Reflections of a Running Reverend

In May 10-20, 2016, United Methodists from all around the world will gather in Portland, Oregon for General Conference, the highest policy-making body of the United Methodist Church. Once every four years, delegates elected by their respective annual conferences gather together for two weeks of worship, legislation and holy conferencing to determine the denomination's future direction, consider revisions to church law, and approve plans and budgets for church-wide programs ( Read more about it here ). This year's highlighted topics include: the church's stance on homosexuality; proposed changes in church structure; major changes for clergy and bishops; and proposals on social justice issues ( Read a summary here ). It is very important work that needs our support and our prayers.  I invite you to pray for General Conference 2016.  Here are some of the ways you can do that: Pray for our Alaska Delegation This month, we have highlighted each member...

"And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road." (Matthew 2:12, NRSV) On the eve of celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6), I reflect on this verse that closes the story about the journey of the wisemen from the East.  I've always been struck by how this verse is so appropriate for the beginning of a New Year. A common practice during these early days of a New Year is the making of New Year's resolutions. These are promises we make primarily to ourselves but also to others, to make amends, clean up our act, take off on the right foot, change for the better, and start anew. I love the musical definition of resolution: it is the "progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance." To resolve a chord is to move from clashing notes to harmony.  Now, dissonance is defined as "the lack of agreement or consistency" between the beliefs one holds or between one's a...