Oakland Iowa United Methodist Church The Pastor's Corner

The Pastor's Corner for June, 2020

5/29/2020

The Dance

I try to pray, Lord, but I get in my own way.
Like a clumsy dancer
Or a tongue-tied poet.

Because I want to feel your presence,
Sense and touch you.
I want you to appear,
Like Jacob’s ladder
Or Moses’ burning bush.

I want to hear you speak,
As if my mere desire could
Summon or command your voice.

I know it doesn’t work that way,
Yet when I do not feel your face on me,
I turn my face away from you,
Like a spoiled child, Stamping my soul and heart
In anger at your seeming absence.

But the problem is with me, Lord, not with you.
You are not absent,
You are there whenever I am,
And even when I’m not.

Patiently waiting, desiring my presence,
Inviting me to dance, two left feet and all,
If only I would take your hand in trust,
And let you lead me.

I do not need to see you, Lord,
Or feel my hand in yours,
Or even hear the music very well.

It is enough for me to simply show up,
And join the dance. AMEN

Carolyn Bowers,
Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA
August, 2014

THE PASTOR'S CORNER FOR MAY, 2020

5/1/2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

I love to garden, a love I inherited from my maternal grandmother, who lived in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Growing up in Alaska, my siblings and I didn’t get to visit her very often. But I still remember her house on Fall Street and the large garden she always had, filled with a wide variety of vegetables, and all the beautiful flowers she had growing in her yard. She got a great deal of enjoyment (not to mention, a bounty of fresh vegetables) from her garden, and was proud to have one of the best looking yards on her street.

I think it was those childhood memories that kindled the gardening bug in me. And while I and/or the cats manage to quickly kill any plant that I bring into my house, I have a pretty good green thumb when it comes to growing plants and flowers outside. So every spring I look forward to being able to get my hands dirty planting my garden and my flower pots.

Over the past few days, as I was laying out my garden, filling my tubs and flower pots with soil, and planting my tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and flowers, I was reflecting on how different spring feels to me this year.

This spring, as you know, we are in the midst of a global pandemic. A virus has swept around the world like a tidal wave, upending lives and economies, and the whole world seems to have come to a screeching halt as we fight to defeat the invisible enemy of Covid-19.

Against this backdrop, planting my garden and my flowers this year felt particularly like an act of hope to me, because part of what I struggle with in the midst of this crisis is the sense of unpredictability that I feel.

For the first 3 weeks, particularly, the virus situation in this country was so fluid that it was difficult for me to think too far ahead because of the uncertainty of what each day would bring. But even now, after 5 weeks, when I feel a little more adjusted to what seems to be a “new normal,” there are still a lot of unknowns about the future.

So planting my garden this year gives me hope because it feels like I’m grounding myself (literally and figuratively) in something beyond the uncertainty of the present moment and what the future will bring. My garden brings me joy and gives me something to tend and nurture as well as something to look forward to with anticipation.

I know that life may not ever completely return to what it was before Covid-19, but this virus situation will not last forever and that we will get through it. So my prayer for each of you is that in the midst of all that is happening in our country and in the world right now, you find something that grounds you and brings you joy, hope and peace.

Blessings!

Pastor Carolyn

Message From Pastor Carolyn Regarding Covid19

4/22/2020

Mid-week Reminder Message for April 22, 2020

A big thank you to all who have continued to send your offerings to the church, and to those who have been able to go above and beyond their usual giving to help the church at this time. Because of your continued giving, even after 5 weeks without in-person worship we are only 25% behind in giving compared to last year. If you haven't already done so, you can set up auto pay giving through the church office by completing the attached form. Or you can arrange for Bill Pay through your bank and they will send a check by mail to the church each month.

We also understand if you are unable to give at this time because you have been laid off or been cut back in your work hours. Please know that we are here for you. If there is anything the church can do for you, please do not hesitate to call the church office at 712-482-5530, or Pastor Carolyn at 319-559-0678.

The church office will continue to be closed through the end of April. We will still be getting the mail and checking the church answering machine. If you need to get in touch with Pastor Carolyn right away, please call her at 319-559-0678.

You are invited to participate in the weekly Prayer and Share Zoom meeting. The invitation is below. if you have a computer or a smart phone with the Zoom app, you can simply click the link below to be taken to the meeting. If you do not have a computer or smart phone, you can join the meeting by calling the number below on your home phone or cell phone and entering the meeting ID number. Hope to see you there!

