Transformation, Volume 1 Issue 1 by Desert Southwest Conference of the UMC

spring 2009

The Strategic Direction Page 12

Special Features 05

What’s in a name? The Desert Southwest

Conference print piece naming contest produces the name for this

Contents

new publication.

United Methodists join protest against Arpaio Thousands march against Maricopa

County Sheriﬀ Joe Arpaio’s abuse of the 287(g) agreement and his violations of civil and human rights.

Contents 03

Publisher’s Pen

Across the Connection

One in Christ

One With Each Other

One in Ministry

Pastor’s Perspective

Order Form

For more news and features from around The Desert Southwest Conference, be sure to check out The Desert Connection, the Conference online newsletter, by going to www.desertsouthwestconference.org/ desertconnection.

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The Strategic Direction The Strategic Direction

guides churches all around the Desert Southwest Conference

United Methodists Join Protest Against Arpaio Page 08

A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.

Transformation istry

M ag azine

th e De se rt south wes

C onf er

en Ce

Spring 2009 Volume 1, Issue 1

Contributors

For general inquiries or subscription information email: communications@desertsw.org, call 602-266-6956, or mail Communications Department, 1550 E. Meadowbrook Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85014-4040.

Transformation is provided quarterly in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter by the Communications Department of The Desert Southwest Conference. Transformation is also available online by going to www.desertsouthwestconference.org/transformation. Individual articles and photos may be used by DSC churches and organizations. Views in Transformation come from representatives of official Conference groups or by request of Conference Staff. Viewpoints may only be those of the writer and may not be representative of the entire Conference. Questions about the reproduction of individual articles or photos should be directed to Stephen J. Hustedt, Conference Director of Communications (602-266-6956 ext. 220 or steve@desertsw.org).

hat a long journey it has been to bring you this first issue of Transformation, the Ministry Magazine of the Desert Southwest Conference! It has been over three years since there was any form of regular printed communication put out by the Desert Southwest Conference, but now, unless you are reading the online version of Transformation, you are holding the first issue of the Conference’s new ministry magazine in your hands. As one of the largest supporters of printed communications in the Conference, I have to say I feel a great sense of accomplishment and gratitude as we are finalizing this first issue. I’m excited about what is to come, but I’m also grateful for the journey that got us here. Although, by some, there has been frustration and even anger at the loss of regular printed communication, the last three years have forced our entire Conference to find new and exciting ways to communicate. This time has helped us redesign our overall Communications plan, and it has made us denominational and even ecumenical leaders in electronic communications. As we forged a new path we’ve been able to directly and indirectly help countless United Methodist conferences, organizations, districts, and local churches grow in their web ministries, and we have earned enough awards and recognitions to cover a small wall at the United Methodist Center in Phoenix. Still, even with all the good that has come out of this focus on electronic communications, questions persisted about what role, if any, regular printed communications should play in the Desert Southwest Conference’s overall communications plan. Who was not being welcomed at the table when all regular conference communications were online? Finally, in 2007 a task force was empowered by the Communications Commission and the Program Cabinet to look at these concerns, and by Annual Conference 2008 a proposal was made that would bring regular printed communication back to the Desert Southwest Conference in a form that would both support and enhance the great work that had been done in electronic communications. The important work of the Print Piece

By Stephen J. Hustedt, Director of Communications

Rev. Rosemary Anderson, Ryne Brinks, Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, Kathy Gilbert, Stephen J. Hustedt, Rev. Gary Kennedy, Rev. Candace Lansberry, Valerie K. Maravolo, Susan Passi-Klaus, Rev. Michael Pearson, Pat Pillsbury, Rev. Sharon Ragland

A transforming journey

Publisher’s Pen

M in

Stephen J. Hustedt

Task Force can be viewed online at www.desertsouthwestconference.org/communications, but even if you do not take the time to read this informative report, please know that the decision to bring regular printed communications back to The Desert Southwest Conference was based solely on ministry. Simply put, there are people that are missing out on hearing our story as Christians and United Methodists if there is not a print element to our communications plan. It’s also interesting to note that the people we are failing to reach are not necessarily in demographics based on age or population centers. By a disturbingly great margin, the greatest determiner of whether someone has access to electronic communications is income level. With all of this in mind, Transformation Magazine has been designed to share the stories of ministry around the Desert Southwest Conference and The United Methodist Church with a world that is starving for our good news. The vision is that someone who has been a member of The United Methodist Church will be able to look through Transformation and find inspiration for continued ministry and growth, while a first time visitor to a church will be able to find inspiration to continue their spiritual journey. Many of the stories will be written entirely for the magazine, but some stories will come from other Conference or United Methodist communications channels. All stories will be chosen because they speak to a broad audience about who we are as Story continues on page 7 Spring 2009

Transformation |

By Susan Passi-Klaus, United Methodist Communications

Across

the Connection

United Methodists asked to ‘Rethink Church’

Courtesy Rethink Church

The Rev. Larry Hollon, top staff executive of United Methodist Communications, addresses the Commission on Communication meeting in Nashville, Tenn. Hollon and his staff presented the Rethink Church awareness campaign to the commission during its Sept. 25-27 meeting. To the right is the Rev. Mark Conard, of Hutchinson, Kan., a member of the Commission. A UMNS photo by Ronny Perry.

he buzz has begun. Even before the first ads hit the pages of national magazines or TV commercials begin to air, United Methodists are talking about a new awareness campaign. United Methodist Communications is calling it Rethink Church. As United Methodists take on the challenge of rethinking what it means to be church and to do church, they will also rethink what it means to advertise and market the thirdlargest denomination in the United States. Rolling out on May 6, Rethink Church will be unique because digital media will be a priority. Along with TV and print ads, Rethink Church messages will appear on YouTube and iTunes and through cell phone text messages. “The idea is to provide a way for people to connect with the church in as many ways as possible,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, General Secretary of United Methodist Communications. “Rethinking

4 | Transformation | Spring 2009

church and denominational marketing calls for an ability to tell the church’s stories in many, many different ways, through many media and with different audiences.” The campaign was introduced at the denomination-wide training event for annual conference leaders at the end of January in Florida. In the months following, it will be featured in conference, district and regional events. To some, Rethink Church will be an advertising campaign to continue the positive work of the successful “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” campaign that began in 2001. Others will find it a conversation starter, inspiring church leaders to find creative ways to do church in different, more relevant ways. Rethink Church will also be a personal wake-up call inviting many to change old ways of thinking, believing and expressing faith. “The advertising is perhaps the most visible ingredient of the campaign, but the strength of the campaign is the conversa-

tion it inspires and encourages,” Hollon said. Bishop Sally Dyck, president of the General Commission on Communication, calls Rethink Church “the self-study that the denomination has needed for a long time.” “Rethink Church will be an opportunity for people within the church to go deep into what is the meaning and purpose of church,” Dyck said. “It will help the church make a transition into a new way of being in a rapidly changing world. Unless we Rethink Church, we won’t be able to make the needed changes.” The campaign will use traditional and nontraditional mass media, everything from basic bumper stickers and T-shirts, to print ads in Parents magazine and radio ads on programs like “American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest.” The heart of Rethink Church, however, will be in the hands of local church leaders and congregations who will explore and live out the questions the campaign will pose. Most of the

