Easter brings the promise of resurrection, new life and new beginnings!
Join us to welcome and celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection on Sunday, April 1st at 10:00 a.m.
As the United Methodist Church continues to struggle around the issues of human sexuality, more than 100 active and retired bishops are in Dallas for a special, four-day meeting. They are focused on refining options presented by the Commission on a Way Forward, a group advising the bishops on how to avoid denominational schism after four decades of division over how accepting the church should be of homosexuality.
In his sermon/presidential address, Bishop Bruce Ough challenged colleagues to be open to changing their minds as they grapple with how to avoid a breakup of the United Methodist Church over homosexuality.
Bishop Ough noted that the council’s meeting coincides with Lent, a season for reflection and change and said “Let us practice the Lenten discipline of self-emptying, letting go of the positions we came here to defend and the
battles we are plotting to wage in this council or the Judicial Council or on the floor of the special General Conference. Let us practice the Lenten discipline of listening to God and one another to the point of dying to ourselves.”
We too find ourselves in the midst of Lent, hoping, yearning, seeking, letting go and opening up to new life. It happens on an individual level, with families, friends and communities – churches, neighborhoods, cities, nations and the world.
It is not an easy thing to let go of personal positions and battles. And, sometimes it is important to hang on to the values and beliefs behind them to bring needed change and growth. The key I think is to provide space for conversation and discussion, and most of all, to be open to the guidance and wisdom of God’s spirit that calls us to Love.
As we make our way through Lent as individuals, may our prayer be that our hearts are open to God’s Spirit. As the people of the United Methodist Church, may we be open to God’s Spirit as we continue to discern what it means to be a church of “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.”
May Easter be born in us anew this day and always!
Pastor Cindy