Pastor Carolyn is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Prayer and share
Time: April 24th 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Fri, until May 1, 2020, 2 occurrence(s)
Apr 24, 2020 06:00 PM
May 1, 2020 06:00 PM

Weekly: https://zoom.us/meeting/u5IsfuqpqDwp_4j7X9GqhCZqvN51ZgoR-w/ics?icsToken=98tyKu-urzIpG9KSs1yCe7UvA539b9_2kk4aoPRlxTj0CwNpcxXYY7N4Nb1NXc-B
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/661931673 Meeting ID: 661 931 673
or
Dial +1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 661 931 673

Dear Friends in Christ,

On Monday, the Administrative Council of Oakland UMC meet via Zoom to, among other things, begin planning for the time when we would once again be able to open our sanctuary for in-person worship after this time of necessary quarantining to slow the spread of Covid19.

At this time, we do not know when we will be able to resume in-person worship. Governor Reynold’s prohibition on gatherings larger than 10 currently extends through the end of April. But because of the rapidly changing nature of the Covid19 situation in Iowa and in our nation, that prohibition could be extended into May. But no matter when we are able to return to worshipping in our sanctuary, we want to be able to do so as safely as possible for everyone.

When in-person worship resumes, we will continue to maintain safe social-distancing and hygiene practices to as much as possible prevent potential virus spread. Though we cannot guarantee 100% safety for those who attend worship, we want to do everything we can to minimize the risk of virus transmission, therefore:

The church building will be open for Sunday worship and funeral/memorial services only. Sunday school is suspended until next fall. For now, meetings and other study groups will continue to be held online instead of in person.
Hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes will be available as you enter and exit the sanctuary.
Face masks will also be available for those who wish to use one.
Frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized before and after worship.
During worship, seating will be no closer than every other row.
Instead of passing the offering plate during the service, the offering plates will be placed at the entrance to the sanctuary so that worshippers can deposit their offering before or after worship.
On Communion Sundays, self-contained, pre-packaged cups containing grape juice and a Communion wafer will be used in place of a common loaf and cup. They will be available on the table outside the sanctuary for each person to pick up before worship.
Because safe social-distancing is not possible when gathering in the space outside the sanctuary, and because sharing food with people outside one’s immediate household is not recommended at this time, for now we are suspending Koinonia fellowship time following worship.
Even though we know that after being apart for so long, you will be glad to see each other, we ask that for the protection of yourself and others, you refrain from handshakes or hugs at this time.
For the protection of others, we ask that you please refrain from attending worship if you or someone in your household is sick, until you or they are fully recovered.
If, because of age and/or medical condition, you are in a higher risk group for contracting a more serious case of Covid19 if you are exposed to the virus, we ask that for your personal safety you consider staying at home and continuing to worship with us online instead of worshipping in person.

I know that these precautions may seem somewhat cold and impersonal, but please understand that they are necessary for now to maintain as safe a worship environment as possible during this time of Covid19. This virus will not be around forever, and it is my sincere hope that in time we will be able to ease some or all of these restrictions.

Thank you for your understanding.

Blessings,
Pastor Carolyn

THE PASTOR'S CORNER FOR APRIL, 2020

4/7/2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

As I was reflecting on what to write for this month’s newsletter, in light of all the events of the past few weeks, the first verse of a song that I and many of us learned as children kept running through my mind.

The church is not a building.

The church is not a steeple.

The church is not a resting place.

The church is a people.

These words seem particularly fitting to me right now when we, and so many other congregations, around our nation and the world, are unable to meet together and worship together in our buildings and other places of worship.

It is important for us to remember that we do not cease to be the church because we are not, for a time, able to physically come together in worship. While buildings and meeting places for worship are important, THEY are not the church. The church is each of YOU, wherever you are.

The REAL church is the way you witness to your faith in Jesus Christ through your words, your service to others, your love of neighbor and enemy, your prayers, and in the many other ways you live your faith each day.

Each Sunday at the end of the service we say together:

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we now go forth into the world to fulfill our calling to live as the people of God, the Body of Christ.

It’s my perception that these words have never been more meaningful than they are now.

We do not know how long the physical distancing needed to combat this pandemic will last. But it will eventually come to an end once the crisis has passed and the CDC and our governor say that it is safe to resume our normal interactions. Then we will be able to gather together physically and worship in our sanctuary once more. I long to do this as much as you do. But when we are able once again to physically worship together, I hope we will not forget the lessons that we learned during this crisis about what it truly means to be the church in the world.