questions start with “what if?” * What if church was less about Sunday, and more about the other days of the week? * What if church wasn’t just a place we go, but something we do? * What if church wasn’t just a building, but thousands of doors, each opening up to a different concept or experience of church? Bohan Advertising/Marketing in Nashville, TN, is crafting the campaign. Agency president Kerry Graham hopes Rethink Church will help shake United Methodist churchgoers out of a Sundayonly malaise. “Sometimes, those of us who attend church on a regular or even a sporadic basis get lulled into a bit of a ‘Sunday experience’ hypnosis,” Graham said. “We forget we are all called to live church and the teachings of Jesus every day.” “Sunday will continue to be an impor-

tant time for the church to express worship and honor the Sabbath,” Hollon explains, “but we are saying that there are many doorways through which individuals may engage the Christian faith.” As more and more people do not know or understand the practice or language of worship, “we need to provide alternative entry points that are relevant to them and that communicate in language they understand.” Graham suggested that church leaders will need to embrace the idea that it is OK for “church” to start out as day care, a ski trip, a basketball league or a Habitat for Humanity build. “Rethink Church is a wake-up call to remind us of the many needs in our own backyards and around the world, and to call us to action in any one of the thousands of programs, missions and initiatives The United Methodist Church is already engaged in,” he said. Hollon adds, “Engagement is not an end point, however. It is to provide deeper

What’s in a name?

knowledge and experience of the life of faith. It is about providing people with a community in which to experience forgiveness and acceptance before God in a society that increasingly denies our deeper spiritual nature. “The end result of connecting with the church is to enter into a community of faith that seeks to make disciples of Jesus Christ engaged with God in the transformation of the world, even as we are ourselves are being transformed.” Creators are aiming the four-year, $20 million advertising campaign at 18- to 34year-old “seekers” — people on a spiritual journey looking to fill the hole in their souls. United Methodists have been on a mission to bring three generations into the life of the church: baby boomers (born 1945-1964), post-moderns or Gen X (1965-1977) and millennial, Mosaics or Gen Y (1978-2000). Research shows that these generations have been difficult to involve in mainline churches. The reasons cited include church relevance, negative impressions of Christians and limited opportunities for involving young people. “Younger people and people who haven’t been a part of the church will be attracted by the ads,” said Dyck. “I also Story continues on page 25

Do you want to stay in the loop? The new DSC Weekly Digest is your source for all the news highlights from the preceeding week and a glimpse of whats to come. To learn more about full color HTML email, visit www.desertsouthwestconference .org/digest. If you would like to begin receiving the DSC Weekly Digest, send your name and email address to communications@desertsw.org.

ditor’s note: At the end of 2008 the Communications Commission announced that the new Print Piece would receive its name through a contest. The contest was open to the entire Desert Southwest Conference, and a promise was made to feature the person who submitted the award-winning title in the first issue of the new printed communications piece. The following letter was the winning print piece naming contest submission. I am writing to submit Transformation as the title for the new printed magazine of the Desert Southwest Conference. I am submitting this name anonymously because it is not really mine to submit. This name belongs to the people of The United Methodist Church and The Desert Southwest Conference. It is our mission as United Methodists Story continues on page 27 Spring 2009

Transformation |

By Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño

One

in Christ

Transforming our lives By Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño

ransformation! We are indeed transformed by the power of Christ Jesus who rose from death to life. All over the world persons are hearing the good news of Christ Jesus and are being reborn. Because Christ lives among us, every day is an opportunity to be revitalized in life, in faith, in hope. The United Methodist Church is experiencing such a transformation. Led by the Holy Spirit we have been led to focus our ministry in four areas: 1. Planting new churches to reach out to new people, younger people, and people of color; 2. Raising up principled Christian leaders for the church and the world; 3. Eliminating poverty in community with the poor; 4. Conquering illnesses that contribute to poverty through a global health initiative. We in the Desert Southwest Conference are aligned with the areas of focus of The UMC. We are planting new churches and our fastest growing new church plant today, is in the community of Maricopa. Started in mid July 2008, by February of

this year Journey United Methodist Fellowship had gathered 142 persons who want to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Journey UMF then launched its first worship service on Easter Sunday, 2009! Maricopa is a brand new community and already lives are being transformed because you have seen God’s vision of reaching out to others. Your gifts, and prayers, have enabled The UMC to be present in this community among several others, giving a new and faithful witness of God’s transforming love. Principled leaders of all ages are also being prepared. Spiritual formation is a core value for us in the DSC. One of the ways we are shaping and raising up principled spiritual leaders is through our Bishop’s Confirmation Retreat. Every spring I invite congregations to allow me to spend a weekend with young people who are preparing to be confirmed as disciples of Jesus Christ and to join a UMC. With the help of a wonderfully committed cadre of adult leaders I guide these young people through a time of examining what it means to be a spiritual leader in the world in the name of Christ Jesus. What a

Photo Courtesy of Jim Parkhurst

Bishop Carcaño had the opportunity to spend time with, and spiritually mentor, Conference youth at the Confirmation Retreat held March 28-30, 2008.

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Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño

rich experience I have had! I will never forget a young 12 year old who upon being asked what prayer meant to him said, “It is the Holy Spirit speaking to that deepest part of our spirit,” his voice calm and assured. Quite a faith statement for one so very young! Some months after one of our confirmation retreats, I was at a retreat where we were learning how to lead all the work of the church as an expression of our spirituality and deep faith in Christ. I was at the registration desk when I felt someone come very close to me and then just stand there by me while I completed what I was doing. When I was freed from my task I turned around and there stood a confirmation retreat participant. I said to him, “What are you doing here?” With a great big smile he responded, “I’m here to become a spiritual leader!” There is no doubt in my mind that God’s own Holy Spirit is lifting up strong and passionate principled spiritual leaders who will lead us out into the world with the gospel good news of Christ Jesus. We are also fighting poverty in the communities God has placed under our care. Poverty is a mighty foe to God’s desire that we all live life’s of abundance. You know this because of the deep love Story continues on page 26

n December, driven by a desire to help hungry people in the Bullhead City area, a group from Hope United Methodist Church’s new Missions Outreach Committee formed “Hope’s Kitchen.” The soup kitchen is meant to serve the community’s hungry peoplewhoever they are. Working with the

health department, planning the first dinner, and raising funds in preparation took several weeks. As facilitator of this new kitchen, Pat Pillsbury knew opening the first community-wide soup kitchen in the area would have its challenges. They were certainly aware that some people in the community

Tough times inspired members of Hope United Methodist Church to start Hope’s Kitchen, where members aim to serve the area hungry.

