Confronting Racism: Why We Need the Saints

Many Christian faith traditions include a calendar of saints in which the church celebrates the particular witness of saints on a daily basis. Today, (July 1), the Episcopal Church calendar of saints celebrates the Christian witness of Harriet Beecher Stowe.

It's especially timely to remember this saint due to the Charleston, SC shootings that were prompted by racism. As African American churches are being set on fire and people are arguing over the use of the Confederate Flag, it's times like this that it's extremely helpful to remember saints from the past who walked the walk and talked the talk. Harriet Beecher Stowe was one of those saints.

Brenda Putnam shares this thought about Harriet Beecher Stowe:

Harriet Beecher Stowe, the American author whose book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” opened eyes in its portrayal of Black slavery as shocking to all human sensibility. When he met her, President Abraham Lincoln said, “So you’re the little lady who started this (Civil) War.” For 40 years it was the world’s bestselling book, after the Bible.

As we approach the 4th of July weekend and give thanks for our country, may we also confess our racism, both subtle and overt so that we might be the nation that God has called us to be.

Confessing Our Racism - The March Continues...

This is a photo of this past Sunday's "Selma 50 March" that was in the Selma Times Journal. I didn't realize that the bridge was named after a Grand Dragon of the KKK. Unfortunately, racism surrounds us whether we are aware of it or not. 

The season of Lent is a time of confession, repentance, and forgiveness. Like the Selma march, it's a journey that reminds us that we live in a very broken and hurting world, but the good news is that we are also marching into God's new creation made possible through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lord, forgive us for our individual acts of racism whether they be overt or subtle. May all people be treated with dignity and respect. Remind us that every single person has been created by you. Be with us as we continue the march toward freedom and equality for all your people. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

A Very "Rotary" Christmas for Sharing Hope

[Pictured (from left) are: Bill Haase, rotarian; Donna Stalter, Rotary president; Rev. Robert McDowell, First United Methodist Church Senior Pastor; and Kristin Ankrom, Information and Referral executive director and rotarian.]

Christmas came early for Sharing Hope, a county-wide program that seeks to eliminate local poverty. Initiated two years ago by Rev. Matthew Richardson of First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Sharing Hope brings people together from various socio-economic backgrounds.

Participants come together twice a month at our church's Crossroads facility on W. Fair Avenue for a meal, group discussion, an educational piece regarding poverty, and small groups that offer peer support and encouragement. The program is helping people to move toward long-term financial stability.

"We utilize the Bridges Out of Poverty and Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World curriculum to build relationships between the community members who want to be a part of the solution and community members living in poverty," said Kristin Ankrom, Information and Referral executive director and Lancaster rotarian. "We have had much success over the past couple of years and can't thank Rotary enough for this donation."

When the Rotary Club heard about Sharing Hope's desire to have a special Christmas night for their recent December gathering, they offered a generous donation to help us purchase gifts for the children who are part of the program. And yes, the man in the red suit made a surprise appearance to hand out the goodies.

"Rotary is a strong supporter of the Lancaster community and we felt a need to help those struggling during the holidays by donating to this cause," said Donna Stalter, Rotary president. "The Sharing Hope Leadership Team shares the same goals as we do to promote a better community and life for people."

I am so grateful that our church has several people volunteering in this much needed outreach for our community. Thank you, Rotary Club for making Christmas a little brighter in our community!

A Sharing Hope (Anti-Poverty) Success Story - Thank You First UMC!

Our church has been hosting Sharing Hope which is an initiative to help eliminate local poverty. Several members of our congregation are helping with this program which began last Spring and meets at our spacious Crossroads facility.

Sharing Hope is designed to bring people together from various economic levels to help one another overcome obstacles related to living in poverty. They meet three times each month which includes a meal to promote fellowship, a large group time of sharing, and smaller groups where thoughts, ideas, and information are shared about overcoming poverty.

The link below is about a young woman, Liberty who was part of last year's Sharing Hope program and how she is overcoming poverty. I am so honored that our church is hosting a program such as this at our Crossroads facility. Thank you for making programs like this possible!

A Sharing Hope (Anti-Poverty) Success Story

I'm Thankful for…Sharing Hope!

During this Thanksgiving week, I'm thankful for…Sharing Hope!  Recently, the Family and Children First Council of Fairfield County presented Sharing Hope with a Firefly award for it's work in helping to eliminate local poverty. Sharing Hope began this past Spring. It's mission is to eliminate local poverty through the building of relationships among people of a variety of economic levels.

