Tidings from Thomas

Dear Friends,

You may have noticed the United Methodist Church in the news recently. News coverage has revolved around the May 1st launch of the Global Methodist Church, also known as the GMC. The GMC has been in development for many years as a result of some United Methodists’ desire to form a new expression of Methodism. It is worth noting that the news media generally do not understand how churches work. They especially seldom understand how the United Methodist Church works. In other words, if you see something in the press that does not sound quite right, it is probably incorrect. Without going into minute details or doing a side-by-side analysis of the UMC and the GMC, it is helpful to review how we got to this point.

The story starts at General Conference, the world-wide gathering of United Methodists which meets every four years. Only the General Conference can speak for the entire United Methodist Church and only the General Conference can change our Book of Discipline. Think of the Book of Discipline as the UMC’s rule book. In 2019, there was a called General Conference to deal with issues related to human sexuality. The 2019 General Conference also created an avenue by which congregations could separate from the UMC. It was assumed that at the next regular General Conference, which would have been held in 2020, some sort of denominational separation would take place. Like many things set to take place in 2020, General Conference was rescheduled multiple times. It was decided to suspend meeting until the next regularly scheduled General Conference in 2024. Rather than wait until 2024, those working to form a new expression of Methodism responded by proceeding with the launch of the GMC on May 1st, 2022.

This is not a time for panic. Neither is there a need for Central to begin discussion of our denominational future. We are a United Methodist congregation served by clergy who are committed to the United Methodist Church. So, what should we be doing?

First, we should pray. When we pray, we bring God’s grace to bear on the lives of those we pray for as well as for ourselves. Prayer grounds us in God’s love and grace and inclines our hearts to those for whom we pray. Let us therefore pray for the church, the church’s leaders, and all those who are part of the church.

Second, let us commit ourselves to Central’s mission to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. God has a mission for Central United Methodist Church and for the entire United Methodist Church. Grounding our shared work in prayer, let us follow God in God’s will and God’s way. In so doing, everything we do should advance the mission to impact our community in the name of Jesus.

Third, let us love. John Wesley once wrote, “For opinions, or terms, let us not ‘destroy the work of God.’ Dost thou love and serve God? It is enough. I give thee the right hand of fellowship.” In his stilted eighteenth-century language, Wesley offers us an insight in this moment. We do not have to agree on everything. But, if we can commit ourselves to love one another and love and serve God together, we can continue to be church together. If we can agree to love God and neighbor, we can disagree on very important things but still be brothers and sisters in Christ. God calls us to be one in Jesus Christ, even when we disagree on important issues.

We have work to do. If we pray, commit ourselves to our mission, and resolve to live in love with one another, God will continue to use us mightily for God’s purposes. Rather than worry and waste energy on what may or may not happen at future General Conferences, let us focus our energy on living into God’s mission for Central here and now. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with me if you would like to talk in more detail.

Yours in Christ,

Thomas Smith

Announcement from Today's Worship

Dear Friends, 

It was announced today in worship that our associate pastor, Rev. Derrick Cattenhead, is being appointed to serve another church.  His last Sunday with us will be June 19, 2022.  For six years, Central has been blessed by Derrick and his ministry.  Derrick, Chasie, and their sons are part of the Central family and we will miss them. 

Clergy are itinerate in the United Methodist system, meaning they are appointed by our bishop to serve churches one year at a time.  Each year the bishop and his cabinet, comprised of the district superintendents, go through an intentional process of prayerfully considering each pastor’s gifts and needs and each church’s gifts and needs.  This annual process usually results in pastors being appointed to continue serving their current appointments.  Sometimes the result is a pastor being appointed to serve a new church.  For Derrick, this annual process means a move to North Orangeburg United Methodist Church this summer.  Though we will miss Derrick, Chasie, Tyler, and Chase, this is a good move for Derrick and his family.  Between now and June, let us show Derrick and his family our love and appreciation for all they mean to our church and our community and let us send them forth with our blessing. 

On a personal note, I have been blessed to serve alongside Derrick as a colleague and as a friend.  I have seen first-hand his dedication to Central’s mission and ministry, the depth of his faith, and his passion for the Gospel.  Like you, I will miss Derrick.  Regardless, I look forward to seeing the powerful ways God will continue to use Derrick to advance God’s kingdom. 

