WINTER 2015
Where Hope is Found In silence, I hear its harmonies… I see it in the smooth pink skin of a newborn and in the deep shadowed lines of an octogenarian’s smile; I take note of hope’s sigh in the space that is empty in a pew; I see its struggle for life in the life of one just days from losing their home; I hear it in birdsong, in the sniffles caused by weeping at the bedside of a loved one, in the shouts for justice in places of despair. I taste hope on the lips, the tongue, of my wife as we kiss. I see it in the stoic faces of officers who have taken a life; I hear it in the breaking glass of a riot. I smell hope in the earthy assault of a sudden Spring shower; I see it in the swishing tail of a cat intent on catching that fly; I see hope in the weed that breaks apart concrete stretching, creeping, reaching, towards the sun; I feel hope in the embrace of my beloved after harsh words have done their deed; I sense hope in the darkness of a storm; I see it as my daughter bounces, bounces, bounces, a tennis ball before striking her serve. I taste hope in words that are held back on my tongue. I see, taste, hear, smell, feel hope all around. Anywhere there is the presence of God. Any place or time there is space for God to appear – There is hope. — Scott Sears
CONTENTS
the
mountain circuit
Winter 2015
The Mountain Circuit (TMC) seeks to share the faith story of the people of the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Published quarterly in December, March, June, and September, TMC emphasizes spiritual life through the writing, visual and multimedia arts in print and online at mountaincircuit.org P.O. Box 2313 Charleston, WV 25328 Voice (304) 344-8331 Fax: (304) 344-2871 email: kthaxton@wvumc.org
Resident Bishop: Sandra Steiner Ball
FROM THE EDITOR
ARTICLES
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Local Church
Whitney Cherry reflects upon God’s goodness
Highlighting six part-time pastors
REFLECTIONS
5 A Season of Love
Contributors: Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
It’s time to repent and make the decision for your life to be changed — by Sandra Steiner Ball
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The Word is Peace
The Disenfranchised
Whitney Cherry on finding peace
13 Be Content
Krysta Rexrode-Wolfe Find us online: mountaincircuit.org wvumc.org
facebook.com/ wvumc
flickr.com/ wvumc
twitter.com/ wvumc
youtube.com/ wvumc
Being Christ-like means identifying who they are and how we can service their needs — by Rich Shaffer
21 World Communion Sunday From Tonga to Cowen, WV, our connections run deep by Judy Pysell
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EVANGELISM
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A Gift for God
What God could possbly want for Christmas by Whitney Cherry
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Sarah Hensley
Scott Sears
Christ’s Coming
Reflections of Advent by Krysta Rexrode-Wolfe
Breaking the cycle of discontentment by Robert Schnase Editor: Whitney Cherry
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Keeping Your Faith in a Faithless World 6 pointers on keeping the faith in dark times by Whitney Cherry
FROM THE YOUTH
RADICAL!
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Highlighting three ministries producing radical results.
ANSWERING THE CALL
World View
Mountains to Mountains is helping cast a vision of “Real Hope” for Haiti
Sandra Steiner Ball affirms our commitment to fighting substance abuse
Tools for improving your online presence by Amy Shanholtzer
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MISSIONS
A Day of Hope Moving Forward
Claiming Your Digital Real Estate
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22 Bells, Breakfast & Baptism Jim Zinn and the Walnut Grove congregation serve up whatever it takes to point to Christ by Sarah Lowther Hensley
FROM THE EDITOR It’s that time of year again. Christmas is near, and I miss my grandma more than ever. It’s been 10 years since she went to Heaven. I miss her every day, but for some reason the feeling gets increasingly stronger around the holidays. Maybe it’s the memory of having her at my house when I was a little girl, my daughter’s age now, to help decorate the Christmas tree, and standing at the window with her watching snow fall. Or waking up on Christmas Eve morning to the smell of the best homemade biscuits and gravy on Earth. I would give anything today to hug her around the neck. The holidays seem to be so different as an adult. I look back to Christmases I had with my grandma, and they were absolutely the most memorable. So simple. So comforting. The best thing to me was just the peace of having this lady that I loved so much near to me, and sharing little moments together. When she was a young girl herself, I’m sure her parents weren’t keeping such a frantic pace. A time when the world was uncomplicated; when people actually took time to remember the reason for Christmas. To celebrate family, love, joy, hope, peace, and the birth of our Savior.
beyond measure that are undeserved, but ones we are ever so thankful for. I would like to take a lesson from my grandma this year, and just slow down. At least enough to take the time to enjoy what is most important; gifts that God shows us throughout the year that we should appreciate more.
