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May 18, 2021
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By Rev. Sandy Nenadal
Watching the news as March neared its end, I was struck by the amount of grief and loss people in our nation are experiencing. Over 550,000 people have died from COVID-19. The economic impact of the virus has disrupted many.
Stories of rising anti-Asian violence, mass shootings in Atlanta and Boulder, and more remind us that people suffer from many different kinds of loss. Personally, I felt the loss as the second anniversary of my husband’s death to cancer neared. Like many other people, I found myself searching for resources that would offer healing for this time of grief and sadness.
While visiting Joplin, I explored Mercy Park, the site of the former St. John’s Hospital that was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado on May 22, 2011. It is a beautiful park with walking trails, a pond, and many statuary pieces throughout the park. Walking through the park reminded me of the loss and disruption the tornado created. In 2011, I turned to ideas shared in a lecture by Dr. Serene Jones at Saint Paul School of Theology in September 2001 to help myself and others cope with the tragedy. She pointed us towards the Emmaus Road to better understand times of tragedy and loss. The lessons I learned on the Emmaus Road with Jesus sustained me after the Joplin tornado, so I turned to them again. The story is in Luke 24:13-35.
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Upcoming Events
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Boundaries Training
Quadrennial Boundaries training will be held virtually on June 11. This training is required for Missouri Conference clergy. Lay members are encouraged to attend. Learn More →
Upcoming Events
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Featured Resource
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Copyright Guidance for Local Churches
Have you ever thought twice before ripping a video from YouTube or saving photos from Google Images to show in worship on Sunday? You might be surprised to know that those actions violate copyright law and could cost you thousands. Find out why during an hour-long webinar with Lawyer Daan Erikson from Husch Blackwell LLP. Daan shares practical information related to copyright and trademark concerns, specifically when it comes to online worship. View it here →
More Resources
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Pastoring in Partisan Times Podcast
Rising partisanship in our country has made finding common ground difficult. A recent study found that Methodism is one of America’s most politically divided denominations, with both congregants and their pastors roughly split between the Democratic and Republican Parties. This makes the work of a pastor – a spiritual leader to everyone in their pews – hard. Navigating those tensions and modeling new ways of remaining in relationship with those we disagree is not for the weak of heart. Pastoring in Partisan Times seeks to gain insight into pastoring purple in red and blue churches.
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Diversifying the Pastor's Study
Barth, Bonhoeffer, Brueggemann, Calvin, Craddock, Luther, Moltmann, Tillich and Wesley. These are the names that line many pastors’ studies. They are the standards or “classics” of seminaries and theological education and preparation. Generations of preachers can be taught without ever mentioning the name of a Black preacher or a theologian of color. Culture coach Nikki Lerner asked a recent webinar audience, How do you give voice to a diversity of leadership through your preaching and teaching resources? This is not a definitive list but is the result of Missouri pastors offering titles from their experiences.
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