I want to close with the words the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Christians at Ephesus.

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches God may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

In Christ,

Pastor Carolyn

THE PASTOR'S CORNER FOR MARCH, 2020

2/27/2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

This article is the third and last article in a series on the challenges facing the United Methodist Church as we approach General Conference (GC), which will meet from May 5-15, 2020 in Minneapolis.

In my first article I gave a brief history of the United Methodist Church’s difficult and divisive struggle over the issue of human sexuality. I explored how that struggle has impacted the denomination, and how failed attempts to reconcile differences over this issue have led the denomination to the place where it finds itself today, on the brink of separation.

In my last article, I detailed the “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation.” In my view, the Protocol is the most significant separation plan that will be considered by General Conference 2020 delegates, and the one that has the best likelihood of being adopted. This plan has support from most of the various UM factions within the US, as well as support from United Methodist conferences outside the United States. In my view, it provides the best chance of an amicable separation of the United Methodist Church into two or more denominations; denominations that would allow for different expressions of vital Methodism in this country and throughout the global United Methodist connection.

In this final article series, I want to briefly describe several other separation plans that will possibly be considered by GC 2020 delegates.

First, the Indianapolis Plan (https://indyplanumc.org/). This plan, if adopted, would create 2-3 global Methodist denomination (traditionalist, centrist/progressive), with the United Methodist Church continuing through the centrist or centrist/progressive denomination. All denominations would develop their own structures, polity and governance, and their own rules governing LGBTQ matters.

US annual conferences and UM conference outside the US would choose by simple majority which denomination to join. Clergy and bishops would also choose the denomination they wish to affiliate with. Local churches, by simple majority, may choose a different denomination than their annual conference and retain property, assets and liabilities. Clergy pensions would be protected and provisions would be made for the continuation of the work of the UM general boards and agencies, including the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

The Indianapolis Plan would take effect in May, immediately after the conclusion of GC 2020, with a timeline established for churches, US and global UM conferences, clergy, and bishops to choose their denominational affiliation.

Next, there’s the UMFORWARD plan, titled “New Expressions Worldwide.” (https://um-forward.org/new-plan)This plan would dissolve the United Methodist Church and create four Methodist global denominations - traditionalist, moderate, progressive and liberationist. A transitional council would develop a plan of separation. All denominations would develop their own structures, polity and governance and their own rules governing LGBTQ matters. US annual conferences, central conferences outside the US, clergy and bishops could choose to join any new denomination. Local churches, by 2/3 majority, could choose to join a different denomination than their annual conference and retain property, assets and liabilities. No specific provision would be made for the protection of clergy pensions. The general church assets of the current United Methodist Church would be divided equitably between the denominations. United Methodist general boards agencies would become self-supporting, independent 501(c)3 organizations. The UMFORWARD plan would be effective at the close of General Conference 2020. And a special General Conference would be called within four years to approve a plan of separation.

Finally, there’s the “Next Generation UMC” – UMCNEXT -- plan (https://umcnext.com/legislation/). Under this plan the UMC would remain intact with options for new Methodist denominations that could continue in relationship with the UMC. Current rules regarding ordination of LGBTQ persons and allowing clergy to officiate at same-sex marriages would be removed from the UM Book of Discipline. General Conference would include grant funding for new denominations in relationship with The UMC in the 2021-2024 budget. The plan would create a U.S. regional conference and a U.S. Regional Committee of the General Conference. There would be the option for annual conferences, local churches, clergy and bishops to leave the United Methodist Church to affiliate with another denomination. Churches choosing to leave the UMC and join another denomination would retain their property, assets and liabilities. The provisions of the UMCNEXT plan would be instituted over a four-year period beginning in August, 2020.

One other proposal, the proposal to simply create a US regional conference within the United Methodist Church relates to strictly U.S. structure. It does not address LGBTQ related matters. If you want to know more about this plan go to: https://www.umc.org/en/content/connectional-tables-us-regional-conference-legislation-now-available.

Again, this is a critical time for the future of the United Methodist Church. Whether the “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation” or another one of the plans that I have outlined, or any combination of them, is adopted by the delegates at GC 2020, or even if no action is taken by GC, change is coming to the United Methodist Church.