There is value in reflection; learning from the past and making adjustments What’s one thing I’d love to see for the future from the God do this coming year? lessons learned. And yes, I’d love to know what God has in store for me No matter what the days in each this coming year, but it’s probably year hold, I can always rest on this better that He shows me one step at one thought: a time. If I knew ahead of time, I’d God is always with you. Through probably only worry about it. the hardest of hard and the happiest He knows what’s best for us, of happy, He is right there with His always. And all He asks of us is love and grace, leading you through to trust Him and walk by faith, every step of His plan. following Him around each corner, Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and walking with Him each step as and courageous. Do not be afraid He leads. or terrified because of them, for At the end of each year, I always the Lord your God goes with you; take some time to reflect on the past he will never leave you nor forsake I think the years do start to go 12 months and think about these you.” faster as you get older. I’m sitting things: I want to live all the life that I have What am I most thankful for? here this morning reflecting on left rejoicing in the goodness of God another year of God’s goodness What has been hard, and how and allowing Him to write each in my life. The Lord has been so did I handle it? Was that the chapter the way He knows is best. gracious to me, and my heart is right way? full as I think about the wonderful —Whitney Cherry How have I grown in my blessings He has given to me and my relationship with God this past sweet little family of three. Blessings year? 4
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REFLECTION
Love
A Season of When your life is intertwined with the church you begin to remember major events only in relation to liturgical seasons. Most recently, I’ve been reflecting on my life in relation to Advents of the past. Nearly ten years ago I spent all of Advent in deep grief. My friend, Gavin, had died, and though it was not surprise, it was devastating. His death rattled my soul, so that I felt calmly out of sync with the world, while simultaneously feeling crazed within the world’s chaos. To be in grief is a liminal state; you feel so close to death and yet sharply alive. It was during this time of grief that I felt assured by experience and faith that God was big enough to handle anger, that even if I wasn’t ready to talk nicely with God, God would abide. It was during the same tumultuous Advent that I had a first date with a strikingly funny and handsome young man who would later become my husband. I joke that our first date was really our first three. We were both having so much fun talking that a 6:00 movie ended up being a 6:00 dinner followed by shopping and, eventually, a movie around 10:00 before we took the long, back roads from Clarksburg to my home in Philippi. Our date was the first time in the whole season that I had laughed, or eaten a whole meal. It was healing, and somehow holy. God abides, indeed.
Eight years to the day after our first date, in a different Advent filled with a different sort of anticipation, Adam and I brought home our first child. We were exhilarated and terrified. She was unusually independent, preferring to be on the floor alone to being held, and we were confronted with the fact that she had been born with a personality we could not control. I returned to the pulpit a week after she was born to deliver the Christmas Eve service. She slept in a Moby near my chest while I declared that a child was born in Bethlehem, and I knew once more that God abides. Since God reached down into rich dark earth and turned it into a radiant humanity, God has promised to be with us. He made this promise in the flesh through the person of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel. He makes the promise anew every time a person is dipped into the waters of life and some lucky preacher gets to say those sacred words, “You are my beloved, in whom I am well pleased”. Advent is a particularly rich season for reflection on this promise. Over and over again God’s splendor is revealed to us—sometimes fiercely, sometimes surprisingly, sometimes gently but always we are reminded that God is with us, even unto the end of the age. —Krysta Rexrode-Wolfe
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MISSIONS
WORLD VIEW Mountains to Mountains is a ministry of friendship and service between the people of Haiti and the people of West Virginia that has its base in Trinity and Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist churches in Greenbrier County. More than four years ago, the group became aware of a need in Cazale, Haiti, from Real Hope for Haiti, a Christian mission run by sisters from Indiana who put out a plea for help. Six orphaned sisters were brought to Real Hope by an aunt who was unable to care for all six of them in addition to her own. A couple of the girls were working as child slaves when the aunt found them. Real Hope asked if there were folks willing to give monthly support for the sisters, aged 6-17 now, to live altogether under one roof just down the village street in a two-room house under the watchful eye of Lori and Licia, Real Hope’s directors.
Please help us continue to give these girls a safe place to live and grow. Calendars are $12 each, or $10 for four or more. The calendars are high quality and all photos have been taken by folks ministering in Haiti on a Mountains to Mountains visit. To place your order, please call the church office for Trinity and Elizabeth Mountains to Mountains stepped up to meet this Chapel at 304-647-4504 or email the church secretary need and has been providing monthly support of $373 at trish@godisgoodallthetime.info. through financial donations, sale of Haitian metal art and through the sales of beautiful calendars that show the beauty of the land and people of Haiti. God has always provided that the girls’ living expenses have been met for the past four years. 6
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MISSIONS
A Day of Hope - Moving Forward by Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
September 13 was a day of Hope that kicked off a commitment to days, weeks, months and years of The United Methodist Church, in concert with other faith communities, to bring hope to those families and communities that are dealing with issues around substance abuse. I am overwhelmed by the number of our churches that participated in the day of hope and the number of our faith communities that are taking next steps to participate in the work toward prevention and making treatment and help more available to those persons and families affected by the web of addiction.
finding freedom through Christ and in finding good opportunities for treatment, for ongoing counseling, and re reintegration into society.” (Paragraph 162 (L) pages 120 – 121 The Book of Discipline 2012)
this epidemic. As a people of faith, we are to offer compassion for those suffering, ministries of healing for those who are sick, and hospitality within our sanctuaries for those seeking comfort and hope.
My hope is that the Day of Hope The Substance Abuse Prevention began some on-going solution- agencies across the state of West oriented discussions in every Virginia stand ready to assist congregation that will create a you and your faith community climate of support for families and with resources, information and individuals. My hope is that these workshops to assist all of us in discussions will lead to actions that creating not just a true day of hope, seek to support those who are in but a life of hope and health. I hope recovery and sustained abstinence each of our congregations will have from substances of abuse. My serious discussion in about actions hope is that in raising our level of that can be taken to give hope to our As United Methodist’s, “We awareness and education that we communities and all God’s people as affirm our long-standing support will see that we can do something we confront the challenges of health of abstinence from alcohol as a to support our children, youth, and and addiction. faithful witness to God’s liberating families assisting them in active and redeeming love for persons. ways to live drug-free lives. We support abstinence from the Our faith and our belief that all use of any illegal drugs. Since the persons are individuals of sacred use of illegal drugs, as well as illegal worth calls for an active response to and problematic use of alcohol, is a major focus in crime, disease, death, and family dysfunction, we support educational programs as well as other prevention strategies encouraging abstinence from illegal drug use and, with regard to those who choose to consume alcoholic beverages, judicious use with deliberate and intentional restraint, with Scripture as a guide. … We commit ourselves to assisting Get connected with substance abuse treatment those who suffer from abuse or and behavioral health services near you. dependence, and their families, in
1-844-HELP 4 WV
ONE Call. ONE Text. ONE Click. INSTANT HELP.
