Blogs

Easter Week In Istanbul

By: Yvonne Turner on 4/17/2010

Spending Easter week in Istanbul with my sister was an experience beyond our expectations. In spite of having visited several middle-eastern cities over the past two years, I was taken by surprise at how different Istanbul is.

It is a unique city straddling the Bosphorous Strait. An amazing mixture of east and west, where you can find European style cafes lining the streets as well as an exotic spice bazaar and splendid mosques. In spite of the grandest mosques I have ever seen, e.g the Blue Mosque, it does not feel like a typical Muslim city. Many people are dressed in a western style and you can feel a sense of openness to the world. The city was founded in the 7th century BC and was an important capital of the Byzantine Empire and later of the Ottoman Empire. One can find ancient restored mosaics, Greek columns, and roman aqueducts. Constantinople was the richest city in Christendom for almost a thousand years and its unique location between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea contributed to its colorful history. The Hagia Sophia church is one of the greatest architectural wonders of the world and is more than 1400 years old. One is humbled by its enormous size and feeling of grandeur.

Although most everyone would say that tulips originated in The Netherlands, this small bulb was cultivated in Turkey and main avenues are lined with brilliantly blooming tulips at this time of the year. The many parks are filled with families on Sundays and the views over the water are ever-changing. In the early morning one could see hundreds of tankers waiting in line in the Sea of Marmara to enter the Bosphorous to proceed to the Black Sea and the oil refineries.

Istanbul is a city that has gone through many transformations and now clearly prides itself on its modernity while treasuring the richness of its past. The smells, colors, and sounds challenge your senses and my sister and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this jewel of the Middle East.

Hoping your Easter was one of new beginnings,

Warmest greetings,

yvonne

Easter Season in Palestine Recalls Joy, Suffering of Jesus' Last Week

By: Yvonne Turner on 4/1/2010

Topics: Blog Post

The approaching Easter celebration and the services leading up to it have created an atmosphere of reflection and anticipation here.

On Palm Sunday children brought beautiful handheld arrangements made of woven palms and bright flowers to church, where they were blessed. Today the Archbishop of the Syrian Church came to Bethlehem where he performed a service which included the washing of feet of twelve men from the congregation. The Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church from Jerusalem will arrive on Saturday to bring the "light" to the church in Beit Jala. The light will be spread to many candles and lanterns the congregants will bring, to symbolize the spreading of the "light" Jesus brought. It is a very moving and joyful celebration.

As I witness these many religious traditions I am also aware of the suffering of the local Christians. It takes faith and courage to put aside the anguish and humiliation the occupation causes, and attend to one's spiritual life. Jesus' last week was one of joy as well as agony and Christians here can surely identify with both of these sentiments. I often ask myself what I can do to help, and have come to realize again and again that the least I can do is support the Palestinians and let them know that they are not alone in their struggle for peace and justice.

Please pray that Peace will prevail.

Happy Easter,

Yvonne

Mothers' Day in Palestine

By: Yvonne Turner on 3/22/2010

Topics: Blog Post

Today is Mothers' Day in Palestine and fortunately I was invited to teacher Hanah's home for a fabulous lunch. Three kinds of barbecued meat were accompanied by tabouleh salad, filled pasties, a fresh salad, another kind of flat dough topped with a meat mixture, and various vegetables. It was a traditional Palestinian meal. For dessert we had a Black Forest cake, which just made a perfect ending to this afternoon. It was a privilege to spend the afternoon with this family. There were several grandchildren and another baby on the way. Palestinian families in general are very close, and thank God they have each other for support.

The situation here has not improved; in fact, I believe it has worsened. The checkpoints are more restricted and the settlements are growing. It takes longer for Palestinians to get anywhere because they are not allowed to use the Israeli roads. Consequently a trip to Jericho, which could be a drive of less than an hour, now becomes a two-hour journey over a treacherous road.

Bethlehem Bible College recently organized a challenging conference, called "Christ at the Checkpoint." The speakers I heard were excellent and the main focus was to stay the course and to resist the occupation, but in a nonviolent way. It is time for serious peace talks and as American Christians we need to support the peace process. A just peace is desperately needed and the Palestinians have suffered enough. We need to stand up and be heard.

Life is quiet here and it was a joy to attend the service today at the Christmas Lutheran Church. I am getting to know some of the local people in the church and feel welcomed. I plan to make this my home church while I am here.

During this Lent season I wish all of you new beginnings, and hope that this time of Lent is meaningful for you.

Peace be with you,

Yvonne

Returning to Our Calling

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 3/11/2010

Topics: Letter

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I greet you in this season of Lent looking forward to the celebration of God's astounding act of resurrection in Jesus Christ.

Over the past year and a half I have been listening closely as I have travelled across the Conference. I have heard stories of faith and faithfulness in our churches and extension ministries. I have heard, as well, the pain and worry of economic troubles and the loss of heart that plagues many in our midst.

These are difficult times. The temptation is to be timid in such times, but the witness of the resurrection is that God is the God of abundance who will provide what we need, though not always what we want.

As the people called Methodist, we are a covenant people. But we have been inconsistent in that covenant with one another – to our churches, to the Annual Conference, to the General Church. We have been inconsistent in our covenant to be disciples who make a difference. It is time that we recommit to living the Wesleyan way.