Training is provided to help people understand the culture of poverty. Dinner meetings are held twice a month which includes large group training and break out sessions. It's one of the few programs where people who live in poverty and people who are have stable financial environments are able to build relationships and learn from each other. Most programs seek to do something for the poor. This is a program that does something with the poor.

Those who are living in poverty have greatly benefited from the program. They have experienced an increase in their monthly incomes and they no longer rely on cash assistance. One of the participants has been able to get a driver's license and another person is making plans to return to school. More people will be participating in 2014.

Our church hosts the meetings at our Crossroads facility and several of our members are involved in the program. Thank you, Lancaster: First United Methodist Church for being an important community partner in helping to eliminate local poverty one family at a time.

Hoping for the End of the World...

 

A friend of mine in the church offers this very insightful take on today's "end of the world" prediction:

 

Here we are on December 21 and so far the prediction of the end of the world doesn’t seem to be accurate. I hope they are right about the end of the world if they meant this:

 

1. The end of a world where grieving parents thank those who mourn their murdered children
2. The end of a world where people with mental illness can’t find the help they need to function
3. The end of a world where political preferences become rigid dogmas that destroy relationships and the hope of compromise
4. The end of a world where people stop seeing the suffering around them and ignore those in need
5. The end of a world where families are fractured by addiction, violence and hate
6. The end of a world where faith is a scaual and inactive part of our everyday lives
7. The end a world where despair covers hope in darkness an the end of a world where we forget that Christmas is a day to rededicate ourselves to living our lives in such a way that a new world of hope, love, forgiveness and constant striving to build a world of justice and peace is our focus.

Help to End Local Poverty - Sharing Hope!

If you are interested in helping to eliminate local poverty, you may be interested in attending a "Sharing Hope" informational meeting on Saturday, December 15, 8:30 am to 9:30 am at Crossroads, 2095 W. Fair Avenue in Lancaster, Ohio.

I gave an overview of this exciting new way of approaching poverty during my November 4th sermon.  Here's a portion of what I shared with the congregation:

What makes “Sharing Hope” unique from other programs is that it’s not about people doing for the poor or doing anything to the poor, but it’s about the community doing something with the poor. This is the new and exciting picture that is beginning to take shape in our Lancaster community. I invite us to pray about this new possibility that can make a big difference in our community and I hope that as this program takes shape that many of us will be ready and willing to build relationships with the poor and together, help end poverty.

The Sr. Pastor of First Presbyterian and I along with First UMC church member, Brenda Shamblin are serving on a Guiding Coalition committee to help get this started here in Lancaster. If helping to end local poverty tugs at your heart strings, contact me at robertmcdowell@lancasterfumc.org to sign up for the December 15 meeting.

A Statement on the Pearl House & Proposed Location by the Lancaster Area United Methodist Clergy Cluster

 

We believe it necessary to speak about the possibility of the Pearl House and what the ramifications of such a facility might have on our community. Duly noted are the fears that such a facility in downtown Lancaster might bring to the community.

Such a facility in the proposed location is absolutely necessary and should be used for the great purpose of rehabilitation and recovery. People deserve a chance to rise again from the ashes of despair, and it is the responsibility of the community to help those who need it. To a large degree, we share these beliefs with other clergy and people across the religious spectrum.

Situated in the heart of our city, the Pearl House would offer a visible expression of our community's commitment in meeting the daunting challenge of drug abuse. "The community provides the potential for nurturing human beings into the fullness of their humanity. We believe we have a responsibility to innovate, sponsor, and evaluate new forms of community that will encourage development of the fullest potential in individuals." Paragraph 161 of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.

We encourage the Lancaster community to understand the importance of helping people with the absolute necessary resources they need to recover. Lancaster can be one of those places that does the right thing.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rev. Craig Arnold

Rev. Rita Kay Brown

Rev. Desiree Carter

Rev. Rick Jones

Rev. Robert McDowell

Rev. Roger McElfresh

Rev. Jeremy Shank

Link for the above Lancaster Eagle Gazette editorial

Link for Information Regarding the Pearl House

Link for Sunday, February 26, 6 P.M., Crossroads, 2095 West Fair Avenue, Lancaster, OH Drug Addiction Prevention Concert
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MLK Quote on the Church

"The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state." Strength To Love, 1963
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I Saw God's Kingdom Today

Maple Street UMC in Lancaster, Ohio has opened a free store which provides clothing and household items for people in need.  Next to the store, they were serving their weekly Wednesday lunch.  It was a busy place!

