It’s all about Jesus

Following is the sermon outline of Rev. Dr. Lillian C. Smith upon her installation as the Altoona District Superintendent, on Sunday, October 13, 2024, held at St. Paul UMC in Chambersburg. View the service here. (Sermon begins at 1:11:30)

By Rev. Dr. Lillian C. Smith, Altoona District Superintendent 

John 10:11-16 NIV

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

Acts 10: 44-48

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

 

This evening, we stand in the steps of those who have gone before us. We have inherited the faith and congregations of people who have gone before us. We stand in the legacy of faith of those who worked in mines, those who worked on the railroads, those who were teachers, those who were farmers, and those who served in the military. We worship in congregations that were started by individuals who sacrificed land and resources so that people in our generation could have a place to worship the Lord. 

I, like you, stand on the shoulders of those giants of faith who have gone before me. So, I call the roll of family members who were in this Methodist tradition of Christianity: I call Rosetta and Francis Asbury Webb. I call Leah and Edward Poole. Tonight, I remember Eula and Charlie Smith. I remember Lillie and Hayward Webb, and I remember my parents, the late Doris and Rev. C. Jasper Smith. All of them passed on a vibrant understanding and witness of Christianity in the Methodist movement.

I call the roll of churches from which I descend: New Hope, Mount Elon, Cumberland, Asbury in Easton MD, Wattsville VA, Mount Calvary and Asbury in Washington, DC. 

I am truly thankful for those who passed on a faith which has held me and kept me to this day.

I am going to talk on the topic of following the Good Shepherd. 

In the gospel of John, Jesus identifies himself as the Good Shepherd. It is Jesus who not only protects the sheep but also protects the door to the sheepfold. The sheepfold is an open area that was surrounded in some way, such as by stones that were built up like a little wall and sometimes would be topped with thistles and thorns, and it had one door by which the sheep could go in and out. It was the Good Shepherd who stood in front of the door to make sure that the enemies, the predators—those things that wanted to destroy the sheep—could not come in. 

An interesting thing about sheep is that sheep are not too smart. They are vulnerable and are easily attacked and destroyed by wolves, cougars, bears, foxes and other animals. 

Humans are very like sheep, in that we have an enemy of our soul that is trying to destroy us. People are very vulnerable and they need protection. 

There’s a story of Shrek the sheep that became famous several years ago when he was found after hiding out in caves for six years. Of course, during this time his fleece grew without anyone having shorn it. When he was finally shorn, his fleece weighed an amazing 60lbs—50 lbs more than normal and enough to make twenty men’s suits. 

Shrek carried six times the regular weight of his fleece simply because he was away from his shepherd. It took a professional sheerer less than a half hour to rid him of his burden. We can get weighed down with the effects of sin and the attacks of the enemy, but if we follow the Good Shepherd, he will take care of us.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is the savior of our souls. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through him.

The passage in John reminds us also that Jesus said that he has other sheep who are not a part of this fold; people in our communities that are vulnerable and need protection. There are people today who need to be freed from the weight of sin and pain. They need the Good Shepherd. 

In these times in which we find ourselves, we need to follow the Good Shepherd, and we need to bring others with us. 

We will soon be the Freedom Trail District. In this district, freedom was fought for at the Gettysburg Battlefield. In this district, President Abraham Lincoln shared the Gettysburg Address. In this district, people sought freedom through the Underground Railroad.

From Raystown Lake to Gettysburg Battlefield, we are going to reach more people for Jesus Christ. In the boroughs, towns, cities, mountains, valleys, and farmlands of Adams, Bedford, Blair, Franklin, Fulton, and Huntingdon Counties let’s go and tell lost sheep about the Shepherd from Galilee. Let’s usher them into a relationship with the good shepherd. We are called to share God’s love and the good news of the gospel with our neighbors, our family members, friends, and associates. 

In these perilous times, people need the Lord. We need to get past our arguing. We need to put our eyes back on Jesus and do what he calls us to do.

We are called to reclaim an understanding of the mission of the church. Every congregation is called by God to make disciples of all people, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them all that Jesus taught us. 

