http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog.aspnothing provideden-usMon, 22 Mar 2010 04:00:00 ESTMon, 22 Mar 2010 04:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=105http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=105When we recite the Apostles Creed and say, quot;the third day he rose from the dead,quot; we probably assume that quot;the third dayquot; refers to Easter Sunday following Holy Saturday and Good Friday. Yet the meaning of quot;the third dayquot; is not primarily chronological, but symbolic. The background of the meaning of quot;the third dayquot; is presented by Edward Schillebeeckx in Jesus: An Experiment in Christology (Vintage Books, 1981, Pp. 526-532). Schillebeeckx notes that quot;the thiThu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=104http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=104There is an engaging new biography of Francis Asbury by John Wigger of the University of Missouri, American Saint (Oxford University Press, 2009) which will be enjoyed by laity and clergy. A lanky figure standing 5 9quot; who was fond of wearing a light blue frock coat and knee breeches with leggings and shoe buckles, Asbury had been an apprentice metalworker in England who became one of John Wesleys lay preachers. He was sent by Wesley as a missionary to America in 1771 (because he was availabMon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=102http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=102Here we are in the middle of Lent, and spring is showing forth. This is a surprise this year. Usually in Florida spring is present without much awareness of when it arrived. When the winter ismild, the transition from winter to spring isso seamless that it is hardly noticeable. With the colder winter this year, the coming of spring is more of an event. We are fortunate that our Lent coincides with the arrival of spring because it is easier for us to go outside and experience contemplation of GWed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=103http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=103On March 1-2, 2010 Cardinal Walter Kaspar visited Emory University where he met with ecumenical leaders, Jewish leaders, and the Candler School of Theology. Emory University, which is related to The United Methodist Church, invited Cardinal Kaspar as a part of its commitment to foster interreligious dialogue and appreciation for the role of religion in public life. I was invited by Candler Dean Jan Love to participate because I am co-chair of the Catholic-United Methodist Dialogue in the United Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=101http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=101All of usare witnessing once more the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. UMCOR is also gearing up to be of assistance in Chile following its earthquake and tsunami. We are grateful that our Church has an agency through which we can be in mission in times of disaster, and we are proud of the recognition that UMCOR receives from the international community of disaster responders. Recently, the Rev. Tom Hazelwood met with the Rev. Beth FogThu, 4 Mar 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=100http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=100In 2009, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church issued a pastoral letter and document on quot;Gods Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action.quot; The pastoral letter should have been presented to every local church by now. The foundation document should be studied by every local church as soon as it is feasible. The Council recommended that churches study the foundation document during Lent of 2010. I am aware that the schedule of the Council of Bishops and the schedule of locTue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=99http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=99One of the major challenges facing the 2012 General Conference will be to reform the structure of The United Methodist Church. A task force being led by Bishop Gregory Palmer, which includes the Rev. Debbie McLeod and the Rev. Jorge Acevedo from the Florida Conference, has been given the charge to make proposals for change. Early indications are that this group is taking its responsibilities seriously. It will be up to the delegates to the 2012 General Conference to rise to the challenge of appMon, 1 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=98http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=98In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, quot;So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Todays trouble is enough for todayquot; (Matthew 6:34 NRSV). If I were in Haiti, I would live the truth of these words. Haitians know enough troubles for today--how to drink, how to eat, how to sleep in a dry place, how to heal from wounds, how to avoid danger, how to protect the children and the elderly, and so on and on. When one is just trying to survive, one 24-hour day Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=97http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=97I have called every Haitian-American pastor of our conference I could reach to talk with them about what they have heard about relatives and friends in Haiti. Most congregations with Haitian-American members report grievous news of deaths, injuries, missing persons, and property damage. The earthquake in Haiti has caused a catastrophe of human suffering. There is also grief in our church over the deaths of two General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) staff members, the Revs. Sam Dixon and ClinTue, 19 Jan 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=96http://www.flumc2.org/bishops_blog_entry.asp?pkvalue=96On November 3, 2009 the Council of Bishops approved Pastoral Letters and a Foundation Document on Gods Renewed Creation: A Call to Hope and Action, which deals with the interrelated realities of ecological degradation, global poverty, and nuclear arms proliferation from the perspective of our faith in the living God revealed through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Of course, any statement dealing with the complexities of these realities, as well as an understanding of the perspectiTue, 12 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST