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Weekly Memo: March 28

3/28/2019

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On Saturday what we call our “rainbow team” is hosting the Minnesota Reconciling Congregations annual meeting at EPUMC.  “Reconciling” is a code word in our United Methodist denomination for being a part of the Reconciling Ministries Network.  This national organization, of which EPUMC is a long-standing member, seeks the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of United Methodist Church.
 
We agreed to host this Minnesota gathering long before the General Conference of the global United Methodist Church in February. The results of that General Conference were heartbreaking for all of us who are a part of Reconciling movement. Many United Methodist churches within the Reconciling movement are now exploring what our options are as congregations.  And so an event that when our rainbow team agreed to host it was a bit like every other annual meeting you can imagine, has turned into a very important gathering.
 
As we navigate this very new and different landscape in our denomination together, I want to be sure we are all aware of a couple of things.  First, we have very strong, committed leadership.  Our “rainbow team” has taken a couple of steps up in the last two years.  They have moved beyond helping us to be aware of issues of inclusiveness to encouraging us to be active leaders in our community and denomination.  If you want to be a part of that team, there is plenty of room for you and plenty to do.
 
Secondly from my perspective, we as a congregation are unified in our response to most of the basic questions surrounding this issue. I realize there may be some out there who would disagree with that statement. I am not saying we are unanimous, but we are close.  As a congregation, we have had the difficult conversations and have endured the consequences of losing people we care about because of those conversations.  What this means is that this kind of inclusiveness is now a part of our make up, our DNA as a congregation.  It is time for us to draw upon this deeply rooted sense of purpose, direction and vision.
 
Thirdly, although I have but a few months left as your pastor, I want to assure you of my commitment to being a part of the creative and challenging process of determining how EPUMC will continue to be a truly open community in our changing denominational landscape.  Also the SPRC assures us that Rev. Becky Jo Messenbrink, who will be appointed as the pastor of EPUMC this July, is of the same mind and heart. Rev Becky Jo says, “I ’m in full support of full inclusion and will look for ways to live into that commitment with the people of EPUMC.” 
 
On most mornings, I walk by our rainbow flag that flies atop a 25-foot flagpole.  It is hard not to notice that flag while driving on Scenic Heights Road, and a lot of people use that road.  And what moves me is the thought that someone who is struggling with being accepted because of their sexual identity will see and perhaps be encouraged. These days I walk into the building, and the first thing you see is the beautiful, huge rainbow in the sanctuary. I think of all the people who can feel both safe and accepted as we worship together.
 
It is my privilege to serve a community that is so very committed to expanding the boundaries instead of building walls. And as the Minnesota Reconciling Congregations meet in our space this Saturday, may the power of what will occur here linger to inspire us in our mission to continue to be Big Enough to Make a Difference and Small Enough to Care.

 
 

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Weekly Memo: Where God's Grace Waits in Abundance

3/21/2019

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Ed. Note: Pastor Dan Schneider-Bryan had a full knee replacement at the end of February and is slowly returning to work.
I’ve never been laid up this long.  It is very humbling when you don’t do much more than sit in your man cave recliner that someone else had to carry upstairs for you. And to be honest, humility or at least not being beholden to anyone, is an area of growth for me that I have had to just “get over.”
 
Getting over the idea that we can always and everywhere take care of ourselves is difficult.  In our present cultural environment, which seems to polarize just about everything, you are either independent or dependent. Today I want to remind you that we depend on each other; we are interdependent. And sometimes  “living in God’s kind of time” invites us to receive what another offers.
 
Here is something that happened last week. A couple of the folks who really wanted to come over to my house to say hello was Pastor David and Kieu from the Faith Vietnamese Fellowship.  In case you don’t know, the Faith Vietnamese Fellowship is a very small ethnic congregation that meets in our sanctuary on Sunday and holds fellowship events from time to time. Hardly a week goes by when Pastor David does not thank me for the use of our space. For my part, his story so inspires me that I feel it a privilege to share our space.
 
Pastor David and Kieu were very insistent about coming over, and when Kieu added that she would be bringing her homemade eggrolls, I gave in.  It was a good visit.  Pastor David also created a beautiful floral arrangement that is still blooming.  Their graciousness and kindness often humbles me.
 
Before they said goodbye, Pastor David asked if he could pray for me. Now, let me say two things… first, I’ve not had anyone other than Katie pray out loud with me through this experience. And secondly, I think something got lost in the translation because Pastor David was not asking, he was telling me he was going to pray for me.
 
So Pastor David and Kieu and Katie all came over to my recliner and ever so gently touched my knee. I was sort of expecting that really, so no surprise there.  And then Pastor David began to pray…in Vietnamese.  I have no idea what that man said, but I will tell you this, whatever he was praying He Believed It… and for the two minutes or so when his hand was on my knee, I also believed whatever it was he was praying. 
 
As a pastor, I’ve been on the other side of this prayer more times than I can count. I’m familiar, even comfortable, in that role. What I rediscovered by being on the other side is that the humility, vulnerability and need that comes in that space is a place where God’s grace is waiting in abundance.
 
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan

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Weekly Memo: Living in God's Kind of Time

3/14/2019

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For those of you wondering how I’m doing, here is a brief update two weeks after my total knee replacement or TKR:  I’m doing fine, progressing well in my PT. I have a new relationship with “pain,” and my body’s reaction to it and medications. My wife Katie is an attentive and careful caretaker. She also loves me, which is quite humbling because all I can do is receive it right now.
 
I want to thank all of you for the many cards and calls and prayers that have been mailed, given and lifted. Also I cannot thank Don, Deb, Becky and our entire staff enough for having my back. I’d love to give you a timeline of my return, but one of the things this first major surgery of my life has taught me is that I am not in control of that right now.
 
While I’ve been recovering in the last two weeks, two things have happened in the life of EPUMC that illustrate, at least for me, how we at EPUMC have embraced  “Living in God’s Kind of Time.” The outcome of the Special General Conference and the announcement of the intention of Bishop Ough to appoint Becky Jo Messinbrink as the pastor of EPUMC on July  are  significant events.  Both these events will shape the future of EPUMC.   As we used to ask…. "What is that?"
 
I hope by now that you recognize that there is an answer to the  question, “What is that?” and that the answer is “The Holy Spirit.”.
 
Last year in our study of the Holy Spirit, one of the most important things we learned was that this presence of God in our present moment is not something we control. Last year we learned that faith often boils down to “Opening Ourselves to the Holy Spirit.” The last two weeks illustrate that it is now a part of our DNA as a congregation to rally, to support, to have each other’s back and trust the leadership of our congregation to step up even as I as your pastor begin to step down, one step at a time.
 
Today is a day to recognize that God’s presence is with us and is also leading us in this time of change both in our congregation and in the United Methodist Church.  We do not now know what will happen to the UMC. We do know that EPUMC will continue to be a place that welcomes all and especially embraces being a part of the LGBTQ movement.  Also now there is a name, a person to have in our mind and keep in our prayers, Becky Jo instead of a phrase, “the new Pastor.” It is important to claim these smaller moments to be encouraged for other challenges to our vitality and mission that await us.
 
Let’s all embrace our place in this wonderful community called EPUMC. We have been prepared we are ready for whatever happens in the weeks and months and years ahead!

Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan

 
 
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15050 Scenic Heights Road
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