The need for that recommitment is no secret. For the past 40 years California and Nevada have steadily increased in population while our baptisms, professions of faith, worship attendance and membership have declined. Drifting from our focus on actively living our discipleship, we have become complacent and let our preferences take the place of mission.

It is time for us to return to our calling to work connectionally on behalf of the mission of Christ. Our mission is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

This will require a shift away from the comfort of the familiar, well-worn path of what we have always done and already know. Instead, we will need to learn, collaborate and innovate as we develop effective systems that form and support us in becoming faithful disciples of Christ. This must be done in faith-filled, compassionate, efficient and fiscally responsible ways.

We have already begun that journey. Circuits have re-connected clergy efforts toward cooperative ministry within their communities. Superintendents have begun to spend time in coaching and visioning beyond management. The Board of Laity is in a deepening partnership with me as we seek ways of returning to a true discipleship-focused partnership between clergy and laity.

There is more to do. In order to return to our primary work of discipleship we will need to make changes in the way that we do our work on every level. It is necessary for us to reevaluate how we use the resources available to us so that we might use our time and treasure in ways that bring the results we are called to produce.

This June the Annual Conference will be asked to take several steps to help us become mission-focused and fiscally responsible. Many thoughtful conversations have been underway about steps we should take.

While many good things have happened within the Conference through our current structures, our giving pattern means we can't pay for all the things that we have been doing in the way we have been doing them. We need to be clear on our priorities and to order our life to support the primary mission. Therefore, the Conference Council on Ministries is calling for a suspension of the conference rules (Section V of the Standing Rules) that govern our program, organization, and administrative practices to allow us an opportunity to find ways to more efficiently order our life together.

The Cabinet and I are ready to realign the districts to more effectively support the leadership being provided through the circuits. It is clear to us that the Cabinet can also realign its work in ways that will make us more efficient and provide better stewardship. With the full support of the Cabinet, I will be asking the Annual Conference to consolidate the number of districts from seven (7) to four (4). This step will further build on the strength of circuits as the place where ministry is developed and implemented.

With Rev. Ben Silva-Netto's decision to retire this year, we will be able to implement this change as of September, 2010. The new district alignment will be developed over the next few months and will be presented before Annual Conference.

Financial issues are pressing, as well. Last year we trailed every other Annual Conference in the Church in fulfilling our connectional obligations through the Apportionments. The pension Apportionment is the only one that was paid at a rate of 90% or more. But, unfortunately, we cannot take comfort even with our current pattern of paying pension costs. Many churches, while paying some or all of their pension Apportionment, do not pay for the full pension cost for their pastor. The weight of this growing imbalance has become too heavy for those who pay more than their true share of pension costs.

The Clergy Benefits Task Force and others will be recommending that we join the majority of the other conferences in billing local churches directly for their pastor's actual pension costs by 2012. This will enable congregations to more accurately gauge the true cost of ministry and make mission decisions accordingly.

Another important cost of ministry is salary for clergy. Clergy persons should receive a fair salary for the work they are doing. Yet churches must be realistic about what they can pay so that they can be faithful in all of their obligations. The minimum salary concept is intended to set a minimum level, and the cost of assisting churches that cannot meet that standard is included in your Apportionments. But our rate of payment on Apportionments limits our ability to honor that expectation.

In addition, our minimum salary formula provides for an automatic escalation of salary that often is beyond the means of some local churches, and beyond the cost of living increases for our region. The Commission on Equitable Salaries will be proposing some adjustments to the plan and structure for minimum salary. It is important that our minimum salary program be both fair and affordable.

As United Methodists we covenant to share our entire ministry. Each local congregation and every pastor is expected to support the ministries we share. Our standard practice must be for each church to cover the cost of the ministry it receives and provides. That cost includes salaries, Apportionments, disciple formation, missions, community outreach, facility maintenance, insurance and more.

These changes will help us shape our future. The steps being taken will hopefully help us become what God dreams for us to become. We are graced with an abundance of opportunity and we cannot let this time pass us by.

We remain committed to our call to be and make disciples. We remain committed to mutual accountability, shared ministry and mission. We must live out this commitment faithfully, fully and efficiently.

This is not a time to be timid. God has called us for this time and we must take responsibility to make the future to which we are called.

I invite you to attend one of the six gatherings listed below as we have conversations about how we may live in a new way of being servants together.

May the blessed spirit of God continue to guide all of us.

Your bishop and brother in Christ,

Warner H. Brown, Jr.

"Rethink Conference" Dates and Locations:

March 14 (Sunday), Redding, First UMC, 3-5 p.m.

April 10 (Saturday), Stockton, Central UMC, 3-5 p.m.

April 17 (Saturday), Livermore, Asbury UMC, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

April 18 (Sunday), Palo Alto, First UMC, 3-5:30 p.m.*

April 24 (Saturday), Visalia UMC, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

May 1 (Saturday), Sparks UMC, 10 a.m.-noon

*arrive early - parking will be a challenge

One Great Hour of Sharing

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 3/10/2010

Topics: Article

We deeply appreciate the outstanding work that the United Methodist Committee on Relief is doing in Chile, Haiti, and other areas with recent disasters. This coming Sunday you have an opportunity to help UMCOR do its job. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering, which is normally held the Sunday before Palm Sunday, is the reason we are able to promise that 100 percent of every gift goes to the disaster response being supported. Please be generous, as you give people an opportunity to share in this offering.