As I walked around the aisles, it felt like a little heaven was touching earth.  The hungry were being fed.  The poor were receiving clothes.  And the people of the church were using their gifts to be a blessing to others.

I saw God's kingdom today.
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A Labor Day Prayer

For the Unemployed

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Northern Ireland & Graeme McDowell

Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland became the unexpected winner of golf's US Open held at Pebble Beach this weekend. He beat out golf's heavy weights of Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and Ernie Els.

What a fitting tribute that a Northern Ireland golfer should win the Open this weekend since the British Prime Minister offered an official apology last week for the brutality of British troops in the killing of thirteen Northern Ireland civil rights demonstrators on January 30, 1972 in Derry, Northern Ireland.

Deep wounds caused by the violent events of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" back in 1972 are finally receiving much needed healing. May peace prevail throughout our troubled world.

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And for the record, Graeme and I aren't related. But congratulations to him, anyway!

Social Justice & Media Misunderstandings

It's been a week now since Glenn Beck compared a church's emphasis on "social justice" as a code name for communism and nazism. And since the United Methodist Church has a strong history of providing "social justice" ministries, I feel the need to offer some thoughts on Beck's comments.

First thought - Let's remember that Beck is in a business that is all about ratings. If the ratings aren't there, people turn the channel and the show ends. So when he holds up poster boards that have symbols of communism and nazism on his show, you have to give the producers credit. It gets our attention.

When I was serving a church in Toledo, Ohio, the newspaper ran an article about "The Confessing Movement" which was basically a conservative/evangelical call directed toward United Methodist pastors and churches. The paper included quotes from two United Methodist pastors, one of whom is a good friend of mine.

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The one pastor was very much in agreement with "The Confessing Movement" and my friend's quotes in the article indicated that he was against it. When I asked my friend about his comments the next day, he said that the reporter had called him on the phone to ask for his opinions. My friend said, "All I told the reporter was that I had heard about "The Confessing Movement" but hadn't really looked into it yet." With that comment, the paper made it appear that my friend was against it!

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Polarization is a great way to sell papers and have people watch TV shows. But it's not a great way to get at the truth.

Second thought - Forgetting Beck's polarization technique for the moment, does he have a point? Should churches refrain from emphasizing social justice ministries? What exactly are social justice ministries anyway?

Social justice is a phrase that reminds us of two central biblical motifs that run throughout the bible. The word "social" refers to the bible's emphasis upon community. God creates Eve because Adam was without a partner. God calls Abraham to become the father of many people who will in turn become a blessing to the world. Jesus calls 12 disciples. The word, church, (ekklesia) literally means an "assembly." It's really difficult to speak biblically and theologically without using the word "social" or "community."

The word, "justice" is another huge biblical word which is really at the heart of the biblical message. Justice refers to what the world would look like if God was running the show. Justice is when all of God's creation have the basic necessities of life. The prophets continually remind us of this central biblical doctrine. Jesus continued this emphasis on justice in his life and ministry. Here are just a few biblical examples:

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:24

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and the break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:6

Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness?...He judged the cause of the poor and needy…Is not this to know me? says the Lord.
Jeremiah 22:15-16

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.
Matthew 23:23

And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your god?
Micah 6:8

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And this leads me to a third and concluding thought - The whole point of the biblical message is not primarily about "how can we get to heaven when we die?" although our eternal salvation is an important part of the good news of our faith. The bigger issue is that one day God's justice and glory will fill creation and until that time comes, we as God's people are called upon to work toward this end.

And this is why the United Methodist Church has a resource called, "The Book of Resolutions" which contains our stance on almost 400 social issues facing our world today. In addition to offering ways for churches to be involved in social justice ministries directly, it also offers ways for churches to be an advocate for social justice through the political process as well.

For Christians who are uneasy about mixing religion and politics, think of William Wilberforce, (ending England's slave trade) Bishop Desmond Tutu, (ending apartheid) and think of the biblical understanding of "social justice."

Chile Earthquake & UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)

Below is information on the initial United Methodist response to the earthquake in Chile. We pray for the people of Chile in this great time of need.

