United Methodist Committee on Relief - Ministry to Ukraine

It has been just over a year since the invasion by Russia into Ukraine.  Many people have been displaced and fled the country.

What has the Methodist Church and UMCOR been doing to help the people of Ukraine?

Read this update on UMCOR's mission to the people of Ukraine.

Thoughts from our District Superintendent:
 
take a look out there…
       the sea in all kinds of shades of blue
       islands in the distance
       blue sky….sunshine
       temperature in the 80’s
       sitting under a cabana
it looks like paradise…how can anyone look out at this and not see God?
 
take a look out there…
       the snow capped mountains
       green trees reaching up to the skies
       blue skies…sunshine
       warming up on a walk
it looks like paradise…how can anyone look out at this and not see God?
 
take a look across the street…
       there is a beautiful neighborhood
       families out in their yards
       clouds overhead
       upstate New York temperatures
       driving out the driveway
it looks like paradise…how can anyone look out at this and not see God?
 
even in the wilderness…in the midst of temptation…Jesus knew that God was present…
 
here in the midst of our current wilderness experience…God is present
 
amazing grace!
 
Blessings,
Ted Anderson
District Superintendent

Thoughts from our District Superintendent:

just wondering…
some thought for the e-news while we are 
still in Epiphany
 
Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.” 
     Think hymn 188… Christ is the World’s Light
Jesus also said that we are the light of the world.
       Think…. This little light of mine…I’m gonna let it shine.
 
Imagine the candle that represents Christ as the light of the world.
Imagine our candles being lit from the light of Christ. 
What happens? Is the light of Christ diminished by our lights being lit?
 
The light of the Christ candle is not diminished by our candles being lit!
And… our lights look just like the light of the Christ candle! 
 
What happens when Jesus is the light of the world and we take our light from that light…is that there is more light in the world. Things become clearer, people become clearer…there is more clarity all around. There is a growth of understanding. It is easier to see the way forward. 
If the light of Jesus brings hope, joy, peace and love…then our lights should also. 
 
AND… imagine Christmas eve for a moment…we are probably singing Silent Night and passing the light of Christ around until the whole sanctuary is full of light.
What if we took our lights (Christ’s light) out into the world (which God made) … and what if we offered to light the candle (think life-light) of the people we meet out there? With all this light…there is a possibility that clarity, understanding, hope, joy, peace and love might be illuminated so that God’s kin-dom would shine forth. 
 
May it be so!

Blessings,
Ted Anderson
District Superintendent

I have been asked by several people about churches leaving the UMC.  They have seen news reports, read the paper, or seen videos online.  I hope to clear up why this is occurring, and what the process is.  The issue is complex, and the explanation is not one that is done in a few words.  So bear with me.

First of all, it is my opinion, and some would disagree, that a pastor should not advocate for one position or the other.  I believe that the pastor should help the congregation be the congregation they wish to be.  The pastor’s role is to ensure the process is followed and that there is accurate information for both sides of the argument.  

Yes, there are a small number of churches when compared to the whole that have chosen to disaffiliate from the UMC.  While the numbers reported in the news sound large, they represent a small portion of the entire UMC.   It is predicted that in the end, about 10% will leave.  At present about half of the churches who have disaffiliated have joined the new denomination, the Global Methodist Church.  The other half are pursuing a relationship with other denominations or will remain independent.

To be clear this disaffiliation process is in reaction to the idea the UMC may change its stance on ordination and marriage of GLBTQ persons. As I have indicated in the past this is an issue that has consumed the denominations attention since 1978.

The last scheduled General Conference of the UMC was cancelled due to COVID.  At that time there was a proposal to change the wording of the Book of Discipline to allow for ordination and marriage of GLBTQ persons.  Due to COVID the meeting never took place and as a result no vote taken.  As such, the current wording in the Book of Discipline remains, and the prohibition continues.  

Those who favor maintaining the Book of Disciple have grown frustrated by the ongoing debate and have determined  to disaffiliate and form a new denomination, The Global Methodist Church.  This new denomination will not allow ordination and marriage of GLBTQ folks.  In May 2022 the new denomination launched.

