The Ministry of Tenderness

Last Wednesday, ICE officials carried out an immigration enforcement operation in seven different businesses across Mississippi. Word of the raids and the 680 persons detained quickly spread through local, statewide, and national media.

Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr., our episcopal leader in The Mississippi Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, issued a letter after the raids that included these powerful statements:

I’m not concerned with your personal political stances and thoughts on implications related to U.S. immigration, but I am concerned about the well-being and stability of families. Specifically, I am concerned about the children who suffered a sudden and traumatic separation from their families on what was for many, the first day of school here in Mississippi.

Reactions to the raids have reminded us of how divided we easily become in our opinions when we talk about subjects like immigration reform. Sometimes we become so engulfed in emotions, stances, politics, and issues that we forget our first priority as the Church is to the ministry of tenderness. Tending to one another without labeling as “the other.” Practicing gentleness. Caring with the love of a heart pierced on the cross. Tenderness grows from hearts that extend mercy because they know how desperately they need mercy. What I heard in Bishop Swanson’s pastoral letter was a call back to tenderness, a call to truly see the children and families and what they experienced.

With the call to see is the call to respond.

On our church’s Facebook page is a link to Bishop Swanson’s letter, along with tangible ways you can help as the Holy Spirit leads. I also have a longer reflection on the raids posted on my personal blog at www.darianduckworth.com/musings. As we continue to celebrate ministry with youth and children in worship this month, let us remember to pray for the young people beyond our church walls such as these frightened, young children of immigrants who need the tenderness we as the body of Christ can offer.

all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 18, 2019
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56

ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT

I wanted to give everyone an update on what happened at the Annual Conference in June and felt that this would be an ideal forum. In addition, I will be available to speak to each adult Sunday school class.

The conference started with a very compelling sermon by Rev. Jessica Moffatt from FUMC Tulsa. She was absolutely penetrating while speaking calmly and quietly. There were many sermons in the days that followed.

The second day we elected delegates to the 2020 General Conference. There were 20+ candidates for six positions and they had to receive a certain percentage of the vote to be elected. It was a long and grueling process as we voted again and again to elect a bunch of lay delegates and separately the clergy elected their delegates. It reminded me of the “Holy Club” John Wesley formed at Oxford that was noted for its structure, order and discipline. It was how we earned the name “Methodist”. We continue to earn that name.

The delegates elected by both the laity and the clergy were overwhelmingly supporters of the “traditional plan”. This was hurtful to delegates who believe the church should adopt a more open position towards gay marriage and gay clergy.

There were countless committee reports and financial updates….we are in good shape.

There was an update on charitable donations which was extremely heartening. We gave… $1 million to African University, 60,000 nets to end malaria, storm relief efforts, supported senior living in Mississippi, operated several camps and during the conference we put together 15,000+ health kits.

Ordination of new ministers and a memorial service for those ministers who had passed away in the prior year were celebrated.

Finally, there was an update on churches that were disaffiliating with the Methodist Church. There are 7 churches (which we approved for disaffiliation). These churches now go through a process that requires them to continue supporting their financial obligations to the church and to prior and current employees.

It was an honor to be your representative.

Bill Maclean, Lay Member of Annual Conference

August Worship Series
Going Back & Looking Forward: Celebrating Youth And Children

Do you enjoy advance planning as much as I do? Often on my monthly prayer retreat, I’ll set aside some time to focus on planning worship, one of my favorite responsibilities as a pastor. Time after time, the Holy Spirit reveals a basic path for the upcoming church season with Scripture lessons and themes. The planner in me is especially thankful when the Spirt offers guidance for many months ahead!

However, Proverbs 16:9 is a verse to which I cling when the planning all seems to come together: “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” We may make our plans, but as disciples of Jesus Christ we trust that those plans may not always play out in the way we imagine. Months ago, I made plans for a worship series that would begin in August with Scriptures. Then, one day last month, I realized through conversations with some of you and with the Lord that God was directing those plans a different way: celebrating ministry with our youth and children. When I shared how the Holy Spirit was leading me with our choir director, Rachel Wood, she told me that the Spirit had been leading her to ask youth and children to provide special music in August!

To say I’m excited about our worship services in August is an understatement. As our youth, children, teachers, and parents go back to school, we will look forward with expectancy to what God has in store. Remember that for the next four Sundays in the month of August we will only have one worship service at 11AM. Plan to be a part of the Holy Spirit’s direction at FUMC of West Point!

all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 4, 2019
Hosea 11:1-11
Psalm 107:1-9
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21

The Gospel of Stronger

At the 2013 Boston marathon, a man named Jeff Bauman lost both of his legs when bombs exploded near the finish line. His story of injury and recovery is the subject of the film, Stronger, and one scene shows the changing of Jeff’s dressings for the first time. The film’s director situates the camera behind Jeff’s left shoulder, with his girlfriend at his side. An off-screen nurse warns him that this is the most painful part and tells him they can stop at any time. Another off-screen voice explains what he is doing with each minor movement of bandage removed from skin. Someone else gently tells Jeff he can look if he wants, but he doesn’t have to do so. He screams in pain. There is a pause, and another voice asks if he wants to stop. Another tells him how good he is doing. When they complete the dressing removal from one leg, there is great rejoicing and praise for Jeff’s endurance, words of reassurance that they’re almost done. The unbinding of Jeff’s wounds reminds us that healing has to be slow–and involves many voices, many hands, many eyes.

