Thanksgiving All Year Round

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  —Philippians 4:4 

This month, like we do every year, we will celebrate one of the most iconic holidays in the United States, Thanksgiving. A day, that since the beginning of this tradition, people have taken to give thanks and rejoice for good things. For Christians, Thanksgiving presents a special opportunity to thank God for life, for health, for provision, and for those people and experiences that have marked us positively. Sometimes we give thanks even for the not-so-good moments, and even the bad ones, because through them we learned about the things that are most important in life. 

Being thankful is a Christian imperative! No matter what season of your life you are in, rejoice in the Lord, and be thankful. We do not need special days to be thankful, when in Christ, we have the invitation to rejoice, to give thanks, for everything, and always – everyday, in all times. 

Why wait until Christmas Day to thank God for the gift of hope that came to the world in Jesus, if we can do it every day? Every day should be Christmas. Every day we should give thanks for Christ, our Lord, and Savior!  

Why wait until Easter to give thanks to God for the gifts of life and salvation we receive from God through Jesus Christ if we can do it every day? 

Why, as a church, wait for the day of Pentecost to thank God for the reality of Christ’s presence today through the Holy Spirit, if we can do it every day? 

Why wait for Valentine’s Day to give thanks to the people who love us and have expressions of affection with them, if we can do it every day?  

Why wait for Mother’s or Father’s Day, to thank God for our parents and express love to them, if we can do it every day?  

Why wait for Pastor Appreciation Day, to thank God (and pastors) for the love, guidance, and care of our pastors, if we can do it every day?  

Why wait for Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History month, or Native American Heritage Month to celebrate our diversity if we can do it every day?  

Why wait – if we can be thankful all year round! 

When was the last time you paused to give thanks for the love of God and the many ways it manifests in your life? Who in your life are you thankful for, who are the people that make you smile? That accept you for who you are, and care for you? When was the last time you let them know how much they mean to you? 

Thanksgiving is not a holiday – it is a way of life that springs out of a grateful heart, and as children of God, we have the eternal source and reason for thanksgiving, in Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to God every day and find meaningful ways to thank others for the ways they bless our lives.  

Thank you for the countless ways you are making the love of Jesus Christ visible in your communities and the world.  

Paz,

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez

VIM Immigration Immersion Journey

Painting of a Humane Borders water station by Janet Gyekis, VIM Immigration Immersion Journey participant.

Michelle Schwartzman, SUSUMC VIM Coordinator

The impact of a mission journey is diverse. Impact can be providing a ramp for a new wheelchair user. It can be listening to someone who lost their home in a flood. It can be the feeling we get when we are able to help someone. It can be learning about immigration. It can be providing dental work. It is experiential. 

Missio Dei, “the mission of God”, is at the center of our theology. We are called to be a community, called to be one. It’s not a stagnant, one-time event but it is moving. We continue to relate, continue to learn, and continue to live the message with the community. This community and this desire to give and love one another is where work camps and mission trips often start. It’s where UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) was born. 

In UMVIM we now say “Mission Journey” instead of “Mission Trip” because it’s not just about the week-long trip or project, it’s part of the Missio Dei, it’s moving and a continual part of our life, not a one-time event.

Western culture is goal-oriented, stereotypically. That makes it hard for us as individuals, for our churches, for our society to not have a specific task or project to complete. When I began promoting the VIM Immigration Immersion Journey I was asked repeatedly, but “what will you DO while you’re there?” The participants of the journey even expressed that churches asked the same or the participants themselves were asking the same. The answer was that this was an educational journey. We would travel to Arizona and Mexico and meet with different organizations to learn about their experience and work with immigration. We would learn to be advocates for immigrants and put that into practice when we got back.

Six other women joined me for the Journey in September. Since we’ve been back, they each have continued this journey; speaking at their churches, to local civic organizations, to boards and writing articles. They’ve raised funds and signed petitions. I hope that you’ve read our Director of Communications’ article in the November 2023 LINK issue. It gives an account of the different organizations we visited and the dire need for more advocates. Please take a few minutes to read it if you haven’t. 

Consequently, the “DOing”, the task that is in question, comes after the actual trip to Arizona/Mexico and lasts a lifetime. Our “DOing” is what Jesus calls us to do. When Jesus talks about the Good Samaritan, at the end, he says that the neighbor was the one who showed mercy and that we should go and do the same.

The Mexico/USA border wall in Arizona and a child’s sweatshirt by the border wall.
What story does this garment hold?

Dotsy Baiza, VIM Journey participant writes in her church newsletter, “We also assisted 60 women with small children, who had been picked up and immediately sent back over the border. A shelter, La Casa de la Esperanza in Sasabe, Mexico is run by volunteers who give the immigrants food, water, and a shower before they must return to Mexico. This was so heart-wrenching, after all they had been through. The Inn of Southern Arizona, a shelter run by a UMC offers beds, food, water, and clothing. The Inn helps immigrants connect with their sponsor, provides transport to the airport, bus, etc. I met a young mother with a 2-year-old son. For 30 days, she walked to the Mexican border from Guatemala. With a small child. How intolerable her life must have been to even consider the journey.”

