Teresa’s Note: June 21, 2024

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Dear friends and members of University UMC: This Sunday’s scripture lesson comes from the Gospel of Mark and tells of Jesus calming the storm as the disciples feared the fierce wind and waves. As we’ll hear in the sermon on Sunday, Jesus has some rather harsh words for the disciples whose fear is on display. “Have you no faith?” Jesus asks. Other Gospels share similar stories with Jesus asking similar questions. In Luke’s Gospel, He asks, “Where is your faith?” In Matthew, he says, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”  John Wesley had his own experience of being in a boat during a storm. He was aboard a ship on the Atlantic Ocean and was headed to the Georgia colony. Several leaders from the Moravian church were also on the ship. The Moravians were a Protestant group formed in Germany following the Reformation. When the ferocious storm broke out, Wesley was inspired and amazed by the faith of these people who prayed and sang hymns during the storm. Wesleyan scholars share that John Wesley had ups and downs in his faith journey. At times, he felt very close to God and had a deep assurance of God’s love. At other times, he felt distant from God and overwhelmed with questions and doubts. The voyage to the Georgia colony was one such time. I find this a helpful reminder. Not only is it normal to have ups and downs in our faith journey, it is completely understandable and I believe the God of grace and love is with us through it all. I also believe God gifts us with other people along our journey - people who help deepen and broaden our faith. Sometimes, those people are church members and friends. Sometimes, like with Wesley, this might even come from people in other faith traditions.  At First UMC Corpus Christi, there is a large statue of Jesus in a boat calming the waters. The statue stands before the church and faces the Gulf of Mexico. As described on their church website, the idea for the statue was taken from the Gospel accounts of Jesus calming the disciples as they rowed against the wind and waves:  “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”  Below is a writing about this Gospel lesson of Jesus calming the storm from SALT, an award-winning, not-for-profit production company dedicated to the craft of visual storytelling. I’m also including the “Prayer for A New Day for United Methodism” shared in worship this past Sunday. The prayer speaks to a range of responses and emotions connected with the most recent General Conference including joy and celebration, as well as lament for the harm and grace for the journey.  I’m grateful for each of you. As it proclaims in the Canadian Creed - God is with us. We are not alone! Thanks be to God! What a joy to be your pastor! Teresa “The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus is with us in the boat; indeed, one of the earliest symbols of the church was a boat or an ark (it’s why a cathedral’s central section is called a “nave” — as in, “navy”). But please note, Mark strikingly adds that there are also “other boats” in the storm with us (Mark 4:36). In his time and in ours, when Jesus proclaims the words of healing and liberation — Peace! Be still! — he calms the wind and waves not only for our sake, but for the sake of the life of the world.” - From SALT Discover More About SALT STORM Through thunder and lightning the swell of waves and slash of rain the dark of doubt and gales of grief I believe, that You walking on water bring peace. - Mary Palmer A New Day for United Methodism: A Prayer for Lifted Bans by Britney Winn Lee ONE: Not every generation gets to cross from the desert into the land, yet here we are. ALL: Living history, living grace! ONE: For 40 years, our denomination has wandered in debate and division. Today, we glimpse a home up ahead. ALL: And we hold this holy moment with care. ONE: Together, we celebrate the United Methodist Church’s lifting of the ordination ban and the removal of harmful language that has so greatly affected our LGBTQ+ siblings. ALL: Yet it has cost us something to get here. ONE: For those who passed before their faith, worth, and calling could be externally affirmed, ALL: We honor you. We ask your forgiveness. We humbly say thank you. ONE: For those who needed to take and make space to maintain their spirit’s wholeness, ALL: We honor you. We ask your forgiveness. We humbly say thank you. ONE: For those who have believed in and fought for another world, another church, another day, ALL: We honor you. We ask your forgiveness. We humbly say thank you. ONE: And we bless you, your lives, your ministry, and your hope, ALL: As you have blessed the life, ministry, and hope of Christ's body. ONE: To those who may now feel like you can finally be your whole selves in this place, ALL: You are loved and welcomed. ONE: To those who stood generously in compassion, grace, and justice for the long haul, ALL: You are loved and welcomed. ONE: To those who feel anxiety, wondering if more room for some means less room for you, ALL: You are loved and welcomed. ONE: In the story of God, there is grace for the process, mercy for changed minds, sustenance for the journey, space for neighbor and enemy, enough bread to go around, forgiveness for getting it wrong, a song for reaching the summit, company for the grieving, company for the celebration, and now, there is a new day for United Methodism, ALL: And we get to be a part of it. Glory to God! Amen! 2409 Guadalupe Street Austin, Texas 78705 512-478-9387 Want to change how you receive emails from us? Click here to update your preferences or unsubscribe or unsubscribe from this list