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
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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
REFLECTIONS FROM PASTOR KIMI'm pretty sure you all know this about me, but toward the end of each year I pray about a word that will guide me into and through the new year. It is absolutely amazing when I look back with 20/20 hindsight how often the word completely fits the way the year played out. My word for 2023 is "Innovate" and I am so excited to know why God has placed that word on my heart! This definition comes from Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Innovate- to make changes; do something in a new way; to introduce as or as if new to effect a change in. Innovate can be both a transitive and an intransitive verb. If we remember back to elementary English classes, a transitive verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its action on an object and an intransitive verb will make sense without one. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NRSV ![]() The hardest part of being a person on faith is not knowing, am I right? I mean we try to do all the things, be the example, walk the walk, share Jesus (the list is long), and yet when we come right down to it, it all hinges on faith. While we may be convinced that God walks with us, there are others who have other explanations why things happen. The difference between us and them is our faith. We have belief that God does have plans for us, that God does walk with us, that God's plan is better than our own. Just like those who claim no or different faith, we mess up, often on a regular basis, but yet we know we have never-ending love and eternal life despite our shortcomings. That opens us to be ever mindful of God's voice in our day, to taking time to listen, discern and be creative in God's name and to God's glory. So how will God call me with "innovate" in 2023? I'm not sure, but the word and its meanings are an answer to prayer, so I live secure in the fact that God knows the reason why and how it will work out. Perhaps it is personal; a call to deepen my faith, learning and/or discernment. It could be something that you and I will find out together in our Faith Family. We will have to wait in faith to see. What are you praying for in the new year? Please remember to not just talk, but to listen to God's reply. His voice is filled with peace and wisdom, whether we stand in the dark or the light. Be intentional in asking God His plans for you and how you should respond. God and I are still working on that part, but I have no doubt He'll fill me in eventually! Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone with you on the journey!
Pastor Kim Reflections From Pastor Kim The season of expectation is upon us! It’s the “what” that we are expecting that may be the issue though. We expect joy and songs and parties and gifts and yes, exhaustion. How is it that the season of love, joy, peace and hope becomes the season of chaos? We try, right? We do all that we can to be prepared and plan in advance for guests, travel, family and friends that make the season bright. When we get right down to it, we often find ourselves wrapped up in the secular expectations of the world, instead of the expectations that come with the sacredness of being wrapped up in the peace of connecting deeply with our Savior as we await the celebration of his birth. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27 NRSV STEP BACK! We have just spent a season working through characteristics of discipleship and thanks giving. Hopefully we have not forgotten the depth of God’s love that we explored there in the justle and bustle of holidays. Step back and take time. Get out your calendar. Right now!! Schedule in time to spend with God, even if it’s five minutes each day. Schedule in at least one longer period per week, where you have time to rest while you look and listen for God’s response to your prayers. The peace of Christ is like no other. As He says these words He is ensuring the disciples that He is not leaving them alone, but instead is leaving them with an Advocate. We know that Advocate to be the Holy Spirit. Christ is with us in ways and at times we can’t comprehend. He does not leave us in chaos, but instead calls us to experience his peace. My prayer for you is that in this holiday season, you experience that peace. Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone with you on the journey!
Pastor Kim REFLECTIONS FROM PASTOR KIM We are about to embark on an adventure!! I'm sure you are saying to yourself, now Pastor Kim, what is new about November having a focus on Thanksgiving? Well, that in and of itself is not necessarily an adventure, but is rather a reminder to be thankful at all times. Our adventure is going to deepen how we express our thankfulness and the spiritual growth that comes in both giving and receiving. Read Matthew 19:16-30 We will be exploring scripture and practices of giving, receiving and thanks giving. How have traditions in the church and the secular world changed or stayed the same? How do we encourage our faith and our hearts to step out when our minds are calling us to duck and cover? There is so much to explore that a few weeks will only touch the surface. Won't you join us? Let's learn together to lead together in times that seem to never be as certain as we claim the past to be, and in times when division seems the activity of the day, no matter what day it is. Together we can make a change in the world with acts of giving, receiving and thanks giving, reflecting Christ and our faith in our Savior to a world that is hurting for a Savior they have yet to claim. Let's grow as the Church (people, not building) together! See you at church! Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone with you on the journey!
Pastor Kim REFLECTIONS FROM PASTOR KIM Dear Pastor, I've been in the church my whole life. I'm not sure there is anything I don't know. Sincerely, The Rest of Us "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,” Proverbs 1:5 So, let's pretend we DID know everything, Proverbs still advises us to seek guidance, to figure out what all that knowledge means and what to do with it. We just chatted on Sunday, September 18th about how even though we long for perfection, in this lifetime we will never quite reach that goal. What does that mean when it comes to knowledge? There is a phrase that is worded something like 'knowledge is power.' Think on this for a bit. We can know all there is to know, but have we comprehended what we know? Do we understand the things we cram into our brain, or do we just "know" them? Perhaps that's where we all come up short? I know I am certainly guilty of thinking, "Well, I know that!" Know what? Every. Single. Time. I. Say. That. I. Am. Proven. Wrong. Sheesh! See, when I get to thinking I've got the world by the tail and can lay out a plan to solve the problems of that world, God goes, "Hey, Kim! Hold up there a second. What about. .. " UHG! I detest that God knows me better than I know myself! Remember, God knows our laying down and our rising up. God knows our faults that we won't acknowledge and the gifts we won't acknowledge, as well. God is there before our crazy thoughts take hold, and when our pride and our prejudice take over our common sense. God is front and center in walking with us, even when we choose not to seek understanding and God's will, but our own understanding. Unfortunately, the church many of us grew up in does not look the same as it did in the fledgling years of our faith lives, but God is still here. The years that very near the whole community was in church on Sunday morning or at every activity. That doesn't make the church today or tomorrow wrong, it just makes it different, but God is still here. Our communities look different, our lives look different, the expectations of schools and community events looks different. We've also been trying to erect healthy boundaries and expectations, both of ourselves and of others. So much is different! God is still here! Yet, so much is still the same! God is still here! "I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 Do not give up! Different is not bad, it's just different! Together we can seek God's Will for Oakland UMC, the community of Oakland and the surrounding communities. We don't know it all, but together maybe we can learn to understand God's plan for us today and tomorrow. Let hope rise eternal in our hearts, our homes, and our communities. To God be the glory, for God is still here! Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone with you on the journey!