A lot of what we talk and bicker about takes our attention off our mission. There are sheep in our neighborhoods who need to come into the sheepfold of our God.

Beloved, it’s about Jesus, it’s not about us. 

In this district, one congregation provided a gift bag for 600 students of their neighborhood and provided a back-to-school meal to the teachers. Another congregation provides a middle-of-the-day kids club at their church so that children can come to know, love, and follow Jesus.

The scripture passage for the District Conference was Matthew 9:35-38. In our charge conferences we share in a Lectio Divina to reflect on the passage, and it is reminding us to go to the least and the lost—regardless of whether we agree or not—and love who God loves.

Every congregation, every congregation, is called to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. To make disciples, we need to be disciples, spending time with Jesus to learn more of Him. Disciples imitate Jesus in ministry. Disciples invite others on the journey. 

One of the on-boarding questions for me was, “What are your missional priorities?” My missional priorities are to:

• Increase the level of prayer in the churches of the new Freedom Trail District.
• Help congregations grow in their discipleship. Bible study, small groups, and other gatherings that help us grow in our faith.
• Help congregations engage or re-engage their neighbors. 
• Increase outreach and evangelism.

We cannot combat the Enemy on our own, through programs or slogans. It is only by the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit that we will be able to contend with powers and principalities as we pray and fight for our families, communities, and our nation. 

The following things are needed:

• Reclamation of God’s Kingdom mandate.
• Renew and Strengthen relationship with God -Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• Engage our communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
• Get to know our neighbors.
• Get past our fear of sharing our faith. 
• Intentionally cultivate relationships with others outside our churches
• Embrace the Christian understanding of what it means to be in ministry with our communities, following the direction of and yielding to the Holy Spirit.

What would it look like? It would look like the kingdom of God on earth. 

It is my prayer and expectation that God will move in mighty ways in this district, conference, and entire area.

Holy Spirit, do it again. Holy Spirit, have your way. Holy Spirit we’re asking for fresh wind and fresh fire. Lead us where you want to, not where we want to. Holy Spirit, have your way! Amen.

One Matters: Cove Forge UMC, Williamsburg

Rev. Dr. Joleen Willis presented the 2023 Altoona District One Matters Award to Cove Forge UMC in Williamsburg, represented by District Lay Leader Ken Bodle.

Every year, Discipleship Ministries partners with annual conferences by offering the One Matters Award (OMA) to one eligible congregation at each annual conference. At the 2023 Susquehanna Annual Conference, the One Matters Award was given to one church in each of our districts.

This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, the individual may experience the personal transformation to potentially engage in the church’s mission for the transformation of the world. While most Discipleship Ministries programs focus on existing members, OMA focuses on new members. After all, ONE Matters.

The 2023 One Matters Award for Altoona District was awarded to: 

Cove Forge UMC, Williamsburg

By Rev. Dr. Joleen Willis, Altoona District Superintendent

There are many small churches in our Conference and in the Altoona District where I serve. I speak of those who may have around 20 people in worship. Cove Forge UMC, located just outside Williamsburg, Pa., is one such church. A beautiful country setting which borders on a “crick” with a nice picnic pavilion and someone with a knack for plants has established a nice little nook of a prayer garden at the corner of the church.

The One Matters Award celebrates those churches who have received, by profession of faith, a member after some years of not having done so. Cove Forge UMC received five. And for Cove Forge it isn’t just about membership, it’s about discipleship; it’s about growing people in Christ; and about people growing in their love and service of God and the Church.

Of the five, four had been attending regularly and were moved to become members—a membership not in name only, but one in which they have become more actively involved in the life of the church, in leadership and in hands-on service.

The fifth became a member as she reached out to the church and the pastor in her time of need, as a family member was approaching death. The pastor and church responded. A visit led to a funeral … which led to a baptism. The death of one family member led to new life for another. 

Personally, my favorite story is that of a mother and son who had attended for years. They became members when the son, a special needs young adult, desired to become a part of God’s kingdom. I celebrate with Cove Forge the gift of surrounding this child of God with the love of Christ, embracing and nurturing him with a faith that stirred within him the desire to make a public confession of what had already happened in their midst, a sense of belonging. I love this story, because of the valuing and inclusion of this young man. But I also love it because this young man’s faith and desire is what led his mother forward in her discipleship journey.