PUBLISHER’S PEN | continued from page 3 Christians and United Methodists in The Desert Southwest Conference. Because this first issue of Transformation Magazine is coming out in the spring, following Lent and Easter, the theme of the issue is Resurrection, Renewal, and Rebirth. We will explore what we must do to get ourselves right so that we may better do ministry. We will explore the steps that we are taking to better do ministry, and we will explore how these steps are beginning to make a difference. The journey we have taken together through communications ministry has

taken more than three years to get to the point of launching this new ministry tool, and we’ve seen a lot along the way. There were many times that I wished we could change the pace or change the direction, and there were plenty of times I became frustrated with myself and others along the way. I’m sure this could be said for all of us in our ministries. The good news is that we’ve always had a guide; even in spite of ourselves, at times. The view from here is pretty good, but I’ve got some news to share… this is not a destination! We don’t have time to stop. Our work is far too important. There will be plenty of bumps and

By Pat Pillsbury

Photo Courtesy of Pat Pillsbury

did not have enough food. There was plenty of anecdotal evidence, even among their own acquaintances. There have been a lot of layoffs in the community, and work is scarce. But actual statistics were hard to come by. So it was hard to know how much food they would need, or if people would even come. They decided to open for one meal a month and felt that if this service was needed, God would lead the people to the door. The group elected to have a dinner on the last Saturday night of the month, when people’s food supplies were most likely to have been used up. The first dinner was held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The menu was simple, filling and nutritious, and included beef stew, chili, bagels and breads, crackers, fruit salad, potato salad, and beverages. An invitation to dine was extended to everyone, through flyers, radio and newspapers. Free tickets were distributed in an effort to get a tally in advance of the dinner. One hundred tickets were picked up by February 26, and some people said they would be bringing others. They had 49 guests, enjoyed their company, and invited them back. Leftovers were donated to a men’s ministry in Bullhead City. After evaluating the experience they realized they’ll need to refine the program and see how it can be improved but believe it will grow. The church is blessed to have Chef Roy Connor and his wife Valerie running the kitchen, they are tremendous assets. Together they bring years of experience in

With Each Other

By Pat Pillsbury

One

Hope’s Kitchen feeds the hungry

Story continues on page 25

plenty of obstacles as we continue to find the best ways to share our story with the world. Things will not always be perfect, even when the view is great, but we’ll adjust and continue with a greater sense of purpose. We’ll find different mediums and new methods to share our story, but our journey in ministry together will never be done. We are called to always walk down the road together looking to share our story in every way we can and with everyone we can. We must use the gifts that we have been given to make our world better and we must continue to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world! Spring 2009

Transformation |

UniTed MeThOdiST

PrOTeST AGAinST

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Photo By Don Benton

TS jOin

ArPAiO By Kathy L. Gilbert

nited Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño offered a blessing and words of peace to thousands gathered to march in protest of the treatment of immigrants by Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

“Help us, O God, help us to move the people of this country toward a reformation of these unjust laws of immigration,” said Carcaño, United Methodist leader of the Phoenix area. “We pray you will touch the heart of Joe Arpaio, that you will turn it from stone to a living heart of justice.” Her words stirred strong emotions in a crowd of up to 5,000 that gathered at Steele Indian School Park on Feb. 28 to participate in a “March to Stop the Hate.” The march ended about four miles later at the federal courthouse, after passing more than 100 Arpaio supporters gathered at the Wells Fargo Tower where the sheriff has his office. Arpaio supporters held up signs that read, “We Support Joe” and “We Support 287g Enforcement” while thousands streamed by carrying signs declaring, “Arpaio is Not My America,” “Revoke Arpaio’s 287g” and “Reform Not Raids.” Story continues on page 10

Spring 2009

Transformation |

MARCH | Continued from page 9 Several United Methodists from the area joined Carcaño in the march, carrying red signs proclaiming, “The United Methodist Church supports Immigrant… Civil… Human… Rights!” The protest was organized after Arpaio, sheriff of Maricopa County, marched more than 200 detained immigrants dressed in prison stripes through the streets of Phoenix to a tent city facility in the desert earlier in February. Arpaio and his deputies have contracted with the federal Department of Homeland

Security under a program identified as 287g that allows local police officers to enforce immigration laws. The sheriff has said he is enforcing the laws that he was elected to uphold. “But we believe he has gone beyond the law, beyond the contract, certainly beyond the civil and human rights and constitutional rights of these people because even undocumented immigrants have human and civil rights and certain rights under the constitution of this country,” Carcaño said in a United Methodist News

(To the right) United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño marches Feb. 28 in Phoenix with demonstrators to protest crackdowns on illegal immigrants by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Under a deal allowing them to enforce federal immigration laws, deputies have arrested more than 1,500 people that they determined were in Arizona illegally. The detainees are housed in a tent city located in the desert.

Story continues on page 20

Speaking out against immigrant abuse By Valerie K. Maravolo

nited Methodists across The Desert Southwest Conference have continued to voice their concerns over the ongoing mistreatment of undocumented persons that has resulted in the destruction of families and violations of human rights. In an effort to coincide with the February 13-22 Congressional recess, several events-all leading up to the February 28 protest against Sheriff Arpaio-provided a platform for the community and people of the Desert Southwest Conference to take a stand on immigrant abuse. People gathered in Arizona, both at the El Tiradito Shrine in Tucson and at Birchett Park in Tempe, to pray for the families victimized by the immigration raids and inhumane treatment of undocumented persons. Rev. Saul Montiel, associate pastor at Epworth UMC in Glendale, encouraged participation at the Tempe prayer vigil, “God will listen to us. God indeed is asking us ...to be a Story continues on page 21

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Photo By Billie K. Fidlin

Photo By Kathy L. Gilbert.

Spring 2009

Transformation |

GUIDING CHURCHES AROUND THE DESERT SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE

The Strategic Direction

Originally adopted in 2006 and revised in 2008, The Desert Southwest Conference Strategic Direction represents the guiding principles by which we perform ministry in the DSC. Represented in our vision and mission, “We believe God’s vision for us is a transformed world through Jesus, thus, our mission is to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ. One with Christ, One with Each Other, One in Ministry to All the World.” (To the right) Green Valley UMC Mission Committee members, Jan and Don Linch work at El Buen Pastor to paint the structure and install/improve electrical service to the church.

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Green Valley Community UMC, guided by the Conference Strategic Direction By Rev. Michael Pearson, South District Superintendent

hen I was asked, “Where is the Strategic Direction guiding a church in the South District?” I immediately reviewed the charge conference season because a version of that question was asked of all congregations: “How is the Strategic Direction guiding your church?” Green Valley Community UMC was best able to articulate how this process was happening. So let me share with you how it is working in that congregation. Let me first offer a slight disclaimer: the Conference Strategic Direction’s chair, Jim Jennings, is a member at Green Valley Community UMC. In fact, it was he that I turned to for more information. This congregation has a long history of outreach and missions work, but the Strategic Direction has provided some additional focus. Most recently, the Strategic Direction has informed the decision mak-

ing process in their creation of a job description and hiring of a Volunteer Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator has taken the social holiness aspect of the Strategic Direction as a major part of her job description. She is seeing to it that new opportunities for service and experiential learning are in place for the congregation. Let me share a brief listing of ongoing activities that demonstrate a high commitment to both new and ongoing programs: Food Bank Sunday (last year over $6,000 and two tons of food raised), UMCOR special offerings, funding for the women’s shelter, and assistance for a local single parent. On border issues the church has been at the forefront of the Conference Church-to-Church program, and has a relationship with four border congregations: three in Mexico and one in Nogales, AZ, El Mesias UMC. It also has recently partnered with the Claremont School of Theol-

Photo courtesy of Jim Jennings

Rev. Michael Pearson

ogy to sponsor a lecture for the church and community on Christianity and Immigration. The lecture was given by Dr. Helene Slessarev Jamir and was delivered in conjunction with a course of study class hosted by the church. Dr. Jamir taught the class. With regard to the second priority, to develop an ongoing culture of leadership development, the church and its two pastors, Rebecca Oakes Long, Senior Pastor and Jeanne Festa, Associate Pastor, have both attended leadership development classes and have participated in training new church leaders. In addition, lay speaking classes at the church have helped new leaders develop skills and enabled others to preach in four care centers in town. Also, youth are involved in leading two worship services and are being mentored. Our third direction centers on encouraging a culture of planting new churches and communities of faith. Green Valley Community has paid almost three quarters of its Forward in Their Footsteps Campaign goal. In addition, they have been financially supportive of new faith efforts in Spring 2009

Transformation |

Nogales, Sonora at El Divino Redemptor, and the Crossroads Mission. Finally, they continue to be supportive of Santa Cruz Valley UMC, a congregation they parented several years ago. When I asked if there was a good understanding of the Strategic Direction and how it was guiding the congregation into the future, Jim responded that this was a growth area for the church. The Green Valley Community UMC has already been doing many of the things that fit the measurable objectives. Therefore, the changes have been by addition rather than by taking a completely new direction. Jim noted that the outward focus of the Strategic Direction has been one of the direct benefits to the church.

