Friends of LCUMC

09/28/2023

For those looking for support, please join us this Sunday.

09/26/2023

Wisdom from Bishop Ken Carter:

FOR UNITED METHODISTS AND PERHAPS SOME OTHERS…

A rabbi friend shared this, taken from the noted rabbi and psychologist Abraham Twerski. Humans, the rabbi noted, have five basic needs.

Food
Water
Clothing
Shelter
And Someone to Blame.

There is a profound “aha” in that last one, and some humor, and some depth. And a confession: it hits close to home. It was shared in anticipation of the observance of Yom Kippur, and in a conversation about repentance.

Why do I share it with you? In full disclosure, this is for United Methodists. If this is not relevant, go to the end of the post. But since it is about the human condition, it may speak beyond our tribe.
We have moved through most of the disaffiliations that we will see from our churches. We have held charge conferences to act on these, which have been open and democratic. To the district superintendents I say thank you. The annual conference will act on the disaffiliations of the last group of churches in Western North Carolina on November 4. A number of clergy will depart as well.

The great majority, a supermajority of our churches, members and clergy will remain. To these I say thank you. And we are pivoting toward the mission God has given us.

So, the rabbi’s wisdom. As United Methodists, we need to let go of our need to blame others. To blame churches who have departed. To blame clergy who have led them in this direction. To blame people for speaking mistruths about us. To blame friends who might have voted differently than we wished they had voted.

I am asking us to let go of our human need to blame.

It is finally their own relationship with their own Creator. They are no longer our responsibility. And they never were. It is finally between each of us and our Creator.

Blame can become, if we cling to it, a form of work avoidance. We have our own work to do. We have our own communities to serve. We have our own relationships with God and our neighbor.

The basic human need to blame is not who we are at our best. It is not even God’s desire for us.
Blaming gets in the way of repentance. Repentance is a reorientation to the calling in our lives. In the language of Ronald Heifetz, it is connecting to purpose.

I have described this calling by using three words:
Grace. Connection. Holiness.

Now, a word I must also state, and it will be a brief one. For the denomination and independent churches that are emerging out of recruitment of United Methodists (which is not an evangelical strategy, I have noted along the way, but proselytizing), for the denomination that is forming out of these disaffiliations, your calling is also not to cast blame on what you see in us.

I am asking you to let go of your need to blame us for your actions.

Simply go in peace and enjoy the church you dream about. Use your blogs, magazines and gatherings to go about the calling of your own church. Along the way and over many years a number of you promised me that you would do this. Now is the time.

For you and for us.

Back to our own spiritual work: we are called to repent, to take responsibility for our own spiritual lives, our mistakes, yes our sins, and to move forward into the future that God dreams about for us.
To connect to our purpose.

It is a church that is clear about our dependence on the grace of God through Jesus Christ (cross).

It is a church that is clear about our connection with each other—we are the body of Jesus Christ (relationships).

It is a church that teaches and lives a love for God, a love for our neighbor, a love for our enemies and a love for ourselves (flame).

Said differently…
We are not a church of works righteousness, laws or trials.
We are not a church of heroic solo leaders, celebrities or lone rangers.
We are not a church that understands holiness to be exclusion, superiority or separation.

So…
I am trying to replace blame with repentance.
I want to see the people who are with us, and let go of the people who have not been with us.
I am rejoicing in the miracles, the growth, the honesty and the space to breathe.

Day by day, week by week, I see it.
I want you to see it too.

Insofar as it depends on each of us, we can live in peace. That begins with letting go of our human need to locate someone to blame. And this creates a wide, wonderful open space for the new thing God is wanting to do.

We are on the way to a better church.

Bishop Ken Carter

09/25/2023

09/15/2023

Dear Friends,

TGIF. It sure has been a week. There is something about Fridays that feel a bit better than some other days. It has been a week of heartache and grief, that we will all continue to wade through for sure But also, Sunday is coming. A day to worship a most mighty God however you need to worship. We encourage you to listen to your soul and what it needs on that day – and every day. Be gentle on yourself too.

Our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Jae Lee had a gathering this past Wednesday evening – a time for listening and comfort, and that it was. (Thank you Jae Lee). The Rev. Nicole Jones also joined for that gathering, she works in our district office with church vitality . We’re so grateful for the safe space they provided for us to lament together. One of the things that came out of that was that some people voiced a desire to worship together this Sunday, September 17th. A simple service will be offered at 9:00 in the fellowship hall at Clyde Central UMC and will be led by Rev. Nicole Jones.

There seems to be some interest to have some sort of support group time in about a month and to be able to check in with each other. We will schedule that in the near future. The fellowship and discussions we had last night and the night before were so meaningful. Some of you went to one or the other, some both, and some were not able to attend. They were so meaningful and some experienced a slight lifting of the weight of grief experienced. Please know you all are being prayed for, you’re welcome to reach out whenever is needed, you’re welcome to come this Sunday to worship, your welcome to do whatever you need to do to tend to your soul during this difficult time, and you are not alone. As Nicole put so simply and lovely, "God is with you, and we are with you."