There is a provision under the current Book of Discipline that would allow a church to disaffiliate from the UMC over a matter of conscience regarding GLBTQ issues.  Under this provision a church may disaffiliate and leave the UMC with all their property and assets.  The legislation releases the local church from the Trust Clause which says the property and assets belong to the UMC and not the local congregation.  The current legislation expires at the end of December 2023.  Those who advocate disaffiliation are using this deadline to create a sense of urgency saying if you don't leave by then you  will not be able to in the future.  The legislation that set forth the  process in 2019  does expire in Dec 2023 and will be replaced by something voted on at the next general conference in 2024.   I am convinced new legislation will be proposed to allow this disaffiliation process to continue.  Those who say otherwise are engaging in fear mongering.  It is the position of the Council of Bishops and our past and current Bishop that we should do all we can to allow churches who desire to leave do so in an amicable way.  
There is no required vote in order to stay a UMC.  The only time a vote is required is if there is a call to separate.   This can occur if a leadership  council calls for it, or if 18% of the professing members petition for a church conference.  

There is a mandated process  that must be followed before any vote to disaffiliate is possible.

1. The local church must engage in a whole congregation discernment and information gathering process that would last between 2-4 months.
2. Part of the process would be to determine the cost to disaffiliate.  A local church that votes to disaffiliate would have to pay for all money owed to the conference.  The  church must pay two years of apportionments.  The church must also pay a sum that covers clergy pensions.  In addition there are legal fees that must be covered, and they are not insignificant.  Keep in mind disaffiliation is a very expensive process. This information must be provided to the membership of the church.  
3.  As part of the discernment process accurate and balanced information is to be presented to the congregation.
4. If the congregation determines they wish to disaffiliate, a church conference of those who are professing members of the congregation is called.  At that church conference the church would vote to disaffiliate.  The motion must be approved by 66% of those present and voting.  A district superintendent  presides at this meeting.
5.  Once the church has voted the cabinet will determine if the proper process was followed, and if so the Annual Conference will vote to allow the disaffiliation.  While rare, the annual conference could say no.
6.  The church would then negotiate a separations agreement with the Conference Trustees.  
7. Once the annual conference approves, the matter moves to the Supreme Court of New York.  Because of the trust clause the courts must approve the disaffiliation.

 
So from the time of the vote to the approval by the Supreme Court it takes about 6 months to conclude.

Clergy are cautioned to not withdraw because their status in the new denomination is not a settled issue.  Right now, if a clergy member withdraws they lose their credentials and therefore have no standing in the new denomination.  That is why clergy who are at present listed as leadership in the new denomination or are  open in their intent to leave the UMC are still serving local churches.

Unfortunately, even in our conference and district there is quite a bit of misinformation and outright lies.   There are people who are actively recruiting churches and advising them on how to proceed. The Wesleyan Covenant Association and the Global Methodist Church have put out a series of videos that are filled with exaggerations and statements that are not accurate.  A group called Proud to be UMC put out a series of videos to combat the misinformation.  Interestingly, the African Bishops who  have historically been on the side of keeping the traditional language of the Book of Discipline have issued statements denouncing the GMC and the Wesley Covenant Association for their tactics.  I have reviewed materials presented to congregations in this area that were filled with half-truths and exaggerations.
For instance, the UMC has no plans to change any of the Doctrinal Standards found in the Book of Discipline.  There is no attempt to diminish the importance of the Bible or our Trinitarian beliefs.  

The  Global Methodist Church is correct in asserting, and I agree, the UMC has not held some accountable, including Bishops, who have disobeyed the Book of Discipline with regard to GLBTQ issues.  

It is safe to say some on either side of the debate are not acting the way the Body of Christ should.  It is no wonder so many in the world are turned off by institutional Christianity.
It is believed to be premature to vote on disaffiliation before a decision of the 2024 General Conference. Keep in mind it is a possibility the General Conference will not change any of the wording in the Book of Discipline.  

I hope this helps.  In any case, any videos you see should be taken with an extreme grain of salt. I would suggest you go to the conference website or UM News as a way to stay current on the issue.

Peace,
Hoyt W, Brown
Pastor, United Methodist Church of Livonia

This is the time of year many of us make resolutions for the coming year.  I would suggest the following resolutions for our church.  

1.  Keep chasing after Jesus individually and corporately. Keep knowing the depth of God’s love for you and seek a deeper love for Jesus.
2.  Be kind and compassionate to one another. Don’t make each other enemies. See the best in each other. “God’s call isn’t dependent on what the symbol on your shirt is; we’re all partners in ministry no matter what the future holds—we’re all going to be together in the place called Glory!”
3.  Take time to care for each other, especially those not in your normal circle of friends..
4.   Don’t allow anything to be a substitute for the Truth of the Word of God.
5.   Stay focused on the reason we’re here. The purpose of the Church is to help one more person say “yes” to following Jesus.
6.   Be a bold and courageous follower of Jesus Christ.