I would invite you to be in prayer for our denomination in the coming months as we seek to move forward following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

If you have questions or concerns about anything in this article, you can call or text me at 319-559-0678, or email me at cjbbowers55@gmail.com.

In Christ,

Pastor Carolyn

The Pastor's Corner for February 2020

2/2/2020

Dear Friends in Christ, This article is the second article in a series on the challenges facing the United Methodist Church as we approach General Conference (GC), which will meet from May 5-15, 2020 in Minneapolis.

In my previous article I gave a brief history of the United Methodist Church’s difficult and divisive struggle over the issue of human sexuality. I explored how that struggle has impacted the denomination, and how failed attempts to reconcile differences over this issue have led the denomination to the place where it finds itself today, on the brink of separation.

Delegates to GC 2020 will be considering a number of proposals that, if approved, would in various ways allow for the amicable separation of the United Methodist Church into different denominations as a way to resolve the current impasse over the issue of human sexuality. Any of these plans would provide a way for annual conferences, churches, pastors, and lay persons who hold different biblical and Wesleyan perspectives on human sexuality, to become part of a new denomination that more faithfully reflects their theological understanding of scripture and the authority of the bible as it speaks to human sexuality.

While there are various proposals that will be considered at GC 2020, the one that is currently receiving the most attention is the “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation” (the Protocol) which was published in early January. After its’ release the Protocol was widely covered by major newspapers and other news organizations.

In remainder of this article, I want to briefly unpack the Protocol because from my perspective, I believe that the Protocol has the best plan for achieving a just, grace-filled, and amicable separation of the United Methodist Church.

The Protocol was developed by an informal group of sixteen United Methodists, called together by African Bishop John Yambasu. The group included members of several caucuses and organizations representing traditionalist, centrist, and progressive viewpoints on the issue of human sexuality. It included eight bishops from throughout the global UM connection. The representatives have pledged to work together to support the proposal and develop legislation to implement it.

The group work with attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who specializes in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Feinberg, who served as Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund along with a number of other complex matters, provided his services pro bono.

The Protocol calls for a “respectful and dignified” separation with the possibility of continued cooperation around matters of shared interest.

In brief, the provisions of the Protocol are:

The Protocol proposes that $25 million would be paid over four years to a form a new Methodist Traditionalist denomination with no further claims to UM assets.
After separation, the current United Methodist Church would continue as the “Post-Separation” UMC, comprised of centrist and progressive annual conferences, churches, and pastors.
$2 million would be reserved for other denominations that may be formed. And $39 million over eight years would be designated to support ethnic ministries worldwide as well as Africa University.
Annual conferences, by a 57% majority, could vote to join a new Methodist denomination. If an Annual Conference does not take a vote on affiliation, it will remain part of the post-separation United Methodist Church.
Central conferences could vote to join a new Methodist denomination by a two-third majority vote.
Local churches could choose to join a different denomination than the one their conference joins by either a simple majority or a two-third majority vote. They would retain their property assets, and liabilities. Not voting at all implies remaining in the post-Separation United Methodist Church.
Pension plans would remain in place for all clergy and lay employees regardless of which denomination they choose to affiliate with.
The Protocol requests that all judicial and administrative complaints around LGBTQ matters be held in abeyance.

I realize that some of you will find the possibility of the separation of the UMC upsetting, and you have every right to feel that way.

As a cradle United Methodist, it causes me pain to think that the denomination that I was born into, and that has nurtured me and helped me grow in my faith for all of my 56, years, and in which I have been called by God to be in ministry will separate into different denominations. However, I also believe that such separation is inevitable because, after decades of divisive struggles, I see no other healthy way to resolve our impasse over the issue of human sexuality.

A just, grace-filled, and amicable separation would allow each new United Methodist denomination to focus more effectively on the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. And would make it possible for each to more faithfully share God’s grace, love, and hope.

I would invite you to be in prayer for our denomination in the coming months as we seek to move forward following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

For those of you who, like me, like lots of information, I have included a number of links at the end of this article that will allow you to explore in more detail the Protocol and the various other proposals that will be considered by GC 2020 delegates. The first one is a link to a pastoral letter by Bishop Laurie Haller where she discusses the Protocol and her response to it.

If you have questions or concerns about anything in this article, you can call or text me at 319-559-0678, or email me at cjbbowers55@gmail.com.