WINTER 2015
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Local
CHURCH
Local pastors — non-ordained, and in most cases without a seminary degree — are growing in number and taking on more roles in The United Methodist Church. United Methodist News Services’s Sam Hodges has provided coverage of the overall trend, the rapid growth of part-time local pastors, and the challenges faced by local pastors in in the Central Conferences. Hodges also profiled six part-time local pastors of the West Virginia Conference, including a grocer, a corrections officer and the 2013 state Teacher of the Year. To read all of these profiles of our wonderful Pastors, you can visit: www.umc.org/topics/the-growing-roleof-local-pastors. 8
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The Rev. Bradley Barton is a correctional officer at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail in Belington, W.Va., and a licensed local pastor in The United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Jamie Sprague and his wife Kay stand in front of Kanawha Chapel United Methodist Church in Davisville, W.Va., where Sprague serves as a licensed local pastor.
The Rev. Gina Stewart, a former police officer, is pastor of Mary’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Philippi, W.Va.
The Rev. Don Rush is plant manager at Sistersville (W.Va.) Tank Works and a licensed local pastor in The United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Michael Funkhouser visits with student Jeremy Griffith at East Hardy Early Middle School in Baker, W.Va. Funkhouser is West Virginia’s 2013 teacher of the year.
The Rev. Earl Bible is pastor of four churches in the Mountains of West Virginia, including Whitmer United Methodist Church in Seneca Rocks.
WINTER 2015
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It’s Coming...
Christ’s Coming...
Christ is coming again...
So...Repent! by Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
It’s coming! Already in the the streets, there Christmas – the It’s on its way!
You know it is! stores and along are signs. Advent, Holiday season –
During Advent and at Christmas we spend a great deal of time celebrating and remembering the birth of Jesus, Christ’s first coming. Unfortunately, we forget or ignore or take for granted our preparation for Christ’s second coming. Over the next several weeks in songs, through stories, in the sharing of scripture, we will hear how the prophets, how Mary and Joseph and how John prayed and prepared for Christ’s first coming. Some of us will even know the prophecies and the stories by heart. But, in the familiarity of the stories, scripture, and songs, and in knowing about the birth of Jesus and what Jesus brought to the world, we miss a very important part of the message. 10
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What we miss, what we fail to take into account is the anxiety of not knowing. The prophets, Mary, Joseph, John know something was going to happen – but they weren’t really sure what, and how it was going to affect their lives. When you don’t know something, but expect something – you watch – you wait – you prepare- you put yourself in the best possible condition to be ready. You try to prepare for the eventuality of that something – you are sure is going to happen - but not sure what it will look like, what it will mean. It is a time of anxiety, excitement, and fear because you don’t know, can’t know, exactly what will happen next. And, because you don’t know, you change all the things you need to change in your life to make sure you are in the best possible position to commit yourself to what is really important and to handle whatever comes. This is the type of preparation we typically lack in our lives.
Advent in this country, has become little more than the four weeks before Christmas. We come into these weeks with joy, expecting things to be pretty much the same as last year. Advent wreath, Christmas tree, parties, decorations, gatherings, food and gifts. These things are good things, but may they not blind us to the reality of Christ’s return and the work we’ve got to do on ourselves to be ready to meet and receive God’s Gift in Christ when Christ arrives. John the Baptist’s message to the first followers found in Matthew 3: 1- 12, needs to be heard afresh today by those who claim to know and live by God’s word. John’s message is clear, change your life. Commit or recommit to God and to following Christ. Change your life now – don’t wait to do the work that needs to be done – clean up and clean out your life now – for the dawning of God’s Kingdom – the presence of Christ is upon us.
To put John’s words in today’s context, John says, “Just because you are members of the church, just because you attend worship regularly, just because you give your weekly offerings, just because your ancestors were in this church, just because you have a leadership position, just because you are the minister, doesn’t mean it is time to relax and take it easy and give in to the temptation of thinking this matter of being Christian is under control. If your baptism and your membership in the faith community is nothing more than “doing it,” or being a part of it, or being a part of it because in your view it is simply the right thing to do, a duty, then watch out! Water on your skin doesn’t make any difference. It is the commitment of your life that must change. And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming to be a descendent or follower of God. People claiming to be followers are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is your life truly alive, blossoming, bearing fruit? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire. In other words, John says, don’t presume your past has taken care of your present.”
it myself God. Kill me and give me new life. You buried me in baptism. Bury me again today. Raise me to new life.’” (p.49) John calls us to remember that God’s mission is to make new, to transform, to change, to redeem. God is in the process of making new once again, of sending Christ again. We don’t know when, but we need to be prepared. Repentance is the decision and the action to stop running after everything else and see that God is pursuing us. Repentance is coming to know that God in Christ has accepted us, and we now have the opportunity to say yes to God and to walk ever more closely with Christ for the rest of our temporal and eternal life. Repentance brings hope. Repentance makes it possible to recognize our identity as a child of God every day and enables us to make decisions based on and out of that identity. Repentance announces the fact that God has claimed us and loves us.