UMCOR Responds to Earthquake in Chile

February 27, 2010—The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the needs of people affected by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile early on Saturday. Preliminary reports indicate at least 147 people have died, homes and hospitals have been destroyed, and the earthquake triggered a tsunami that is rolling across the Pacific.

Bishop Joel N. Martinez, interim General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries said, “I have just received the terrible news about the major 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile. The early reports of great destruction and widespread injuries and the increasing death count point to a need for a full response by all humanitarian agencies and governments in the coming days and weeks.”

UMOR is working with partners in Chile: Iglesia Metodista de Chile (IMECH), Ministerio Social Methodista (MISOM) and Equipo Metodista de Acción Humanitaria (EMAH) to respond with resources and support.

Bishop Martinez continued, “I received a message from the Iglesia Metodista de Chile and have expressed to Bishop Mario Martinez Tapia that we respond with our prayers, our solidarity, and our commitment to offer the resources and services of UMCOR to help the church respond.”

In an email, Juan Salazar, President of the Methodist Social Ministry in Chile, says of their initial evaluations of damage, “the information that arises each time indicates that the effects are greater than originally assessed.”

UMCOR executives, Melissa Crutchfield and Tom Hazelwood expressed via email, “our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you mobilize EMAH and IMECH in response to the earthquake this morning. We will continue to keep in touch and to keep you in our prayers. UMCOR and the people of the United Methodist Church stand with you and will help in any way we can.”

Disaster Response Training
Crutchfield and Hazelwood conducted a three-day disaster preparedness and emergency response training for IMECH district coordinators in October 2009. About 20 participants of the Chilean Methodist Church from different districts and regions engaged in the eight-hour a day training, which fostered networking opportunities with local authorities and relevant partners in the emergency response field. The disaster response training offered support IMECH, MISOM and EMAH district coordinators to build a disaster response network in preparation for disasters.

In a blog entry in the UMCOR Notebook, Hazelwood writes, “When we spoke of the use of volunteers and their value to UMCOR’s ministry of disaster response, the people of Chile knew and understood perfectly. They know what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ when there is trouble.”

How to Help
Bishop Martinez says, “I call on our generous United Methodist constituents to join in the response to the Chile Emergency Advance to strengthen UMCOR’s ability to be fully present with resources.”

At this point, it is not anticipated that relief supply kits will be needed. Financial support can be made to Chile Emergency Advance # 3021178.

Gifts can also be made by check to UMCOR and mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. For local church and Annual Conference credit, place your gift in the offering plate on Sundays. Please indicate in the memo line of the check that it is for the Chile Emergency.
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In Loving Memory of Rev. Sam Dixon, Head of UMCOR

Today, we mourn the loss of Rev. Sam Dixon, head of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) who died from injuries sustained from the recent Haiti earthquake. UMCOR is the humanitarian relief and development agency of the United Methodist Church. Compelled by Christ, UMCOR responds to natural or human made disasters—those interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own.

“Sam Dixon was a tireless servant of the church of Jesus Christ on behalf of all of us,” said Bishop Joel N. Martinez, interim top executive of the Board of Global Ministries, UMCOR’s parent agency. “His death is an incalculable loss to Global Ministries, UMCOR and our worldwide ministry of relief to God’s most vulnerable children. Our directors and staff extend their condolences to Sam’s wife, Cindy, their children, and their wider circle of friends and colleagues.”

For more information on Rev. Dixon's tragic death, click on this article from The United Methodist website.

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For information how we can offer gifts to UMCOR in response to the Haiti earthquake, here's the UMCOR link. Anyone may give to UMCOR directly and if you are part of a United Methodist congregation, you are encouraged to make a check payable to your local UM church with "Haiti Relief" on the memo, place it in the offering, and your church will send a church check to UMCOR to help the denomination keep records of the relief giving of each local congregation.

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Tomorrow, in my congregation of First UMC in Lancaster, Ohio, I will personally offer my Haiti relief gift to the glory of God in loving memory of the people of Haiti as well as Rev. Sam Dixon.

Birthday Anniversary - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968)

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Rethink Church this Christmas

This new United Methodist thirty second commercial has been airing during CNN Headline News. Here it is.

United Methodists & The HIV/AIDS Crisis

The information below is the official United Methodist stance on HIV/AIDS, an excerpt from a sermon I preached a little over a year ago entitled, "What Breaks God's Heart - HIV/AIDS" and a prayer for those who have or care for persons who have HIV/AIDS.