In Christ,
Pastor Carolyn

The Pastor's Corner for January 2020

12/26/2019

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the November newsletter, I wrote about the Leadership Institute that Marty Reiken and I attended in September at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. The focus of the Leadership Institute was the future of the United Methodist Church in this country and around the world.

Rev. Adam Hamilton, Sr. pastor at COR, chose to center the 2019 Institute on that subject because the United Methodist Church today is at a crossroads over the issue of human sexuality, an issue that has divided the United Methodist Church (UMC) since 1972.

This month’s article will be the first in a series. In it, I will give a brief history of the dispute over human sexuality that has brought the UMC to this crossroads point. In future articles I will outline efforts to break the current impasse and move the UMC forward on this issue.

The UMC was formed at a uniting conference in 1968, with the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church.

At the 1972 General Conference restrictive rules were added to the denomination’s Book of Discipline (BOD) concerning human sexuality and marriage. While affirming that homosexual persons were of sacred worth, these new rules defined marriage as being between one man and one woman, and prohibited “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals” from being accepted as candidates for ordained ministry in the UMC or being ordained or appointed to serve as pastors of UMC congregations.

These restrictive rules have been added to and strengthened in the decades since, including the addition of a rule prohibiting pastors in the UMC from officiating at same- sex weddings. Attempts to change these rules to be more inclusive of LGBTQ persons have resulted in serious divisions within the UMC.

They have caused repeated debates at each General Conference since 1972; debates which have become increasingly hostile, bitter, and divisive. In my opinion, this fighting within the denomination has weakened our witness to the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At General Conference 2016, delegates realized that something needed to be done to break the UMC’s impasse on the issue of human sexuality. Delegates to that conference passed a petition that directed the Council of Bishops to form a commission to study the UMC’s stand on human sexuality and marriage and develop plans to resolve the impasse, and allow people on both sides of the issue to move forward together.

In accord with that petition the bishops formed the Commission on a Way Forward. This commission was composed of 32 people from throughout the global UMC, both clergy and laity, who represented all sides of the UMC on this issue. It included LGBT persons.

The Commission met together over the course of two years and developed three plans. The three plans were the One Church Plan, the Connectional Conference Plan, and the Traditional Plan. A special 3-day called General Conference was scheduled for February, 2019 specifically to consider and act on these plans.

The Council of Bishops received and studied all three plans and endorsed the One Church Plan, recommending its adoption by General Conference.

The One Church Plan and the Connectional Conference Plan, would have removed the restrictive rules on human sexuality and marriage from the BOD. This would allow each annual conference within the US to decide for themselves whether or not to accept LGBTQ persons for ordained ministry and pastoral service in that annual conference. These plans would also have allowed pastors to decide for themselves whether or not to officiate at same-sex wedding ceremonies, and for congregations to choose whether or not to allow such ceremonies to take place in their buildings.

The Traditional Plan retains and strengthens the current language on human sexuality and marriage in the BOD. It also continues the prohibition on ordination of LGBTQ persons, retains the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman, and continues the prohibition on clergy officiating at same-sex weddings. And also increases the penalties for those bishops, Annual Conferences, and clergy who do not abide by those restrictions.

The Traditional Plan was the plan adopted by delegates at the special called GC in February of 2019, by a narrow margin of 54 votes out of over 850 voting delegates.

The passage of the Traditional Plan was a blow to annual conferences, pastors, congregations, and lay persons who desire to have the UMC become more inclusive of LGBTQ persons. It has caused the fracturing of the UMC between those who want change or eliminate the current restrictive rules on human sexuality and marriage in the BOD, and the prohibition on ordination of LGBTQ persons, and those who want to retain and strengthen those rules.

There are with people of good will and sincere faith on both sides of the issue, and both sides claim biblical and Wesleyan authority. But each side approaches this issue from radically different and, in my opinion, fundamentally incompatible biblical perspectives.

In May of 2020, delegates to the General Conference of the UMC will meet in regular session to discuss, debate, and vote on a wide variety of petitions that affect many aspects of the life and ministry of the UMC. But much of that work will be focused on plans intended to resolve the impasse in the UMC over human sexuality and marriage, and the ordination of LGBTQ persons. Some of these plans would allow for the amicable separation of the different factions within the UMC in order to form different denominations.

In future articles, I will explore several of these plans and how they might affect annual conferences, congregations, lay persons and pastors within the United Methodist Church.

I apologize for the length of this article, but this is a highly significant issue for the UMC and I believe every United Methodist lay person deserves to be well-informed about it.

