Bishop Mike Lowry

Do you recall where you were when the news first starting coming in about the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001?  I do.  I was at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio (where I was serving as Senior Pastor).  As the news came in, we gathered the staff and anyone else present in the building who wished to join us for a time of prayer in the sanctuary.  In the sacred quiet of that sanctuary we laid our fears before the Lord.

In a host of different ways we will remember the events and victims of the 9/11 tragedy.  Once again I hope that we will lay our fears and hopes before the Lord.  The world needs Christians to show a yet more excellent way (I Corinthians 21:31).

In watching the various TV specials and reports leading up to the 10^th anniversary, I find my emotions stirred on a deep level.  Anger and hope vie for control; fear and forgiveness wrestle with each other; peace and  vengeance stalk the inner corridors of my soul.  In the tumult of my emotions, the words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians come back to me.  “Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus: Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal with God something to be exploit. But he emptied himself by taking the form of a salve and by becoming like human beings” (Philippians 2:5-7, CEB).

With so many of you, I have watched and received the news of the devastating earthquake and tsunami hitting Japan.  I am asking that we all join in offering our prayers and relief efforts for the people of Japan and others who are suffering because of this disaster.  Contributions may be made through UMCOR Advance #3021317, Pacific Emergency in your giving through your local church and the CTC office, and more information can be found at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/.

Bishop Larry Goodpaster, President of the Council of Bishops, released the following statement on behalf of the Council. 

 Dear sisters and brothers,

 As you know, a series of tragic events has unfolded over the past few days in Japan. The massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on March 11 and the accompanying tsunami resulted in the death of at least 2,800 people and possibly more than 10,000.  Damage to the country’s nuclear power plants jeopardizes the safety of hundreds of thousands more.  Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan called the disaster the worst crisis Japan has faced in 65 years.

 In times of immense loss and grief, we are reminded once again that God’s grace is sufficient. While it does not offer us immunity from tragedy, it sustains us with healing and hope.

 At such times, the church is called to be a healing presence among those facing heartbreaking circumstances. I am confident that the people of The United Methodist Church will respond to the call with prayers and generous support for the victims of this catastrophe.

 I ask that you join with me in prayer for the deceased and their families; the injured; the search and rescue workers; the survivors who are without water, food or heat; those who have been evacuated from their homes as the nuclear threat worsens; and all who have been affected.  

 When disaster strikes, we are especially grateful for the valuable ministry that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) provides with the help and support of United Methodists and others.  I hope that all United Methodist churches will consider taking a special offering designated for Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317, to provide financial resources to respond to the needs resulting from the disaster.

 Working with its partners, the United Church of Christ in Japan, the Korean Christian Church, Church World Service, Global Medic, the National Christian Council, and the Asian Rural Institute, UMCOR is currently focused on working to assess the damage to determine how best to provide assistance and will then respond accordingly.

 May we join together in opening our hearts to those suffering in the midst of devastation.

 Yours in Christ,

 Larry M. Goodpaster, President
The Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church

Starting Sunday evening, May 2nd, I will be at the Council of Bishops meeting and remain for an additional two days for a meeting of a Task Group of Bishops and General Secretaries on aligning our church with the Four Focus Areas: combating the diseases of poverty by improving health globally; engaging in ministry with the poor; creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations; and developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world.

My particular work is with the area of creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations. It is a stimulating time and as we go forth, I am reminded of a quote by Nelson Henderson in which he said, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade we do not expect to sit.”

It’s no secret that we’re looking at amazing and large spectrum issues that involve us moving through the wilderness of our time (from a Christendom culture to a post-Christendom culture). I like to say that no one knows for sure what they’re doing. We do know, however, who we are traveling with – and that person is God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amid all the controversies of our time – debates over war and peace, health care, racism, poverty – it’s important to remember that the church is engaged in significant issues that affect not just those who claim to be Christian but those who do not know Christ. Bishop Ches Lovern taught me that great churches deal with great issues. As we meet as a Council, I ask for your prayers for the Council as a whole and for the church and its leadership. I cannot help but remember a marvelous piece of writing that Garrison Keiler shared about Methodists. He wrote, “I do believe this: people, these Methodists, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you are in deep distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you; if you are lonely, they will talk to you; if you are hungry, they’ll give you tuna salad!” His marvelous little insights provoke me to remember that this is not my church or your church but is truly God’s church. And in our own humorous way are simply but part of it; gifted by God to take part in the struggles of our time to advance the kingdom of God. Please keep us in your prayers as we reach out.