The Official United Methodist stance on HIV/AIDS

The unconditional love of God, witnessed to and manifested through Christ's healing ministry, provides an ever-present sign and call to the church and all persons of faith to join efforts to prevent the spread of HIV, provide care and treatment to those who are already infected and ill, uphold the preciousness of God's creation through proclamation and affirmation, and be harbingers of hope, mercy, goodness, forgiveness, and reconciliation within the world.

The United Methodist Church unequivocally condemns stigmatization and discrimination of persons with HIV/AIDS and violence perpetrated against persons who are or presumed to be infected with HIV. The United Methodist Church advocates the full involvement of the church at all levels to be in ministry with, and to respond fully to the needs of, persons, families, and communities whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS. In keeping with our faith in the risen Christ, we confess our belief that God has received those who have died, that the wounds of living loved ones will be healed, and that Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is present among us as we strive to exemplify what it means to be bearers of Christ's name in the midst of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.

—2004 Book of Resolutions ("The Church & The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic")

Sermon Excerpt - "What Breaks God's Heart - HIV/AIDS" by Pastor Robert McDowell (August, 2008)

For the entire state of Ohio, there are almost 15,000 people who are reported as having HIV/AIDS or HIV. Fifteen thousand people in Ohio. 82% are men. The largest age segment are people between 35 and 54, but we are seeing more and more people in the older age category getting HIV/AIDS. White people, which don’t include Hispanics, have the most reported cases in Ohio at 52%.

Heterosexual relations is the number one form of transmission and injection/drug use is number two. And as I mentioned earlier, there are 1 million people in our country who have this terrible disease.

Now, let’s think globally, but keep in mind that many parts of the world do not even keep statistics on HIV/AIDS. Here’s the number that I have seen several times. Globally, 33.2 million people have HIV/AIDS. 33.2 million people throughout the world.

Sub-Saharan Africa, by far, leads the way with 22.5 million with HIV/AIDS. Then, it’s South/Southeast Asia at 4 million. And as I mentioned, the United States is at a million.

And I can go on and on with many more statistics like the 800,000 orphans in Zimbabwe who are orphans because of HIV/AIDS or how ¼ of adults in Kenya are infected and 1/5 of adults in South Africa.

A Prayer

God of us all,

We pray for the unity of the church, that we may find a unified way to fight this disease of HIV/AIDS. Lead us out of passivity and inappropriate attitudes. Replace ignorance with education. Grant our young people the spiritual strength of self-discipline. Teach the old new ways of caring and compassion.

We pray for the commitment of time and money that will provide crisis intervention, professional guidance, community seminars and outreach programs to provide alternatives to the harmful enticements of the streets.

Grant us, together, a knowledge of what is and what is not, as well as a vision of what can be. In the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Who Will Break The Silence, Liturgical Resources for The Healing of AIDS.

Celebrating Christmas a Little Early

OK. I admit it. The McDowells' like to celebrate Christmas early by decorating the house a week before Thanksgiving.

It's odd that we do such a thing in our home since Penny and I are both liturgically minded and we believe in the importance of the Advent season which includes hymns such as "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus." My sermons always include a counter cultural Christmas restraint to help us prepare for the coming of Jesus into the world through confession, contemplation, and hopeful anticipation.

So, why do we decorate for Christmas so early in our home?

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I think it has something to do with the need to do a little early Christmas shopping. Each year around early to mid November, my brother sends my two sisters and me the names of needy children who are in need of Christmas presents. Our goal is to give these gifts to my brother during the Thanksgiving holiday so he has time to take them to the social agency which will be distributing the gifts. We've been doing this as a family for the past several years and it has become an important part of our yearly yuletide tradition.

Today, we went to the store to buy the gifts and when we got home, we packaged them so that they would be ready to give to my brother. It was nice to come home to a lit Christmas tree, knowing that an anonymous family going through a time of financial hardship was going to receive nice presents for Christmas.

Of course, we could still go out and buy the presents and wait to decorate until at least after Black Friday is over. I just like knowing that the light of Christmas can sometimes come a little early.

Have a blessed Advent and Christmas season.

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I mean, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Yankees Hit a Homerun

Whether you're a Yankees fan or not (I was pulling for the Phillies) you gotta like this brief story of how they are making a difference.