I would invite you to be in prayer for our denomination in the coming months as we seek to move forward following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

If you have questions or concerns about anything in this article, you can call or text me at 319-559-0678, or email me at cjbbowers55@gmail.com.

In Christ,
Pastor Carolyn

The Pastor's Corner for December 2019

11/25/2019

Dear Friends in Christ,

On Sunday, November 17th, worship centered around a time of visioning. During the worship service, I asked people to answer two questions.

The first question was:

“If you were asked to describe Oakland UMC, what would you say?”

Answers included: “A place where all are welcome; family (security, acceptance, belonging); community; unconditional love; caring; support; community outreach; built on a strong foundation of faith from our forefathers and mothers; a willingness to help others; part of a global connection.”

The second question was:

“What have we done as a congregation over the past 18 months?”

Answers included: Sunday worship, choir, Communion, baptisms, weddings, Sunday school, bible study, VBS, missions, funerals, special worship services (Christmas Eve, Holy Week, Easter, All Saints Sunday); youth group, community meals, birthday parties, Koinonia fellowship time, church committees, confirmation, community aid and assistance fund, social media (Facebook), celebrations, banners, food pantry, and community events in our building, and many other things

I then asked the congregation to divide into small groups and write 1-3 vision statements for our congregation for the coming year.
Here are those vision statements:

Our Visions

Serving God through our time, talents and gifts so that we grow in Christ-like love for others.
Taking what we learn in Sunday worship into the rest of the week and sharing it with others.
Worship that ties together a theme through song, scripture, and sermon, including scriptures for the week to carry on what was studied in worship.
Having plans of action to put our faith into our everyday lives.
Making Oakland UMC a place for everyone.
Creating bonds within our own church and with other local churches.
Nurturing young people to take the next steps with Jesus.
Creating a place where faith and the real world intersect.
Fostering a welcoming place for the youth group to serve on Sunday and be involved in other ministries within our church.
Sharing the love of our God using our prayers, resources, talents, and skills to uplift our church family, our community, and our world.
Outreach to community youth (e.g. family fun night, play area), mission and worship.
Becoming welcoming and accessible to more people of varying abilities (handicapped).
Encouraging people to personally grow and find their gifts for sharing their faith.
Getting more young people in the community involved in Oakland UMC.
Providing opportunities through the church for people to experience and know God & Jesus.
As a part of the Body of Christ, experience and share God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit by putting God’s word into action and being the hands and feet of Christ.
Being Christ’s representative on earth.
Opening the Bible and following God’s directions.
Leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
Seeking to grow in Christ so that we may share Christ with others.

These visions are what guide us in our ministry and help us fulfill our mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ.

And as I read through these visions, I am encouraged.

I see us as a congregation of people that want to:

Connect our worship and faith to our daily lives.
Involve more children, youth, and young adults in our church and in worship.
Be involved in our community in meaningful ways.
Put our faith into action through service -- sharing our time, talents, and gifts in mission and ministry within and beyond our church walls.
Share Christ and help others experience the love of God/Christ so that they might become followers of Christ.
Grow in our faith and in our relationship to God/Christ through worship, study, and service so that we might become more fully devoted followers of Christ.
Create community within our church.
Be a family -- a place where everyone is welcome and our building is fully handicapped accessible.
Connect to and work with other churches in our community in mission and worship.

As I said in my last newsletter article, changes are coming to the United Methodist Church in 2020 and beyond. Just what those changes will be, what form the UMC will take going forward from General Conference 2020, and how changes in the denomination will affect annual conferences, pastors, and local congregations is unknown. But pastors and congregations that are clear on their mission, their vision, and their core values will be better able to navigate these coming changes. I think that Oakland UMC is one of those congregations. We have a clear sense of our mission, vision, and values that will guide us into the coming year and beyond, whatever changes take place in the United Methodist Church.
I look forward to being your pastor and being in ministry with you as we go forward into the future together, wherever God leads us.

Please continue to pray for our congregation, each other, myself as your pastor, and for our denomination in this uncertain, yet exciting time.

Blessings,

Pastor Carolyn

The Pastor's Corner for November, 2019

10/31/2019

Dear Friends in Christ,

On September 25th and 26th Marty Rieken and I attended the Leadership Institute at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (COR) in Kansas City, Kansas along with 1,500 other lay and clergy members of the United Methodist Church from annual conferences around the US. This event is held every year in September, and centers on a different leadership focus each year. The focus of this year’s institute was the future of the United Methodist Church.

