Conference Minister's Corner 5.14.26

Conference Ministers’ Corner

By: Transitional Associate Conference Minister, Linda Hirst

5.14.26

Ezekiel 37:5 “Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath ^[a] to enter you, and you shall live.”

One day, while living in Richmond, VA, my husband Brad brought home a tree he had bought at Krogers (the local grocery store). It was a sad, sickly twig of a tree, and as he walked past me to dig a hole for it, I said to him, "That tree is dead. You know that, right? You just brought home a dead tree." Brad ignored me, went to get a shovel and some fertilizer, and proceeded to plant the sad, sickly twig of a tree in the front yard. Day after day he would water the plant, nurture it, feed it, and care for it. And day after day I would walk past it and announce to all who could hear that the tree was dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. This went on for weeks. Until, yes, you guessed it… I walked past the sad, sickly twig of a tree, and there was a bud on it. This story reminds me of that great passage from the prophet Ezekiel, who reminds the Israelites, who feel dead, dead, dead, that God is not done with them. Not yet. Just as God can breathe life into dry, dead bones (his vision) and bring them to life, God can and will do the same thing for them. And for us. Sometimes it feels like there are dry bones all around us (what is happening in our world!), and sometimes we feel like the dry bones. Ezekiel reminds us to have hope. And faith. God’s breath can do and will do miraculous things to us and for us as well as for our families, communities, country, and our world. So hang in there if you’re feeling dusty and dry. Take a look at the buds growing on trees and bushes… especially the sickly, twiggy ones, and remember what God has promised. Life. This day and always.

See you in church.

Linda

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Ministry Leadership Learning Opportunities

There’s still time to sign up for Ministry21’s June Intensive ~ a class designed especially to help Members In Discernment (and their advisors!!) delve into the theological reflection and self-reflection that shapes portfolios and impacts ministry for years to come! All NH MIDs early in the process are encouraged to participate in this class. Check with your Advisory Teams to see about participating. (Licensed and ordained clergy are also quite welcome ~ who doesn’t need a chance to hit the PAUSE button and reflect theologically?)

The small class size makes this an excellent coaching cohort. If you want deep group work and 1-on-1 discernment work with an experienced leader in ministry, this is your chance!

Course Title: “Discernment, Theological Reflection, and Bowen Family Systems Theory”

Instructor: Rev. Rebecca Maccini

Dates: June 6 & June 27, 9-noon (in person at the Lebanon United Methodist Church); June 17, 6-7:30 (via Zoom); asynchronous work between session

⏳Only a few spots remain ~ register here:

https://www.nhcucc.org/ministry-21/theologicalreflectionclass

Also, from Ministry21...Registration is open for our Fall Class with the Rev. Bill Borer.  FROM EXODUS TO EXILE: AN OVERVIEW OF THE HEBREW BIBLE IN CONTEXT. (This course fulfills requirements for our NEW Ministry Leadership Certificate designed for those serving in Licensed Ministry!!!)

The Old Testament was the “scripture” of the early church, comprises seventy-five percent of the Christian Bible, and is frequently referenced in the New Testament. This overview will look at the books of the Old Testament in their historical and theological context. The class will also include discussions on theories of Biblical authority, interpretation and issues around preaching from the First Testament. (In-person, September 12th, October 17th, November 14th, December 12th 9am-4pm). To join us click here and register: https://www.nhcucc.org/ministry-21/exodustoexile

If you have questions about our program or course offerings, please reach out to our NH Conference Dean, Rev. Stacey Kullgren (603)903-5621 or nhdean@min21.org