(left) Two children benefit from the efforts of Green Valley UMC members at the Nogales, Sonora Mexico dump. (right) Israel Ramirez, music leader for the English speaking contemporary worship, also leads the Las Naciones band at the Spanish service at University UMC. Also pictured, Mariah Marsalla, singer; Cordova Hicks,bass; and William St John, drums. Photo courtesy of Jim Jennings

Strategic Direction takes hold in the North District Rev. Candace Lansberry, North District Superintendent

ake a church with a heart for social holiness, wrap it up with a pastor whose specialty is leadership development and flavor it with emerging faith communities of cultures from around the globe, and you begin to get a glimpse of the ministry of University United Methodist Church. In 2008, University UMC offered its portable building to United Methodist Social Ministries for its day-to-day operations, its primary center for WEAP (Weekend Emergency Assistance Program) and its emerging foster care program. With that move, University UMC

14 | Transformation | Spring 2009

once more positioned itself as a church with social holiness at its center in its desire to support and undergird ministry to the poor and the oppressed. Their work with Sidewalk Sunday School has long been an integral part of who they are and what they do as a church with a heart for outreach. Under the guidance of Rev. Art Gafke, the staff has been training and growing in its understanding of leadership, of the staff personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in equipping the congregation for ministry, and of the need to identify and train leaders for the work of the church in the transformation of the world.

Rev. Candace Lansberry

Photo courtesy of Ann Heardt

The greatest success in implementing the Strategic Direction, however, comes in University UMC’s vision for planting new faith communities, multi-cultural congregations that are reaching people of different ethnic groups who are living around the church. Currently, there are seven United Methodist worshipping congregations at University UMC and two nonUMC congregations who utilize space for worship and study. The earliest addition to the three Anglo congregations, who meet for worship on Sunday mornings, is the FilipinoAmerican congregation who began gathering under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Julian Miguel, a retired pastor from Nebraska. Initially part of the church-withina-church model, this congregation grew to

the point where it decided it would launch as a separate fellowship, First Filipino American UMF, while still maintaining a physical presence on the UUMC campus. Las Naciones, the Hispanic congregation at UUMC, began meeting at Daniel Gomez's home as a bible study group. When they out grew Daniel’s home in 2005, they arranged to meet at UUMC and eventually became incorporated in the UUMC church as a fellowship in the church-within-a-church model with Daniel serving as its lay pastor. They meet Sunday afternoons as a multi-generational worshipping community and again on Thursday evenings, which is designed for all the youth of the worshiping congregations of UUMC. UUMC’s African congregation began

last summer when Pastor Alexander Bahati, along with 35 African refugees fleeing from the warring countries of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi to America, showed up at worship one Sunday and asked what they would have to do to become part of UUMC. The congregation extended help to the refugees (there’s that heart for social holiness again!) by helping the children get shots for school and school registration, providing clothing and household articles, and taking the new African members shopping for groceries and other needs. The African refugees’ languages include several dialects of Swahili, French, and English. Some speak no English, some, a little, and some are fluent. Pastor Alexander Bahati speaks fluent English,

Spring 2009

Transformation |

which he taught himself in a Kenyan refugee camp. The Africans meet both in worship led by Alexander and with the greater congregation. The Anglos, Africans, and Las Naciones come together for the Thursday evening service in which the youth of the church attend. Originally it was a Hispanic service, all in Spanish. Now Daniel Gomez conducts the service in Spanish and English. Alexander Bahati then translates the service to his son, Oliver, from English to French. Oliver then translates the service from French, to the African youth, to Swahili. All the youth of the church meet together for youth activities and are forging a multi-cultural identity

that is contagious. Under the enthusiastic leadership of Pastor Daniel Choi, the Korean Campus ministry meets at UUMC and in July 2008 gave birth to a new congregation, A Grain of Mustard Seed UMF. While the former churches were a church-within-a-church model, AGOMS was intentionally started as a stand-alone fellowship with the support, prayers and blessing of the UUMC congregation. In addition to these United Methodist faith communities, two groups from India meet at UUMC to worship and to study: Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Blessed Mother Theresa Church.

It’s pretty obvious that University UMC has continually promoted the practice of establishing churches within the greater church to meet the diverse needs of the surrounding community. They have caught the vision of what the church can look like when they are about making disciples for the transformation of the world and are striving with all their heart to be one with Christ in reaching those in their community who experience injustice; growing in leadership development as they learn what it means to be one with each other as they lead an ever changing and diverse congregation; and exploring in a tangible way what it really means to be one in ministry to all the world.

Strategic Direction makes a diﬀerence in the Central West District

Rev. Gary Kennedy, Central West District Superintendent

he Strategic Direction has been a document that reflects the life of our Conference because it captures the very essence of the Spirit of God with us and directing us. From the beginning it has been a living document in that it guides a church in the transition of the many phases of life and call. Currently we are a church in the midst of change and challenge because of economic realities that impact all of our churches and extended ministries. Yet in the midst of this challenge we have the privilege of truly being the church, a beacon of light and hope for a world that has seen the light of direction shining forth from the people of God in the past and in the present. During the past few months the subjects of the economy and finances have surfaced during all sorts of conversations, meetings, and calls to the District Superintendent. Churches are dealing with financial shortfalls in many different and sometimes creative ways. There are folks stepping up to the plate with greater financial commitment. There is budget adjusting and staff shifts and program reemphasis. I want to speak to the concern that I have seen on the faces of those

16 | Transformation | Spring 2009

Photo courtesy of Veronica Schwake

Community UMC’s Opportunity House provides ESL instruction, tutoring, meals, and mentorship as well as summer programs to keep kids safe and involved.

working on these realities and the transformation of those expressions when we then talk about the God of hope and the people of faith. It seems that several of our conversations turned positive when we shared about how other churches are facing the same things. In some ways, with the

thought of other churches came the reminder of how we are all in this together. Even the words printed in our mission, “One with Christ, One with Each Other, One in Ministry to All the World,” are reminders that God is with us. We are about God’s business. We have been called to