of entitlement attitudes that suggest we deserve certain perks because of our status within the church. We need to ask Christ to transform us into better, more committed Kingdom livers. We need to live more fully as the living body of Christ, recognize Jesus Christ as our savior; and seek to live accordingly. Scripture tells us clearly we are to watch, wait, and prepare for the unknown. This does not mean that we spend our time trying to make the Bible into an almanac or crystal ball – trying to predict just when Christ will return. This most certainly does not mean putting off the cleaning up and clearing out, the change of living and commitment we need to make in our own lives. John says clearly that if you would be baptized, if you would be a true follower, you must turn your old life in for a kingdom life. John tells us now is the time to move, take action, get our lives in order, in other words, now is the time to allow Christ to order our lives! Now is the time to commit or recommit yourself to God’s way of life for Christ is coming again, and not having the mind of God, we know not when or how; so we must be prepared!
So, Repent – live like God’s claim and love for us is true. Repentance is the ongoing lifestyle of the people of the kingdom. Repentance is to bear fruit of the kingdom. We are John’s message is important and part of the kingdom of God when straight forward, “Repent!” Take we bear good fruit. When we do It’s coming! Christ is coming! a look at your life. See where you not bear good fruit, then we have Christ is coming again! So, make have placed your priorities. How are decided to move ourselves out of the decision for your life to be you spending your time? How are the kingdom, not God. changed. Allow Christ’s claim, call, you using your resources? Where Matthew 25:31 and following, and presence to transform you, and does your treasure really lie? And as you ask yourself these questions, makes it clear that we are a part not just for the moment, but daily turn and see God looking to guide of the kingdom when we feed the - for the kingdom of God is here! you. Repentance is not a once-in-a- hungry, clothe the naked, visit those Thanks be to God for a love so great lifetime event, but a daily action. We in prison, and give drink to the that it seeks us out, desires us, is need to die daily to our selfishness poor. So, in hearing this, in order to willing to forgive and give new life. and our sin. Richard Jensen, in be more effectively a part of God’s “Touched by the Spirit” says it most kingdom, we need to repent of ways powerfully, “the repentant person in which we have bought into the comes before God saying, ‘I can’t do values, politics, and culture of the world around us. We need to repent WINTER 2015
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REFLECTION
The Word is... by Whitney Cherry The biblical concept of peace does not focus on the absence of trouble, rather peace is unrelated to circumstances; it is a goodness of life that is not touched by what happens on the outside. You may be in the midst of great trials and still have biblical peace. Paul said he could be content in any circumstance; and he demonstrated that he had peace even in the jail at Philippi, where he sang and remained confident that God was being gracious to him. Then when the opportunity arose, he communicated God’s goodness to the Philippian jailer, and brought him and his family to salvation. Likewise, James wrote, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (James 1:2).
do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).
happen. Others’ anxieties come out of the past. But both the future and the past are under the care of God. The peace Jesus is speaking of He promises to supply our future enables believers to remain calm need, and He has forgiven the past. in the most outrageously fearful Don’t worry about tomorrow or circumstances. It enables them to yesterday. Jesus said, “Each day hush a cry, still a riot, rejoice in pain has enough trouble of its own.” and trial, and sing in the middle (Matthew 6:34). Concentrate on of suffering. This peace is never by trusting God for today’s needs. circumstances, but instead affects In the midst of a society in which and even overrules them. we are constantly bombarded with The Holy Spirit is the Giver of advertising and other worldly this peace, and He shares it as a gift. pressures designed to get us to focus Galatians 5:22 says one aspect of the on our needs and problems, how fruit of the Spirit is peace. Notice can we keep our minds focused on that every promise Jesus made to Christ? By studying the Word of His troubled disciples on the night God and being taught by the Holy before His death was rooted in the Spirit and permitting Him to fix our coming of the Holy Spirit. Christ hearts on the person of Jesus Christ.
Where does a person find the kind of peace that is not just the absence of trouble--the kind of peace that cannot be affected by trouble, danger, or sorrow? It’s ironic that what is surely the most definitive conversation on peace in all of scripture comes from Jesus on the night before He died in agony. He knew what He was facing, yet He still took time to comfort His disciples with the message of peace:
promised life, union with deity, full understanding, and peace to those who are His disciples, but it is the Spirit of God who takes the things of Christ and gives them to us.
If you have a troubled heart, my friends, it is because you do not believe God enough to truly trust His promise of peace. Anxiety and turmoil rarely focus on present circumstances. Normally, anxiety is trouble borrowed from either “Peace I leave with you; My peace the past or the future. Some people I give to you; not as the world gives worry about things that might 12
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Most people who lack peace simply have not taken the time to pursue it. God’s peace comes to those with the personal discipline to stop in the midst of the whirl of life and take time to seek Him. It is a condition of peace that we cease from life’s activity and know Him. He commands, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). And to those whose minds are steadfastly fixed on Him, He gives the gift of peace.