While One Great Hour of Sharing is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, you may choose the date that works best for your church schedule. Offering materials are available online and in print throughout the year to support your offering celebration.

UMCOR receives no World Service funds or any other apportionments. Your gifts mean we're right there with hardworking families, people who are affected by storms or war, disaster or disease.

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering provides essential support to UMCOR. Without this offering, so much of what UMCOR does to bring hope and healing to the world could not happen.

Passion in Jesus Christ, Compassion for All

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 2/25/2010

Topics: Bishop's Greetings

"Passion in Jesus Christ, Compassion for All" is our Conference vision here in the California-Nevada region of The United Methodist Church. What that means is that we endeavor to be a people who open our hearts to the world and welcome our brothers and sisters, wherever they're from – and who open our minds to cross the boundaries that divide us, just as the doors of our churches are open to all. But church is not just a building; it is a place of connection. Church is here, in this site, this place of community. It is a safe place, and we invite you to engage in conversation with us here. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our hearts, our minds, and our doors are always open.

Putting a Human Face on Human Relations Day

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 1/12/2010

Topics: Article

This Sunday, January 17, we celebrate Human Relations Day – the first of six Special Sundays in The United Methodist Church, when special offerings are taken for specific purposes.

Human Relations Day was established by the 1972 General Conference to promote support for the Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Service, and Police-Community Relations programs. Traditionally observed on the Sunday before the observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday (though a local church may choose to observe it on another date), it has a historical relationship to the American Civil Rights Movement by virtue of its support for community development, with its justice and human rights implications. Established four years after Dr. King's death, this Special Sunday provides a method for positive expression by congregations, a means for them to show their support for the values Dr. King exemplified.

[Today, although the offering continues to go to Community Developers and Voluntary Service, the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program has replaced the Police-Community Relations Program – a change made in 1989, in response to the growing population of youth offenders and their need for creative redirection.]

This offering is the sole source of support for the Community Developers Program.

You may not know much about these programs – or may be unaware of the impact this special offering has had in our own Conference. That's why I've asked our communications office to put a human face on Human Relations Day in Cal-Nevada – and, in fact, on all the Special Sundays this year.

Before each Special Sunday, you'll be able to read in the Instant Connection, the "News" section of our Conference website, about someone right here at home who has benefited in some way from the designated offering.

This week, you'll read that the "face" of Human Relations Day belongs to:

· A Japanese-American former Buddhist saxophonist who plays blues in a United Methodist church – thanks to basketball;

· A young person devoted to helping others, after the suicide of a friend; and

· West Bank villagers given a better chance at life because of bees.

I encourage you to read their stories in the Instant Connection (along with other stories at www.umcgiving.org) – and then to give generously to the Human Relations Day offering on January 17.

Thanksgiving - A Celebration of Collaboration

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 11/17/2009

Topics: Article

We think of Thanksgiving, first and foremost, as a time for giving thanks to God - and as Christians that indeed should be our first impulse. But historically, Thanksgiving had a secondary significance that often is overlooked, and that is the need for community that it exemplified.

Oh, sure, we recognize that Thanksgiving (more than any other holiday, perhaps) is a time for reunion and celebration together as family and friends. But what we think of as the first Thanksgiving, in 1621, was more than that: It was a celebration of collaboration, the coming together of disparate peoples and cultures to achieve a common end.

In the case of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag natives, peace and security was the desired end. The Pilgrims sought protection for their struggling colony, while the Wampanoag sought a balance of power with the Narragansett, who dominated the region. They may even have exchanged recipes at that memorable Harvest Feast - who knows! (We do know that the Wampanoag contributed five deer to the meal of waterfowl and wild turkeys provided by the Pilgrims.)

Today, nearly 400 years later, we have cause to give thanks in a similar way, for other partnerships. On November 15 we celebrated the collaboration of two denominations in an inspired service at Sacramento's First United Methodist Church. Bishop Mark W. Holmerud of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America joined me in leading a service of Thanksgiving and Communion that marked each denomination's official recognition of each other's baptism and other sacraments. Appropriately titled "Together We Serve," the service featured the combined gifts and graces of people from the UMC and ELCA - and it was mentioned that really, the two have been working alongside each other for a very long time. Hallelujah!

In the same way, while the UMC has entered into an "Interim Shared Communion" agreement with the Episcopal Church, the people of our two denominations are already working together for the Kingdom, in advance of our reaching Full Communion status. This partnership, too, is to be celebrated and encouraged.

We also have partnered very successfully with a number of secular organizations, including the United Nations Foundation and, perhaps unexpectedly, the NBA - to combat malaria through the Nothing But Nets campaign. Numerous individuals of many faiths (and some who claim no religious affiliation) have joined in this effort.

And now we have an opportunity to engage in "concerted, international and ecumenical/interreligious action" to bring about the healing of the planet. Earlier this month, the Council of Bishops announced a significant call to all United Methodists, ecumenical and inter-religious partners, and people of good will around the world, to "work in hopeful and robust ways for transforming change as God's stewards of creation," as Bishop Gregory Palmer put it. I was honored to serve on the writing team for these documents.