I pray these resolutions will guide our church in the year to come.

Pastor Hoyt         

2 Corinthians 9:6-11
6 What I mean is this: the one who sows a small number of seeds will also reap a small crop, and the one who sows a generous amount of seeds will also reap a generous crop.
7 Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver. 8 God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work. 9 As it is written, He scattered everywhere; he gave to the needy; his righteousness remains forever
10 The one who supplies seed for planting and bread for eating will supply and multiply your seed and will increase your crop, which is righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way. Such generosity produces thanksgiving to God through us.
 
Taxes, inflation, higher interest, rising grocery and fuel costs eat into our financial resources leaving us to feel there is not enough.  And then there are all the charitable requests we receive whether through the mail or at the check-out line. For many of us it is overwhelming. I get it.  And now your church is asking you to use your financial resources to support it ministries and mission to change the world.
 
Let me provide a Biblical perspective.
“God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace” (verse 8). “You will be made rich in every way” (verse 11). Paul, a traveling Christian preacher who owned, as far as we know, no real estate, no life insurance, and no retirement plan, no Apple products wrote those words! That does not mean it’s wrong for us to have any of those things. But it does challenge us to rethink how we define “rich” and “more than enough.”

As you prayerfully consider your giving to the Kingdom of God through the ministries of our church, I ask you to consider all the ways God’s shown great generosity toward you.  In a time of financial uncertainty it can be easy to lose track of that.  
 
A few verses after the above reading, Paul exclaimed, “Thank God for his gift that words can’t describe!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). What reality or realities was he talking about when he used that phrase? When (if ever) have you received a gift from someone that “left you speechless,” that words couldn’t fully describe? How would you compare that kind of experience with God’s gift of which Paul spoke?
 
Your financial resources are a gift. God knows that and understands that. He also realizes that if we don’t use our financial resources well, they become a burden. I think we need to realize that we are indeed rich and be grateful when we have more than enough. A friend of mine had a bumper sticker on a Porsche saying, “He who has the most toys wins.”  No.  To win is to use our finances wisely in ways that lift up, heal others, and bring about God’s goodness in this world.  Supporting God’s work through our church really does make disciples and changes the world.
 
We are faced with many decisions on how to use our scarce financial resources.  Among all the options I would suggest there can be no greater investment you can make than the Kingdom of God.  

May this be your prayer.
Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the abundance you provide around me. May my heart sing as, out of your abundance, I seek to be your physical presence to the people in my world. Amen.
 
Pastor Hoyt

Thoughts from our District Superintendent:
don’t wait

We have more churches than we have pastors to serve those churches
As has previously been mentioned…we are rapidly moving toward a time much like the early days of the Methodist movement in the USA. We do not have enough pastors to pastor our churches. Certainly we have more systems and policies in place than we had 250 years ago…still…it is always a better thing to move forward on our own than to have to wait until the systems and policies step in. 
So…it might be time for less than full time churches to seek out other less than full time churches with whom to share ministry. Churches could still be their own unique community of faith...while getting to know other churches with whom they might share a pastor. Won’t it be better to reach out and get to know another church or 2 or 3…before the appointment season arrives and “imposes” what works in the system…but what might not work in the individual churches?
There is work to do here.  If we ask to be joined with another church or 2 in a 2 or 3 point appointment…what time will worship be in each of the churches? How will the finances be shared? How will our PPRCs work together? Can we get use to sharing our pastor?
There is more work here than this… but it would be far better to work out some of these things before May or June. There are no guarantees…but the system would appreciate help in putting churches into charges which have already gotten to know each other and genuinely look forward to working together with the same pastor. 
So…whether full time or part time… it might be time for each church to reach out to its neighbor UMCs to get to know each other…to explore worship, bible study, and future possibilities. In this process we could employ the L3 culture…loving, learning, leading. It would be great to get to know each other as we explore God’s love together. It would be outstanding to learn and grow together. It would be a joy in the system if we led the way. 
 
don’t wait!    Don’t wait!   DON’T WAIT!
 
Blessings,
Ted Anderson
District Superintendent

Thoughts from our District Superintendent:
 
Leave the Baggage
 
Leave the baggage at the door…. act like an adult…. and fruits of the Spirit
 
Leave the baggage at the door…or in the car…or at home… Or better yet,
get rid of the baggage all together!
 