May Cove Forge and may all of our churches foster that sense of belonging; and may we value and recognize the gifts of all God’s children; and may we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

Altoona District Churches Purchase Life-Changing Device for Teenager with Visual Impairment

Mama Arlene Brown (center), missionary in Rwanda, is pictured with Rev. Rebecca Holland (right) and her husband Jeff Holland (left) at Christ Community UMC in Altoona.

By Rev. Rebecca Holland

At almost 91 years old, "Mama" Arlene Brown is a force of nature. At the age of 65, she followed God’s call to Africa where she began working with vulnerable children after the Rwandan genocide. In 2004, she moved to Rwanda and made it her permanent home. Two years later, she began her work creating a home for vulnerable children in Muhanga District. In 2010, she established Urukundo Learning Center, a school for children of low and no income families in Cyeza Sector, Muhanga District. 

On November 5, 2021, we were honored to host Mama Arlene at Christ Community UMC in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She spoke with passion and eloquence about her ministry in Africa. She also shared stories with us about the young people in her school, many of whom had lost their parents during the tragic Rwandan genocide. 

At the time of this writing, the Urukundo school serves the needs of over 1,000 children. One of these young people is named Claudine. Claudine is currently sixteen years old and visually impaired. She was born with cataracts on both eyes as well as other health complications. (To read more about Claudine and her amazing story, I encourage you to check out Mama Arlene’s memoir, Hope Made Real).

 I was particularly touched by Claudine’s story because I was also born with cataracts. Just like Claudine, I am also visually impaired. Although I had never met this young woman, I felt an immediate connection to her. Congenital cataracts are very rare and I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I wanted to know more about her story. 

Claudine, A Young Woman With Big Dreams! 

Mama Arlene stayed the evening with Jeff and I in the parsonage. I was excited to host her and very interested to hear more of her stories. The next morning, she and I chatted while we had our coffee. Mama Arlene was surprised to discover that Claudine and I both have the same rare eye problem. We both believed that the Holy Spirit was working quietly in the background, drawing us together. How strange and wonderful that the two of us should meet like this and form this connection!

Mama Arlene confided in me that she wanted to help Claudine, but that she didn’t know how. Resources in Rwanda for people with disabilities are very limited and she had never even heard about many of the pieces of adaptive technology that I take for granted.

She asked me about my personal experience with disability and asked how I had managed to complete school. 

“During school,” I said, “The two most helpful pieces of technology that I used were something called a handheld CCTV (a portable video magnifier) and a monocular.” The monocular is like a small, automatically focusing spy glass that you can use to read the blackboard. You can also use it when you travel to read road signs.

I gave Mama Arlene my monocular and asked her to please give it to Claudine. She was very pleased with the gift and promised that she would make sure Claudine would get it. 

I then showed Mama Arlene a YouTube video to help explain what a handheld CCTV is and how it works. She agreed that this small device would be “just the thing Claudine needs to attend high school and read her textbooks.” 

“I was concerned,” said Mama Arlene. “At our school, we make sure that Caludine gets all the help she needs. Our teachers love her and support her. But when she goes to high school, the teachers might not give her the same support. With that device, she can enlarge anything she needs to read.” 

However, I was sad to say that I no longer had a handheld CCTV of my own that I could give to Claudine. Handheld CCTVs are incredibly expensive and many of them cost over a thousand dollars. After I finished graduate school, my handheld CCTV broke and I didn’t purchase a new one because I was finished with school. The device we wanted to purchase for Claudine had an extra-large screen and was $1,700. 

I was intimidated by the cost, but I remained hopeful. I told Mama Arlene, “Maybe if we take up a special offering and ask the other United Methodist Churches, people will donate to help us buy a handheld CCTV for Claudine.” I reasoned that even if we couldn’t raise the full amount, we might at least raise enough money for a slightly cheaper model. 

Mama Arlene agreed that it was worth a try and encouraged me to keep in touch with her. As soon as she left to present at the next church, I sat down and began to write. 