BE CONTENT
REFLECTION
I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty... I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
purpose to materialist measures. Living fruitfully is not merely a matter of having something to live on, but something to live for. Purpose, connection, love, service, friendship, family, generosity--these sustain contentedness.
by Robert Schnase, author and Bishop of the Missouri Conference of mind, growth in grace and peace. These grant release from agitation, from unhealthy striving, and from continual dissatisfaction. Founded on these, we may value many of the things our culture induces us to seek, Philippians 4:11-13 but without the harmful, destructive intensity. We want to improve our Generosity derives from a profound conditions and standing, but we reorientation in our thinking about don’t embrace these objectives with how we find contentment in life. Paul the panicked intensity our society writes, “I have learned to be content would have us do. with whatever I have, “ but Paul was Primarily, contentedness is not a slacker, lacking in initiative! formed in us by the practice of He was industrious, competitive, Contentedness is and ambitious for the work of God. generosity. learning to be happy with what we Paul realized how seductive our activity and our appetite for more have rather than feeling distressed could become. We begin to believe by what we lack. In our voluntarily that happiness depends upon giving away part of our wealth and outward circumstance and material earning, we are saying, “I can spend comforts rather than deriving from all of this on myself, but I choose inner spiritual qualities--love, peace, not to.” In that simple act, repeated compassion, self-control, gentleness, and deepened with frequency and prayerfulness. Possessing greater intentionality, we break the bonds of wealth does not mean that we self-destructive acquisitiveness. experience contentedness. We can Second, contentedness results still feel panic, emptiness, striving, from a deep, cultivated sense of and isolation. We feel needy, and gratitude. Generous people are our appetites become insatiable. thankful. They give thanks in Surrounded by water, we are dying all things, and their gratefulness of thirst. sharpens their awareness of the Breaking the cycle of conditioned deeper sources of happiness and discontentment requires courageous from the spiritual awareness that soul work. Abundant living derives God has already provided us from generative relationships, everything we need to flourish. All from mutual support, and from is grace upon grace. knowing how to love and be loved. Finally, contentedness comes Contentment arises from seeking from persistent interior work and that which satisfies. cooperation with the Holy Spirit Contentedness comes from to develop the personal habits that personal integrity, a life aligned keep us from surrendering our with high values, depth of spirit and sense of well-being, identity, and
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THE
DISENFRANCHISED by Rich Shaffer, Conference Lay Leader
F
irst let’s look at the definition of the word disenfranchised, it is any person who is denied the rights and privileges afforded to other individuals. Who are the disenfranchised in our churches and communities? Several years ago I was part of a small group, we decided to covenant together and hold each other accountable for each other’s spiritual growth. Using a book on John Wesley’s small group formation, we followed the outline, including clauses in our covenant: we agreed to pray for each other, we agreed to listen for the Spirit of God in our lives, we agreed to fight injustice in whatever ways we could identify within ourselves, the church and the world around us. I must say, we talked at great lengths about the injustices in the world and we had great difficulty identifying or relating to injustice in the world. At first glance we were not truly aware of injustices. We prayed about this and over the years we have found a great deal of injustice in the world. Not only in the world, but close at hand, in my own life. Some of the hidden feelings of resentment toward those who have attained a higher status in life. Feelings of entitlement to the resources and material wealth this world has to offer at the exclusion of others who, I felt, do not work as hard or where not born with the social standing afforded to some of us in the middle class. Due to the culture in which we have been raised, we have instilled in us the desire for materialistic gain. When we are asked to fight these instilled values it becomes a difficult struggle.
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In order for us to become the people God wants us to be, we will need to ask God to change our hearts and to invite the Spirit of Christ into our hearts, so that we will become like Christ. This transformation will change all of our priorities and selfish desires. This transformation may also set the stage for a battle; our materialistic spirit in conflict with the Spirit of God. We will need to be diligent in our efforts to stay in the Will of God, like John, when he said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.� Romans 7:15
no more ludicrous to think that a group of Cherokee Indians could have traveled to England and placed their flag on English soil claiming that land for the Cherokee Nation; than is was for Spain, Portugal or England to claim this country for their nation. After the storytelling by some American Indians at Annual Conference this past year I have read and studied about the discovery of America from the American Indian perspective.
Yes, I know this is all history that cannot be changed, but when we signed treaties with the American Indians we had nothing to offer except some trinkets and the thing they most wanted, that was to live in peace without the interference of the government in their life. They had what we wanted, land. No this land was not owned by individuals the way we understand land ownership today. All land was considered community land for the benefit of the entire tribe. There were occasionally small battles between tribes but, even at that different tribes shared hunting land. Many times when a dispute would arise between tribes, these differences would be settled through a sporting event that involved no blood shed (and they were considered the savages). I believe it is
were outcasts from society. He ate with tax collectors and known sinners. And He ministered to those in need. Where can we be in service to these people in need? Are we willing and able to share our time, talent and material possessions with those less fortunate than we? Who are the disenfranchised you can reach for Christ, so that they too can be part of a loving community we call the church?