Rev. Gary Kennedy

this ministry together as God’s church. There then is a new sense of calm and resolve. We operate not in fear but in the assurance that God is with us. This past charge conference season saw the same kind of reminder and transformation when we moved beyond financial reflecting with the question, “What is happening in your church that is exciting?” I have heard so much joy, purpose and excitement about the future with every discussion of what God is doing among the people called United Methodist. In further capturing the essence of the Strategic Direction in the Central West District, let me share that many of the churches have been intentional about coordinating goals and ministries along the lines of the Strategic Direction priorities. Some churches have not intentionally done this, yet the end result is that they

often match. To list some faithful expressions of ministry in line with our vision, our mission and various priorities of the Strategic Direction would include but certainly not be limited to: the continued community outreach done by The Community UMC of Avondale through the Opportunity House. These hands-on educational programs are administered and taught by members of the church and reach hundreds of community folks. Calvary UMC is involved together with extension ministries of the Wesley Community Center and Grupo ministries on the Calvary site. Mentoring and leadership development can be seen with the helping relationships of the pastors in the Yuma area. Retired pastor Bob Ray has been working with seminary-bound Edgar Vergara at Somerton and Tweedy Sombrero has offered very helpful cultural

input for Lilda Burnham at Ft.Yuma UMC. Frank Peters has mentored an emerging Hispanic ministry and its pastor Arturo Gutierrez at Prescott Valley. Various levels of training, cultural awareness, conversation, and leadership development go into the planning and implementation of outreach mission trips. Some examples include the mission trip to Africa coordinated by the Prescott UMC and others, the India mission trip organized by Calvary UMC and a South American mission trip organized by Yuma First UMC. These are a few highlights, yet I can safely say that all our communities around our churches are impacted in positive and wonderful ways by our church people. We share a vision together, a God, and through the church a Strategic Direction that help give shape to the transformation of the world by the people of God.

Photo courtesy of Veronica Schwake

Volunteers help to serve refreshments at Opportunity House’s 2008 Easter celebration.

The Strategic Direction is alive in the Central East District

Rev. Sharon Ragland, Central East District Superintendent

n planning for this article, I sent an email to pastors in the Central East District with the subject line “Help for Article!” I said we were trying to tell about the ways that churches are living into the Conference Strategic Direction. I

asked, “What are the stories about creating a culture of social holiness, leadership development, and starting new churches and faith communities?” This article contains clips from those stories. I’m grateful to the churches and pastors who contributed.

One church provided a creative way for the congregation to learn about and connect the Conference Strategic Direction with its own mission. As a way of learning about the Conference Strategic Direction and planning for ways to impleSpring 2009

Transformation |

ment it in their own church, in the fall of 2008, Payson UMC offered SOULintentions, a day long mini version of SOULfiesta. Rev. David Rennick is the pastor at Payson UMC. Other churches shared information and stories about specific areas of the Strategic Direction. Around “Creating a culture of social holiness”, Rev. Mike Kerr-Osman, the pastor of the UMC of Casa Grande, reports that the church is pursuing a prison ministry. With a major prison system in Florence, located east of Casa Grande, this is an important way of reaching “the least of these.” Grace UMC, Mesa, has worked toward integrating social holiness into the ethos of the church by intentional reading and discussion of “Three Simple Rules” by Rueben Job. The entire congregation received copies of the book and it was lifted up in worship, classes, committees, and conversation. The leaders embraced this as a way of integrating their experiences at Soul Fiesta at Gold Canyon, Tending the Soul in Casa Grande and Imaginative Leaping. First UMC, Tempe, has expanded their ministry to the homeless by being open 30 hours a week for direct services, including an evening drop-in center

(called Potter’s House) where 50-100 persons come each night for food, hospitality, and spiritual care. First Tempe has also just decided to join Valley Interfaith Project so they can more effectively work on the underlying conditions and justice issues that move people into poverty and keep them there. White Mountain UMC, Show Low, has a team of four-eight persons that serves lunch at Love Kitchen in Pinetop every Tuesday. “The Love Kitchen has said that the good folks of White Mountain are their most consistent supporter,” reports Rev. Michael Higgs. To support this ministry, the Youth Group of White Mountain serves breakfast the first Saturday of each month. The congregation comes and eats and donates toward the Love Kitchen ministry. The Arizona State University Wesley Foundation students and alumni initiated an interfaith group that provides scholarships to undocumented ASU students who graduated from Arizona high schools. These students do not have access to in state tuition or any other sources of public funding. This year, in cooperation with two other faith communities, students have been awarded $4,500 in scholarships. Also, one of the freshmen in the ASU

Rev. Sharon Ragland

Wesley Foundation has taken the lead in starting an Open Table. Wesley Foundation Director, Rev. Rob Rynders says, “The table will be made up of ASU students from different faith backgrounds and they will be seeking to help bring a person or a family with an ASU connection out of poverty. They hope this table will launch

Photo courtesy of White Mountain UMC

Volunteers from White Mountain UMC’s Love Kitchen take a moment from food preparation to pose for a photograph.

18 | Transformation | Spring 2009

in August and hope it will be the first of many to come at ASU.” We know that the three priorities of the Strategic Direction overlap and dovetail with each other. Some of the above stories tell about a culture of social holiness and lead us into the priority of “Creating a culture of leadership development.” The last Sunday in January is Youth Sunday at Dayspring UMC, Tempe. The youth pick the theme for that Sunday, and plan and lead worship for both services, including providing leadership for the music and message. Rev. George Smoot, who works with the youth at Dayspring says, “Through this the youth learn and grow and pastors hear comments like, ‘You have to do this every week? How do you do it?’” While past years have seen high school seniors as speakers, this year three freshmen and two seniors were the speakers. Through this, the youth grow into leaders, and the congregation grows in its appreciation of the youth as thoughtful disciples and leaders. This year the children’s choirs also sang in the service, so it was a children & youth Sunday. Part of leadership development calls for the sharing of resources. Shepherd of the Pines in Overgaard purchased and used the resource, “Seeing Gray in a World of Black & White” by Adam Hamilton. Through the weekly E-Notes, Shepherd indicated a willingness to share this resource, which is now being used by Cross in the Desert UMC in Phoenix, and will then be shared with Grace UMC in Mesa. Shepherd of the Pines, located in an area of many summer residents and fewer winter, found a creative way to develop musical leaders. When the paid pianist left, they recruited a summer resident who had assisted in the past and cultivated another summer resident with a long church music background. When both went south for the winter, four members who played for their own enjoyment but could not commit to regular service each agreed to play for a few Sundays at a time. “This has worked out well for them and for the congregation,” reports Pastor Noni Dye. Shepherd of the Pines also cultivates leaders through pastoral care. Like some other

Photo courtesy of White Mountain UMC

Bobby Safley and Yun Sil Kean sort grapefruits for White Mountain UMC’s Love Kitchen

churches in Arizona, about half of the members are seasonal residents. At least once during their season off the mountain, a fellowship event is held in the Phoenix area which is attended by the pastor. In

addition, two dedicated leaders make regular contacts and visits in Phoenix on behalf of Shepherd of the Pines. This provides good pastoral care, cultivates leaders, and helps people stay connected. For more stories, see editor’s note.

