By Rev. Rebecca L. Holland
The opening worship for Annual Conference 2019 was held at Hershey Lodge on Thursday, May 30. In attendance were about 2,000 people, both clergy and laity, representing about 890 churches throughout the Susquehanna Annual Conference.
“We are gathered for such a time as this,” Bishop Park stated. “The United Methodist Church is at a crossroads… the theme of our Annual Conference is, ‘Better Together: One With Each Other.’ But what will this look like?” He went on to emphasize our unity in Christ. The entire opening worship service placed an emphasis on the beautiful harmony that can be achieved when different voices and different people remember the unity that is grounded in our baptismal covenant.
Harmony Illustrated Through Liturgy
There is something powerful in hearing 2,000 voices lifted together in song. The unity of the body of Christ is strongly evident when the congregation worships together. It is fitting that the logo for Annual Conference 2019 depicts the hands of a conductor. An orchestra needs all of its instruments just as just as the body of Christ cannot exist without all its members.
The scripture reading, Ephesians 4:1-6, was offered in multiple languages by Miriam Andrews (Trinity UMC, New Cumberland), JR Rodriguez (Damascus Charge, Damascus), Jonathan Olloe (The Journey, Harrisburg), and Sarah Kim (W. Decatur/Wallaceton Charge, West Decatur.)
A deeply moving rendition of “How Great Thou Art,” was offered by Rev. Randall G. Bennett, Jr. from Christ Community Church, Selinsgrove. Bennett’s rich deep voice was full of emotion. After his hymn concluded, the gathered congregation erupted in heartfelt applause and provided the singer with a standing ovation.
Throughout the entire worship service, Bishop Park was an energetic and passionate worship leader. His sermon was punctuated by lively singing and the repeated refrain of his favorite “Amen,” chorus.
Bishop Park’s sermon was entitled, “Made One With Each Other.” His message emphasized the beauty and harmony inherent in the “one-ness” of our foundation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“We are a church alive in Christ together,” Bishop Park told the gathered congregation. He emphasized his love for the “dedicated and mission minded,” people of Susquehanna Conference. “God’s people continue to demonstrate what faithful discipleship is about as they constantly offer so freely their gifts and graces to the ministry of the church… Thanks be to God for you!”
“You Are of Sacred Worth”
Bishop Park also made space to recognize the pain and anguish that many people on both sides of the divide are feeling within the United Methodist Church, both here and throughout our global connection. “This is the first time we have gathered since the 2019 General Conference in February,” stated the Bishop. He said that this is a “painful,” moment in the journey of our church.
The Bishop then read an extended quote from a letter which was sent to him from the parents of children who identified part of the LGBTQ community. “Many parts of society are difficult for LGBTQ people,” read the Bishop. “As the parents of two such children, we are keenly aware of this. We have always wanted church to be a place where our children could find a balm for the harsh cruelty of the world… the results of the special General Conference 2019 have brought the cruelty of the larger world sharply into focus. We are wondering what the right answer is for our family.”
After reading these words, the Bishop stated, “The hurt is real and deep. To our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, and to you the parents of LGBTQ children, I want you to hear from me that I am sorry. I am sorry for the hurts and pains that you live through because you and your loved ones have been made to feel less than God’s beloved children. You are of sacred worth to God. You are God’s beloved. My prayers will continue to be with you for the grace of assurance, strength, perseverance, healing, and wholeness.”
Bishop Park stated that General Conference 2019 confirmed a fundamental difference in the United Methodist Church. “Tribal unity seems to prevail over denominational unity at this time,” said Bishop Park, “but Christian unity should be heightened and enhanced…One-ness is not exact likeness. It is unity and diversity and one-ness out of many…Harmony comes alive when everyone in the community understands that each one has a part in the larger picture – and each one has sacred worth.”
Bishop Park used Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12 to remind all who were gathered that there are many parts but only one body. “Our church must be a witness to the harmony that Christ makes in and through us. No matter what the path of our church may be, God’s people, keep harmony in mind.”
We Are One
Bishop Park continued to emphasize that the theme of “one-ness” and unity was clearly evident in his selected scripture passage, Ephesians 4:1-6. “We have,” stated Bishop Park, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.”
Bishop Park noted that our unity with Christ is emphasized seven times in this brief section of scripture. “Seven is a perfect number that signifies completion… Christians, God’s people, what more do you need to be convinced that you are one as the followers of Jesus Christ? As the church you cannot be anything else but one.”
Bishop Park spoke about the sacrament of baptism as the foundation of our unity. “Regardless of how our future journey may be shaped, each one of us should carry in our hearts a biblical truth that we are made one in our baptism…. Baptism confirms that we are one people who have a common identity.”