Pastor Kim Reflections from Pastor Kim What. A. Summer did your summer fly by at the speed of warm, and maybe even scorching sunlight? It all went way too fast for me, including my time in Spiritual Renewal. What a gift it was to spend time with family and friends, but most importantly have dedicated, uninterrupted time with God. Before I left I told you I'd give you a synopsis of my experience, so here is just a little sampling of an enormous amount of reflections. It is not complete by any stretch of the imagination, but I will hit just a highlight or two. "O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways." Psalm 139:1-3 I have so many reflections of my time in silence and solitude, and time in God's Creation. I started out being very intentional, as I am inclined to do. There were books and needle crafts, and scripture readings lined up and a purpose for nearly every moment of my Renewal time. Then I went for my first session with my Spiritual Director and was instructed to put everything away. "WHAT? But, but, how do I spend any time with God," I replied. "With a blank canvas, and open mind and an open heart," came the reply. Huh! I had that immediate pit in my stomach that I had when I felt I hadn't prepared well for a test. I wasn't sure how to do nothing, and though I tried valiantly, and still try to leave some nothing time in each day, I often fail miserably. I was reminded, however, that failure is a lesson of what not to do, so I continue to work on honing the skill. "Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there, if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10 What drilled deep into my heart during this time, amongst a few other things which I'll share with you in time, is the never changing, always present love, acceptance, grace, power and glory of God. In order to fully acknowledge that takes time. Time without interruption or distractions. Time to sleep, even at times you would think were not appropriate sleeping times. Time to set all things aside to just be in God's presence. Time to let go. Time to not just give God our list of never-ending whining demands, but to sit in silence with God and listen for that voice to reply to our heart. And when we doubt or wonder, to sit again for confirmation. I hope you'll be with me on this awkward journey through really letting go, and letting God fill our days to the extent that we forget to count the minutes with God, and instead focus on the minutes until we can sit with God again. Be Blessed, be a blessing, and take someone with you on the journey!
Pastor Kim Luke 11:1-13 Praying with Boldness When I was a child, my prayers were predictably child-like. While I learned from Sunday School to pray for what I needed, my needs at the time were pretty basic and surface level. Eventually, as life began to get more complicated, I outgrew my prayers. But instead of my prayer life growing with me, I just stopped praying altogether. It was a long time before I “re-learned” how to pray and tried again. In fact, I sometimes still struggle at being honest with God about my needs and desires. Perhaps your prayer life is as complicated as mine. As a pastor, I’ve heard from many people over the years that struggle with prayer, especially public prayer. Many of us tremble at the thought of praying in front of people, worried that we might get the words wrong or sound silly. At the same time, we might find that our prayers are not answered in the ways we expected or hoped. In the midst of these complicated dynamics, Jesus instructs to pray with persistence, boldness, and shamelessness, asking specifically for what we need and desire. In this week’s Scripture reading, the disciples ask Jesus for instruction on how to pray. He responds with a version of the Lord’s Prayer: He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.’ Perhaps the most meaningful line for me is the petition to, “give us each day our daily bread.” With this prayer, we ask God to give us whatever we need to make it through the day, including physical, material needs, but also spiritual bread like patience, forgiveness, and faith. This wonderfully unspecific prayer allows room for the wisdom and love of God to search our hearts for our innermost needs and desires. However, Jesus also proceeds to teach the disciples about the need for specific prayer. He illustrates this point through a story of a man who prays with persistence, boldness, and shamelessness. Driving the point home, the story is followed by some of the most famous words of Jesus: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Jesus tells his disciples that he wants to know exactly what’s on their hearts - all of their perceived needs, desires, heartache, pain, anger, joy, and gratitude. Jesus wants us to recognize him as a best friend, ready and willing to be in conversation, ready and willing to share and participate in our lives. Why would we hold anything back from our most loving, forgiving, and understanding best friend?
Sometimes it's still hard to find the words. That is why one of my newer practices is to write a personal letter to God. You might find that a blank sheet of paper and pen (or word processor) allows the words to flow more freely and honestly. The truth is that prayer can be a vulnerable space that requires a lot of trust. But Jesus’ message is clear: when you pray, pray with child-like faith, ask specifically for whatever you need, pray boldly and without shame, and pray as if you are having an open, honest conversion with your best friend. Blessings, Pastor Mark Johnson |
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