Beginning June 29th, Central will have a new associate pastor, Rev. Ann Kovan.  Ann comes to us with a wealth of experience and the gifts and graces necessary join Central in mission and ministry.  Let us welcome Ann, her husband Andy, and their daughters Gabrielle and Claire in the loving Central spirit for which we are known. 

Over these next few months, let us pray or Derrick and the Catthenhead family, for Ann and the Kovan family, and for Central.  May God guide and bless these ministers, their families, and Central United Methodist Church as we follow God into new avenues of mission and ministry. 

Yours in Christ, 

Thomas Smith

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 
Matthew 5:9 

You could fill volumes with all that I don’t know or understand about geopolitics.  I am uninformed about the intricacies of international diplomacy and my feelings toward Russia are shaded by having grown up during the Cold War.  Regardless, none of us need to know much to be horrified by the news from Ukraine.  Our hearts hurt for lives lost and for people whose homes are being ravaged by invasion.  The world feels a great deal less safe than it did only days ago.  The above words of Jesus remind us to be makers of peace, even in the presence of war.  How do we do that when we are removed by thousands of miles?  The short answer is to pray.  The below prayer was published by the Church of England and used in a prayer vigil on February 26th.  Whether you use these exact words, I encourage you to add to your daily prayers the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia, and the leaders of both countries.  While it may be difficult to pray for the oppressor, Jesus calls us to pray for our enemies and to counter hate with love.  Let us therefore pray for those pursuing war, that they might repent and seek peace.  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.  

God of peace and justice, 
we pray for the people of Ukraine today. 
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. 
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, 
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. 
We pray for those with power over war or peace, 
for wisdom, discernment and compassion 
to guide their decisions. 
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, 
that you would hold and protect them. 
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. 
Amen. 

 Yours in Christ, 

Thomas 

God's Church During a Worldwide Pandemic

Dear Friends, 

It seems we find ourselves in the midst of yet another spike in Covid-19 cases.  We at Central are working to identify the best way to move forward in mission and ministry until the tide turns.  Nevertheless, our mission remains the same and there is much work to be done.  It is incumbent upon us to continue following Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors.  For now, all our ministries will continue as planned.  Most of our gatherings will remain mask optional, but I encourage you to consider wearing a facemask indoors.  I also encourage you to be vaccinated against Covid-19 if it is medically safe for you to do so.  Most importantly, please follow the advice of your healthcare provider regarding which precautions to take. 

While the news may seem discouraging, let us remember God has placed us in this place at this time.  Our job as individual Christians and as a church is to faithfully follow Jesus in here and now.  In thinking about this idea, I am reminded of something I heard a World War II veteran say.  Toward the end of his life, I was blessed to sit with this man as he reflected on some of his experiences as a pilot in the Pacific.  I thanked him for his service and for sharing his stories with me.  He responded by saying, “I didn’t do anything a million other men wouldn’t have done.”  When I encouraged him not to downplay his service, he said, “I was the one who was there when something needed doing, so I did it.”  That idea has stuck with me.  God has made us God’s church during a worldwide pandemic.  We are the ones who are here and the mission remains.  Let us continue to faithfully follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. 

Yours in Christ,  

Thomas

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We celebrate anew the good news that Jesus Christ is born for us. Amidst all the hubbub of the day, take a moment to sit and reflect on the mystery of Christmas. A virgin named Mary give birth to God's only son. In this son existed the fulness of God. God's own self became a human being and lived a life like ours in every way but sin. In Jesus, God is with us. 

Jesus is with us, but His presence is cheapened when we ignore it. Consider Christmas music. Since the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas music has been everywhere. It is the background soundtrack for the last part of the year. It is in almost every store and public space. We hear it, but after a point do we not stop listening?  At some point does it not become vaguely familiar noise that tune out? 

Jesus is with you now. Wherever you read these words, the Child of Bethlehem is with you in that place right now. Do not let His presence be in the background of your day. Open your eyes to see him. Open your ears to hear Him.  Let the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds be God's word to you: 

“Onto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”  — Luke 2:12 

Yours in Christ,