As a first step, the 69 active bishops are asking that the pastoral letter, "God's Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action," be read aloud in worship during the season of Advent in each of the 42,600 United Methodist congregations worldwide (preferably on the first Sunday of Advent, November 29). A liturgical setting for the letter offers responsive elements for congregational participation.

The Pastoral Letter, Pastoral Letter in liturgy form, and the Foundation Document all are available to download from www.HopeandAction.org, along with a variety of other helpful materials to be added on an ongoing basis, including key Resolutions, a timeline for studies, action plans, and ways to stay connected.

I encourage you to visit www.HopeandAction.org and take advantage of those resources - and to join me, in this season of Thanksgiving in particular, in celebrating and encouraging the many ways in which we reach out to each other, lift each other up, and share each other's journey.

Trio of Disasters Calls for Our Response

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 10/2/2009

Topics: Article

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I come before you again to ask your prayers and support. This time it is for members of our community who have been dealt a terrible blow. This week, as you no doubt are aware, a trio of natural disasters wreaked havoc on the homelands of many of our Conference members.

On Sunday, Typhoon Ketsana struck the island of Luzon in the Philippines. At least 246 people perished and nearly half a million others were displaced when flash floods and landslides washed away their homes. The BBC reports that 80% of Manila is under water.

Two days later four tsunamis caused by a massive undersea quake crashed into Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga, killing some 147 people and displacing another 32,000. There still are many people unaccounted for, particularly in Tonga, and it is feared that the death toll will go much higher.

Then on Wednesday, a major earthquake struck West Sumatra in Indonesia, a country still not fully recovered from the horrific 2004 tsunami.

As your bishop, I offer my deepest condolences and ask that we uphold the victims of these disasters in our prayers - particularly those among us who are grieving the loss of loved ones or for whom the landscape of "home" has been forever changed. Let us reach out to them in love and compassion, sharing their sorrows as we share their joys, and standing in solidarity with them in this difficult time.

As United Methodists we have another means of support available to us, as well. Through your generosity, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is able to go into these areas of crisis and provide both immediate and long-term help to those who are suffering.

UMCOR Philippines already is working with its local partners, including Action by Churches Together (ACT) and the National Council of Churches, to distribute emergency provisions including bottled water, blankets, canned fish, and rice. It anticipates expanding the response through local and international partners, in addition to partnering with the Manila Episcopal area, including local church disaster response coordinators. You may support UMCOR's relief work in the Philippines through Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235.

UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Response unit has been in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is assessing needs and exploring ways to respond to the tsunami disaster. To help people in Samoa and Tonga affected by the tsunamis, you may give through UMCOR's International Disaster Response: UMCOR Advance #982450, and specify "South Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami."

In Indonesia, UMCOR is working closely with its partners in the earthquake area, including Church World Service, to assess the needs and coordinate an appropriate response. UMCOR Indonesia continues to help those affected by the 2005 tsunami and the 30 year conflict that preceded it. To support the relief efforts, you may contribute to Indonesia Emergency, UMCOR Advance #217400.

Please consider giving generously to support UMCOR's relief work in these areas of devastation. You may make online donations by visiting http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ and clicking on "GIVE NOW," under "HOW TO HELP" on the upper right corner of the page.

A Season of Change: Working Into a New Way of Being

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 9/10/2009

Topics: Article

Summer is dying and fall is upon us – a time when, in the way that God ordained, nature cycles into its time of rest. It is a very different time for the church – a time, instead, of great activity as charge/church conferences and open houses are held, a new season of children's and youth ministry is launched, and as we move toward all the activities surrounding Advent and Christmas. In the church, fall is a time of rebirth.

This year it is especially so, as we look at how we can live together in a new way in this Conference.

We have many things going for us: talented leaders, committed people, and abundant opportunities. But we have major work to do in order to face our challenges and embrace our opportunities.

One of our challenges is that we have made financial commitments to one another which we do not have the money to fulfill. And therefore, difficult choices have to be made. But I sincerely believe, as I said at Annual Conference Session and as you will hear me say many times, that God has already given us enough for everything we need to do. But we may not have enough for everything we want to do.

The present reality is that we must figure out how we go forward as an organization – because while our church is experiencing tremendous growth in places such as Africa and the Philippines, it is not growing in Europe, it's not growing in the United States, and it's not growing in the California-Nevada Annual Conference.

Last year 234 of our churches did show a growth in membership – but when membership losses across the Conference are factored in, that number effectively drops to 115. At the rate we are dropping in worship attendance and membership, we are losing the equivalent of four to five churches each year, by the attrition of people.

So we need to reshape our model. The changes that we need to make require us to live in our best representation of what it means to be connectional. Relationships are our strength! We need collaboration, instead of operating like lone wolves; networking, instead of operating in isolation; and cooperation, instead of competition.

That's what the circuits are about – as we try to think our way into a new way of being. It is not a "new structure," but it is a process, by which we will invite as many as we can into collaboration, to figure it out together, so that together we shape our preferred future: by supporting one another, sharing what we know about making disciples, and learning what we need to know.

One of the initial circuit activities will be to explore the nature, meaning, and way of doing church conferences within each circuit.

In the past, clergy would receive a schedule, right about now, that assigned their date for the fall church conference. But now, church conferences will be the responsibility of the circuits, which will gather in the early fall to decide how best to implement the process within the circuit.

