June 8, 2007
Dear Resurrection Family,
I'm writing this note from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where the Kansas East Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is being held. This four-day gathering, held each year at the beginning of June, is a tradition that goes back to the beginning of Methodism. We meet for Bible study, worship, fellowship, reports on the state of the United Methodist Churches in Kansas, reports from our missionaries, and the various ministries supported by our churches. It is at Annual Conferences that pastors are ordained (Judy Long O'Neal is being ordained an elder on Saturday).
In addition, we've received, debated and voted upon budgets and Conference priorities (this year we're looking at new church development, campus ministry at various Universities in Kansas including new initiatives at K-State and KU). This evening we'll discuss issues related to homosexuality, stem cells, and a host of other challenging questions.
We've been electing delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences which are held once every four years – General Conference will be held next spring in Fort Worth and is where leaders of the entire denomination around the world gather to set the focus and direction of our denomination for the next four years, while addressing critical issues of our time. Jurisdictional Conferences will be held in July of next year with the purpose of electing bishops for the church. There are six clergy and six laity elected as delegates to these conferences. Nancy Brown, one of our lay leaders, and I, were elected as delegates this year. This is a great honor and an opportunity to shape the future of United Methodism.
Annual Conference ends tomorrow at noon and I'll be in worship and preaching Saturday night on Solomon (more on this below).
Here's what I'll cover in today's e-mail:
1. This Weekend: Finishing Well: Learning from Solomon's Sophomoric Ways
2. Resurrection to Receive New Congregational Care Minister
3. Interested in Joining the Church? Attend Coffee with the Pastors this Sunday at 2:00
4. Resurrection Night at Theatre in the Park: Sunday, June 17
5. A Prayer Request
1. This Weekend: Finishing Well: Learning from Solomon's Sophomoric Ways
This weekend we'll continue in our new sermon series on The Bible's Royal Families by turning to Solomon. Solomon is known for his wisdom. The Bible says he was the wisest man of his time, with people coming from across the world to hear him speak. The Books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon in the Old Testament are attributed to this "wise guy." But we're going to see, as we study his life story, that something tripped him up, and, while Solomon began his career and life well, he did not finish well. We'll learn what happened to Solomon, and we'll discover how his struggles relate to our lives today. I think you'll find this weekend's message will speak to you as it has to me.
2. Resurrection to Receive New Congregational Care Minister
Last month I shared with you that Karen Lampe, one of our congregational care pastors, had been promoted to Executive Pastor of Congregational Care, overseeing all of our congregational care and prayer pastors. She's already doing a terrific job in her new capacity as she takes over for Yolanda Villa who is becoming the Kansas City District Superintendent on the Missouri side of the state line.
Stepping into Karen's spot is Rev. Prudence Bertolino, who comes to us from Ticonderoga, New York, where she has been the Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church there. Prudy has 13 years of pastoral experience, and comes to us with glowing recommendations. Her husband had transferred with his job to the Overland Park area and we feel this was providential – she will be an excellent addition to our team.
Prudy is described by others as deeply committed to Christ, a compassionate, caring and very capable pastor, and an effective leader. Under her leadership her congregations have thrived. She has been married 35 years and has three grown children. She first began her ministry as director of evangelism under Dr. Clayton Smith when Clayton pastored Manchester United Methodist Church in St. Louis.
I want to take a moment to address a question I occasionally receive: Why are most of our congregational care pastors women? There are several answers to this question. The first is that we look for the highest caliber pastors when searching for associates. While we value having a balance of male and female clergy, our highest priority is finding excellent clergy, regardless of gender. Second, it seems that there are more women than men who have the gifts of mercy and compassion necessary to be great congregational care pastors – as we interview persons who feel called to compassion ministries and who have great people skills and mercy gifts, the majority are female. While thirty years ago most pastors were male, there is now parity between male and female, and, in the area of congregational care, for reasons I've already mentioned, the ratio is much higher female to male.
I feel that our pastors are among the highest caliber clergy in the Kansas Area, and I am grateful and proud to serve Christ with them. We'll welcome Prudy the first weekend in July. I know you will love her!
3. Interested in Joining the Church? Attend Coffee with the Pastors this Sunday at 2:00
If you are a visitor, or have friends who are visitors, note that the way persons officially join the church is by attending a Coffee with the Pastors. Our next Coffee is this weekend at 2:00 pm in the Wesley Chapel. I'll share with you what is involved in becoming a member of the church, and then, at the end of the coffee, those who would like to join will be given an opportunity to do so. The coffee lasts from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. I hope to see you there!
4. Resurrection Night at Theatre in the Park: Sunday, June 17
We have several all-church fellowship events scheduled this summer – events that are be fun and will provide an opportunity for you to fellowship with others who are a part of the church. On Sunday, June 17, bring your Dad and join us for Resurrection Night at Theatre in the Park. We have 500 blanketed spots reserved for Thoroughly Modern Millie – our own Kevin Bogan is the musical director for this performance. Bring a picnic supper, a blanket (or lawn chairs if you want to sit further back) and plan to join us on Sunday night, June 17. Gates open at 7:00 pm and the performance begins at dusk. Our family loves going to Theatre in the Park each year and, if you've never experienced this, it is something you will love! Invite a friend or neighbor, or your small group, and join us for Theatre in the Park!
5. A Prayer Request
I would like to enlist your prayers for me this coming week. On Tuesday I will be the Conference Speaker for the West Ohio Annual Conference. I hope to inspire, encourage, and equip the 1,500 pastors and lay leaders of the United Methodist Church in Ohio. Please pray for them on Tuesday, and pray for me, that God might use me to bless and strengthen the West Ohio Conference. Then, on Wednesday through Saturday I will spend four days in prayer, study and silent retreat working on my sermon plan for the coming 18 months. I will read over your ideas and recommendations for sermons, and begin to develop possible series of messages for our congregation. I would appreciate it if you would pray that God would guide and lead me so that I can hear what God would have me preach.
Lastly, I wanted to thank all of you who sent e-mails and cards wishing LaVon and I a happy 25th anniversary. We read each one and were blessed by them – I only wish I had time to respond to each. Know that your words and kind thoughts were a blessing!
I've got to get back to Annual Conference now. I look forward to seeing you in worship this weekend!
In Christ's Love,
Adam Hamilton