​Dear Friends in Christ, 
​
As I considered what to write for this newsletter article, so many things swirled through my mind because so much has happened since I wrote my last article a month ago.

On January 19th, just one year almost to the day when the US reported its first case of COVID19, we reached 400,000 deaths from the virus, which is still raging and still killing, in this country and around the world.  

On January 6th, I watched with much of the nation, in shock, horror and grief as a mob of hundreds of rioters – their anger stoked and their actions encouraged by our former president and other national leaders – storm and vandalize our nation’s Capitol Building in an attempt to prevent lawmakers from certifying an election that the rioters believed was somehow stolen from them. 

As a Christian, what made their actions even more hurtful to me and to many people of faith was that many of these rioters carried signs proclaiming their faith in Jesus Christ, even as their words and actions were completely opposite and hostile to everything Jesus taught and lived. 

Then, just two weeks after that day, in a locked down capital city under an unprecedented level of security, Joe Biden was sworn in as our nation’s 46th president, and Kamala Harris was sworn in as his vice-president, the first woman and person of color and Asian descent to hold that position, and for me, with this administration comes renewed hope for our future. 

The speech Biden gave at his inauguration, indeed, the whole theme of the ceremony, “America United,” was an appeal to all Americans to regain our sense of being one nation and one people; to begin to gather up the broken pieces, of our national unity and start working to put them back together, because it is only in unity that we can prevail against the many challenges we now face.  

In his inaugural address, Joe Biden pledged to be a president for all Americans, those who didn’t vote for him as much as for those who did.

Echoing Lincoln when he signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Biden promised to put “his whole soul” into the task of bringing Americans together once again.

The inauguration ceremony included moving performances by several top stars, but for me, the highlight was  Amanda Gorman, 22-year-old Los Angeles resident, youth poet laureate of Los Angeles, first national youth poet laureate and Harvard graduate, who was invited to speak at the event by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, who had previously seen her do a reading at the Library of Congress. 

Her poem spoke eloquently of the challenges we face as a nation and also of the unity that helps us overcome them. Below is a link to hear her deliver her poem at the inauguration. 

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(4) Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman  delivers a poem at Joe Biden's inauguration - YouTube 

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And here is the text of Gorman’s poem, “The Hill We Climb,” in full.  

When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry. A sea we must wade.
We braved the belly of the beast.
We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is isn’t always justice.
And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it.
Somehow we do it.
Somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.
We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.
And, yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge our union with purpose.
To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.
And so we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true.
That even as we grieved, we grew.
That even as we hurt, we hoped.
That even as we tired, we tried.
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.
Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.
Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid.
If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made.
That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb, if only we dare.
It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit.
It’s the past we step into and how we repair it.
We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation, rather than share it.
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated.
In this truth, in this faith we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.
This is the era of just redemption.
We feared at its inception.
We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour.
But within it we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves.
So, while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe, now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?
We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be: a country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free.
We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation, become the future.
Our blunders become their burdens.
But one thing is certain.
If we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children’s birthright.
So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left.
Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.
We will rise from the golden hills of the West.
We will rise from the windswept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution.
We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the Midwestern states.
We will rise from the sun-baked South.
We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover.
And every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful, will emerge battered and beautiful.
When day comes, we step out of the shade of flame and unafraid.
The new dawn balloons as we free it.
For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.

Dear Friends in Christ, 

It is the beginning of a new year and with every new year comes an opportunity to reach out and claim God’s promises with new hope. That's part of why we celebrate the New Year. 

But perhaps there is another part to our need for celebration, particularly this year. Perhaps it has something to do with our need to put disappointments and fears of the past behind us. This past year was certainly not the easiest for any of us--no matter where in the world you make your home. The pandemic and all the disruption that it brought, wildfires, hurricanes, racial unrest, political divisions; for most of us, this past year was very difficult. 

So we go into this new year with many challenges facing us, personally, nationally, and globally. Yet, for all the challenges we have faced this past year, we go into the new year with hope. 

After months of sickness, death and economic disruption around the world caused by Covid19, there are, at last, and in record time, vaccines available to immunize people against the virus. Right now, the vaccines are being made available to those most at risk: healthcare workers, nursing home residents and staff, first responders. Yet, though it will still be several months before these vaccines are widely available to the general public, the end of this pandemic is at least in sight. And that is cause for tremendous hope. 