Christ’s Love Unites Us
According to Bishop Park, as the people of Christ, we also share one destiny. Baptism is a covenant between us and God. We are God’s beloved. “The love that matters most, no one can take it away from any one of us… We all want to be loved. We have an innate insatiable appetite to be loved.”
“God’s love is not dependent on anything that we can be or we can do.” Bishop Park continued as he emphasized the beauty of God’s love. “You are mine and I am yours. We are not what the world says we are. We are what God says in our baptism. We are God’s beloved yesterday, tomorrow, and forever.”
“In this world where so many people are searching for their identity and seeking love. There is no greater thing that one person can do for another than assure them that they are accepted by God… and formed by God in their sacred worth… Each one of us is loved by God unconditionally with God’s infinite love now and forever. There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God and Christ Jesus.”
Powerful Questions
Bishop Park called the congregation to consider the following questions, “What in me needs to die so that in our church there will be a resurrection? What in our church needs to die so that there will be a resurrection in our church?”
He then invited the congregation to keep those powerful questions in mind while reaffirming their baptismal covenant vows. “Our baptism,” stated Bishop Park, “Demands loyalty to the Lord. We live in the world but not of the world…. Holy living is about serving as Christ’s representative in the world… It’s ultimately about Christ’s great Kingdom that will come on earth. The Kingdom of love and light.”
Hope Lives
Bishop Park concluded his sermon by asking the congregation to consider, “How can we place hope at the center of our life and work?” He preached that there is always hope with Jesus Christ. “In the midst of our difficult journey as a denomination, it is important that we hear that hope is alive…. At this moment countless lives are being served and impacted in our church each day. Many people find hope through the ministry of the United Methodist Church. God Is not finished with our church yet! Fear not. God is with us.”
We Lead by Faith, Not by Fear
Bishop Park concluded with a personal story that was a highly effective sermon illustration. As he held a ceramic rooster in his hands, he told the following story about leading by faith instead of allowing fear to lead us.
“My father served a Methodist church in Korea for many years,” he told the congregation. “My Family raised chickens. One was a huge formidable and mean rooster. I was about three or four when I had an unforgettable encounter with this monster. One day I was passing by him when he was eating something from the ground. He ran up to me and attacked me!”
When young Bishop Park returned home crying, his father asked him what had happened. After listening to his story, his father called him by name and said, “Let’s go to the rooster!”
“No! I’m afraid of him!”
“Don’t worry,” insisted his father.” I am going with you.”
At this point, the congregation was thoroughly immersed in his story.
“I approached the rooster,” Bishop Park continued, “My father stood behind me and said, ‘Get closer!’ He continued to urge me to get closer and closer to the rooster.”
Even though he was afraid, the young Bishop Park was able to pluck up his courage because his father was right behind him.
Finally, he was very close to the rooster.
“Kick the rooster!” his father cried.
The congregation gave a collective gasp.
“I did!” proclaimed the Bishop. “The rooster ran away and never pecked me again. I wasn’t afraid because my father was right there behind me. The rooster ran away not because of me, but because of my father who was with me. God’s people! Kick the rooster!”
Kick the (Metaphorical) Rooster
The Bishop’s sermon anecdote was so well received that the congregation burst into applause. After the clapping subsided, the Bishop concluded, “Please don’t go out and kick any animals. I am calling you to remember that we are called to walk with boldness. Fear not! The risen Christ is with us! The challenge before us is never greater than the power behind us.”
After the Bishop’s sermon, the congregation was invited to join in prayer. Janet Durrwachter prefaced the invitation by reminding us that there are many ways of praying, then moved the congregation moved into a time of Taizé prayer through song. A light and lilting flute played a soothing descant over the singing of the congregation. The time of prayer concluded with Desiree Bower (First UMC, Williamsport) signing The Lord’s Prayer in American Sign Language.
The Church’s One Foundation
The worship service ended with the congregation singing, ““The Church’s One Foundation,” accompanied by the Better Together Orchestra. The Better Together Orchestra was comprised of musicians, both laity and clergy, throughout the annual conference. Their ability to join together playing different instruments with very little opportunity to practice beforehand was an illustration of the great talent that exists throughout the Susquehanna Conference. It also shows what beauty we can create when we work together in unity. The words to this classic hymn underlined this fact and complimented Bishop Park’s essential point: We are united in Christ.
“While we have many differences,” stated Bishop Park in his closing blessing, “we are made one with each other by the love of Christ Jesus.”
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View the AC2019 Opening Celebration at www.susumc.org/aclive