In some districts the circuit leader will conduct the church conferences, in other districts members of the circuit will be assigned to lead the church conference, and in some circuits church conferences will be held in a group format. The circuits will determine, locally, how best to do this particular work.

Circuits are to be a place of shared ministry development, a place where clergy assigned to the local church can focus on shared spiritual grounding and the common work of disciple making. They are one way that our Conference is returning to living out the connection we share as followers of Jesus Christ in the United Methodist Church.

In this same way, we will be working with the Board of Laity in the coming year, to talk about how to reinvigorate the lay-led movement that is the Methodist people, and empower the laity to play their important role in leading ministry. That work is parallel with what we will be doing this year with circuits.

We have a real challenge. But as surely as autumn follows summer, change will happen. The open question is: Will we engage it to shape it for our preferred future – or will we spend our energy in denial, resistance, or anxiety?

With God's help, and the help of God's people, I believe that we will figure out how to be the church for this century, and we will be a people who will continue to open our hearts to the world and welcome our brothers and sisters, wherever they're from, and we will open our minds to cross the boundaries that divide us.

We are called to have minds that are open enough to the mind of Christ that we are fully available for what God has for us to do. And if we open our hearts, and open our minds, there's no door we can't open!

A Call to Prayer

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 8/24/2009

Topics: Article

"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ," wrote the Apostle Paul to the churches of Galatia. (Galatians 6:2, NAS) It is with heavy heart that I ask you to join me in taking up the burden of our Tongan brothers and sisters, who mourn the loss of so many lives on August 6 when the ferry Princess Ashika sank while en route to the northern islands of Va'vau.

Sunday August 23 was a National Day of Prayer for the Tongan community in North America.

As many of you know, the ferry disaster was a personal tragedy for many in our Conference. For example, three of our pastors lost persons near to them: the Rev. Siosifa Hingano, pastor of Genesis UMC in San Jose and Chair of our Order of Elders, lost three cousins; the Rev. Heilala Ahio, pastor of First Tongan UMC in Palo Alto, lost a first cousin and her husband and three children; and a pastor cousin of the Rev. Siosifa Setoki, pastor of Fale Hufanga Tongan UMC in San Carlos, lost his wife and three children.

But in reality, "it affects everyone," as the Rev. Richard Thompson, pastor of First UMC in Bakersfield, put it. His wife knew two people who were aboard the Princess Ashika. One, a crewmember, survived, but the other, a middle-aged woman, did not.

(In fact, all the women and children aboard were lost, as they were trapped below decks when the ship capsized and sank.)

To give you an idea of the scope of the tragedy, Pastor Thompson, who has just returned from Tonga, says that in a nation of some 100,000 people, the loss of life is comparable to the deaths of a quarter-million people in this country. We hear about "six degrees of separation" – but he says, "In Tonga, it's one degree."

We grieve with the Tongan people, both in that country and in this one, many of whom minister and worship as a part of this Conference.

And we also mourn the loss in that ferry disaster of an ambulance, which could have had such a positive impact on the lives and health of the people of Va'vau. The ambulance was donated by the Sanger Fire Department, and was decked out with all the equipment that we expect to see in such a vehicle – but which is anything but standard in Tonga, where the only ambulances are simple vans, unequipped for anything but transport. It was filled with medical supplies that represented a two-year project for two of our churches, Bakersfield First and Sanger UMC.

Many of you may be wondering what else, besides offering prayer, you can do.

Three relief funds have been set up in Tonga to provide monetary help to the families, and the government there has allocated a considerable sum for victims' assistance, as well. It is believed that the ship and its cargo were insured.

Richard Thompson says when he was interviewed by the press in Tonga about the gift of the ambulance, before the tragedy, he was asked why it was going to the northern islands, when there was nothing like it in the whole country – including the mainland, the most populous region. His idea now is to take two ambulances to Tonga in 2011, when Bakersfield First will host another UMVIM team: One for Va'vau, and one for the mainland.

While we are praying for the families of the victims, let us seek guidance as to what should be our next steps, and how each of us can play a role in this good work that is happening among us.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6: 9-10, NIV)

Photo of the ambulance, seen lying on the seabed near the sunken ferry, taken by Royal NZ Navy, courtesy New Zealand Herald, www.nzherald.co.nz.

What If We Rethink Church?

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 4/17/2009

Topics: Article

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I want you to join me on a mental journey. To a different reality: to where church . . . is not a building, but a concept. To where church is not just a place we go, but something we do. To where church is no longer a noun . . . and open is not an adjective, but a verb.

I want you to Rethink Church. Not in terms of what it is, but of what it could be.

Eight years ago, The United Methodist Church began telling the world that "our hearts, our minds, our doors are open." We had great success with that means of raising awareness about who we are as a people of Christ: In a Gallup poll taken one year ago, 96% of respondents had either a positive or neutral view of Methodists - the highest approval rating of any religious group in the United States. But as we seek to reach new generations, to bring to the table those with spiritual hunger they themselves may not even fully recognize or understand, we have to take our message to the next level. To reach a new audience, "open" must become a verb that challenges us To open hearts. To open minds. And To open doors: 10,000 of them.