Unbind him, and let him go. ~ John 11:44

When Jesus commanded onlookers to unbind the resurrected Lazarus, the unbinding takes time so as not to further hurt the one who has been bound. So it is with not only our physical injuries but also the hurts we carry in spirit and soul. So it is when our communities experience the damages of natural disaster. Recovery can be as painful as, or more painful than, the actual injury. Just as Jeff could not heal by himself, we need the body of Jesus Christ.
What a relief to know that the unbinding is not the end of the story. Neither is the binding is the end of the story. The end of the story is healing. The end of the story is restoration. The end of the story is a strength uncovered only in the unbinding.

all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 28, 2019
Hosea 1:2-10

Psalm 85

Colossians 2:6-15

Luke 11:1-13

Traveling With One Another

This past Sunday before worship, I spoke to one of our members who had recently returned from travels. I knew about these travels because she’d posted photos on Instagram. I told her how much I had enjoyed seeing the sights they had seen (especially the food!). She had traveled places I’d never been, and the bright, beautiful photos transported me there.

I had a similar experience with such photographs a few months ago when visiting with a friend. She recalled seeing some photos that I posted over a year ago from a fall vacation I took to rural Connecticut. She told me something similar to what I had said on Sunday: though she had not been there in person, the photos took her to that place of peace, quiet, and rest.

We read a lot these days about how social media makes us more envious of each other. We covet our neighbor’s vacation as we scroll through photos of feet in the sand and videos on water crashing the shoreline. I understand that perspective but beg to differ as well. Sharing pieces of our lives through photographs can serve as invitations to celebrate God’s beauty in each other’s lives. A photograph shares a story, and we must not be jealous of someone else’s story. Instead, let us give thanks for the various ways in which God manifests his goodness in ALL our lives.

Here is an exercise in gratitude for us to try this week: If you are on social media, take some time to look at someone else’s vacation pictures. Perhaps make a comment on how grateful you are that they took that trip, and how wonderful it looked. If you are not on social media, take some time to look through some old photographs of a vacation you or a friend took. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for what God taught you in that time.

all good things to each of you,

Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 21, 2019

Amos 8:1-12                                                                                                                                                                                                          Psalm 52                                                                                                                                                                                                              Colossians 1:15-28                                                                                                                                                                                               Luke 10:38-42

Worship Series for July:

HEALING Experiencing God’s Wholeness

Tupelo native Paul Thorn is a singer-songwriter who always seems to sing exactly what I need to hear. Five years ago, he released an album titled, Too Blessed to Be Stressed, and one of the songs on the album has run through my head as I read the Scriptures assigned to the Sundays of July.

Got to get you a healing for your body and your soul
Get you a healing, it’s good for young and good for old.
Fix all the problems with people that you know
Get you a healing and let your loving show.

Paul Thorn grew up the son of Pentecostal ministers, and his songs often reflect the Spirit-filled theology of that upbringing. We all need healing, maybe not only in terms of physical illness but in our relationships with others—and in our relationship with God. The sacrifice of his Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, heals the sin-sick soul, and we have the freedom to accept that gift. But the good news doesn’t stop there. Like Paul Thorn sings, healing and love are connected.

This month our Sunday worship series will revolve around healing. As we explore the Scriptures, we will witness how God longs for us to be made whole in body, soul, and spirit. We will also discover how God wants for his Church to experience healing from the brokenness that so easily divides us. I look forward to worshiping with you as we “get a healing” together.

all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for July 14, 2019
Amos 7:7-17
Psalm 82
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37

Worship Series for July:

HEALINGExperiencing God’s Wholeness

Tupelo native Paul Thorn is a singer-songwriter who always seems to sing exactly what I need to hear. Five years ago, he released an album titled, Too Blessed to Be Stressed, and one of the songs on the album has run through my head as I read the Scriptures assigned to the Sundays of July.

Got to get you a healing for your body and your soul
Get you a healing, it’s good for young and good for old.
Fix all the problems with people that you know
Get you a healing and let your loving show.

Paul Thorn grew up the son of Pentecostal ministers, and his songs often reflect the Spirit-filled theology of that upbringing. We all need healing, maybe not only in terms of physical illness but in our relationships with others—and in our relationship with God. The sacrifice of his Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, heals the sin-sick soul, and we have the freedom to accept that gift. But the good news doesn’t stop there. Like Paul Thorn sings, healing and love are connected.

