Following Lin’s welcome Bishop Peter D. Weaver was introduced as the keynote speaker for the day. Bishop Pete said we were responsible for maintaining the accomplishments and directions of folks who historically were upstream from us. He equally emphasized that we must consider ourselves upstream from those that will follow us in the Methodist traditions and beliefs. We have an obligation to those downstreamers to preserve what we have, but not to dwell on what is past, but to use that heritage for change or adapt when necessary to meet new needs. He quoted from Maya Angelou, that “people who have been upstream to us had committed their spirit to growth and change.” The Bishop mentioned that there were two distinct beginnings to Methodism in the United States. The first evolved from a Methodist class at John Street in New York City in 1766. The founding fathers appealed to John Wesley in England by saying,” We will sell our coats and shirts if you send us a preacher.” That church moved in the direction of building a formidable church building, which they continued to maintain. The other direction of Methodism in America developed in Sam’s Creek, Maryland. In that community, Robert Straweridge directed that community to build a very simple log structure as a meeting place and concentrated instead in reaching out to the needs of the community. I think the juxtaposition created by these two beginnings has a message to us today. I believe that it means that we do have a need to maintain a property and to allow many to use it. It also says that we need to be aware of the needs of the community beyond our church walls and help to meet those needs; locally, nationally and globally.
The Bishop early in his presentation indicated that it was not unusual for congregations to make major changes in church property to meet changing demands on an average every 35 years throughout the late 1700’s and most of the 1800’s. Late in the 1800’s and into the 20th century that phenomenon seemed to lengthen as congregations seemed to become more complacent. Adaptations to cultural change did not occur. The increased use of the automobile for example put a pinch on some churches as they had not left any room for parking conditions. Many times churches did not adjust to the needs of the handicapped. It was mentioned that the Methodist churches that are growing are those that have allowed themselves the opportunity to meet those needs. As a thought to the future we might ask ourselves though will the “outskirts churches” be in a convenient location if and when the use of fossil fuels ebbs and wains?
But remember the other route of Methodism that grew out of Maryland. There will always be the poor, the needy, the handicapped, those needing solace and comfort. As the Bishop said, “as Methodists we are called to boldly proclaim Christ in our neighborhoods.”
The Bishop said that he had spent the previous night with teens that were taking lay speaker training. Their knowledge and direction impressed him. He said that we have a great need to nurture young folks and not lose them to other elements of society that call them.
Bishop Pete said that it is essential that clergy and the laity (claity in his lexicon) need to work together not at odds with each other. He said that we need to look at some of the practices that need to be cast aside and to adopt others more appropriate to the present. He said that is the lesson of history (and I as a historian wholeheartedly agree.) Making such decisions are difficult because often a practice deemed absolutely necessary by some is absolutely unnecessary to someone else. Issues are not resolved if we don’t talk them out though.
The Bishop also said that we needed to be passionate about our spirituality. That was the heart of the Holy Club mission that was founded by the Wesleys. He included the definitions of prevenient Grace, justifying Grace and sanctifying Grace as part of our spirituality. He also talked about need-based evangelism in reaching out to our communities and completed this part of his message with why inspiring worship is essential in keeping ourselves and seekers focused. All three of these elements are all essentials, but are found to usually be at the bottom of the priorities list when churches are engaged in Natural Church Development.
The Bishop’s message lasted nearly two hours yet it was very inspirational, meaningful and engaging. Certainly the message, not to take away from the breakout groups in the afternoon carried the most singularly meaningful message of the day. I hope the readers of this entry find it useful. One that develops questions and leads to significant action.
Four breakout groups followed lunch. Most sessions were attended by 25 or more folks. Some sessions dealt with the principles and theology of the United Methodist Church while the two others were on early Methodism in Maine and how to use timelines in recording the history of the local church. I attended the latter of these. Only Pastor Ernest Farrar and Joni Gatcombe of the Round Pond United Methodist Church and I were in the group. I found our conversation to be extraordinary. We all were able to share historical work and research that we have done and I do believe new friendships and research partners evolved from our link. Rosemary Herd and Chris Ward were the other two folks that attended this meeting on Saturday, March 10, 2007. Both of them attended the session on early New England Methodism.
The day concluded with a meaningful communion served by the Bishop and Lin.
This was a day well spent in study and worship with many United Methodists.
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