Today, the treaties we signed with the American Indians are being ignored, broken and changed to suit the desires of the government officials in charge. When I asked God to reveal injustice to me in my naĂŻve Native American Awareness Sunday is the third way, He has shown me many areas where the community, Sunday after Easter. I hope you will consider taking a church and our country has acted in ways that have special offering that day for the continued work with been less than Christ-like. One of those ways, which I the ministries through the conference that focus on the have become passionate about in the last few months, is American Indian. the way the American Indian has been treated since the The American Indian is not the only people who arrival of the Europeans in the Americas. Prior to the have been disenfranchised. I hope you can become arrival of the European people, this land was occupied as passionate for some of them as I have for the by a civilization of native people who lived off the land. American Indian. Who might come to mind as being They showed great respect to the ground where they disenfranchised individuals, the poor, handicapped, lived, hunted, cultivated and inhabited. This country was youth, senior citizens, those bullied by others, those inhabited by hundreds of tribes and the population was hurt by the church, people of different races, those in great. Through the systematic plan of possessing their prison currently or in the past and anyone different land and placing them on reservations, assimilating the from you or me? Jesus has saved all people, everyone children into our culture in order to destroy the Indian has sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. And culture, we have reduced the population of the Indians even still, every person is a soul of sacred worth and to about 2% of their original population. It is estimated they are loved by God. Because God loves us, even the first Americans lived here for as much as 25,000 to though we are sinners, we need to love all people and 30,000 years before this land became the United States show the love of Jesus to them so that they may see of America. If the diseases such as smallpox and the Jesus in us and believe. It is our responsibility to reach plague had not destroyed the majority of the leaders, the disenfranchised and show Christ to them. Jesus men, women and children, we would not have prevailed illustrated to us on many occasions how we are to reach over them in the conquest of this land. those on the fringe of society. He healed the sick who
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REFLECTION
A Gift for God by Whitney Cherry There are an infinite number of silly questions that we could ask as adults like, “Why is the sky blue?” But sometimes the most childlike questions could actually be some of the most important. So at the risk of sounding a little childish, I pose this question: “What does God want for truth” (1 Tim. Christmas?” 2:3-4). The first thing on Now, one view we could take in God’s Christmas list is: this is that God wants nothing. He wants “all people to be saved.” He is perfect in every way, has all the power in the world, and can ultimately have what He wants at any given moment. As the Bible reiterates, God is supreme and allpowerful but, at the same time, He loves and He desires. The result is that He does want something from us; not only on Christmas, but any day of the year.
So the question “What does God want?” is certainly a valid one. What does God truly desire in His heart? It’s easy to come up with things that we think God might want - peace on earth; justice; an end to hunger; the protection of his creation; and so on. Yet we find a clear answer about God’s priorities in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, where he says “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the 16
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Paul describes God as “our Savior.” Savior is a word we will hear a lot in Christmas carols; it means someone who acts for us, who rescues us. Our God has done just that. Paul continues, “There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). The words could not be clearer.
When we make a commitment to give to Him what He honors, we will in fact be giving Him a real Christmas gift which is the best present we could ever give! What can that gift be? It is the gift of living our lives empowered by Him. It is the gift of yourself, that means you are seeking to be poured out to Him so that “I am less and He is more.” This means we are to seek righteousness. We do these things by seeking Him as Lord and Savior of our lives. This also means we give a gift by seeking to lead others to our Savior’s love. “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” Mark 16:15.
Notice too that God wants all people to be saved. Don’t be distracted by thinking of your enemies: like crooked politicians or your neighbor. Think about yourself, too. You are included in that little word all. Have you realized that your life is a part of what God wants? Let’s all seek to give God the gift Perhaps you responded years ago to God’s love for you but you have he wants most this Christmas - our let the relationship grow cold and hearts. detached. What does God want for Christmas? He wants you. He wants your heart. He wants your life.
EVANGELISM
Claiming Your Digital Real Estate by Amy Shanholtzer
In an increasingly wired world, it’s becoming more important than ever for your church to exist online. Your online presence doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive, but people should be able to find out where you are and how to get in touch with someone – much like an old Yellow Pages ad.
already. A Facebook page is fairly easy to manage and free. Likely someone in your congregation knows how to use it already.
levels of web pages that can be selected with varying degrees of complexity that range in price from free to $19.00/month. There is also This will show up in a google search free email and phone support to for your church and can work just walk you through the use of these like a website – and no one had to great tools. know HTML code! If you want to In the 21st century, it’s important to use this instead of a website, make be where the people are. If someone There are at least three options sure that the page is set to be viewed gets up next Sunday morning and available for churches that are free by the public. Also be sure that you wants to come to your church, make or cheap and fairly easy to manage. have one or two responsible people it easy for them. An internet search 1. Google - Everyone can claim who administer the page, just to is the first thing most people do their google place – for free. This make sure that the internet trolls before trying a new church. One aren’t up to no good on your page. of these tools can help increase the is the box that shows up likelihood that they will try to the right of the google out your church. If you don’t page when you google your feel comfortable using these church’s name. This shows tools, ask a teenager in your up for any business and church. Teens today are offers a free opportunity for very text-savvy and eager to you to tell people in your be needed. This is a valuable community more about way that they can make a your church. If no one has contribution to the ministry entered information about of your church. your church “Are you the business owner?” shows If you have questions up in small lettering at the about this or any other bottom left of the box. Click congregational development on those words and follow concerns, please feel the instructions to update free to contact Amy and correct any information. Shanholtzer, Director of Evangelism and Congregat2. Facebook - A church ional Development at Facebook page is a perfect 1.800.788.3746, ext. 26 or place to let folks know about 3. Find-A-Church – This tool is ashanholtzer@wvumc.org. your church. Most churches already have one, whether you know it or offered to every United Methodist not. Guests and members may Church free of charge. Go to be posting and “tagging” (letting umcchurches.org to find out about others know that they’ve been there) this helpful tool. There are three WINTER 2015
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FROM THE YOUTH
YTI 2015
by Lauren Shanholtzer, 11th Grade, St. Paul’s UMC Nitro
Why CCYM?
by Max McGinnis, Western District, CCYM Western District Rep.