In May, United Methodist Communications will roll out a new national advertising campaign with the Rethink Church message, which seeks to redefine church as an experience beyond Sunday mornings or the building itself. It asks . . . what if we rethink "church," to see it as unlimited points of entry, instead of a building - 10,000 doors, if you will - with each one opening to a different experience of church, and with anyone knocking being able to find an entry point to his or her own individual journey?

The goal is to encourage a spiritual dialogue, both within and outside of the church. To nudge "unchurched" young adults, in particular, to think about their spirituality and consider what churches may have to offer - while at the same time challenging those of us within the church to ask whether in fact we do have something to offer that young adults would want.

As the Wesleyans of today, we need to take our spirit of activism and apply it to ourselves. We need to do things differently: we need to Rethink Church.

The Rethink Church/10,000 Doors movement will be launched on May 6. This is the time for us to do the work of examining ourselves and imagining what we could be.

In advance of the May 6 launch, I encourage you to explore the Rethink Church website at rethinkchurch.org - and to consider taking UMCom's Rethink Church 101 Welcoming Training (a free interactive online course), as well as a free, self-directed online course about the Four Areas of Focus that UMCom has developed. (You will find links to Rethink Church and Four Areas of Focus materials under "Resources" on the Conference website.)

This year's Annual Conference Session will provide opportunities to learn more about Rethink Church from United Methodist Communications staff, and to engage in workshops centered on empowering our congregations.

Finally, I ask you to consider this: In a recent study, The Barna Group found that only 16% of non-Christian young adults, ages 16-29, have a favorable impression of Christianity - while 87% consider it to be too judgmental, and 85% see it as hypocritical.

In the face of this reality, isn't it time to rethink how we relate to young people?

Isn't it time to Rethink Church?

Resetting Our Framework for Ministry

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 3/19/2009

Topics: Article

The theme for last year's General Conference was "A Future with Hope." Over the last six months I have been traveling around this Annual Conference establishing or reconnecting relationships with laity and clergy. I have been observing and listening deeply. There are many exciting ministries and numerous examples of excellence in leadership among our clergy and laity. The things I am seeing and hearing encourage me to believe that we have reasons to look hopefully to the future of our Conference.

It is also very clear that we must be intentional about change if we want to claim our future. While good work has been done over the years, we continue a multi-decade pattern of decline in membership, attendance, and new professions of faith. The growing congregations cannot keep pace with those that are clearing the rolls.

The situation we face is not unique to us. A study of faith in the United States, released just last week, showed almost all faith traditions losing ground between 1990 and 2008. This trend hit mainline Protestant churches the hardest.

But in the face of this daunting reality we have some good news. Many of those people who have grown skeptical about church long for a community where they can embrace mature spirituality and selfless service to others. To me, that sounds a lot like the United Methodist ideal of being church! Furthermore, many young people of this generation are spiritually minded. They embrace movements that share their values, show them respect, and listen to them. They can potentially find a home among us.

I believe that, if we want to turn the trend around, we have to pay attention to the outcomes we want and hold one another accountable. We cannot create a different future by only doing what we have already done. We must rethink how we do church at every level. If the answers we are all looking for were easy, we would have already found them. Finding answers will require increased collaboration and cooperation as we discover them together.

My Cabinet and I will offer leadership the Annual Conference needs and encourage others to do the same. We are changing the way we do our work. We cannot be all things to all people. We must focus on the essentials. Appointing effective clergy leaders will, of course, continue to be at the center of our work. But, in addition, we will actively collaborate with clergy leaders to develop a reliable system for support and accountability. We will work strategically, in partnership with congregations for effective and vital witness.

Beginning July 1, I will only appoint five district superintendents to supervise the seven districts of the California-Nevada Annual Conference. With them working as a team, each superintendent's gifts will serve the whole Conference. Additionally, Rev. Ted Virts, after completing six years as Delta District DS, will continue on the Cabinet in a new role. He will serve as a Conference Superintendent with focused responsibility for leadership development, new and revitalized congregations, and supervision.

The Cabinet's work will be resourced by intentional working relationships with the clergy. The active clergy will be placed in clergy circuits. These circuits will meet on a scheduled basis for communications, support, and accountability. Each circuit will have a designated circuit leader who will convene the circuit and also meet with the DS on a scheduled basis. Circuit leaders will assist the DS in communications with circuit clergy and in other ways that optimize the work of the superintendent with clergy and congregations.

The Cabinet and I are excited about this new plan for doing the work of superintending. We believe it will help us work more effectively. The idea was not a response to the financial concerns facing the Conference, as we were developing this plan before that came to light. Originally, I had hoped we could have two Conference Superintendents in addition to the five District Superintendents. But, in response to the current economic climate, we are reducing the Cabinet by one for now. I hope this will not become a permanent change.

As many churches have felt the impact of the current economic uncertainty, Conference leaders are looking for ways we can share the sacrifice and reduce whatever costs we can. The Council on Finance and Administration directed that the spending plan for 2009 be revised to reflect actual collections for 2008, rather than the 2009 budget adopted at Annual Conference.

Every area of spending is subject to this revision. Wages for salaried employees, including Superintendents, have been cut 3.85 percent, effective March 1. In addition, the Conference Center in West Sacramento will be closed to meetings and employees on the last Friday of each month - a move that constitutes a corresponding 3.85 percent pay cut (in the form of an unpaid day off) for hourly workers, while providing some saving in energy costs. District Offices will also be closed on the last Friday of each month.

