A reality of living in the California-Pacific Conference is wildfires!  These fires, whether caused by nature or humans, generates fear, displacement, or even death in some case. We have been experiencing the threat and unpredictability of fire here in California this summer (even as I write you this letter) and very near my home last month.

Some believe we have also been experiencing this in the life of our United Methodist Church. There have been heated exchanges between person s on all sides of issues discussed at General and Jurisdictional Conferences in Portland, OR and Scottsdale, AZ. The heat has been felt in elections and movements... and itineracy. Like a wildfire, this has all created some fear, some displacement, and unrest for many in the Body of Christ.

Regardless of how you are feeling during this time of transition, allow me to speak as one who journeys with you and one who is learning to lean on the Word of God for strength and comfort. We cannot allow the "fires" of this world to distract us from our mission.  We are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We are not called to conformity to the world's firestorms, nor to hatred of persons, nor to fear of change. The popular rhetoric of media and social media seems to want to divide us up into camps- for or against- defending and defensive.  The Gospel calls us toward grace, accountability, and community.

As Christians and as United Methodists, we are called to live with the two tongues of flame in our UMC logo. These flames were to represent personal pity and social holiness not fire. There is always tension when we live according to the Gospel and even Jesus speaks of tension for the sake of God's kingdom, however, it is in Christ alone what we find our hope and peace each day.

Christian leadership means challenging the status-quo and can challenge us when we take the m ission of the Church seriously. This is what I have learned from Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño during my first year of being a District Superintendent. This unexpected Episcopal Assignment to the California-Nevada Annual Conference emphasizes that change and transition are a part of our call to serve. She has been a leader full of "grit and grace", as stated in a recent conference announcement, which has caused some conflict in our diverse faith community.

 

Personally, I have grown through Bishop Carcaño's witness to her faith in Jesus Christ. My understanding of immigration and the LGBTQIA community has challenged me and my commitment to loving all persons. She has challenged us to stay in dialogue, work as team, and deal with r acism this past quadrennium and this work is still before us. I have also appreciated her love for the local church and her care (and accountability) for its leadership.

 

Through the work of the Western Jurisdiction, we have elected a new bishop, and will receive our new bishop on September 1st. Bishop Carcaño is being assigned to the San Francisco Episcopal Area (California-Nevada Conference) and our appointed leader for the Los Angeles Episcopal Area is Bishop Grant Hagiya. Many will remember that Bishop Hagiya was elected from the California-Pacific Conference and has served in the Pacific-Northwest Conference since. Many have asked how the election and appointment of a bishop happens so I have included a summary explanation prepared by Rev. Adiel DePano (Chair of the Cal-Pac Episcopacy Committee) to help us understand and to move us ahead with these decisions.

 

How are bishops assigned?

Bishops are assigned by their jurisdiction or central conference to serve a geographical area for a four-year term. There are 46 episcopal areas in the United States and 20 episcopal areas outside of the United States. New bishops may not be assigned to the area where they were a clergy member for at least four years after their election, however, the Book of Discipline allows for this restriction to be ignored by a two-thirds vote of both the jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy and the jurisdictional conference.

Bishops may be assigned to the same area for up to three quadrennia.

After the election of new bishops, each jurisdictional committee on episcopacy recommends to the jurisdictional conferences the assignment of bishops to their episcopal areas. New bishops are consecrated, not ordained. They remain elders in the denomination, but they become ordaine d members of the Council of Bishops instead of an annual conference. Assignments take effect September 1.

For further reading, click on the link below:

This may all seem like "fires" but we shall strive to not be distracted from our mission. And as we all move through transitions (myself included), we know where to place our trust and find our peace and joy. We do not have to live in fear, anger, or spiritual death.

 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:4-7

 

Peace of the Journey,

Pastor Jim Powell