We carry around so much “stuff”. This “stuff” gets in our way in terms of communication, relationships and spiritual growth. Jesus told those he sent out… do not take anything with you. Did he mean our prejudices? Our stereotypes?
Our assumptions? Our bias? Our team?
We carry too much baggage and it weighs us down and tires us out…
 
As we set down the baggage…we probably should acknowledge that in too many ways we have not been acting like adults. We have not been acting like children either… but we have been acting in childish or immature ways. It is time for us to grow up and act in mature, compassionate and just ways. 
Good Morning Church!  Let’s act like mature people! 
Better yet… let’s act like Jesus would if Jesus were living our lives!
 
…and here is how we will know them… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (some say generosity) and self control…
The fruits of the Spirit occur when we are in touch with God, when we follow Jesus, and when we are moved by the Spirit… have we seen any of these fruits lately? Perhaps we need to get back in touch with God…pick up our cross and follow Jesus…and emphasize once again … Grace!
 
Let go…let God! ….   Live like Jesus! …. Be blessings! 
 
Blessings,
Ted Anderson
District Superintendent

Just wondering…
how we see each other.
 
God spoke: Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflect our nature…
…God created human beings; created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature….
                                         Genesis 1:approximately verses 25 and 27

The Message
It is often easy to see God reflected in a sunrise or sunset. We walk in the woods and feel the presence of God. We sit by the lake or the ocean and “see” God.
For each of us there are places where we come into the presence of God and see God’s reflection or experience 
God’s nature. As a church, we hope that one of the places people go to experience God’s nature or to see God’s 
reflection is the church.
 
In many ways we probably should be aware of God’s presence, God’s reflection, God’s nature in all of creation. What is God communicating through the creation of the universe…the birds…and the smallest or largest creature? How do we know of God’s nature in creation? 
 
While creation does communicate the nature of God… 
God’s Word lets us know that we (people) are created in 
the likeness of God. We are created to reflect God’s nature. HUMMMM…. Have we seen God in every person we encountered today? Whom have we discounted because 
they did not fit our image of God?
It is our responsibility to reflect God’s image to all others… but it is also our responsibility to see God’s reflection 
in all others. 
 
In these days that is a challenge…a life style… we must accept…if we would truly reflect God and God’s nature to all people.  
 
Blessings,
Ted Anderson
District Superintendent

Thoughts from our District Superintendent:
 
Just wondering…
about distractions.
 
The UMC has not numerically grown in a long time… perhaps some individual churches have grown numerically… but our conference and our denomination have grown smaller. 
 
This should be an attention getting moment for those of us who follow John Wesley in following Jesus. With John Wesley we believe that the purpose of every church is to invite people to become disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world. People like us, who have met Jesus, desire to become more faithful in our discipleship (in following Jesus). Part of this desire to be more faithful is an understanding that we must grow in our relationship with God…that is…that we should study the Word of God, worship regularly, pray, serve, give, and witness. Another part of being more faithful is about inviting others (witnessing) to meet Jesus…that is to become disciples with us. And this becoming more faithful disciples, ought to lead us to work together for the transformation of the world…that is…to help live God’s shalom in the world. 
 
We have gotten distracted from the real purpose… the real mission of the church.
 
So as we get started again this September, let’s put aside whatever it is that distracts us…and live at becoming disciples of Jesus. 
Let’s invite others to become disciples with us.
Let’s live in such a way that God’s community comes alive in the world. 
 
When the first disciples did this…they changed the world. 
God hopes that we will too.  
 
Blessings,
Ted Anderson
District Superintendent

Peanut butter. The other day at Wegmans there was almost no peanut butter on the shelves. Talk about a supply chain problem! In these days the only place there doesn’t seem to be a short supply is at the gas pump…and there the problem isn’t too little… but too much money.
 
We know something of shortages (really not much … but something) … so we can understand the problem of running out of wine at the wedding. It is a nuisance, perhaps it is an embarrassment for the hosts, and it probably gets us thinking that there isn’t enough.
 
When the shortage is overcome…it is extravagantly overcome. There is way more than enough. There is, in fact, an abundance.
 
It should not surprise us. God always provides abundantly. God always accomplishes more than we could ever ask for or imagine.
 
What are the shortages we are experiencing? What is God’s response?
 
The way God operates… there is always an abundance.
Look! God is always offering opportunities extravagantly.  

Blessings,
Ted Anderson
Interim District Superintendent

This is the week of Jesus’ Passion. The word ‘passion’ comes from a Latin word meaning suffering for some worthwhile thing. Perhaps we have lost the sense of this word because there seems to be so little of this kind of ‘passion’ in the western world. There seems to be so little that people care about to suffer for.