09/14/2023

From Angela Young at the Smoky Mountain District office:

Dr. Lee ask that I share the following with you:

We appreciate your gathering together and sharing your honest feelings, stories, and hopes. We will coordinate a pastoral counsel team and support you with listening and prayers.

There will be worship service this Sunday 9am at Clyde Central UMC. The church has kindly offered the fellowship hall for our worship space. If you want to share your spiritual gifts such as music, poem, prayer or testimony, please let Rev. Dr. Nicole Jones know at [email protected].

If you want to transfer your membership from Long’s Chapel to the UMC Collective until you find a home church, please contact Angela Young at the Smoky Mountain District and let her know your intention. She will take care of your membership transfer.

This evening there will be a meeting coordinated by Judy Dodson and Carol Burrell at Creekside Lodge (2716 Soco Road) at 6pm. If you have any questions about the meeting, please let Judy know at [email protected].

A quote from our dear friend, Rev. Betsy Caudill, “we are not people without hoping.” Please remember that God is with us always!

Angela Young
District Administrator
Smoky Mountain District
Western North Carolina Conference
The United Methodist Church
PO Box 1269
125 N. Lakeshore Drive
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
Office Phone: 828-454-6820
Cell Phone: 828-777-7088
Email: [email protected]

09/11/2023

An invitation from our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Jae Lee:

For the Faithful United Methodists at Long’s Chapel There will be a gathering for comfort, listening, and discerning for our future journey this Wednesday at Clyde Central UMC (at the Fellowship Hall) at 5:3pam. Please attend and share your thoughts and needs so that we can better serve you. We will continue our journey together!

• Clyde Central UMC, 410 Charles St. Clyde, NC 28721
• This Wednesday, Sept. 13, 5:30 – 6:30pm
• Those who care for the United Methodist Church are welcomed
• Questions? Smoky Mountain District Office at 828-454-6820 or [email protected]

09/09/2023

Hello Friends. Below is a sample ballot that was provided by the Long's Chapel UMC Leadership Team for the Charge Conference vote that will be happening tomorrow in the Community Room of Long's Chapel at 3:00pm. A reminder to please arrive between 2:15pm-2:30pm to be checked in and ready to vote in time. Late arrivals will NOT be allowed to vote.
No matter what the outcome, remember that LOVE always wins.

08/30/2023

Dear Friends,
We are tremendously saddened that it has come to this. See the attached letter from LCUMC regarding a called Church Conference on September 10th @ 3:00pm in the Community Room of Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church to vote on a petition to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church.

If you plan to vote, here’s what you should know:
• Only full members will be allowed to vote. Associate or affiliate members (i.e., seasonal attendees or regular attendees who are not members) will not be allowed to vote.
• Please bring identification with you just in case you are asked to provide it.
• Please arrive at 2:15pm in order to be checked in and seated by 3:00pm. If you are late, you will not be allowed to enter the room and vote.
• You will be given a paper ballot and the voting will be anonymous.
• The District Superintendent will oversee the vote process. Here’s how the vote will work:
o Yes vote = you are voting for Long’s Chapel to no longer be a United Methodist Church
o No vote = you are voting for Long’s Chapel to remain a United Methodist Church
o Abstain vote = your vote will not be counted in the vote tally
o Blank Form = your form will not count as a vote, but will be included in the percentage of votes tallied.

If you are planning to attend, remember that no matter the outcome this has been an extremely difficult season for all parties involved. If the vote goes according to what you want, please be respectful of the feelings of others and DO NOT show any signs of celebration. And continue your prayers for all members of Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

08/12/2023

This beautiful letter was written from Henri Nouwen to Fred Rogers. It concerns a critical article published about Mr. Rogers, that had discouraged him. This is the power of friendship. The power of healing sanctuary. The power of kindred spirits. Let us be these places for one another.
A letter from Henri Nouwen to Fred Rogers ie. Mr. Rogers...
Dear Fred,
I have just returned from Europe where I received permission from my Bishop to stay at L’Arche. I am now back here hoping to settle more definitely and find a new rhythm of life that is a little more livable than what I have had in the past. I read the article you sent me and can very well understand how much that must have hurt you. It must be really painful to be confronted with a total misunderstanding of your mission and your spiritual intentions.
It is these little persecutions within the church that hurt the most. I simply hope that you are not too surprised by them. They come and will keep coming precisely when you do something significant for the Kingdom. It has always struck me that the real pain comes often from the people from whom we expected real support. It was Jesus’ experience and the experience of all the great visionaries in the Church, and it continues to be the experience of many who are committed to Jesus.
I don’t think it makes much sense to argue with the writer of this article. He speaks from a very different plane and will not be open to your explanations. Some of the criticisms we simply have to suffer and see as invitations to enter deeper into the heart of Jesus. I won’t send you some of the reviews I get of my books, but some are not very different from the tone of this piece. So I certainly feel a unique solidarity with you.
Let us pray for each other, that we remain faithful and not become bitter and that we continue to return to the center where we can find the joy and peace that is not of this world. Thanks so much for staying in touch with me.
Much love, Henri Nouwen
Photo credit Scott Sauls and Mo Thomas

08/11/2023

https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-is-the-umc-really-part-12

Ask The UMC is the information service of United Methodist Communications.