect love, when it is indeed my intent. This is a foible - a weakness - of humanness; to not always live or speak as we know we should. We are all weak in one aspect or another, but what if we decided together to not be weak in love? To that end, I need you to know that you are loved. Period. You have sacred worth. Period. I could care less what your political viewpoints are, what religion (or lack thereof) you follow, who you choose to be your life partner, what your upbringing was or was not, how much money you do or do not have in the bank, what decisions you've made or not made, the silence you have kept, the truths you have told, the secrets you have harbored, the life you have led, where you are either spiritually, emotionally, physically, or mentally. What I do care about immensely is you. Just you, where you are. I vow here and now to be a person who is safe to talk to about whatever it is you need to talk about, whenever you need to talk. I vow to help talk things through with you and find best next steps for you. I vow to walk with you in the ways that I am called, and helping you find safe alternatives when I am called to be still. I vow to see your sacred worth. I vow to love you for who you are. It feels like it isn't much to give, this thing we call love. A large majority of today's society would tell us that indeed, we should DO something. That is what these vows entail, DOING something. Perhaps that is what has permeated our society; a need to have X, Y and Z happen before we love, instead of raining love on someone and then seeing how we help them be their best selves, even if we don't quite understand what that looks like ourselves. We represent ourselves as people of faith, so why is it so hard to let faith-filled love lead the way? As we move toward the season of resurrection, we remember a Savior who didn't ask the man on each side of him as the three clung to life if they had been baptized, confirmed, taken communion, signed on the dotted line, lived a certain way or said the right prayer. Instead to the one who challenged his Messiahship, Jesus, in scripture, did not answer. To the one who asked to be remembered, Jesus simply said, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43 NRSVUE) This is the love we strive to reflect, the love we strive to give. This is a love that is safe, a love that is free of encumbrance, except to utter the name, "Jesus." You are loved. You have sacred worth. When we understand these two things about ourselves we become a bit closer to being whole, a bit closer to being our best selves, a bit closer to Jesus, a bit closer to who we are called to be as a follower of Christ. Let's do this hard work of realization together. We are worth this and more in the eyes of Christ and if we look fully in each other's face, the eyes of each other. Reflections from Pastor Kim You will notice that on Sunday, March 19th we will gather around tables for food, fellowship, and to consider possibilities for the care of the Oakland UMC facilities. There will be time for looking over both proposals, asking initial questions, and perhaps a little dreaming and a few "what ifs" from those gathered. This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, the God who summons horses and chariots and armies – they lie down and then can’t get up; they’re snuffed out like so many candles. “Forget about what’s happened, don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say, ‘Thank you!’ – the coyotes and the buzzards – Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sunbaked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me.”” Isaiah 43:19-21 The Message After several weeks we will meet again to answer additional questions and to take a vote concerning which proposal we wish to carry forward. Folks, this can be scary stuff!! Not matter which proposal is chosen there will be differences to our buildings, there will be times of displacement of a ministry or service, and there will be hesitations as we contemplate whether we chose the correct actions for such a time as this. Obviously, we know that the changes will not be instantaneous, but instead will happen over time. In the midst of that is when we begin to second-guess ourselves. I encourage you to begin praying now, if you aren't already, for God's Will to be made evident in the lives of our Faith Family. Pray for clarity for all and also for a willingness for each of us to open eyes, ears and minds to the current and future needs of our Faith Family. In the midst of that, please pray over this scripture from Isaiah. Perhaps it sounds something like... “Lord of Vision and Creator of Our Souls, you formed us and know us. You know our fears and excitement when you proclaim that there is a new thing in the air; Perhaps something similar, yet different or something we have not yet Conceived that you would call us to, both individually and as a Faith Family. Love us through our questions, our excitement, and our disappointments. Bring us with you Into Your preferred future for Oakland United Methodist Church. In your strength-filled and holy name we pray. Amen.” Perhaps, just perhaps, if we turn this decision over to God, we will move forward not only together, but in the way that God dreams for us to move, with the confidence of people of faith who honor the past and prepare for what is yet to be, in God's holy name. Let us go forward to Offer, Accompany, Kindle together. Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone with you on the journey! Pastor Kim
REFLECTIONS FROM PASTOR KIMIn early January I had the distinct pleasure of sitting with approximately 30 other clergy persons from across the Iowa Conference, as we met and learned more about Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai. Please find information below which introduces you to our new bishop. I encourage you to consider joining the trip to Ames Collegiate UMC to witness Bishop Kennetha's installation service as representatives of Oakland UMC and the Aldersgate District. Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone with you on the journey! Pastor Kim Kennetha Bigham-Tsai Resident Bishop, Iowa Annual Conference UMC Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai was elected lo the episcopacy by the North Central Jurisdiction in November 2022. She will be the resident bishop of the Iowa Area beginning in January 2023. Before her election lo Iowa, Bishop Bigham-Tsai was the Chief Connectional Ministries Officer for the Connectional Table, which is the visioning body of the United Methodist Church and the steward of resources to carry out that vision worldwide. Before leading the Connectional Table, she served on its board as a member of the Executive Committee and was the chair of its Leadership Discernment and Community Life Committee. She also has served as a General and Jurisdictional conference delegate or alternate since 2012 and, in 2022, was the co-chair of her delegation. While serving in Michigan, Bigham-Tsai was the chair of the Board of Church and Society, and served on the Conference Leadership Team, Board of Ordained Ministry, and Conference Trustees. She has been active in justice issues, serving as a member of Black Methodists for Church Renewal and on the board of Justice for Our Neighbors. Bishop Bigham-Tsai served local congregations in East Lansing and Kalamazoo, Ml, bringing a pastor's heart and strategic visioning to her appointments. She served as a conference district superintendent from 2015 - 2018. Bishop Bigham-Tsai grew up in the Baptist church in Austin, Texas. She is the second oldest of five children in her family, and she credits her mother with helping her learn to preach by teaching her a love for words. After earning a degree in sociology from Harvard University, Bigham-Tsai served in lay ministry with urban youth in the A.M.E. church in Boston and pursued a career in public relations and writing before responding to God's call to professional ministry. She was ordained in The United Methodist Church in 2009. Bishop Bigham-Tsai and her husband, Kee, have been married since 1994 and have two children, Keeton and Kamden, and a German Shepherd named Kylo. They are committed to a ministry of inclusion that begins at home. https://www .iaumc.org/bishopsoffice
|
AuthorPastor Kim Dewey Archives
February 2024
Categories
All
|