Jesus’ Passion was different. It was directed by his Father in heaven and willingly accepted by Jesus. In Jesus’ suffering we see not only the full depths of God’s love for us but also the obedience that led to Jesus’ death on the cross.

God calls us to follow him just as he called Jesus. To walk with Jesus who said, “take up your cross and follow me”, we must accept God’s direction and choose to follow the path laid out for us by our Creator. The path might lead to suffering, but also will lead to the certain hope for eternal life. Remember, Easter always follows Good Friday.

PRAYER
Our Father in heaven sent Jesus into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved; that all who believed in him might be delivered from sin and death and become heirs with him of everlasting life.

Pray therefore:
-for people everywhere;
-for the Church of Christ in the world and for the United Methodist Church of Livonia;
-for all pastors and the people they serve;
-for those who minister to the needs of others;
-for the homeless, the sick, the lonely, and for those who doubt;
-for all our daughters and sons who are in mortal danger In foreign lands;
Teach us Lord to remember that the Cross was not the end it was the Beginning! Amen

Recommended scripture reading for Week 7: 

• Psalm 130
• Mark 14:32 – 15:37

Once again…and still…there is war on earth.
 
Once again…and still…there is bigotry and hatred in our communities, in our country, and all around the world.
 
Once again…and still…there is discrimination, injustice and less than truth.
 
Once again…and still…it is Lent.
 
Once again…and still…Lent reminds us that we have fallen short of the intentions of God. We have failed to be an obedient church…an obedient people…we have failed to love our neighbors.
 
Lent reminds us that even Jesus did not convince enough people to be the first mega-church. Lent reminds us that Jesus ended up on a cross. Lent reminds us that Jesus fell short of the goal (don’t worry Easter reminds us that in the end the goal was realized…God triumphed…but that is Easter’s story not the story of Lent).
 
We all fall short. We all are less than God created us to be. This is part of the story of Lent. But don’t worry. Grace is part of the story of Lent, too. Perseverance is also part of the story of Lent. Being on God’s time-line and not ours is part of the story of Lent. God’s forgiveness and patience are part of the story of Lent. There is Good News in Lent!
 
In the name of Jesus we are forgiven! Yes! IN THE NAME OF JESUS WE ARE FORGIVEN! Thanks be to God!
                                                           
 Blessings,
Ted Anderson
Interim District Superintendent        

Six days before Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
 
 But one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected. “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag he used to help himself to what was put into it.
 
 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”   John 12: 1-8

MEDITATION
The time was growing short. Soon Jesus’ physical presence will no longer be with his disciples. In his answer to Judas he was saying that Mary’s action was not something wasteful. The perfume was for the day of his burial. In these few words he was preparing his disciples for what was to come in the following week.

This is about the last kindness shown to Jesus before the events of the coming week that would lead to the cross. Mary’s act has a lesson for us in that often love can be more than a “good” thing, it can be a “lovely” thing.

Mary wasn’t too shy to pour the perfume on Jesus’ feet. She didn’t feel awkward about wiping his feet with her hair. She did this to show her love for Jesus.

Perhaps we should emulate Mary. Now we don’t have to go pour perfume on someone’s feet. Most of us would indeed feel very awkward and a bit foolish doing this. There are other ways though in which we can do what she did to show our concern and love for others. Sending a note to someone who is ill or to someone who has to search for a new job after being laid off telling them we care is a “lovely” thing to do. A special word or handshake to someone who has suffered a loss of a loved one can be another “lovely” thing to do. After all these little acts of kindness can uplift the spirits of those who receive these gifts. Jesus’ spirit was certainly uplifted by what Mary did.

This passage shows us the unrelenting courage and confidence that Jesus had even when he was facing the trials of the coming week. He knew that the cross would not be the end. He knew that the Gospel would be carried forth to all the people in all lands. And with the Gospel would go the story of Mary and the lovely present she gave Jesus.

PRAYER
Father, we do remember what Mary did for your Son. Teach us to do the same with gifts of love to the poor and to our neighbor. In doing this Lord we are remembering Jesus who loved us so much that he went to the cross for us. We thank you Lord for your steadfast love that surrounds and sustains us each and every day. Amen

Recommended scripture reading for Week 6: 

• Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12

“A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."   John 13: 34-35

MEDITATION
In one sense the “new command” given by Jesus to his disciples, and that includes us, is an old one. In Leviticus 19:18 we find one of the decrees that the Lord gave Moses. God said, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. “ I am the Lord.” For Jesus’ disciples, however, it was a new command because it was to be a distinctive mark of the Christian community, created by Christ to demonstrate his great love for them and in the present time for us.