In the meantime, we will have to continue to take measures to contain the spread of the virus: masking when we are with others, social distancing, hand washing, and limiting our contact with those outside our household. But now we know that we will not have to do these things indefinitely. 

And there are many challenges that still lie ahead in the new year as we begin to rebuild our economy, and restore the relationships and rhythms of our lives that have been so disrupted by Covid19. And there is also the challenge of beginning to heal the deep political, economic, and racial divisions in our nation. But as we face these challenges, Christians can find comfort and hope in the knowledge that God is always with us, and is working for good in our lives and in the world. 

There’s a song, corny perhaps, but still a good reminder to us, "He's got the whole world in His hands." Perhaps what we need in times of uncertainty and challenge is to picture as we once did when we were kids, the big hands of God cradling the entire globe. 

Let us, therefore, be encouraged to look to the coming new year with confidence--not in ourselves, but in the goodness and grace of God.  

New Year's greetings and best wishes for the coming year, 
​
Pastor Carolyn 

Dear Friends in Christ,
 
This Advent and Christmas season is going to look different than past years. This year, because of 
Covid19, many congregations, including ours, will not be able to gather to worship in-person in our 
sanctuaries and worship spaces to light the Advent candles, sing the familiar carols, and hear the 
familiar scriptures that tell the story of Jesus' coming. 
 
But just because we cannot meet in-person that does not mean we cannot prepare our hearts and 
spirits for the coming of the one who is Emmanuel, God with us, and celebrate his birth. This year has 
been a dark and difficult year in many ways, and yet, in the midst of all that is happening, we can find 
hope.  

The gospel of John opens with powerful words of hope, reminding us that Christ is 

“5 The light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it."

And so this year let us celebrate Jesus’ coming as light in the midst of the world’s darkness, a reminder 
to us that God is still present and active, in our world and in our lives, no matter what our circumstances.   

To remind us of this truth, our Advent and Christmas worship series is  

I Believe, Even When….”   

The history of humanity is filled with pain–especially the pain that comes accompanied by fear and 
leads to oppression and violence of one people against another. This is the world into which Jesus was 
born and which his teachings would challenge and call for transformation. 
 
The theme song for this series is a poem whose exact origin is uncertain, but 
which is said to have been written by a Jewish prisoner during the terrible time 
of the Holocaust. The words of the poem are:  ​

Dear Friends in Christ, 

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 to hospitality than simply being welcoming. Another part of being hospitable, of extending hospitality, to each other, is being able to agree to disagree with civility. This aspect of hospitality is particularly  important in our country today.  

In my lifetime, I have never seen us so politically, racially, economically, or spiritually divided as a nation, and there are many causes for these divisions. But in my perception, one reason for the strength of these divisions, and particularly out political and religious divisions, is the lack of willingness by people on both sides to simply listen honestly and engage in respectful conversation with people who hold differing views. Because social media allows us to filter our friendships, decide who we will or will not follow, chose what groups we belong to, pick and choose our news sources, and control what we see on our news feeds, too often we see only what confirms our own biases. I know that I have been guilty of this myself. This is one reason that I have chosen to get off of Facebook for the rest of the year. 

There are many issues on which people of faith hold strong opinions on both sides: politics, abortion, 
immigration, LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, military spending, health care, gun control, and government economic policies, to name just a few.  

Opinions on both sides of these issues are strong and emotions 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.  

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, to be hospitable, to live in harmony with one another and our neighbors, 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. My prayer is that in the coming weeks and months, we will remember that we have far more that unites us than divides us, and learn, once again, to truly listen to and talk with each other.  
​
In Christ’s Love, 
Pastor Carolyn 

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. 
​

1. People want to worship on Sunday morning .
   
2. Of those who want to meet in person, all want to meet in the church sanctuary. 
   
3. All people want their concerns and needs respected.
   
4. Some people will not attend in-person worship if they are required to wear a mask. 
   
5. Some people will not attend in person worship unless everyone is wearing a mask. 
   
6. 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. 

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