Oakland Iowa United Methodist Church The Pastor's Corner

the pastor's corner for october, 2020

10/6/2020

Dear members and friends of Oakland UMC,

I have been prayerfully considering how to move forward as I look ahead toward the time when the weather will put an end to our outdoor worship at Lions Park. Over the past several weeks, I have listened to many members of the church about their needs, concerns, and preferences for worship in this time of
pandemic. Here is what I have heard.

People want to worship on Sunday morning .
Of those who want to meet in person, all want to meet in the church sanctuary.
All people want their concerns and needs respected.
Some people will not attend in-person worship if they are required to wear a mask.
Some people will not attend in person worship unless everyone is wearing a mask.
Some people will not return to in person worship until they are sure the pandemic is over and they feel safe gathering with people again.

So, given the six requirements above, in order to meet the needs, concerns, and preferences of as many
people as possible, here is the new worship schedule that will begin on Sunday, October 18th.

For the people who will not attend in-person worship unless everyone is wearing a mask, there will be a
service on Sunday morning in the sanctuary at 9 a.m. with masks required.

For those who will not attend in person worship if they are required to wear a mask, there will be a service
on Sunday morning in the sanctuary at 11 a.m. with masks optional.

For those who do not wish to worship in person, we will continue recording the service on Saturday so that
we can continue to offer online worship on FB and YouTube at 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

I believe that this is fairest solution. One that best meets the concerns and needs of the members of our
church family.

Blessings,
Pastor Carolyn

New worship schedule:

Beginning Sunday, October 18th we will have two in-person worship services in the building.

9 a.m. worship - Masks required.

11 a.m. worship - Masks optional.

Recorded worship will continue to be available on Facebook and YouTube at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning
for those who wish to worship at home.

tHE PASTOR'S CORNER FOR SEPTEMBER, 2020

9/9/2020

THE CATERPILLAR DOESN’T KNOW

The caterpillar doesn’t know there is another way of being.
It is content to simply be, a small creeping thing,
Happy, perhaps, not knowing, but limited.
But one day, something within the caterpillar stirs,
Some instinctive impulse it must obey.
And it stops and finds a place of safety,
And spins around itself a cocoon.
And there, in the darkness, it begins to die to what was,
So that it can take the shape of what it was always meant to be.

Such death is necessary for us, too, if we are to shape
What we were always meant to be.
But we, unlike the caterpillar, can choose to ignore
God’s nudge to greater being, let self and soul remain limited.
But if we choose to heed the nudge,
Then within the dark cocoon of our being,
The shape of grace that was always there
Begins to form and grow. Hidden, perhaps,
But felt as tremors of the mind and heart.
And slowly, o so slowly, we begin to die to what we were
So that our soul can take the shape of God’s intention.

I wonder, does a butterfly feel pain as it struggles to emerge?
Does it wonder why it must struggle – isn’t there and easier way?
But the struggle is necessary – for what change ever comes easily?
The struggle strengthens the wings of the soul to carry
the new shape of life.

One day I shall enter another cocoon – this one named death –
And I will emerge, transformed, transfigured by love.
To soar into eternity on wings of joy.

Carolyn Bowers
Rainier, OR, July 16, 2012

the pastor's corner for august, 2020

7/29/2020

Dear friends in Christ,

In this article, I want to talk about a difficult subject: anger.
It seems to me that right now there is a lot of anger in our society.
I see it expressed on Facebook and other social media.
I see it on people’s faces and hear it in their voices when I watch the news.
It shows in the extreme political divisions that exists in our country.
It shows in the way people choose to express differing opinions on any number of subjects.

Now, anger in and of itself is not bad.

Anger, properly channeled, can lead us to take constructive action against injustice, racism,
inequality, or other wrongs.

But, unfortunately, anger is too often expressed in harmful, destructive ways. And it’s my
perception that this is often what happens when anger is a cover for other, less comfortable
emotions.

Right now, Covid-19 has upended our world, our nation, and our lives on so many different levels – socially, economically, physically, emotionally.

And though eventually we will come through this, right now, how the virus is going to affect our
country going forward, and when and how this pandemic will end is uncertain. And that
uncertainty itself adds another layer of disruption because it makes plans and decisions about
the future much more difficult.

Grief is a natural reaction to such an unprecedented, drastic and sudden disruption of just about
every aspect of our lives.

And fear is a natural and normal reaction to something as widespread, dangerous and
potentially deadly as the Covid-19 virus, which at this writing, has sickened over 41⁄2 million
people in this country and killed over 152,000.

But it’s my observation that our society doesn’t teach people to deal with grief or fear very well.

Fear and grief are uncomfortable emotions for many people.

So those emotions are often hidden behind anger.

For me, both fear and grief make me feel powerless and out of control. So anger, for me, feels
much safer. When I am angry I feel more powerful and thus more in control. But sometimes, my
anger causes me to lash out at someone in an unhelpful or even hurtful way.

Now, it’s OK for me to be angry.

It is not OK for me to act in hurtful or harmful ways because of my anger.

So in those times when I am feeling what seems to me to be an unreasonable amount of anger
at someone or something, and that anger threatens to boil over in a harmful or hurtful way, I
have learned to stop and reflect on my anger, and ask myself what it might be hiding. And I often
find that helps me get beyond my anger to so that I can deal with what I am really feeling.

It’s not easy for me to do this, but it is necessary for me to do it for my mental, physical, and
spiritual well-being.

Maybe some of you reading this find yourself struggling with anger right now.

If you do, it might be helpful to stop and take time for some self-reflection.

Don’t let your anger cause you to lash out at someone in a harmful or hurtful way.

Ask yourself, “Am I really angry, or is there another emotion hiding behind my anger that I need
to deal with?”

Take your anger to God in prayer and ask him to help you deal with what might be causing it, or
what other feeling it might be hiding.

Below is an excellent video interview with psychologist and best-selling author Brené Brown that I found helpful in understanding and coping with my feelings right now.

Take care and stay safe.

We are in this together.

Blessings,

Pastor Carolyn

Brené Brown: How to cope with grief, fear and anxiety during Corona
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pHIsPlhU7o

THE PASTOR'S CORNER FOR JULY, 2020

6/30/2020

On Being Fully Alive

Have you ever tried to be fully present, fully awake,
For more than a moment, fully ALIVE?

To see, really SEE, the tiny birds,
Moving in and out to the not so gentle
Breathing of the tide, reflections following.
Twittering joy or gratitude for the sun,
The wind, the minute creatures
That they seek so ferociously in the sand?
To see them take flight, startled, perhaps,
Or simply for pure JOY.
Winging as one, wings flashing light and dark
As they skim the waves.
Only to land, like a skiff of seafoam,
On the edge of the surf,
Once more to join the waves’ dance?

Have you ever tried to be fully present, fully awake,
For more than a moment, fully ALIVE?
To see the seagull surfing the waves.
To feel the weight of the sun’s warmth on your back?
To smell the sour, salty scent of sand and seaweed,
crab and rock, fish and wood?
To watch the lines of surf, breaking, breaking, breaking,
Ever breaking, as they have since
God first spoke them into existence?

Have you ever tried to be fully present, fully awake,
For more than a moment, fully ALIVE?
To watch the gentle dance of the dune grass,
Partnered with the breeze?
To see the clouds move, hesitant, tentative,
Yet steady, persistent, from land to sea?

Have you ever tried to be fully present,
Fully awake, for more than a moment, fully ALIVE?
It is difficult, this aliveness.
How much easier simply to stay ASLEEP. AMEN

Carolyn Bowers, Ocean Park Retreat Center, September, 2010

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

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