These measures will trim away $47,111. In addition, cuts are being made to actual programs administered by all the boards and agencies operating under the Program budget category, resulting in nearly $151,000 more in savings. Similar cuts are being made in all the categories.

But that just takes care of 2009.

As we look toward 2010, more comprehensive action is required. Going forward, the discussion becomes, "What are we most passionate about?" "At what do we excel?" And, "What best generates the resources (in terms of people and money) that are necessary for ministry?" It becomes, "How important is this or that to us?" "How can we do this better?" And even, "Is this something we should be doing at all?"

In the months to come, your Conference leadership will be weighing many such questions, just as you are doing in your local churches and your homes. Difficult to face, yes, but not necessarily leading to a negative outcome! In fact, as we seek the Lord's will in this, we claim His promise, made in Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

We invite you to keep us in your prayers, and we shall pray for you, as together we confront the significant challenges - and opportunities - that lie ahead.

'A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood'

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 1/16/2009

Topics: Article

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

When the voters of this nation elected Barack Obama, on November 4th, to be the next President of the United States, many were responding to his promise of "change" – however that may have been defined in the mind of each voter.

Today, it is change that we have. When President Barack Obama takes the oath of office on January 20, 2009 – one day after the holiday created to honor Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – this country will have its first African-American President. It will be a day which many of us never thought would come and which most Americans, and many beyond our shores, greet with overwhelming emotion.

It may be difficult for the youngest members of our society to understand the significance of this event. For them - Praise God! - the notion that children like themselves would not be allowed to drink from the same water fountain as other children, or visit the same restroom, or sit beside them in school or any public place, simply because of the color of their skin - is incomprehensible.

For those of us who lived through that time, though, the concept is all too real – as are the memories.

Not that all of the memories are bad ones. I have spoken publicly about the thrill I experienced as a young man of 17, when my father and I stood at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963 to hear Dr. King deliver the address that gave rise to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and forever changed history.

"I have a dream," he said. "That one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all [persons] are created equal.'"

It was a dream deeply rooted in his Christian faith. A dream that "one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."

"This is our hope," he said. "This is the faith that I go back to the South with …. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."

Are we there yet? Have those "jangling discords" given way to that beautiful symphony of brotherhood? Are we measuring one another by the content of our character, rather than the color of our skin?

"A More Perfect Union"

Ten months ago, then-candidate Barack Obama delivered a speech of his own, one he titled "A More Perfect Union." The speech was in response to critics of some statements by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who had been the Obamas' pastor. In endeavoring to explain the climate at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and his own view of race in America, Obama spoke of his "unyielding faith in the decency and generosity of the American people" and said his own story, possible nowhere else on earth, attests to the fact that "this nation is more than the sum of its parts – that out of many, we are truly one."

Obama said one of the tasks set forth at the beginning of his campaign was "to continue the long march of those who came before us, a march for a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America." And said he believes deeply that "we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together – unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction – towards a better future for our children and grandchildren."

The complexion of our congregations

It is notable that in The United Methodist Church, we surely do not all look the same – nor have we all come from the same place – and that is particularly true in the California-Nevada Annual Conference. In this Conference we pride ourselves on our inclusiveness. We see ourselves working to shift the reality Dr. King identified many years ago, that Sunday morning worship hour was the most segregated time in America. I celebrate the many congregations that are opening doors, opening hearts and opening minds to welcome all of our neighbors to find a home in our church.

But all of us must do more.

Most congregations in the United States still could be defined as "mono-racial," with at least 80% of their members identifying themselves with a single racial group, according to the Multiracial Congregations Project, a study by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, funded by the Lilly Endowment. Yet more than 54.3 million people told the U.S. Census that they speak at least one language other than English at home. Our challenge is to be even better at transforming our congregations into ones that not only welcome people of all races, ethnicities, and cultures, but also encourage their participation.

For example, if your church is "monocultural" and your neighborhood is not, reach out to meet your neighbors. That can help you determine ways they would appreciate your congregation being good neighbors to them.

If other languages are spoken, then learn the language(s) – at least greetings and pronunciation rules so that you can pronounce names correctly. Going a step further, consider incorporating other languages into your worship, or offering a non-English service. Consider organizing and hosting study circles – a national effort to bring people from diverse backgrounds together to share their own experiences on topics such as race, immigration, and diversity. It's a way to build relationships of trust among people of different backgrounds.

And here's a radical idea: how about extending some "radical hospitality" by holding a worship service at a local community center? That can be a non-threatening venue for people who don't feel comfortable walking through the doors of a church by themselves, or without an invitation.

People of God, as we embrace the concept of "change," let us not forget to apply it to ourselves!

Prayer for our President

But of course I recognize that change is not automatically a positive thing. Certainly we have seen a great deal of change - not positive to any discernable degree – in our economy, and that catastrophic problem is one of the first that our new President must confront. I am grateful that he will not face that task unequipped, but rather empowered by his faith in Almighty God.

Ephesians 6 offers my prayer for our new President, in verses 13-18:

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

As your bishop, I ask that you pray regularly for President Barack Obama and for the new Administration. Whether his election signaled the change that you hoped to see or not, we have a new President – through whom God can do great things.

