APRIL 2020 - DISTRICT NEWS
| april_district_newsletter__5_.pdf |
FROM THE ECUMENICAL OFFICER - APRIL 2020
A friend who is a pretty liberal United Methodist pastor prepares a podcast on which Methodists share their personal excitement about God.
Western District pastors held their annual retreat at Mount Morris, Wisconsin, in January. A young Roman Catholic layperson led our discussion on becoming involved in social issues, such as housing and homelessness. Most memorable and impressive to many of us was the sharing by some of the pastors of their own experiences of coming to a deep social concern.
I know of one pastor, not Moravian, whose sermons often—probably too often—have illustrations from his own experience.
In one congregation that I know, on the occasion of infant baptism, the parents have an opportunity to share their own faith.
In many ecumenical gatherings, an important part of the meeting is sharing personal stories. Almost always we become aware that supposed differences are not as great as we have thought.
The shared joys and concerns in the worship of one congregation are labeled “God sightings.”
Issues of sexuality are divisive in many parts of the church. In May, I will be a Moravian observer at the gathering of the United Methodist Church, at which the denomination is likely to divide over issues including sexuality. Often, though not always, persons’ hearts and minds have been changed by listening to the witness of others to their own experience.
Later in April we celebrate Easter, which is rooted in experiences of the risen Lord by Mary Magdalene, the disciples, Cleopas and a friend in Emmaus.
We are who we are, in part because of what others have shared with us about God, especially as we know God in Jesus.
Many of our hymns, Moravian and otherwise, are basically stories of our human experience of God.
Lord, you make our hearts rejoice;
we’re your sheep and know your voice;
you’re our shepherd kind and gracious,
and your pastures are delicious.
Constant love to us you show;
yea, our very names you know. Amen.
Hermann Weinlick, Ecumenical Officer,
Western District pastors held their annual retreat at Mount Morris, Wisconsin, in January. A young Roman Catholic layperson led our discussion on becoming involved in social issues, such as housing and homelessness. Most memorable and impressive to many of us was the sharing by some of the pastors of their own experiences of coming to a deep social concern.
I know of one pastor, not Moravian, whose sermons often—probably too often—have illustrations from his own experience.
In one congregation that I know, on the occasion of infant baptism, the parents have an opportunity to share their own faith.
In many ecumenical gatherings, an important part of the meeting is sharing personal stories. Almost always we become aware that supposed differences are not as great as we have thought.
The shared joys and concerns in the worship of one congregation are labeled “God sightings.”
Issues of sexuality are divisive in many parts of the church. In May, I will be a Moravian observer at the gathering of the United Methodist Church, at which the denomination is likely to divide over issues including sexuality. Often, though not always, persons’ hearts and minds have been changed by listening to the witness of others to their own experience.
Later in April we celebrate Easter, which is rooted in experiences of the risen Lord by Mary Magdalene, the disciples, Cleopas and a friend in Emmaus.
We are who we are, in part because of what others have shared with us about God, especially as we know God in Jesus.
Many of our hymns, Moravian and otherwise, are basically stories of our human experience of God.
Lord, you make our hearts rejoice;
we’re your sheep and know your voice;
you’re our shepherd kind and gracious,
and your pastures are delicious.
Constant love to us you show;
yea, our very names you know. Amen.
Hermann Weinlick, Ecumenical Officer,
EPIPHANY PROVINCIAL UPDATE
| epiphany_provincial_update.pdf |
MARCH 2020 DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
| march_district_newsletter__6_.pdf |
JANUARY 2020 DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
| january_district_newsletter_2020.pdf |
UNITY INFORMATION NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 6, 2019
| unity_information_newsletter_december_6th_2019_.pdf |
DECEMBER DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
| december_district_newsletter__2_.pdf |
NOVEMBER 2019 PROVINCIAL UPDATE
| corrected_nov_provincial_update.pdf |
IPO LETTER TO CHURCH
| ipo_letter_to_church.pdf |