This past July, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Youth Theological Initiative (YTI) at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. This was a 3-week academy that deepened our faith knowledge and helped to answer our theological questions. I got to share this experience with 33 other youth from all over the world and about 20 staff who are now some of my closest friends. We were all upcoming juniors and seniors in high school and came from very diverse backgrounds. All different denominations, ethnicities, and understandings were present. Getting to share this incredible experience with people my age helped me to understand it all better and form my own opinions and thoughts on the subjects. While at YTI, I preached for the very first time in my class, “Prophetic Preaching: From Jonah to Jay-Z.” I got to preach in front of my peers and got to hear many of them preach for the first time as well. I got to explore the single-most diverse 1 square mile in the United States (Clarkston, GA), learn about and meet refugees, and make life-lasting memories in just three short weeks. I am so very grateful for the experience I got to have while in Georgia and only hope I can help other people gain an experience like this one!
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My name is Max McGinnis and I am one of the Conference Council Youth Ministries (CCYM) Western District Representatives. I have served on CCYM for two years. I started getting involved in the conference church camps in 2012. That is when my life changed dramatically. I went to Cedar Lakes as a very shy person. I was quiet and intimidated. The second I walked through the doors, I immediately felt God’s presence. I felt him embracing me and I felt welcomed! I had never really felt that before. I could feel the presence of love and happiness shared by all the youth attending. I felt my shell burst and the person I am today emerge. Nothing had ever strengthened my faith as much as that weekend had. The next year, I decided that I wanted to help other kids strengthen their faith through the church camp. I decided to apply for CCYM. CCYM has changed my life radically. It is very fulfilling to work hard on a project and then see how it affects the youth. Since joining CCYM, I have been a member at large, then I became a district representative, and I have been a member of Youth Service Fund, and Fall Workshop design team two years in a row. I work with youth on CCYM that are some of my best friends. Most of them whenever we leave a meeting, I give them a hug and tell them I love them. I will always remember and love the friends I have made through the United Methodist Church. The friendships I have made would not be possible if it were not for the United Methodist Church. Let us all continue to support youth so that youth such as myself can have their lives changed by Christ.
RDAA 2015 by Louisa Smith, 11th Grade, St. Paul’s UMC Nitro Going to the Radical Discipleship Academy of Appalachia (RDAA) was the best decision I could have ever made for my faith journey. I was not sure what to expect when I arrived the first day at Spring Heights. I had gone to Spring Heights before as a camper, but knew that RDAA was going to be different. I figured we would have group Bible studies and worship, but I never expected what actually happened. In the morning, every day after breakfast, we would all sit together and listen to Chad Harvey talk to us about baptism. It sounded boring at first, but I never knew there was so much behind baptism! The best part about RDAA I would have to say, though, is the covenant groups I got to be a part of. Three times a day while we were at Spring Heights, we would meet with our assigned group that consisted of two adult leaders, and around five youth. Meeting with my covenant group was the most fundamental part in building my faith. We were all so open with each other, and getting to see the different perspectives they had really opened up my eyes. And the best part is that we still meet. RDAA is a year round process, and that’s what’s really kept me so strong in my journey with God. I attended the very first year of RDAA and went back for the second year, and I am growing stronger even still thanks to the program. WINTER 2015
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REFLECTION
KEEPING YOUR
IN A FAITHLESS WORLD by Whitney Cherry Look around. Have you noticed how much of the world seems more wicked than ever lately? I certainly have. While others may find this as an excuse to lose faith, I, as a Christian, am clinging to what I know in my heart to be true.
Give thanks for what you have. Even when the world seems to be crashing down around you, there are always things for which we can be thankful. Take a few minutes each day to consider all the beautiful ways God has blessed you.
Pray. Not only will conversations with other people help elevate our mood, so will a conversation with God. You may struggle to find things for and that is okay. Today may be a time to sit in God’s presence and listen.
In times like these, we need to remind one another of the hope we know in Jesus Christ. If you find yourself caught in the webs of negativity these days, here are some suggestions of ways to keep it from becoming all consuming and bring back your joy.
Serve others. While we may not be able to do much about world issues like disease or terrorism, there are problems in your community where you can be part of a solution. Find places in your church and community to serve people in need.
Read the Good News. Our faith in the Lord is a story of hope even in the middle of such dark times. Spend some time reading Bible passages about hope and resurrection such as 2 Colossians 1:3-14, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, and 1 Peter 1:3-9. Or read through one of the gospels to be reminded of how Jesus brings hope in our struggles.
Get more deeply connected with your church. One of the best ways to combat negativity is to surround yourself with positive people. Finding a group within your church will help keep you grounded in the hope we know in God.
Indulge in the beauty around you. We need beauty and goodness in our lives each day. Recently, there was a trend on Facebook where people shared pictures of flowers to add beauty to what they felt was a barrage of negativity. Find your beauty - flowers, art, music, etc. and make it a part of your day.
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Just take a break. We live in an age where we can stay connected to the news constantly. Be sure to get away from it for a period of time. Turn off the alerts on your computer or smartphone, and do something else. There will be plenty of news when you return.
