Dear Friends,

            Growing up in Michigan, I often heard the phrase, “When the nations catches a cold (economically), Michigan gets pneumonia.”  We can certainly now expand the focus of this phrase to include the world. Recent weeks have seen economic chaos erupt around the globe and its stock markets, resulting in a downturn in profits for many firms, the credit crunch, the continuing and escalation of home foreclosures to name but a few of the arenas to which we can point as a part of our collective dilemma.

            I write you, as clergy and lay leaders of the Ann Arbor District, out of a pastoral concern for you as you lead your congregations.  As I write these words, I’m not quite halfway through the Church Conference schedule for this year. Yet most all of the churches have noted how the state of our economy is impacting their ministries, almost all of it negatively. Many are anxious about the current reality, and believing it will likely deteriorate even more before it improves significantly.  In such times, it is natural to “circle the wagons” and protect ourselves, resulting in “cutting back” rather than “opening up”.

            I understand such tendencies, for they’re pretty natural, pretty normal. Yet I’d also point out that through the centuries, the Church has been at its best when life’s circumstances pose their greatest challenge to us in the Body of Christ. What are the resources on which we can draw for courage, for faith, for the counter-intuitive response of reaching out in new and creative ways with a word of hope, financial resources that stretch us today in order to help others even closer to “the edge” than you and I and model a faithful way of responding in times of unprecedented need? It seems clear to me that the Connection of our beloved United Methodist Church makes it possible to bear witness to Christ’s will for all in such a time as this. How will we respond?

            I’m aware these words may be difficult to read… much less make incarnate. Believe me when I say they are not intended to add pressure to your already stressed-out lives. Instead, they are an invitation to engage in some creative problem-solving with colleagues and friends, co-servants of Christ of yours, engage in study of scriptures for a “new” way of looking at the eternal dilemma of responding in new and hopeful ways in a time that feels old, threatening and perhaps more than a bit overwhelming. The answers are neither easy nor automatic. But I believe that with God’s help, and our collective imagination, Christ can show us a way… even when there may seem to be no way.

            Let me offer one example for you to consider. The format will vary, depending on the size of your congregation. Given the many people who have lost jobs recently in our state, consider having a “Job Fair” in which companies who are looking for employees may be able to “link” with people who are seeking jobs. You could hold this in your church hall… and then let people know if they are interested that they can adjourn to your sanctuary and have someone pray with them… or they could pray by themselves in silence.  Large-membership churches may be able to offer this for their own membership and/or community. Medium-sized congregations might be able to do it… or choose to partner with another congregation in their community (perhaps even do so ecumenically). Small-membership churches may find it helpful to partner with nearby churches (either United Methodist or not). Perhaps you could identify other ways to help.

I trust that you will indeed receive these as words of encouragement and hope as you serve Christ with those whom you serve and explore together how Christ might be encouraging you to minister creatively in such tumultuous times as these. As always, I invite your feedback and response. May the One who called you encourage and empower you this day… and for the days yet to come.

Sincerely,

Tom Macaulay