Jesus’ ministry is drawing to a close and he is preparing his followers for his departure. By these words Jesus gives the marks and virtues that should characterize all of his disciples, including us. This is a command that makes Christianity unique. Think about it. One of the cornerstones of our faith is based on God’s love for us and our love for one another. Love is a basic tenet of Christianity. The fact that Jesus tells us to “love one another” is not a suggestion. One cannot live a Christian life without a personal commitment to love God and our neighbor. Paul said that if we are unable to keep this simple command, then we are as “nothing:” It doesn’t matter how much we know or how much we do, we simply have to accept God’s love, love God in return, and love one another.

PRAYER
Thank you Jesus for what you did for us. You loved us so much that you went to the cross and died. On the third day you rose from the dead and your spirit has been present with us ever since that first Easter. Teach us Lord Jesus to acknowledge your presence among us. Teach us Lord to live as you lived, “walking in love.” We resolve O Lord, to tell the whole world that “they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”  Amen

Recommended scripture readings for Week 5:

• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
•  Mark 12: 30-31
• 1 John 3:18
•  Ephesians 5: 25
•  Matthew 22: 37-39

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I will remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63: 1-8

MEDITATION
Focusing on God can be a tremendous struggle. Every day other things compete for our attention. There is shopping to do; household chores await our attention; the children taken to their music lessons; the latest movie entices us to the TV; e-mails must be answered; there are bills to pay and checks to write. The list goes on and on. If we resolve to say no to some of the distractions of the world and choose not to indulge our appetites for TV programs, or games on our phones and many other distractions, we may find ourselves feeling suddenly weak and nervous. Our anxiety level jumps as we feel empty and even lost without our favorite distraction.

However, this emptiness pleases God. When we empty ourselves for God’s sake, God can fill us in ways that nothing else can. When we are at our weakest, God is able to make us strong. When we are weak God will fill us with steadfast love.

This emptying reminds us of how Jesus emptied himself and humbled himself when he came to walk with us and to die on the cross. Let us resolve, during this Lenten season to empty ourselves so that God can fill us with steadfast love.

PRAYER
Lord, I am weak, Give me strength to persevere. Help my eyes to see the world as you see it. Help me to look to you to fill my emptiness. I await your comforting tough. Help me to not run back to my old habits so that I may find strength in you. Help me reject the message I hear every day about the fulfillment I will find in such things as food, a new car, a cell phone, or in all the other things that tempt me. God is my strength and comfort. I need your presence and your peace, O Lord. Amen

Recommended scripture readings for Week: 

• Psalm 33: 13-40
• Matthew 22: 37-39

 You see, just at the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
 
 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5: 6-11

MEDITATION
In God’s eyes we are merely disobedient children when we transgress. However, God has never hid the fact from us that we belong to him. God loves us so much that even though we are unworthy God still continues to send grace upon us. Even when we are lost in our own sin, scripture tells us, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” (Romans 5:20)

Now the question arises whether or not we should go on alienating ourselves from God just so that God’s grace may increase. Paul tells us in no uncertain terms, “By no means!” (Romans 5:28)  He goes on to say that if we were dead to sin, then how can we bear to live with it any longer?

Scripture also tells us that God so loves us God sent the Son, Jesus, to die on the cross. He experienced death and separation from God so that we could experience life and closeness to God by simply asking him to forgive us. What a great gift God has given us. God knows that we are worthy of this gift because we belong to him. We are his children. He loves us. He is not willing to lose us to sin.

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for your patience. Thank you for being unwilling to lose your children to sin and death. Thank you for sending your son Jesus to redeem humanity and to obtain the gift of forgiveness from you. We pray all these things in the name of Jesus who taught us to say – Our Father who art in heaven... Amen

Recommended scripture reading for Week 3: 

• Romans 5:12-20, 
• Romans 6: 1-4
• Psalm 79:4, 8-10

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever, he does not treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him, for he knows how we were formed, he remembers that we are dust. 
Psalm 103: 8-14

MEDITATION
It is well that we spend time during this Lenten season remembering God’s promise of love for us. In Psalm 103, we are reminded that God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger and most importantly that his love for us is steadfast. No matter what we do to alienate ourselves from the Father, he continues to surround and sustain us with his love. He will never cease loving us. What a glorious and comforting thought that is.