Rev. Adam Hamilton, Sr. pastor at COR, chose to center this year’s Institute on that subject because the United Methodist Church today is at a crossroads over the issue of human sexuality. Disagreements over this issue have divided the United Methodist Church (UMC) for decades. And those divisions are getting deeper.

Proposals to resolve these divisions will be discussed, debated, and voted on at the next UM General Conference in May of 2020. General Conference is a gathering of elected delegates (equally divided between lay and clergy) representing regional conferences in the United States and throughout the global United Methodist connection. General Conference meets every four years, and is the only body that can make changes to the denomination’s Book of Discipline (BOD). The BOD contains the rules that govern the life and mission of the global UMC at all levels, from the local church on up through the work of annual conferences, jurisdictions, bishops, and the UM general boards and agencies such as the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

At the Leadership Institute, a variety of speakers, including UM bishops, lay people, and pastors, presented their hopeful visions for what the UMC might become as we move forward after actions taken by GC 2020.

But the bottom line is, actions taken by GC on proposals to resolve the impasse in the UMC over the issue of human sexuality will bring changes to the denomination.
I believe that you need to be aware of what proposals are being brought to GC 2020, and the potential changes they would bring to the UMC.

So beginning in January, 2020, I will write a series of newsletter articles. The first one will give a brief history of the dispute over human sexuality that has brought the UMC to this crossroads point. Then, in future articles, I will briefly discuss the various proposals that delegates to GC 2020 will be considering and voting on, and how they might impact local UM churches and pastors.

I would invite you to be in prayer for our denomination as we seek to move forward following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

If you would like more information about anything in this article, or would like to talk to me, you can call or text me at 319-559-0678, or email me at cjbbowers55@gmail.com.

In Christ,

Pastor Carolyn

The Pastor's Corner for October, 2019

9/30/2019

Dear Friends in Christ, Read 1 Corinthians 12

I want to say a few words here about hospitality. We tend to think of hospitality mostly as being friendly to guests who visit our homes and our church. Making them feel welcome and comfortable, and taking care of their needs. And this is an important part of what it means to be hospitable.

But there is more. Another equally important part of being hospitable, of extending hospitality, to each other, is being able to agree to disagree, especially on issues where opinions on both sides are strong.

There are many issues on which people of faith hold strong opinions on both sides: abortion, LGBT rights, gay marriage, capital punishment, military spending, the Affordable Care Act, gun control, government economic policies, and politics, to name just some of them. And, of course, we are going into a presidential election year, which brings with it all of the divisions of our partisan political system.

Opinions on both sides of these issues are strong and emotions can often run high. But the debates over these issues are not what disturb me. After all, in a democracy such as ours, such debate is our right and privilege. But what disturbs me is the tone of these debates, which is getting increasingly shrill.

When each side is so convinced of the rightness of their opinion that the two sides no longer seem to be truly listening to each other, this becomes a problem. When this happens, genuine dialogue is no longer possible, and debate degenerates into name-calling and tearing down the other side.

As Christians, we must take care not fall into this behavior. As Christians and members of the church, we are unified in the Body of Christ. That means that our individual behavior either detracts from or contributes to the health and unity of that Body. The Body of Christ is healthiest when each member is contributing his or her gifts and wisdom, and when members are working in harmony with each other.

As Christians, to be hospitable, to live in harmony with one another, means making room for differing opinions. In all things, but especially in areas where there are strong differences of opinion and emotions are high, we are to remain hospitable to each other. This does not mean we always have to agree, but it does mean staying in dialogue and listening respectfully to each other. Nothing is gained, and much is lost, when we allow our differences to divide us.

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Carolyn

OAKLAND IOWA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
200 N Main St - PO #4, Oakland, IA 51560,
Ph: (712) 482-5530
Church email: oaklandumc@oaklandiaumc.org
Web site: www.oaklandiaumc.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/oakiamethchurch

Church Office Hours: T - F 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Pastor in Office: M - Th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Pastor: Rev. Carolyn Bowers
Cell Phone: (319) 559-0678
Email: pastorcb@oaklandiaumc.org

Lay Leader: Merlin Jones
Secretary: Martha Isaacson

Organist: Marilyn Hackett
Choir Director: Veva Larson

Custodian: Trevor & Megan Jefferson