From the Pastor's Pen, November, 2005:

From the Pastor's Pen, August, 2006:

Connected....

As I sit down to write this column, it's a busy Monday at First UMC. Dick is troubleshooting the computer in my office, Doris is busy publishing the rest of the newsletter, Mary Lou and Rose are working at keeping our membership list accurate, Roger, David, Bruce, and a guest gardener are working in the courtyard garden, Anne is practicing the organ, the phones have been ringing steadily, and the sound at the front door tells me that the Meals on Wheels volunteers have completed their route. Meanwhile, I'm thinking through this column, next Sunday's bulletin, and what visits I need to make this week. None of that is to whine about what a busy day it is. For me, though, it's a reminder of how connected our life in the church is.

We are connected, not just by the many works and services the church is about, but because we all belong to Christ. Yes, the life of the church is many-faceted, from the care of the physical building to the care of souls. The life of the church includes worship, spiritual growth, finances, education, missional priorities, evangelism, and so many other aspects, large and small. They are all part of the work of the church; they are all part of God's work.

In the United Methodist polity (governing structure of the church), we understand ourselves as a connectional church. That means we are not alone in our practice of faith. We do not worship alone or work for God alone. We are part of a district (Lansing), an Annual Conference (West Michigan), a Jurisdiction (North Central), and a General Church (The United Methodist Church throughout the world). This is good news because together we can do more than we can alone. If we were simply “First Church with the Green Roof on the Corner of Waverly and De1ta River,” we could not be as strong as we are in mission and ministry. In addition to all the functions of church life that we provide locally, we help support hospitals, missions, programs, schools, colleges, seminaries around the nation and around the world through our ministry shares. Because we are a connectional system your pastor is appointed by the Bishop rather than the church seeking and hiring their own. We are stronger in connection with ALL others United Methodists, as a connectional church.

We see that on a local level, on a busy Monday morning, as different people provide various services in their area of interest and expertise. We see it on Sunday morning as we sing, read, pray and study together. We see it as the First UMC is involved in many different kinds of ministry. We are connected. Everyone is important. Everyone has a part in the ministry of the church.

You'll see many examples of our connectedness as you read this issue of First Inklings. The annual Conference report from Dorothy Crowl and Rose Mason shows some of the work of our connection. Kathy Bush's article about my reappointment to First Church touches on the polity of the UMC. The Friends in Faith column shows the connections between people in our congregation. UMW's announcement of their “Women with Heart” points out the importance of their ministry. All our various announcements show how connected and interconnected we are. Whether it is giving toward a new parking lot, feeding a hungry person, teaching a child, or sharing worship and fellowship with others, we are part of this larger ministry. We are connected.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he used the imagery of the body to illustrate just how connected we are: “If the foot would say, because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less apart of the body.” (I Corinthians 12:15: see all of I Corinthians 12 for full context). Paul names the reality that we all belong to the Body of Christ, the Church, and we need to function together. We are connected—with our many different gifts and graces, our inclinations and abilities. We are connected within First Church and through the United Methodist Church.

In this summer season, as our lives take on a. different pace, remember that we are connected. Stay connected with the church. Stay connected with the love of God, which the church is called to share, May you be blessed in this connection!

On the Journey with you,

e-mail Pastor Baker-Streevy