(Editor’s note) “The Strategic Direction is alive in the Central East District” first ran in the March 1, 2009 edition of The Desert Connection. To view the rest of Rev. Ragland’s article as well as to learn more about the Desert Southwest Conference Strategic Direction, please visit the Communications Resources area of the DSC website by going to www.desertsouthwestconference.org/communicationsresources. Spring 2009

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PROTEST | Continued from page 10 Service interview before the march began. The United Methodist Church has a clear stand on immigration that is based in Scripture, she said. “Holy Scripture says we should walk with the immigrant, we should welcome them as our own, we should love them as we love ourselves,” she said. “Jesus calls us to be compassionate toward the immigrant, to love our neighbor without condition, and so we come to this task out of our biblical understanding of Christian discipleship.”

Photo By Kathy L. Gilbert.

We Are Human After praying in the park, Carcaño joined other religious and community leaders at the head of the crowd holding a banner, which read, “We Are Human.” Men, women and children walked in the hot Arizona sun for several hours holding signs, chanting and calling for change. Activist Alfredo Gutierrez, a former state lawmaker, stood beside Carcaño during the march and praised her for her stand on immigration reform. “This is the fundamental message of Christianity isn’t it?” he said. “How one treats another human being, that is the fundamental message. What we have here is a sheriff who is using the laws to abuse —

(Above ) United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño prays Feb. 28 for the immigrant detainees housed in the Maricopa County sheriff's S.M.A.R.T. Tents outside Phoenix. Earlier in the day, Carcaño marched with thousands of demonstrators to protest crackdowns on illegal immigrants by Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Under a deal allowing them to enforce federal immigration laws, deputies have arrested more than 1,500 people that they determined were in Arizona illegally.

(To the right) United Methodists are among the estimated 3,000 demonstrators rallying Feb. 28 in Phoenix to protest the crackdowns on illegal immigrants by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Under a deal allowing them to enforce federal immigration laws, deputies have arrested more than 1,500 people that they determined were in Arizona illegally. The detainees are housed in a tent city in the desert. Photo By Kathy L. Gilbert.

20 | Transformation | Spring 2009

in increasingly horrendous ways — a particular community, the Hispanic community. He is doing it on the basis of race. He is using the excuse of law and abusing it for the purposes of exploiting a particular group of people in Arizona.” Zack de la Rocha, who described himself as a “poet, activist and singer” with the rock group Rage Against the Machine, also took his place in the front of the march. Speaking through a megaphone after the march ended, he read a prepared statement about Arpaio’s actions. “By parading human beings shackled

in chain gang stripes in a misguided effort to collectively humiliate and to dehumanize an entire population, he reopened the wounds from which we all still suffer, by invoking the painful memories of the era of slavery and segregation. ... By doing so, he has not only brought shame upon the state of Arizona, but is bringing shame upon the entire nation.” Stand forJustice Carcaño said she hoped the march would bring attention to the sheriff’s actions in Maricopa County and open peo-

ple’s eyes to abuses that may be happening in their communities. “We are hoping people across the country will see what is happening here and notice that perhaps it is happening in their communities and join us in facing these very racist actions that we are experiencing. “We are hoping our march will bring attention to the violation of human and civil rights that can so easily lead to the violation of all our human and civil rights. We are hoping we will inspire persons of faith to join in taking a stand for God’s justice.”

More than 50 people gather at Birchett Park in Tempe, AZ to pray for immigrants and their families that have fallen victim to recent raids as well for people of faith that they might speak up against these abuses.

Photo By Billie K. Fidlin

SPEAKING OUT | Continued from page 12 voice for the undocumented family...we can be their voice... God is calling us to come down in the valley - be the voice for those who have a voice no more.” Prayer was lifted up for not only the immigrants and their families, but for the faith community so they may speak out against these abuses and for the United States Congress to work diligently towards more comprehensive immigration reform. “I pray that we will not be silent. I must speak. I can do no less than that as a person of faith...We are called to care for the wanderer, the person who struggles,” prayed DSC Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño. Over 150 people combined, participated in the events along with many DSC churches who took time during Sunday services to

pray. Several key Arizona faith leaders including Bishop Carcaño, called out against local and federal immigration policies that have provided a way for Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to enforce the laws in ways that violate both civil and human rights. “No public servant should ever be allowed to promote racism, and the violation of basic human and civil rights… enough is enough,” said the Bishop to local news affiliates. “We must remember that racial abuse … affects all of us, as it shapes the character and spirit of our community.” She continued by calling on U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano to “abolish immigration

enforcement measures, including 287g, which allows local police to enforce federal civil immigration law. “Such an abolishment of locally enforced immigration law should begin with Sheriff Joe Arpaio before he becomes an embarrassment not only for the state of Arizona, but for this entire country. Enough is enough.” Following these events faith and community leaders continue to call for the fair treatment of the immigrant reminding us that, “We too, were once immigrants in this land.” Bishop Carcaño calls all people of the Desert Southwest Conference to continue to lift in prayer, those immigrants and their families touched by the abuses they must endure. Spring 2009

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in Ministry

One By Glen Simpson, DSC Young Adult Cordinator

A transforming ministry By Ryne Brinks

22 | Transformation | Spring 2009 Photo courtesy of Michelle Scott

RELEVANCE | real. relational. revolutionary.

revolution brews on a journey of the young people of this generation and as Glen Simpson, Coordinator of Young Adult Ministries to The Desert Southwest Conference tells me, “Young adults want four things in a church: relationship, community, social action, and a genuine church.” With the transformation of our society and church, Relevance was created to serve the young adults of our conference. The question is, are you ready for the revolution? Relevance is the new official young adult ministry of The Desert Southwest Conference. It strives to be relevant and productive to society and the church. Through connecting with one another, Relevance exists to improve personal spiritual lives, the spirituality of the church, and the hurts of society. Thus, their mission is to be grounded in scripture, while using their own traditions, experiences, and reason, as they actively seek God and social justice in all that they are a part of.

“I am excited to lead a team rather than a committee of young adults on this journey- not battle-that we embark on,” shares Glen. “Together we have created a ministry that will work to transform and re-energize as one. We are working under the umbrella of being real, relational, and revolutionary.” Glen goes on to further say that, “The road ahead is a challenging one. One that we can’t take on alone, rather we will need the help of our local churches. We have to realize that young adults are important to the future health and strength of our church, and once we embrace this, together we must strive as one and transform together!” A lot of planning and preparation is coming from the team that is Relevance and the goal will be to help the local church, and revitalize young adult ministry. By this summer, Relevance will have a place on the internet; with a fully interactive site that will provide local churches with resources for young adult ministry. In

addition, this spring, Relevance will announce dates for “Relevance X,” a leadership conference for young adults that will take place in Las Vegas in 2010. Churches will be encouraged to bring their groups of young adults together and experience “The power of 10.” “Young Adult Ministry is alive and moving at a fast pace,” assures Simpson. Relevance is gearing up for annual conference this June 23-28, 2009, and excited by the opportunity that awaits them to share with the church the road ahead. “We are preparing for an exciting time at this year’s session, with information that we want to share with our churches. You will see young adult ministry in a way unlike ever before,” he continued. Single or married. From those preparing for the MCATs, or having already finished college, young adult ministry is as diverse as it gets. Together we must be one in ministry and embark on the journey!

Relevance is currently undergoing a transformation on the web. Visit the work being done by going to www.relevanceonline.com. Questions? Comments? Input? Email: relevance@desertsouthwest conference.org. Check Relevance out on Facebook, too!

