March 19, 2022

Tomorrow in our worship service, we''ll be hearing our biblical text spoken in its original language—Hebrew. Asburian, Pamela Lewanda, has a special connection with a reader of Hebrew. Her husband, Marek, is a member of Congregation Mickve Israel. Marek not only can read Hebrew he has assisted our beloved Rabbi Haas in some worship services. A long time ago, Marek and I talked about having him read from the Hebrew scriptures for us during a worship service. It finally worked out for us. So tomorrow, we'll be hearing the story of Noah and the Ark read by Marek in Hebrew and then read by Pamela in English. I imagine in Asbury's 113-year history, this will be the first time we've had such an experience.

If you would like to familiarize yourself with the story of Noah before tomorrow's service, it can be found in Genesis 5-9. We'll be focusing on the 6th and 8th chapters. I'll be talking about a part of the story I had forgotten about until I read the story again this week. My sermon title is: "Which Bird will Rest on You?" 

Asburian, Mike Matheny, Jason Zimmer of "Missions," and our staff are exploring ways our church can help the people of Ukraine. Unfortunately, the damage and suffering will be long lasting, and we want to be sure that our gifts and efforts are effectively used for those in need. We will keep you posted on what we find out and about the opportunities for us to help. In the meantime, please continue to pray for peace.

Asburian, Lee Davison, had a close friend visiting with her this week from out of town, and Lee brought her friend to Wednesday's Taizé Service. After the service was over, I saw Lee and her friend outside the sanctuary, and the friend said to me, "Thank you so much. That is just what I needed." We often have nice people visiting Asbury from out of state who say complimentary things after worship services. But as I looked into Lee's friend's eyes, I could tell that she was very sincere. Her words were not simply kind words from a kind person. I could tell that she really did need the service and was blessed by it.

The Taizé services are only 25 to 30 minutes long, but at the end, I feel like I have had a three-hour massage—a spiritual massage. Please do something really good for yourself and plan to join us at 6 pm on Wednesday. You'll be glad you did. 

We are about to celebrate the 3rd Sunday in Lent, so it is time to order Easter Lilies. If you would like to honor or remember a Loved One with one or more lilies, please go to the newsletter on our website and read about how to order them. There is an entire page (near the back) dedicated to Easter Lilies. If you still have questions about it, please call or email the church office. The lilies will be placed in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday.

Asbury Memorial, Masjid Jihad, and Temple Mickve Israel are jointly hosting a virtual viewing of the film, Stranger/Sister in celebration of Women's History Month. A discussion will follow the viewing of the documentary. Please invite others to participate. The Zoom event is open to anyone. The meeting ID is 897 26256414. The passcode is: Movie. Stranger/Sister is the story of two ordinary women, one Muslim and one Jewish, who dare to believe they can join hands to stop the wave of white supremacist hate surging across the United States. 

Fifty years ago, the global General Conference of the United Methodist denomination met in Atlanta. The General Conference is a gathering of elected clergy and lay delegates that meets once every four years to set policy, priorities, and budgets for the UMC. That year (1972), a phrase was proposed for addition to the Book of Discipline (the UMC constitution) that "Homosexuals no less than heterosexuals are persons of sacred worth, who need the ministry and guidance of the church." Conservatives proposed adding, "though we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." Both lines were approved, and members of the denomination have been fighting over these words ever since.

Some conservative United Methodists are trying to form a new denomination whose essential doctrines are virtually identical to those in the UMC, but who will continue to emphasize the incompatibility of same-sex marriage and call gay and lesbian people to celibacy. Since many of the conservatives would be leaving the denomination, it is anticipated the the UM denomination would then remove the "incompatible" language from the Book of Discipline. This was all to be discussed at the General Conference that was to be held this fall However, it was announced last week that due to concerns that Covid might prohibit delegates from less vaccinated countries from being able to participate, the General Conference has been postponed to 2024! When I heard this news, I was both sad and glad: 

SAD that LGBT people will still not have full acceptance and rights in the UM denomination at least until 2024 (and it's not guaranteed that the issue will even be settled then); and GLAD that the members of Asbury Memorial and Wesley Oak were wise enough and compassionate enough to separate from the denomination so all people, no matter what their sexual orientation, are welcomed and accepted into the church—and GLAD that we can now affirm and host same sex marriages.

People of Asbury Memorial and Wesley Oak: we should all give thanks that we did what we did when we did. I again want to say how proud I am of you. Please pray for the United Methodist denomination and for its many members as they continue to work through this policy that discriminates and harms people.

I look forward to seeing you aboard the Ark tomorrow! It's going to be a great ride!!

Love and Blessings,
Billy
Rev. Billy Hester