This is a complex issue but we must not lose sight of what is at the core: humanity. When we talk about “Issues”, we often label to the point of dehumanizing people. That cannot be what Jesus is asking us to do. Studying the Good Samaritan, we learn that the others that pass him by are following policy or practices that they are holding above the suffering of a human. In our journey, we can listen to the experiences of immigrants and to the experiences of those working with them. We can tell the story, and fight for mercy to be shown. To learn more about the organizations we met with you can see them in the November LINK or contact me. 

What we experienced (saw, smelled, tasted, felt, learned) in Arizona and Mexico was heavy. It was a lot to take in; one, just because we visited so many different organizations and two, for the gravity of it all. Returning home, it took some time to process it all. When we have experiences like this with Mission Journeys, it’s important to take time for this. It might be playing with your children, going on a hike, reading a fun book, laughing with friends, getting sucked into a TV series, or cuddling with your pets or all the above. The seven of us that went on this journey are spread throughout Pennsylvania and we talked about this through email after we got back. We also will meet on Zoom to catch up in February. We will talk about how our journey reflects us doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God (paraphrased Micah 6:8).

I’m looking to lead this journey again for our Conference in the future. If you’re interested, please reach out. Once plans are in place I will advertise.

Michelle Schwartzman
VIM Coordinator

vim@susumc.org
www.susmb.org/vim/
Facebook

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: Thanks, from a Grateful Heart

By Kim Shockley, Coordinator of Lay Excellence

As I move steadily toward retirement at the end of 2023, I want to reflect with you about how much I have enjoyed working throughout the Susquehanna Conference as your Coordinator of Lay Excellence. Most of my time has been invested in re-ordering how our Lay Servant Ministries function throughout the Conference. That has included working with the District Chairpersons and updating all of the certification processes for Lay Speakers and Lay Ministers. It has been a joy to see how many of our lay people are engaged in significant leadership roles throughout all of our Districts.

Developing and mentoring Goal Companions in a coach approach to ministry has also been quite fulfilling. As an International Coach Federation credentialed coach, I have helped to train and mentor this process in others. Right now, we have an active group of Goal Companions who will come alongside you as a leader, or your leadership team as all of us live into how God is calling us now. Goal Companions will help to focus, navigate through obstacles, and provide healthy accountability to the goals that you establish. There is a page dedicated to our coach approach through the Grow-Equip-Connect web presence: susumc.org/gec-coaching/

My greatest joy has been working with our Goal Companions to lead Clarity Days for local congregations. We help to clarify the foundation of why a church exists, how it behaves, what it does, and how it will be successful. This new foundation is used as a strategic focus for all decisions, planning and evaluation of the ministry. Thank you to those who have participated in this process!

Several times I have been asked what our congregations should be doing to make a difference today. There are three things that I would like to share with you:

Find ways to talk about how we see God at work in our communities. This is more than seeing a lovely bird or flower—it is about how we see the changes for good in our communities. Is there a teacher or community leader that is making a positive influence on others? Where do we see people gathering for positive conversation? Who is leading an effort to make other people’s lives better? These may not be overtly Christian endeavors, so look to see if the behaviors and values match your own for potential partnerships.

Encourage each person in your congregation to see every person they meet as a person who is loved by God. This is particularly hard in some communities where the hurt and pain from difficult experiences color our perceptions of the people we meet. These people are still loved by God and have value, so seeing them in that way may be helpful to overall transformation of our community and God’s redemption in their own lives. 

Remember, who we are is more important than what we do, and what we do is an opportunity to show who we are. Our behavior matters—everywhere we go! If I am grumpy with my server or don’t offer a gratuity, that affects my reputation. If I am a rude driver, that hurts my witness of Jesus. Everything we do, everything we say, is our witness of Jesus’ work in our own lives. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the best formula for living like there is evidence of God’s Spirit within us: The Holy Spirit produces a different kind of fruit: unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this. (The Voice) Our behavior matters!

I want to leave you with this blessing that I discovered a few years ago. It comes from Brian as his gift offered at Burning Man in 2015.

The world now is too dangerous,

And too beautiful for anything but love.

May your eyes be so blessed you see God in everyone. 

Your ears, so you hear the cry of the poor.

May your hands be so blessed,

That everything you touch is a sacrament.

Your lips, so you speak nothing but the truth with love.

May your feet be so blessed you run,

To those who need you.

And may your heart be so opened,

So set on fire, that your love,

Your love, changes everything.

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: What Do the Ninety-Nine Have to Say?

Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership

Sometimes during a meal, my husband, Gary, and I will have a lively conversation about Jesus’ stories and parables and what they may mean for us today. Recently, we were caught up in Luke 15: 1-7 where Jesus tells the first of the “lost” parables. 

