Ride the Rollercoaster of Change
No matter which Gospel writer you read, the events of Holy Week are a dramatic change for the Jesus’ disciples: especially the resurrection. In each Gospel, those who know Jesus are invited to ride a rollercoaster of change that they do not always buckle into with joy and excitement.
In those resurrection moments, nothing about the world is the same as it was just before the resurrection. The nervousness and fear are warranted!
As a people who lived in a global pandemic, it does sometimes feel like nothing about the world is the same as it was in the moments before March of 2020. Then, just when our church community has begun to get into a steady rhythm, there’s another rise or dip on the roller coaster.
This season we have all been invited to ride a rollercoaster of change as we celebrate news from Rev. Lowell, Rev. Ethan, and Drew (shared in previous newsletters and special emails). The next part of the ride is the exciting news that we’ll get to welcome Rev. Rachel Byers as the Pastor of Discipleship and Outreach and Rev. Dylan Hyun as the Pastor of Congregational Care.
I am proud of the congregation for holding on tight as we’ve zipped around every corner and through every dip. Some have anxiously held their breath, some have found joy in the ride.
I hope you are finding space to say goodbye to these three so that we are set to welcome our next clergy and staff with open arms and ready hearts.
Another part of the rollercoaster is General Conference (big enough to be its own separate wild rollercoaster, honestly). Rev. Ethan wrote a summary of GC happenings in last week’s Word with the Pastor, including an encouraging word amidst the uncertainty.
We have been in earnest prayer as General Conference is set to begin in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 23. In addition to Rev. Ethan’s writing, the following links can be helpful for learning more about how our denomination works:
UMOI.org/gc2024 (read about the Oregon-Idaho delegates to General Conference as well as updates on pressing issues)
UMNews.org (Latest news about or surrounding The United Methodist Church)
UMC.org (information and inspiration for members and seekers. Here you can find the “Ask the UMC” series with helpful articles about emerging topics)
ResourceUMC.org (resources for fellow leaders within the church at all levels)
We will keep the congregation updated on big picture updates as they are made clear during the two weeks of General Conference and in the weeks that follow. In the meantime, please join us in prayer for the rollercoaster ahead. Despite anxiously held breaths, may there be joy in the ride and a faithful outcome for our denomination.
Peace,
Karyn