I WONDER AS I WANDER . . . Guided by a Star
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
This refrain of the familiar Epiphany carol, "We Three Kings," is a prayer seeking God's guiding light in our lives, in our churches, and in our world every day. On January 6, Epiphany Day, we celebrate the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child in Bethlehem. Recently, as I was reading and meditating on that part of the birth narrative from Matthew's gospel, I was struck by several things that I had known, but which took on a different significance for me.
Matthew notes that the events of chapter 2:1-12 occurred after Jesus was born, though we have no indication of how long. Because Herod ordered infants of Bethlehem aged 2 and younger to be killed, it appears that the visit of the Magi may have occurred as long as 2 years after the appearance of the star. When did they first observe the star? And, how long did it take them to be aware of its brightness and its movement? How long did it take for them to recognize what that brilliant star might mean? How long did it take them to prepare for the journey? Crossing the desert from Persia (Iran) to the area of Jerusalem must have required extensive preparations -' food and water for the journey, other provisions and animals are just two items on the list, along with deciding on the expensive gifts to carry along. How long did it take for them to make the journey?
These reflections began for me on December 15, as a group of about 20 persons from the 4 upstate New York conferences gathered to discern what the next steps on our journey together might be, following the October 6 joint sessions. Representatives from all of the conferences, including persons from Vermont and Pennsylvania portions of Troy and Wyoming conferences, reflected on where God has been guiding us, and what the next stages of the journey might be.
Along the way we reminded ourselves of the "star", the vision, which was affirmed on October 6. We recalled how long some conversations have been going on among all or parts of the 4 conferences regarding "the new thing" God desires to do in our midst, and how long the preparations may take before we actually see that new entity.
In our worship together we reflected on the question, "What would God desire for us to attempt to do if we knew we could not fail?" That's a star-like question. We recalled that our vote committed us, not only those gathered there, but those in every local church of all four conferences, to:
. . .dream and pray for a vibrant New Conference of the United Methodist Church ‘existing to embody the word and to give itself away in love and service to the world.' . . . This new conference makes possible:
- a new community of congregations, lay leaders and pastors working together to meet the changing needs of our society
- a sharing of wisdom, personnel, finances and facilities
- a conference size able to influence state capitals and General Conferences
- concentrating episcopal leadership through one episcopal area served by one bishop
- a chance to start fresh and move in new directions
- a sharing of the varied ministry gifts of each annual conference across current conference lines
We committed ourselves to continue to dream and to pray, seeking discernment of where the star of God's guidance is leading us. We also committed ourselves to some guiding principles, staples for the journey:
- Transparency: "No secrets, no surprises, no subversions"
- Relationships are primary; community is everything. This includes open communication with annual conferences, conference staff, and various opportunities for building community through invitation and hospitality.
- Our "neighbor" is the reason for this ministry, not just maintenance & survival, but offering Christ and serving our neighbors in new ways that connect with this century and the changing communities.
- Speak the truth in love -' with commitment to open, honest, respectful conversation, making sure all voices are heard.
- Stay in love with God, nurturing our connection with God through regular worship, prayer, study, & service
- Prayerful discernment will be our mode of operating, listening for God's directions and yearnings, even though we know that this takes time and patience.
- Dare to risk -' recognizing that our tendency will be to return to what is familiar in structures and stiles, and that this will requires us to engage outside our comfort zones and not be afraid of a process that is "messy."
Next steps for conversations are also under discussion between New England Conference and Troy Conference regarding the relationship for churches in Vermont, and between Central Pennsylvania and Wyoming Conferences regarding the relationship for churches in Pennsylvania.
A further reflection from the visit of the Magi to the Christ child: The Magi brought the best that they had to offer this baby, gifts that represented their lives and their regions. But they went home by another way, gifted by that experience of offering and worshiping. As our 4+2 conferences engage in this offering of our best to each other and to the Christ in our midst, we believe firmly that we will not be the same, but will be gifted by God with the presence of the Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
I encourage every local church, every pastor and lay person, to engage in this Epiphany season to join in dreaming and prayer and engagement with the guiding principles, not only for the new conference, but for each district, each local church, that we may bring our best gifts to the Christ, and be formed - ' and re-formed -' for the sake of the gospel of Christ as we continue our journeys in new ways.