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:1-7 NIV)

Granted, there are lots of sermon-making thoughts in this short parable, but considering that the sheep who was lost was originally part of the flock, causes me to reflect on what I’m often hearing from our congregation’s leaders now. The topic most often heard around the leadership table these days seems to be about how we get folks back into our worship services on Sunday morning. So, I thought it would be fun to unpack what the ninety-nine are talking about in regard to those who are considered lost.

The set up to this parable, verse 2, gives us some hints as to what the ninety-nine were talking about – the Pharisees and teachers of the law were grumbling – putting Jesus’ actions in a bad light, stirring up trouble, and generally sabotaging what Jesus was all about. Today, we hear statements like – “where is the pastor going, they haven’t visited me?” “Why aren’t these people back to worship? They spend too much time on their cell phones, and sports, and the convenience of online worship!” “Why can’t it be like it used to be?” While reminiscing, blame, and anger toward things we can’t control are all part of the grieving process, if we stay there, we will miss what God is doing around us! When the grumbling becomes the regular talk of the ninety-nine, then I wonder who needs to repent?

I’m thinking about another Old Testament story that is similar – when Moses went up the mountain to talk with God – he was gone for enough time for those “ninety-nine” to rebel and convince Aaron that a new god needed to be born. When Moses returned with God’s desires – those ten commandments – the people had formed a golden idol and completely sabotaged what God was doing. Instead of rejoicing over what had been found, Moses smashed the tablets and had to start over again!

So, what if we turned our thoughts and potential to action toward rejoicing! How can our ninety-nine begin to see that God is doing a new thing, and figure out how God wants to use us now? A big part of this shift will have to be what we talk about when we gather. First, who should be out looking for the lost? It is just the shepherd’s job now? Remember, we all have gifts that God wants to use to build up God’s Kingdom – is God calling you to action as a “sheep finder”? This would be rejoicing!

What if we understood that an on-line experience of worship is the right answer for some of our folks, and even other community people? What are the other opportunities for people to engage in the work of your congregation? What if a person is passionate about service, or small group study, or a prayer ministry – can we consider those things as valid expressions of Christian life and work, and an expression of their gifts! This would be rejoicing! 

What if our conversation took us out to our community to discover our own reputation? What might we discover about the quality of our relationships within our community? If we are brave enough to ask, would we find out that we are known for grumbling or rejoicing? Are we known for the way we love and care for others or ourselves? Could we be brave enough to change our reputation by focusing on abundant Christian love that transforms lives wherever we go? This would be rejoicing!

I Love a Parade!

Fire trucks. Marching bands. Floats. And, candy, lots of candy. These are some of the childhood images that come to mind when I think of a parade. I remember how exciting it was to grab a grocery bag, sit on the side of the road, and gather all the sweets thrown my way. As I got older, I remember marching with the Scouts and decorating our high school class floats every year for the homecoming parade. When I joined the military, I spent the summer of 1986 learning the precision and detail that marching required. Those skills became very useful because we marched everywhere. Thirty five years later, I still get excited about a parade. I stand a little taller when I hear the heavy beat of a drum. I get chills at the sound of a firm, booming cadence being called. The sound of a group moving in sync is music to my ears. And, when the drum major raises that baton, my excitement grows because I know what is coming next. The air will be filled with the harmonious sounds of a band performing.

In Joshua 6, we learn that God used a parade to provide victory in battle. After crossing the Jordan River and into the Promised Land, the Israelites faced a formidable enemy in the highly fortified city of Jericho. They had no real weapons of significance to make the task of overtaking the city any easier. And, Joshua had to wonder if it was even possible to achieve such a feat. God met him and provided the plan for success. 

Joshua followed God’s instructions and the people paraded around the city once each day for six days, while carrying trumpets of rams’ horns. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times and the priests blew the trumpets. And, when they made a long blast, everyone shouted and the wall around Jericho fell. The stronghold on the city was destroyed and the Israelites were victorious.

While God destroyed the city walls, there is so much more to be learned from the Jericho parade. God goes before us in all situations, working on our behalf, to claim victory. He promises to be with us just like he was with them. His message was, and still is, “I will not leave your or forsake you. Be strong and courageous...Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go... Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5-9, ESV).

Today, we face our own battles. We wrestle with personal circumstances that seem to take hold of our lives. Publicly, we are fighting a pandemic, struggling to overcome racism, and arguing over human rights. Like Joshua, we may wonder how to achieve triumph over these apparent strongholds. The Battle of Jericho can provide a reminder that victory is possible if we remain faithful and obedient to God. As the weather turns warmer, take some time to “parade” around your community. Pray for your neighbors, friends, and family. If you are talented enough to play an instrument, take it with you. Make a joyful noise. And, share in the excitement of knowing God is already there, will help us overcome our problems, and destroy the walls of sin, sickness, injustice, and hate in our lives.