If we stumble on our journey, all we have to do is ask God for forgiveness and tell God that we will try to sin no more. Then God will lift us from the dark clouds that have gathered around us. God will free us from the terrible burden of sin that we don’t have to carry any more. God will always be there to forgive our transgressions. God will keep his promise to “remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:12)

Therefore during this time of preparation for Good Friday and Easter, remember how much God’s love means to us every single day. Take time to thank our heavenly Father for his everlasting love and for the baby he sent to redeem the world – his love gift to us.

PRAYER
Lord you have loved me from the very beginning of my life. By your mercy and love I am no longer dead in sin. Each day you raise me up, freeing me from my transgressions. You have promised that you will not remember my sins. You have promised me eternal life. Your love gives me strength to resist temptation. Your love for me gives me peace and comfort. Thank you, God. Amen.

Recommended Scripture reading for Week 2:

• Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
• Psalm 130

They were on their way to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished*, while those who followed him were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him, and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
Mark 10:32-35 (*The disciples were astonished at what Jesus had just told them. See Mark 10:29-31.)


MEDITATION
This is the third time that Jesus has told his followers that he will suffer and die once they reach Jerusalem. This is the most explicit of the three because the Disciples did not understand Jesus’ earlier explanations of the terrible events awaiting him. Now, however, the Disciples seem to understand what awaits Jesus, but they are amazed that he keeps going toward the holy city. They are afraid for him and for what might happen to themselves, yet they keep following him as if everything will turn out right in the end.

Often overlooked in the opening sentence of v. 32 is the fact that “Jesus is leading the way.” This statement tells us a great deal about Jesus. It tells us of his loneliness. He is ahead of the disciples, alone. Jesus knew that there were things that were going to happen that he had to face alone. In our lives there are things that we must face alone. We must walk certain roads alone no matter how difficult it is. And yet, even in these difficult times, we are really not alone, for God never is nearer to us.

Jesus faced a walk ‘through the valley of the shadow of death.”  He knew that horrible things would happen to him before he emerged from the shadows onto the sunlit highlands of Easter. He also knew that his heavenly Father would comfort him.

As we follow Jesus to the cross during this Lenten season let us join with each other in loving him so much that this love and his love for us will sustain us, as it has in the past, and as it will in all the days yet to come.

PRAYER
Creating God, your Living Word, Jesus Christ, came to a sinful world and brought humanity the gift of reconciliation to God by his suffering and death. Teach us, Lord, the people who bear his name, to follow the commands that he brought to us. May our faith sustain us through all the trials we may face. We ask these things through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Recommended Scripture readings for Week 1:

• Mark 8:31
• Mark 9:31
• Matthew 20:17-19
• Luke 18:31-35
• Psalm 23.

Saturday

In the beginning God made a world that was “very good.” In the end, it will become even better. This is the justice of God that we wait for and work for.
We are talking about a real place—a city. The people who live there will never hunger, never lack for love, and be surrounded by family. God will live there too! The residents of this city will no longer fear death. There will be no crying or pain. The long era of injustice, ruled over by death, will have ended.
We aren’t there yet. But we must not lose the sense of direction we get from knowing where we are going. This is God’s destination for the world that he made. He wants it wholly beautiful again. He will make it so.
It’s not just a dream. It’s the future, and we have been privileged to live as part of that future. We have been blessed to be part of bringing that day just a bit closer and catching a glimpse of the Kingdom in the present. We have witnessed the glory of creation, loved by those who were strangers, and we have been changed by our time here.

Prayer: Lord, make us ambassadors of your new city. Help us to represent its values. Help us to live its life in advance, for all to see.  

So be it.  

Peace,
Hoyt W. Brown
Pastor, United Methodist Church of Livonia

Heaven is declaring God’s glory;
    the sky is proclaiming his handiwork.
2 One day gushes the news to the next,
    and one night informs another what needs to be known.
3 Of course, there’s no speech, no words—
        their voices can’t be heard—
4     but their sound[a]extends throughout the world;
        their words reach the ends of the earth.
God has made a tent in heaven for the sun.
5 The sun is like a groom
    coming out of his honeymoon suite;
    like a warrior, it thrills at running its course.
6 It rises in one end of the sky;
    its circuit is complete at the other.
        Nothing escapes its heat.