A Race Against The Clock

Writing is something I love to do, so I sat down and quickly crafted a letter of appeal. I wrote to my colleagues and fellow UMC clergy. I emailed everyone on the Disability Ministry Task Force mailing lists. I posted to Facebook, sent an announcement to the QUIK LINK, and requested that information about the special offering be included in the Altoona District Newsletter.

Our goal was to raise $1700 by mid-November. This would allow enough time to order the device and have it shipped to Mama Arlene’s daughter in Pittsburgh. Mama Arlene could then take it with her when she flew out of Pittsburgh in early December. Although this was a daunting challenge, I believe that the Holy Spirit was with us.

Everyone was incredibly supportive. I was astounded at the amazing generosity that came pouring in. Many people donated on-line, other local churches took special offerings, and some generous souls even stopped by the church office to drop their donations off in person.

By the grace of God, we reached our goal in just two weeks! Thank you so much to everyone who donated! Thank you to the finance team at Christ Community, UMC for managing this special offering and for keeping track of everything! Thank you to everyone for supporting our efforts through your prayers and by helping us to spread the word. Please continue to pray for Claudine and the children of Rwanda. 

A Happy Ending—And A New Beginning! 

Claudine’s story touched me personally because we both have the same rare eye problem. Because of modern technology, I was able to attend school and graduate with a master’s degree. Mama and I both hope for the same educational opportunities for Claudine.

Thanks to the generous outpouring of love from believers here in Pennsylvania, a young woman in Africa can follow her dreams. One day, she hopes to become a doctor. Wherever the road of life takes her, I know that this is only the beginning. I am honored that we were able to help her begin this journey of learning. 

We can do incredible things when we work together and when we trust in God. Lately, the UMC has gotten a lot of negative press because of some serious issues—but I would like to lift up this positive ministry. God is still at work among us. The Holy Spirit is doing a new thing. We are better together. Together, we made a difference. Thank you, my fellow people of faith. 

***

About the Author: Rev. Rebecca L. Holland, M.Div. OSL is the author of "The United Methodist Church and Disability" and the chair of the DisAbility Ministries Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference. She serves Christ Community & Llyswen UMCs in Altoona, Pa. Her most recent book, "Hope for the Broken: Using Writing to Find God’s Grace" is now available from Touch Point Press.

God’s Feet

On Sunday, October 25, 2020, the last of four services celebrating the appointment of our four new district superintendents was streamed from First UMC, Hollidaysburg. (View here:https://tinyurl.com/28zbftur) This service celebrated the appointment of Rev. Dr. Joleen A. Willis as the new Altoona District Superintendent. Following is an edited version of her installation address. 

Scriptures: Isaiah 52:7-10, Luke 4:14-21

Rev. Dr. Joleen A. Willis

Lord, bless this time of meditation upon your Word. May your Holy Spirit inspire and empower us that we might faithfully walk in your footsteps, obedient to your Word, your commands, and your call. Amen.

Most of us don’t think of our feet as beautiful. If anything I use shoes to hide my feet. Little known fact: I have weird feet. Well really it’s my toes. I have an extra amount of space between my big toe and my first smaller toe. So much so, that when I was wearing sandals as a church camp counselor when I was a college student, a camper asked me if I was missing a toe and I was scarred for life.

I even recall a family conversation, where my Aunt Wanda wondered if I would tie or wrap my toes together every night, if that would “fix” them.

Someone not so long ago told me that it is a trait of a particular ancestry. That tended to bring less embarrassment and infused a little pride when I thought of my toes that way.

When I was in the Philippines on a short-term mission trip, we were traveling north, and all of a sudden one of my Filipino traveling companions abruptly exclaimed, “Look” and pointed out an indigenous person climbing a nearby rugged and steep hillside – no special gear, harness, or rope. My friend went on to tell me about this people group, known as mountain people, and especially about their feet – how wide and solid their feet were. They were born with their climbing gear!

Watching the Disney movie, “Moana”, the feet of the main character, Moana, caught my attention. Her feet were mountain feet! Moana was not the typical Disney princess with the dainty, “Barbie- like” feet formed in the shape of high heels. Moana was ready for action! Moana was ready for adventure! And for salvation. The ocean had not been kind to her people; and Moana was called to set things right.