World Communion Sunday Around the Globe by Judy Pysell, Greenbrier District Communications Coordinator
Barbara Ritchie and her husband Mike were part of a WV UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers In Mission) team to The Kingdom of Tonga in September and October 2005. This experience changed their lives and deepened their relationship with God.
their church family. This experience led to Barbara’s desire to share with her home church in some tangible way the depth and breadth of World Communion Sunday Barbara said, “One of the most that they felt on that memorable moments of that trip day in Mua, Tonga. was celebrating World Communion The idea came to Sunday in a small, well attended, fruition and Pastor Seventh Day Adventist Church in Karen Tate was very Mua.” supportive of the idea and Lay With a rooster crowing outside Leader, Linda Dyer helped Barbara the church window and the Sunday with the design tips. They purchased School lesson centered on ‘what five different types of breads (Pita have you given up for Christ?’ The of Greece, Pumpernickel Rye of host came to tears as she taught Germany, Italian Loaf of Italy, Naan the lesson and held them up as an of India/Pakistan and Baguette of example. Even the little children, France). Barbara also opened her many very timid to see “Palangi” kitchen and baked her grandmother’s (white people), welcomed them and favorite recipe. She prepared Challah made it clear that they were part of (an Israeli Jewish bread), British Hot Crossed Buns, and Laugenbroctchen (Pretzel Bread of Germany), Tongan ‘Uncut Bread’ and Tamales, which they had experience on a VIM trip to Guatemala. Just when she thought she was finished, her son asked, “What about unleavened bread?” It was the unleavened
Pastor Karen Tate of Cowen Trinity
bread which Pastor Tate opted to serve to the congregation of Cowen Trinity United Methodist Church for communion. The altar display included hand woven baskets from Tonga and Guatemala and the congregation’s new chalice and platter, handcrafted and donated by local potter Larry Riffle. Barbara said, “Many of those present seem to have felt the expansiveness of the concept, their response was wonderful! World Communion is one important way to realize our connection throughout the world with Christians of all faiths.” You can read more about Cowen Trinity United Methodist Church on their Facebook page.
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ANSWERING THE CALL
Bells, Breakfast and Baptism by Sarah Lowther Hensley, MonValley District Communications Coordinator Jim Zinn had worked nearly 40 years for the telephone company when he answered an important call.
Jim Zinn at Walnut Grove United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of Walnut Grove UMC.
In the summer of 2000, the MonValley District Superintendent asked Zinn to help at the Walnut Grove Charge. One month after a new pastor had arrived, her cancer had returned and she was too ill to preach. Within less than a year she passed away. Zinn, a lay speaker and member of another congregation, filled in for the remainder of the year. At the next annual conference he was appointed assigned supply and the following year he was appointed as a Licensed Local Pastor. He’s been there ever since. “We have fun,” laughs Zinn. “Even in the midst of all the hardships of ministry, it’s still fun to minister to the people.” The Holy Spirit is moving at Walnut Grove, Levels and Colfax churches and Jim Zinn is thrilled to be along for the journey. His authentic down-to-earth personality has resonated with members of these congregations and people in the surrounding communities. The churches are growing. If you ask Zinn why, he will point to (among other things) bells, breakfast and baptism. Children from the church and Breakfast those who came for Vacation Bible Zinn says new ideas from the For about five years, Walnut School all look forward to playing congregation can spark excitement Grove has hosted a once-a-month the multi-colored bells. and participation. Saturday morning men’s breakfast. “They’d tell their parents, ‘It’s bell On average about 60 men attend One day a member of the Sunday! We have to go,’” says Zinn. each month, and Zinn says about congregation approached Zinn and “Last Sunday they played and I half of those who come don’t attend remarked that her mother’s church think there were 22 of them across church anywhere. had handbells. She wondered if the front of the church. That’s why maybe this church could, too. “When a man’s come to breakfast, we have the young people coming. he’s accomplished two things,” says “So we bought handbells,” says It’s just exciting.” Zinn. “He walked into a church and Zinn.
Bells
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the roof didn’t fall in. And he sat at a table with a group and was accepted and a part of. Right there’s two big hurdles.”
states Zinn. “If you want to get to know people in your church [or your community], you sit down at a covered dish dinner or a picnic Zinn says the breakfast is and share a meal and you really get to know the people. One hour on successful because the men own it. Sunday morning - that’s not enough “They gather the food. They call to learn how to be the church.” people to remind them. They get And “being the church” involves speakers. They cook the food,” translating relationships with one says Zinn. “There are only two requirements. Be male. Be hungry.” another into relationships with Christ. In addition to filling their stomachs and enjoying each other’s Baptism company, the men collect money to On August 30, 2015, Zinn help the boys at Stepping Stones, a baptized 17 people in one day with nearby Level I residential treatment water from the Tygart River. center for troubled boys. They buy “On that particular day, we used them what they need to get started all three forms of baptism,” recalls each school year and they provide Zinn. for them at Christmas. Most waded into the river to be Zinn believes building relationship immersed. A few could not enter the and getting to know people is a water for health reasons and Zinn powerful way to witness for Christ. poured river water over them along “Table time is what’s missing,” the bank. One infant was carried
out into the river and water was sprinkled on her. An additional person was baptized at the church a few weeks later. “It’s been a truly blessed year,” Zinn smiles. “Anywhere from this two-month-old to one of these ladies about 82 years old and everywhere in between. Teenagers, moms, dads, sons, and daughters as a family unit.” Zinn plans to retire in 2017. He will be 72, the mandatory retirement age for United Methodist pastors. He is already working with the congregations to prepare them for moving forward when a new pastor is appointed to serve the charge. He has faith that the momentum and passion for serving the community and building up the Body of Christ will continue. “God’s done all this,” he says. “‘Cause it’s not me.”
Jim Zinn on the day of Baptisms. Photo courtesy of Walnut Grove UMC. WINTER 2015
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