This month our Sunday worship series will revolve around healing. As we explore the Scriptures, we will witness how God longs for us to be made whole in body, soul, and spirit. We will also discover how God wants for his Church to experience healing from the brokenness that so easily divides us. I look forward to worshiping with you as we “get a healing” together.

all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for July 14, 2019
Amos 7:7-17
Psalm 82
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37

The Best Kind of Noise

Normally when I sit down to write, noise is not my best companion. I don’t usually need complete silence to concentrate, but I also try to avoid too many distractions. This morning is different as the best kind of noise is outside my office window: the construction sounds of long-needed repairs to caps on our church’s roof.

Machinery sits where the staff normally parks, and workers in hard hats replace the view of birds outside our windows. These are all signs of progress, images of new beginnings, and you are a part of the work. Whether you’ve donated to our building fund, served on the Board of Trustees, or prayed for our church, you are a part of what God is doing here at First UMC of West Point. I am especially grateful to Freddie Brister, chairman, and all the members of the Board of Trustees for their research and hard work. So often the work of our committees like the Trustees occurs quietly, but we could not function without their faithfulness.

As we enter the second half of 2019, we will soon enter a season of stewardship where we invite you to consider how you will continue to be actively faithful to our church. You may get a phone call to serve in a leadership role. You may receive an invitation to help with youth or children’s ministry. We ask because we need you. We invite because we value you. On Sunday, as we conclude our series on the Holy Spirit, will you begin praying for the Spirit’s guidance not on IF you will serve but on HOW you will serve in the joyful sound of Christ’s church?

This week marks the beginning of my fourth year as your pastor. My energy level is as high as the machinery outside, and I hope you feel as lifted in spirit as I do. We serve a mighty God in a mighty good church, and I look forward to growing with you in the year ahead. Let us give thanks for all God has done and all God will do!

all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 30, 2019
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62

* On July 1, our new district superintendent, Rev. Paulette Buford-James will begin her leadership in the Starkville district. We give thanks for her arrival and for the good work of our outgoing DS, Dr. Embra Jackson. Please be in prayer for both of them and their families in this time of transition. *

“I’m So Glad I Came To Church Today”

Between worship services this past Sunday morning, I greeted one of our church members who told me something that was music to this pastor’s ears: “I’m so glad I came to church today.” She proceeded to tell me all of the encouraging words people had spoken to her that morning, how blessed she felt, how her week and day were off to a wonderful start.

So often we arrive at church with the question of, “What will I get out of this?” This sister’s testimony reminded me of the importance of walking into church, and into all areas of our lives, with the question, “What will I give to someone today?” It only takes a few words and a few seconds to pay someone a compliment, to encourage someone, or to invite them to share a pew. A small number of words sown in love can reap a large harvest of joy in a person’s heart!

Church is where we gather to actively remember the Word spoken over us as believers in Jesus Christ: “You are beloved.” As we continue to learn more about the Holy Spirit this month, let us remember that the Spirit of truth wants to speak words of “beloved-ness” through us not only on Sunday but all week long.

I’m so glad when each of you come to church on Sundays, but I’m also so glad when you are the church every day of the week!

all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 23, 2019
I Kings 19:1-15a
Psalm 42
Galatians 3:23-29
Luke 8:26-39

Compasses and Callings

In the 1996 film, Mr. Holland’s Opus, an aspiring composer gets a job as a high school music teacher. Mr. Holland had barely begun his teaching career when Principal Jacobs approached him. He pointed out his strengths to her: he arrived on time, efficiently completed his tasks, and went home on time.  Yet Principal Jacobs noticed a void in the young band director. She tells him, “A teacher has two jobs: fill young minds with knowledge, yes, but more important give those minds a compass… I don’t know what you’re doing with the knowledge, but as a compass, you’re stuck.”

Compasses provide guidance. direction. location, a sense of place. Mr. Holland struggled to give compasses to his students because his own was out-of-order. His goal was to compose his own music. He had his eyes on a distant dream, a calling to change the world with his own music. With his vision so fixed on a future, distant place, he was oblivious to his current place–and the students right in front of him in search of their own callings.

When we talk about our “callings,” we often jump to language of action. Like Mr. Holland, we fixate on doing something else to the point of losing sight of where God has called us for such a time as this. We associate calling with what we are currently doing with our lives or what we hope to do with our lives. Yet in Isaiah 6, when the Lord asks who will go, Isaiah’s first response is not “send me.” The action comes second. His initial response is “Here I am.” Simply being before acting. Showing up. Checking his compass.

Mr. Holland soon finds his sense of direction both as teacher and musician. Let us all join in Isaiah’s prayer first, action second, and watch God’s glorious future unfold in us.
all good things to each other,
Pastor Darian
Lectionary Texts for Trinity Sunday
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Psalm 8
Romans 5:1-5
John 16: 12-15

The Staff Parish Relations Committee has been notified by Bishop James E Swanson, Sr and the Cabinet of the Mississippi Conference that Pastor Darian has been appointed to FUMC-WP for another year.  We give thanks for Pastor Darian’s ministry and look forward to her continued service as our pastor, teacher, leader and friend in Christ.  We ask for your prayers for her as well as for the churches and pastors throughout Mississippi that share this time with us.

In Christ,                                                                                                                                  Robin McCormick