Summer 2021: Nourishing Faith

 

"You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent."

Psalm 30:11-12 (NRSV)

Pastor’s Column: Last year of ministry together

 by Pastor Steve Reiser

Fellow Epworthians-

   

WOW! And that’s just about all I can say is, “Wow!” We’ve been in ministry together for five years. Can you believe it? 

You might think that we lost a year due to the pandemic, but I would argue otherwise. We have certainly missed a year (and more) of weekly worship services together in the Sanctuary. However, through the whole time, we never stopped putting together worship. We never stopped “gathering” for our worship time. We certainly reduced our times having Communion together, but we have not stopped being community. Not even close.

In the last year, we have re-thought the way Cabin Fever works and launched the Toy Library. Families in the neighborhood have responded to our offering and come to try “new” toys and spend precious minutes with Epworthians. Those neighbors have told their stories, asked their questions, sought solace, and experienced radical welcome.

More than a year ago, we were able to open our doors to medics caring for protestors and those injured in protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. We’ve been present on the street both in our neighborhood and downtown holding space for mourning, for protesting, for non-violent demonstrations. 

Together, a group of us read and discussed Ibram X. Kendi’s book, How to Be an Anti-Racist. We were able to gather, as community, over Zoom.

We are even laying the actual groundwork for additional ministries. The stage in the Sonshine room is taking shape. With the easing of pandemic restrictions and significant numbers of people being fully vaccinated, presentations on that stage could certainly be a reality this fall, perhaps even late this summer. 

If you have teachers, speakers, musicians, dancers, or performers you think we should invite to present in that space, please let the Church Council know.

Also, the “Little Library” styled pantry is still a ministry in discussion. Don’t let that fall by the wayside. Find the solutions to continue that idea.

Yes, things are changing. Yes, I am writing my last Echoes article. Yes, Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay is coming to Epworth at the end of June. (see page 3) Yes, you will bless her and be blessed by her. Yes, I have shed tears over the end of our five years of ministry together; however, I have hope for the future of Epworth. 

More than that, I have confidence in your connection to each other and your dedication to the work of Christ in Longfellow and beyond.

You can continue to contact me as you have need, but I encourage you to reach out to the Church Council with your ministry ideas and concerns. Additionally, I encourage you to direct your Pastoral needs to Rev. Macaulay who will support and encourage you with her wisdom, her experience, her caring heart, and her well of spirituality. She’ll walk with you as Jesus would.

Blessings, Pastor Steve

Welcoming Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay

By Nancy Meisel-Youngman, SPRC Chair

Bishop David Bard has appointed the Rev. Elizabeth Macculay to become Epworth’s new pastor. Rev. Macaulay will begin her part time ministry at Epworth with her first worship service on Sunday, June 27, 2021. 

She and her husband, Rev. Cooper Wiggen, met with Epworth’s Pastor Parish Relations team and District Superintendent Dan Johnson on April 11. The team voted unanimously to accept the bishop’s appointment. 

Rev Macaulay comes to us from Christ UMC, Rochester, where she has been a full time Lead Pastor since 2014. She has also served as Lead Pastor at Richfield UMC and as an Associate Pastor at First UMC Duluth. 

Elizabeth and Cooper have recently moved into the Longfellow neighborhood and will now live much closer to their children and grandchildren.

Pastor Elizabeth says, “I continued to feel called to ministry. Pastors are called to be soulful community organizers and facilitators of the possible and sometimes impossible.” 

We look forward to the many ways we will continue to build community together at Epworth UMC where we will “nourish faith, welcome all, do good, and be church.

Outdoor Worship for Mother’s Day

Epworth gathered for outdoor worship as well as Facebook Live on Mother’s Day. COVID protocols, including masks, were required. People brought their own chairs or blankets.  Some sat in family groups.

Jean Long was liturgist and song leader. Nan and Tim Rice provided special music – “A Place in the Choir” – that got everybody tapping toes and clapping hands. 

Everyone seemed delighted with the worship, the music, and the chance to gather at church again. 

It was a special joy to see chidden  and youth gathered with us. 

 

All women present were presented red roses, by Andy and Leo,  to honor them as nurturing mother-figures.

Epworth plans to continue with hybrid worship outdoors and on Facebook Live every 2^nd Sunday throughout the summer with Facebook Live worship on the other Sundays. After safety protocols are finalized, the church opens for in-person worship by September.

Class of 2021 honored in Worship June 6

Four Epworth graduates -- one from high school and three from college -- were raised up in praise and thanks to God. Epworth volunteers delivered yard signs, t-shirts, and other gifts to their homes.

Epworth takes pride in having these gifted, creative, and caring young people as part of the Epworth family.

Blessings to Alex as he heads off to military service and college, and to Felipé, JJ, and Lilly as they embark upon their chosen careers. Go with God's grace.

Mystic of the Dollar Store 

by Steven Charleston

I am the mystic of the dollar store and the all night diner. I am the prophet waiting in the drive-thru to get my coffee. What is most sacred is usually right in front of us, right where we live. The holy is in the everyday, the common, the simple. It is hidden in places that have become so routine for us that we hardly notice them anymore. There are revelations in the hallway and epiphanies on the playground. All around us the presence of the Spirit is present, vibrant and alive, just waiting for us to make a connection. Our spiritual discoveries may sometimes be on mountaintops, but nine times out of ten they are made while looking at old photos or hearing a piece of music that suddenly makes you a time-traveler. I am the pilgrim of the neighborhood, the sage of shared wisdom, stopping by to wish you well, bringing you a word you have known all of your life.

 

Steven Charleston is a Native American elder, author, and retired Episcopal bishop of Alaska. He is also an adjunct Professor of Native American Ministries, Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU, and a Citizen of the Choctaw Nation