Peace,

Hoyt W. Brown
Pastor, United Methodist Church of Livonia

Wednesday

Today was our last day at in Step. It was tough for us to say good bye to the kids and Carla and Jeff. Dave and I shared the same thought…there is something about these children that they work deep into your heart. The grade 7and 8 classes held a little ceremony thanking us for all we have done with and for them. Of course we appreciated their words, the reality is they gave us so much more. The principal asked each of us to say a few words to the students. Annabelle was left speechless, I got weepy and Dave got a bit choked up. We were presented a poster to express their gratitude. The principal then asked to say a blessing over the children. A greeting line of sorts formed and each child gave us hugs. The only words that I could find to say to each one was bless you. It was hard for the vans to leave because of all the children who came to give one last wave.

I know I speak for all of us when I say it will be hard to share this experience with you. But we will try. I want to publicly thank Dave for getting us hooked into this trip.

On to the next adventure.  Two planes later we arrived in Masa Mari National Reserve located at the extreme southern end of the country in the Savanna. As we drive to the lodge we saw so many animals, elephants, antelope, water buffalo and wildebeest to name a few.

As I write this the baboons are outside our tent making an absolute racket.

Peace,
Hoyt W, Brown
Pastor, United Methodist Church of Livonia

Tuesday 

Good news!  Today we were all tested for Malaria.  All 11 of us passed, and those who had bacterial infections were all clear.

Tonight was a special night.  After dinner we usually go to the boys or the girls dorm respectively to share in their evening devotion.  It has become more than a ritual, but an anticipated time of love and fellowship.  We can show you video of these boys and girls at their evening devotion, but nothing can capture their joy and pure love of Jesus.  Their devotion always begins with singing, there is not a set plan, they just move to the rhythm of the Spirit.  Then some of the children stand up and share something they are grateful for in their day.  More songs and then prayer.  Tonight they offered prayers for our safe travel. I was so touched that they asked me to do the closing prayer.  I shared my favorite verse with them, Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans for you and they are plans for good and not for evil.  I followed by telling them that God has a plan for their life as well and it is a good one.  

As a surprise, after we returned to the dorm the boys gathered outside our veranda and sang Lean On Me.  I will never hear that song again without thinking of the children of In Step and the love they shared with us.

Something that has been shared by some adults and children is the fear they had of white people.  And this is always followed by thanks for helping them not to fear white people.  The only way to get past our fear of the other is to establish personal relationships.  We looked at the Letter to Philemon tonight for our devotional.  Part of what we saw was that Paul was encouraging a new way to think about slavery.  Paul encouraged Philemon to rethink his relationship to a particular slave.  Rather than viewing the person as a slave Paul urged Philemon to view the man as a brother.  Paul was encouraging a revolution based on love.  Our closing prayer asked God to help us see the brothers and sisters we do not recognize.   

We wrapped up the dental clinic today having completed 150 exams, provided services to 58 children and 3 staff members.  Quite an accomplishment.

I helped lead a teacher in-service on how to use their computers, projectors and smart board.  The man I have been working with the last ten day did such a good job today.  Watching the change in his confidence level has been a great thrill.

The big event of the day was the electric car competition.  A member of the team has been teaching the children about energy.  A part of the teaching talked about storing energy for future use, like a battery.   The 8th graders and eight 7th graders built battery powered electric cars using a small electric motor, popsicle sticks, wheels and axils.   There were a few categories, farthest distance traveled, most realistic car, and best use of color.  It was a blast.  The entire school gathered around the basketball court cheering and laughing.

We have seen first hand what can occur when people of faith take action, and even risk.  Carla and Jeff stepped out in faith 15 years ago taking in one child.  They now have 203 children who are receiving nutritional meals, living in a safe environment, an education that meets the Kenyan curriculum standards, health care, and most important love.  All this works because it is grounded in Christ and based on Scripture.

As we draw this part of our journey to a close one person shared that she was so thankful she did not give into fear.  She commented that so many people encouraged her not to go because of COVID, or kidnappings, or terrorists.  Each of us shared the same experience.  There were so many who, while well meaning, questioned our decision to go.  She said she was so thankful she did not give into fear, for if she had, she would have missed out on all the blessings.  And we have been blessed beyond measure.

The interesting thing about mission trips is your first time you think about all the good you are going to do for and to others.  When you return you realize you got so much more than what you gave.  It begins with not giving into fear.  To a person, we acknowledge our faith, commitment to Christ, and our lives have been transformed.  It is my prayer each of you will have similar experiences.

We have been proud to represent Christ, as well as the people of the four churches that make up our group.  And we look forward to sharing our stories and the stories of the people who have so touched our lives.

Peace,
Hoyt W, Brown
Pastor, United Methodist Church of Livonia