"I can do everything," wrote the Apostle Paul, "through him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13.)

Has Hope Ever Been in Greater Need?

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 12/17/2008

Topics: Article

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Latin root of the word "Advent" means "an arrival" – a term suggestive of expectation, of hopeful anticipation. Christians understand that the birth of a baby in a stable in Bethlehem 2,008 years ago was - and is - the fulfillment of that hope. And surely at no time in many generations has this country been in greater need of that.

As Advent gives way to the celebration of the birth of our Savior, we cannot escape awareness of the desperate circumstances in which so many of our brothers and sisters, within our churches and communities, find themselves. Even as we remember that Jesus Christ promises to take all burdens upon Himself—Isaiah 9:6 announces, "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"—to those feeling the hurt from a failed economy, failed relationship, or personal failure (and what may seem to be God's failure to notice or care), that promise may seem as remote as the star that led worshipping holy men to Bethlehem.

We cannot turn our backs on this reality:

California's unemployment rate jumped to 8.2 percent in October—the third-highest in the nation; almost 2 percent higher than the national average (6.5%). In Nevada, unemployment reached 7.6 percent, its highest rate in more than 23 years. In both California and Nevada, average weekly earnings are down, and layoffs due to bankruptcy or work slowdown nearly doubled over the course of the year, nationwide.

In California, one in every 218 homes is in foreclosure: more than twice the national average. In Nevada it's one in every 76 residences: more than six times the national average and the highest foreclosure rate in the nation.

What is the response of the church, in times such as these?

As the General Secretaries of The United Methodist Church wrote in an October, 2007 commentary, the model of our founder, John Wesley—to make disciples of Jesus Christ who were transformed individually, and committed to changing the unjust practices of their society—is part of "our DNA." Thus, one of the church's four Areas of Focus is "Engaging in ministry with the poor," or seeking to improve conditions which undermine the quality of life and limit anyone's opportunity to flourish in the way that we believe God intends for us all. Knowing that conditions of poverty cause illness and death, another of the four Areas of Focus is "Stamping out killer diseases by improving health globally," and we are mindful that—even as we battle epidemics in the developing world—so must we stand up for the uninsured and others who lack access to affordable health care, in this, the richest nation on earth.

The churches of the California-Nevada Annual Conference are doing a good job of living up to these imperatives. They all have programs designed to help those who are suffering: some have food pantries, others provide shelter to homeless persons, others serve meals. There is an abundance of support groups and counseling services for people in crisis—whether that crisis is financial, emotional, or physical. I am grateful for their faithful ministry.

But as this challenging year comes to a close, I also encourage United Methodists to remember that our world cries out for spiritual, as well as physical healing. And that the birth of a baby 2,008 years ago is the "good news of great joy" that offers hope "for all the people." United Methodists are uniquely positioned to extend that hope through our willingness to first extend our hands to those in need.

Jesus said, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me ... and you'll recover your life." (Matthew 11:28, The Message.) Recover your life! Not just your job, or your home, or your spouse, or your health. Your life!

That's a bail-out no government on earth is able to offer.

A Greeting From Bishop Brown to the People of the California-Nevada Annual Conference

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 11/1/2008

Topics: Podcast/Video

A video greeting from Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. to the people of the California-Nevada Annual Conference is available to download from this website. Bishop Brown recorded the message as he began his third month as Episcopal leader here.

Churches are invited to download the video and play it for their congregations.

It is available in three different QuickTime versions: high quality (best choice for projecting to a congregation), quick-download (best choice for most online viewing), and dial-up (best choice for those using a dial-up Internet connection) – and as a Flash file (which should be viewable by all users). There is also a version which can be saved to a computer, for those who wish to make a DVD copy of the video.

Click here to access video options.

A Message From Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr.

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. on 9/1/2008

Topics: Article

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

May God’s Grace and Peace be upon you.

It is with great joy that I begin my work here as your Episcopal leader. The California-Nevada Annual Conference has been home to me and my family for more than 20 years, and we are delighted to be able to live and work among you again.

I eagerly anticipate the time to renew friendships and develop new ones as we move forward together in ministry, building on the work already begun.

I have already learned that you are taking real steps toward realizing the four goals spelled out by the General Church:

through your councils for congregational and clergy development and your Academy for New Church Pastors, you are working to develop principled Christian leaders for the church and the world;
by chartering two new congregations within the past year, you have shown your commitment to creating new places for new people;
you are actively engaged in ministry with the poor – your support of the Side by Side Ministry With the Homeless, and the 100-plus UMVIM teams that have provided relief to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, are just two examples of that;
and your generosity in giving to the Nothing But Nets anti-malaria campaign is but one indicator of your commitment to stamp out killer diseases by improving health globally.

And I affirm your willingness to examine your methods, by committing to the vitality assessments that local churches and clergy members are currently conducting, as mandated by your vote at this year’s Annual Conference Session.

But much work still lies before us. We must continue to explore new ways to revitalize our churches and invigorate our communities with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We also are called to meet some difficult challenges confronting us – taking leadership on behalf of peace and justice issues within our Conference, at our borders, and around the world.

You have established “Passion in Jesus Christ, Compassion for All” as your Conference vision. I look forward to partnering with you to build upon this vision, as we continue to do the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

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