So, some of you by this time are thinking, too much information! We really didn’t come to hear about feet and we really didn’t need to know about your feet.

But feet are important. And the Bible speaks a lot about feet. We talk a lot more about speech, when it comes to proclamation; however, Isaiah 52:7 brings feet and voice together: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who procalim salvation...

In the Old Testament, the prophets bring good news (and sometimes they brought bad news to lead people to the “Good News”.) John the Baptist brings good news. Jesus Christ brings good news. The first disciples were in training to bring the good news. The apostles bring good news.

Chapter 52 then transitions to the fourth servant song, the promise of a Savior, the suffering Servant. If you thought feet were uncomfortable to look upon, what about the marred and disfigured appearance that Jesus, our deliverer, would take on?

In the New Testament, I can’t help but think about the woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears, drying them with her hair, anointing them with perfume, and then she kissed the feet of Jesus. To this woman, in the midst of criticism, Jesus spoke words of Good News, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:36-50)

And then remember that night, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples? Later that night he would be arrested, beaten, tried, and then crucified. The one who was to have nails pierced through his feet, washed the dirty, dusty feet of those whom he loved, those whom he knew would soon scatter in fear, disillusionment, and doubt.

But this was the path Jesus walked to bring the Good News to fulfillment.

Isaiah speaks the good news of the promise of things being set right for the people of Israel. They have been in bondage and exile: first in Egypt, then Assyria, then Babylon. They cry out for God’s deliverance, saying …

Isaiah 51.9 reads: Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! Awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not you who delivered us in the past? (paraphrased)

Israel cries out for God to awake, but God calls for Israel to awake! 

Later, in Chapter 51 and into the opening of chapter 52 God calls the people to “Awake!” Awake and remember His faithfulness. Awake, for they have been forgiven. Awake, for they shall be redeemed. It is they who had fallen asleep; it is they who needed to wake up to a genuine and active faith.

We are to get our feet ready for service!

Ephesians 6 talks about the armor of God, reminding us our feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace.

Are your feet fitted and ready with the Gospel?

Do you have your work shoes on?

Or, maybe we first need to take them off? Maybe we need to start with how we “get ready; get fitted.” Maybe we first have to take our shoes off and let Jesus wash them. Maybe we need to spend time with God in prayer, reading and studying The Word, seeking God, looking for His guidance, listening for God’s voice, both personally and as the Church.

Have you ever had your feet washed? It’s a humbling experience. I grew up in a tradition of foot washing. We viewed it as a Sacrament. I remember Bishop Middleton, taking the ordinands together before we were ordained and washing our feet. She modelled service and she was preparing us for service. It was a sacred time. It was holy ground.

When we traveled to Korea to adopt Ethan and Sarah, the primary cultural practice we were instructed in was removing our shoes when we went into someone’s home or office. We had the privilege of worshiping in some churches in Korea and were struck by the pastor taking off his shoes and putting on the slippers when approaching the front (nave) of the sanctuary.

There’s a time to take off your shoes, in humility and worship, and seeking an encounter with God, and there is a time to put your shoes on, and go out with Gospel. We can’t do one without the other.

In Luke 4, Jesus went into the wilderness for a time of testing; then he returns to read the words of Isaiah in the synagogue; that he is anointed to proclaim the Good News, preach freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, and to set the oppressed free. Only after ‘taking his shoes off’ (i.e. spending time with God, his Father) is he ready to proclaim that the Good News is now fulfilled.

In Isaiah 52, the watchmen see the messenger coming with Good News; and lifts their voices with joy.The messenger has arrived, the Good News is heard: 

The passage concludes with these directions “Depart. Go out from there...The Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” (Is 52:12)

Are you ready to depart? To go out with God before you and behind? 

Have you heard the Good News?

Are your feet fit with the Gospel of Christ?

Are you ready to be God’s feet and to follow God’s leading?

Do you hear God’s call, “Awake, Church! Awake, Altoona District!”?

Where will the message of the Good News take your feet?