Spring 2009

Transformation |

By Rev. Rosemary Anderson

Pastor’s

Perspective

Renewal has roots in darkness

FreeDigitalPhotos.net Design, Valerie Maravolo

lthough often-times wonderful, the problem with renewal is that it seems it is something which must be accomplished in the dark, where you can’t see it. Take for example, a bulb that must be planted deep in the ground during fall, submitting it to the freeze of winter before its roots and green leaves enjoy soft places to emerge from when the bulb thaws in the warming grounds of spring. It is renewed in this way, and becomes a blazing transformation of glory in the form of a colorful tulip or daffodil. Fruit trees must lose their leaves and appear dead in winter in order to renew themselves before their summer crop, in fact, the harder the freeze that winter, the greater the crop. Like plants, people can also experience renewal in “the dark.” There are two times in my life when I can recall feeling emptied of everything: emotions, responses, of knowing what to do with my life. The first time this happened, it was very scary for me. I cried and cried, not understanding what was happening to me. The only thing I knew to do was pray and to seek out people mature in their faith to help me through this time. When God began to fill me, I then understood that I

24 | Transformation | Spring 2009

needed to be emptied first. There was too much of me in there, I suppose. When this happened a second time, I felt secure through the emptiness, knowing God would do God’s great work within me again. I welcome these times of waiting for God’s fullness now. Although it is impossible to predict what will happen during these times or how long they will last, for renewal is accomplished in the dark. We cannot always see or understand the ways of spiritual renewal, yet we have seen and read accounts of these mighty acts by God. We know them often as resurrection or transformation. When we link these words together, we sense a bright glory from transformation. Think of the transfiguration of Christ, happening spontaneously on the mountain top. If only our own transformations were to be as wonderfully transparent, that we could see clearly, the effects of renewal-without the times of waiting in the dark! I am in ministry with a church in need of renewal. I know renewal is accomplished in the dark, and that is a problem for me. Is the church coming together or isn’t it? I just want an answer or a sign, though renewal requires patience, as well as nourishing care. As with a garden or an

orchard, one needs to be at work tending, even in the times when all seems to be withering up, in the times when one knows nothing visible will grow. For in those empty times, God can accomplish a great work within the church. As pastor, I want to provide the opportunities for God to touch and mold the lives of those within this church, for the renewal of the church rests upon the people yearning for renewal within themselves. Renewal is scary. We don’t want to cry or spend time waiting for God to fill us. We need to see results and be able to predict where we will be next year. Besides, haven’t we spent enough time waiting and praying? At my church, Primera Iglesia, we have waited years to feel the reassuring touch of Christ that will heal and transform. So we search for signs of our fruits, our renewal. Would the new piano player and her spouse who will join the church soon be a sign of renewal? Is our Sidewalk Sunday School, which attracts over 50 people a week, a solid sign of renewal? Is it our food bank, our clothing room? Is it the special event we offer that attracts people of other churches to come join in, showing diversity in culture and race? Is it the increased number of people in worship on Sunday mornings? Or is it the increased number of volunteers coming in throughout the week to work at various projects at the church? Our offering plates on Sunday mornings do not offer any sign of renewal. With 90% of our congregation on food stamps and/or fixed incomes, the people cannot afford to stock a food bank or run a big, yellow truck for Sidewalk Sunday School. The answer comes from our United Methodist connection. We have a Sidewalk Sunday School, a food bank, and a clothing room to offer because sister churches have supported these ministries. Other churches have donated funds and items. The people of these sister churches, individuals and groups, have reached out to empower the people of Primera to accomplish ministry that is so needed in inner-city Phoenix. Ultimately, I find the answer for re-

newal comes from the congregation of Primera Iglesia. For renewal comes from within and is usually accomplished in the dark. My faith tells me God is working on the hearts and minds of the people of Primera, even if I can’t see it, and, it appears, the cold freeze of winter has done its work for as Spring comes upon us, there are signs of green and growth, so we know the roots are there and still strong. HOPE’S KITCHEN | continued from page 7

Photo Courtesy Patt Pillsbury

Byron Petty and Val Connor

the food industry, and also have been involved in the operation of church soup kitchens in Oregon, so they have a lot of information Hope can draw upon to run a successful program. Valerie’s resourcefulness helped everyone work through the biggest challenge right away. Since Hope’s kitchen was built many years ago, and is not a commercial kitchen in the eyes of the Health Department, Valerie recommended starting with commercial preparations such as number 10 cans of beef stew, and enhanced it with canned potatoes and other ingredients. This plan worked especially well because the kitchen staff could start with a relatively small quantity of food and expand based on the demand. This seemed to work perfectly by keeping our leftovers to a minimum. In an effort to make guests of the church’s kitchen feel welcome, the dining room was managed with the same care and efficiency as a good restaurant, under the

Connect your church!

o you want to do your part to help the people of your church stay connected to the rest of the Desert Southwest Conference? Be sure to visit www.desertsout westconference.org/ourconference to download and print copies of Our Conference, a bulletin insert designed to communicate important news from the Conference while remaining easy and cheap to reproduce. This tool can be simply inserted into your existing church bulletin or can stand alone. For questions about the bulletin insert or learn more about how you can help your church connect with the Conference and the General Church, email communications@desertsw.org. stewardship of Hope’s Trustee Charlie Greer. Charlie made sure someone greeted each person at the door, someone else escorted each guest or group of guests—if they came as a family—to the cafeteria-style serving line. Smiling ladies ladled generous portions of food for guests and invited them back for seconds. Tables were set with placemats, napkins, and plastic dinnerware. Servers brought beverages to each diner. Others cleared and reset the tables when the guests were finished dining. Still other church members made a point of stopping by tables, chatting with diners, and having a bite to eat with them if they were alone. It was Charlie’s purpose that all who dined be treated with dignity, be made to feel welcome, and be invited back. All together, 26 church members served at the first kitchen. Hope’s Kitchen is not the first time the church has reached out to the community to provide real assistance to the needy. Over many years the church has been supportive of a wide variety of local programs. Currently, Hope numbers among its outreach support programs to feed school children over the weekends, to provide food to the local food banks and baby layettes to young mothers in pregnancy counseling. But Hope’s Kitchen does represent the culmination of an effort to reach out more into the community to draw area residents who need help into the arms of the church family. This effort, fostered in the recent past by Rev. Marc MacDonald, Hope’s previous minister, has now reached fruition in Hope’s Kitchen through the efforts of Rev. Jimelvia Martin. Rev. MacDonald prepared the ground and planted the seeds for change, growth and renewal. Rev. Martin is doing the cultivating. Harvesting will be left to the Lord.

