One in Christ: transforming our lives
By Bishop Minerva G. Carcañ
Transformation! We are indeed transformed by the power of Christ Jesus who rose from death to life. All over the world persons are hearing the good news of Christ Jesus and are being reborn. Because Christ lives among us, every day is an opportunity to be revitalized in life, in faith, in hope.
The United Methodist Church is experiencing such a transformation. Led by the Holy Spirit we have been led to focus our ministry in four areas:
1. Planting new churches to reach out to new people, younger people, and people of color;
2. Raising up principled Christian leaders for the church and the world;
3. Eliminating poverty in community with the poor;
4. Conquering illnesses that contribute to poverty through a global health initiative.
We in the Desert Southwest Conference are aligned with the areas of focus of The UMC. We are planting new churches and our fastest growing new church plant today, is in the community of Maricopa. Started in mid July 2008, by February of this year Journey United Methodist Fellowship had gathered 142 persons who want to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Journey UMF plans to launch its first worship service on Easter Sunday, 2009! Maricopa is a brand new community and already lives are being transformed because you have seen God’s vision of reaching out to others. Your gifts, and prayers, have enabled The UMC to be present in this community among several others, giving a new and faithful witness of God’s transforming love.
Principled leaders of all ages are also being prepared. Spiritual formation is a core value for us in the DSC. One of the ways we are shaping and raising up principled spiritual leaders is through our Bishop’s Confirmation Retreat. Every spring I invite congregations to allow me to spend a weekend with young people who are preparing to be confirmed as disciples of Jesus Christ and to join a UMC. With the help of a wonderfully committed cadre of adult leaders I guide these young people through a time of examining what it means to be a spiritual leader in the world in the name of Christ Jesus. What a rich experience I have had! I will never forget a young 12 year old who upon being asked what prayer meant to him said, “It is the Holy Spirit speaking to that deepest part of our spirit,” his voice calm and assured. Quite a faith statement for one so very young!
Some months after one of our confirmation retreats, I was at a retreat where we were learning how to lead all the work of the church as an expression of our spirituality and deep faith in Christ. I was at the registration desk when I felt someone come very close to me and then just stand there by me while I completed what I was doing. When I was freed from my task I turned around and there stood a confirmation retreat participant. I said to him, “What are you doing here?” With a great big smile he responded, “I’m here to become a spiritual leader!” There is no doubt in my mind that God’s own Holy Spirit is lifting up strong and passionate principled spiritual leaders who will lead us out into the world with the gospel good news of Christ Jesus.
We are also fighting poverty in the communities God has placed under our care. Poverty is a mighty foe to God’s desire that we all live life’s of abundance. You know this because of the deep love that God has placed in your hearts for God and neighbor. So you are working hard to eliminate poverty. There are so many extraordinary examples of your good and faithful work, but allow me to lift up two.
In Safford, Arizona the local United Methodist Church has taken on the feeding of all who are hungry in that community! Through a USDA grant and many donations from church and community members, they have built a state of the art food distribution center. The center is a 20 by 30 foot building with a porch that extends a welcome to all, and contains a freezer the size of a semi-truck! Its heart, though, are the disciples of Christ Jesus who are preparing to feed both bodies and spirits. The town of Safford is being revitalized as neighbors of many faith persuasions are joining together to serve those who hunger for bread for the body and the bread of life.
In Las Vegas, Nevada the United Methodist Social Ministries of Las Vegas (UMSM) has transformed an old building on the campus of University UMC into a warm center of hospitality for those whose lives are afflicted by the vicious impact of poverty. A well stocked food pantry feeds the hungry, the poor are given counsel as they seek help to meet the many needs they face, and children are surprised by Christmas gifts when their families aren’t able to provide even the smallest of gifts. UMSM is also helping reunite parents with their children. In a lovely and welcoming room that feels like a nice den in a home, parents who have lost custody of their children are able to spend some time with them at UMSM. In this sacred and safe space parents and children are learning to rebuild their lives, and in some cases love is being reborn. You have proven that even poverty can be overcome, a family at a time.
Finally, did you know that global health is being promoted from right here in our area? The DSC helped send a team to Ethiopia to teach a community how to fight against an HIV/AIDS epidemic that has stricken our brothers and sisters on the continent of Africa. We are actively collecting our dollars to meet our goal of $1 per church member to fight this deadly disease that has blanketed the world with death and suffering. Here at home we continue our Strength for the Journey camps for those afflicted by HIV/AIDS. What a privilege it is to embrace these beloved ones, for in embracing them we experience the very presence of Christ among us and all of our lives are transformed!
Thank you for your faithfulness to Christ Jesus, brothers and sisters of the DSC! But most of all, thanks be to God for these gifts of ministry, born of the Holy Spirit, ever transforming our lives with goodness and mercy.