“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!” Psalm 80:1a
This week I spent time with several people who identify themselves as part of the NCC UMC Remnant, also known as the UMC Collective; these folks are remaining United Methodist. The churches, of which they were members, voted to disaffiliate from the UMC. As one might imagine, these members are experiencing a wide range and variety of emotions; they are all in different spaces of grief. I’ll include myself, as I am grieving as well.
As we spend time together, we all need someone who will listen to “give ear” to us, to take in how we are feeling. We need congregations and pastors who will take us in and love us. We, the grieving who are hopeful one day and despondent the next, are looking for God’s guidance and fellow disciples to walk with us. This path is new for all of us; how might we all be a listening ear for one another as we process what we are going through individually and collectively? What kinds of gatherings or resources might offer an “ear” as we talk through where we are and where we are headed?
When one is listening, another is afforded the opportunity to speak. And in speaking we often express ourselves most clearly out loud. A safe space, a non-judgemental space, offers those who are hurting a distressed a time to work through their emotions, to ask questions and name hurts. When we go through difficult times, we know we can’t go over it, we can’t go around it, we must go through it. Talking through our hardest times helps us go through!
“You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”
Psalm 80:1b-3
The hope we have for our future together as a church lies in God’s power and ability to restore us: to restore us as faithful followers, to restore our community and care for one another. Christ came among us to save us from our sins. He came to show us how to forgive one another. I wonder how many of us, in this season, need to forgive someone? My hand is raised. I need to forgive some folks. I also need to ask for forgiveness. This division has been deeply wounding and disturbs our souls.
This past Sunday I did something I did not think I would or could do. I was asked to join a lay pastor of a church in this district for a baptism. She does not have the credentials, and though the church she serves is disaffiliating, she continues to live by the BOD. She invited me to baptize a child of that church and to preside at the holy meal while I was there. My instinct was to decline, or to line up another elder, to go. Why would I spend time with a pastor and church that was leaving the UMC? And yet, as I spoke with this faithful pastor, my heart began to soften. This pastor is following the Lord as best she knows how. I know she is following her congregation in a faithful way of service; you see, her age prevents her from gaining any credentials, according to the Book Of Discipline (BOD). So, I get where she’s coming from and a little why this pastor feels called to go. . .
I ultimately decided to go, to worship, and baptize this sweet child of God. Her grandmother passed away in the last year or so; she was a dedicated member of this church and served the district in many positions over the years. She cared for the children of her community and her extended family like no other! I have also had the blessing of knowing two of her four remaining sisters, who are the great aunts of the baby to receive the water and God’s means of grace.
The time together at Susan’s home church, baptizing her granddaughter, brought to life for me the United Methodist connection and our family of Christ connection in a beautiful and real way. We felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and the sweet spirit of Grace Anne’s grandmother with us in this service, which superseded any feelings of hurt or division and was a balm to my grief. I’m glad I said yes; my hurts are not all healed, but I sense Christ is working within me to heal my heart and make “it well” with my soul.
“. . . let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” Psalm 80:17-19
During this season of Advent, we are reminded that God sent Christ to be God-with-us, to live among us. Jesus is the one noted in the scripture to be at God’s “right hand.” A right hand man is one who walks alongside, who assists, who is the go-to person. Jesus is the one who is with God the Father and is God with us, here on earth, all at once. We have a “right hand” man walking with us during this season, however we are feeling, however we are operating from day to day. Here’s a thought: make use of your right hand man, your God-with-you, as you come to terms with your own feelings, about disaffiliation or those who have hurt you or seeking forgiveness from those you have hurt.
We have had one event in the Harbor District where the remnant folks and area UMC pastors, gathered to sing songs, to pray together, to be prayed for, to hear the word read and proclaimed. It was a night of grief and healing, of hurt and hope. We grieve together and live into the hopeful future with our God-with-us, Emmanuel, Jesus Christ. Through the tears of this night, we began to truly see the Light and perceive the restoration our souls need.
Emmanuel is so close we can sense his presence, we know he’s among us, we know he’s working in and through us. He’s revealing the Light and Love we are longing to know, we are longing to share. This saving Light reminds us to seek out joy, to seek out others who share the light, and to seek out hope-filled outcomes each day. May the Light find you this day and throughout this season.
Peace, 
Tara