RETHINK | continued from page 5 think it will invite people who have been disappointed with the church or even hurt by it to rethink and reconsider what church is really about.” When it comes to reinventing the church experience, many United Methodist churches are ahead of the game. - Centenary United Methodist Church, Richmond, Va., has a feeding and footwashing ministry for the homeless. - Flowing Grace United Methodist Church, outside of Chicago, created a portable house of worship. - Pets are welcome and ushers collect the offering in minnow buckets for a floating, boating congregation at Warwick (Ga.) United Methodist Church. - Paul’s Restaurant, operated by Oakland United Methodist Church, Charleston, W.Va., offers two kinds of soul food: home-cooked meals and spiritual nourishment. Levin Van Sant, chairperson for evangelism and outreach in the PeninsulaDelaware Conference, saw a United Methodist News Service story about the upcoming campaign and was quick to get on the Rethink Church bandwagon. “It’s the perfect platform for us to show people that church can be fun and flexible,” Van Sant said. “And to show United Methodists aren’t stuffy — that we do things for others. We’re a very missions-minded people, and for us, church isn’t just a noun. We are a verb.” “Rethink Church is ultimately an invitation to missional Christianity,” Hollon said. “It’s about being transformed, doing those things that transform us individually and transform the world. If we rethink church, our spiritual yearning and our desire for change become integrated. We focus on faith as life lived in mission, because we are called by God to be people who serve.” Spring 2009

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Photo Courtesy UMSM

Each winter, UMSMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hats â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Hands program distributes clothing items to the homeless in partnership with other area agencies where homeless services are provided. People all over the Las Vegas valley knit or crochet hats and scarves throughout the year in preparation for winter distribution. Thousands of homeless individuals have directly benefited from the generosity and caring of so many who care about the homeless.

TRANSFORMING | continued from page 6 that God has placed in your hearts for God and neighbor. So you are working hard to eliminate poverty. There are so many extraordinary examples of your good and faithful work, but allow me to lift up two. In Safford, Arizona the local United Methodist Church has taken on the feeding of all who are hungry in that community! Through a USDA grant and many donations from church and community members, they have built a state of the art food distribution center. The center is a 20 by 30 foot building with a porch that extends a welcome to all, and contains a freezer the size of a semi-truck! Its heart, though, are the disciples of Christ Jesus who are preparing to feed both bodies and spirits. The town of Safford is being revitalized as neighbors of many faith persuasions are joining together to serve those who hunger for bread for the body and the

26 | Transformation | Spring 2009

bread of life. In Las Vegas, Nevada the United Methodist Social Ministries of Las Vegas (UMSM) has transformed an old building on the campus of University UMC into a warm center of hospitality for those whose lives are afflicted by the vicious impact of poverty. A well stocked food pantry feeds the hungry, the poor are given counsel as they seek help to meet the many needs they face, and children are surprised by Christmas gifts when their families arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t able to provide even the smallest of gifts. UMSM is also helping reunite parents with their children. In a lovely and welcoming room that feels like a nice den in a home, parents who have lost custody of their children are able to spend some time with them at UMSM. In this sacred and safe space parents and children are learning to rebuild their lives, and in some

cases love is being reborn. You have proven that even poverty can be overcome, a family at a time. Finally, did you know that global health is being promoted from right here in our area? The DSC helped send a team to Ethiopia to teach a community how to fight against an HIV/AIDS epidemic that has stricken our brothers and sisters on the continent of Africa. We are actively collecting our dollars to meet our goal of $1 per church member to fight this deadly disease that has blanketed the world with death and suffering. Here at home we continue our Strength for the Journey camps for those afflicted by HIV/AIDS. What a privilege it is to embrace these beloved ones, for in embracing them we experience the very presence of Christ among us and all of our lives are transformed!

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño

PHOENIX (UMNS)—Leaders from around the Western Jurisdiction gathered in Burbank, CA, Jan. 10-11 to begin to focus in on the work that lays ahead for this quadrennium. It was a time of team-

building, information sharing and decision making; as well as a time of dreaming about possibilities. During the gathering, the leadership team received insight into what is needed for ministry in the Western Jurisdiction by the Council of Bishops. A new “Strategic Priority” of a commitment to the development of new churches and communities of faith was brought forward. It encompassed elements of the mission statement of The United Methodist Church, the Four Areas of Focus presented at the 2008 General Conference, and the vision of the Western Jurisdiction. “What I like about this (Strategic Priority) is that it gives us something solid to hold onto,” said Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, of the Desert Southwest Conference. “It is the house that lets us model our values.”

to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world, and our Conference Strategic Direction states, “We believe God’s vision for us is a transformed world through Jesus, thus our mission is to make Disciples of Jesus Christ.” We are a people who believe transformation is possible through Jesus and that is exactly what this new ministry magazine should be about. The magazine should help us all to see how the ministry we do is transforming the world and should give us a drive to want to transform the world further, even when we are tired. I believe the title Transformation will reflect our mission, our strategic direction, and everything we are about. Please give this title consideration for your contest. -- A proud member of the Desert Southwest Conference

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DSC Photo

NAME | continued from page 5

Transformation

Western Jurisdiction explores ministry possibilities

Staying Connected

re you the last one to know about Conference events and other important news? If so, its time to make a change. Be sure to sign up to receive immediate and timely email from the Conference Notes listserv. To be added to the list, send an email with your name and email address to: communications@desertsw.org.

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Free copies of Transformation can be obtained by inquiring at your church. If you would like to receive Transformation at your home, detach and complete this form. Send this form and payment to: The Desert Southwest Conference, Attn: Transformation Subscription, 1550 E. Meadowbrook Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014-4040. Orders may also be placed online by going to www.desertsouthwestconference.org/transformation.

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Strategic Direction for The Desert Southwest Conference Our Vision, Our Mission We believe God’s vision for us is a transformed world through Jesus, thus, our Mission is to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ. One with Christ, One with Each Other, One in Ministry to All the World. One with Christ

“. . .‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.‘ “ - Matthew 25: 40 Priority: Develop and encourage an ongoing culture of Social Holiness Measurable Objectives: 1. We will work toward educating our churches and communities about Social Holiness in the Wesleyan tradition by pro viding all congregations opportunities for Christian conferencing, spiritual formation, and leadership development in response to the pressing social issues of our area. 2. We will work toward the elimination of poverty in the communities where we serve, connectionally supporting every church to walk each year compassionately with one family aﬄicted by poverty that they may come to live in the abundance of God's grace. 3. Each church will take at least one decisive social justice action in each of the following areas: a. Border Concerns b. Children and Youth at Risk 4. The Annual Conference will take at least one decisive action annually to strengthen partnerships in each of the following areas of relationship: a. Northwestern Annual Conference of The Methodist Church of Mexico b. Urban Ministries c. Rural Ministries d. Interfaith and Ecumenical Ministries, with special consideration for the historic black Methodist churches 5. Other measurable Objectives that will be developed by the assigned ministry team (s).

One with Each Other

"And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you ﬁsh for people.‘ “ Priority: Develop and encourage an ongoing culture of Leadership Development

- Matthew 4:19

Measurable Objectives: 1. Annually, inspire, identify, recruit, develop and deploy 120 laypersons for leadership in The United Methodist Church, at least 30 of whom will be ethnic persons and/or youth/young adults. 2. All clergy complete at least one leadership development program, annually, that is related to their speciﬁc ministry settings and relevant to their individual needs. 3. Other Measurable Objectives will be developed by the assigned ministry team(s).

One in Ministry to All the World

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . ."

- Matthew 28:19a Priority: Develop and encourage an ongoing culture of Planting New Churches and Communities of Faith Measurable Objectives: 1. Plant at least 4 new churches annually-at least 1 of which is an ethnic church, and assist every established church and campus ministry to initiate a new community of faith each year. 2. Build and maintain an on-going, trained pool of new church planters to serve the needs of the Conference. 3. Train new Christians/members of new faith communities in the Wesleyan tradition. 4. Create an endowment fund designated for new church planting. 5. Other Measurable Objectives to be developed by the assigned ministry team(s).