Author: James Deaton
You matter to God
The God of Christmas, says Bishop David Bard, loves widely and wildly without regard to status and draws near to the simple and ordinary… I recently returned from a wonderful educational trip with a lovely group from the Michigan Conference, including some Episcopalian and Lutheran friends. We traveled to Greece and Egypt, both fascinating places… Continue Reading You matter to God
Working for the common good
Bishop David Bard says that when the election is over, and the ballots have been counted, the work for the common good begins for everyone, including the church… Many of you may be familiar with the work of Howard Thurman (1899-1981). While I knew of his work before, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself… Continue Reading Working for the common good
‘We are to wear love’
Leading up to the election, Bishop David Bard encourages us to vote, showing up with a demeanor that enhances democracy and reflects who we are as God’s beloved in Jesus Christ… One unique coincidence between our United Methodist church calendar and the national calendar is that bishops are elected and assigned in the same year… Continue Reading ‘We are to wear love’
‘What did you learn today?’
Bishop David Bard encourages us to stay curious, for doing so can help alleviate some of the problems and divisions in our world today… September is a month memorialized in a variety of songs. “See You in September” is a song about a young couple separated by the long summer holiday: “Will I see you… Continue Reading ‘What did you learn today?’
Grace and power to respond
Looking back on the past month, Bishop David Bard highlights a few challenging news items and the shared work in Jesus Christ that is now before us.It has been quite a month… We have had an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The current president, Joe Biden, has… Continue Reading Grace and power to respond
Consider the whole of our history
In our July 4 celebrations, says Bishop David Bard, may we remember the complexities of our history and enlarge our memory so that our future might be better than our past… On June 18, the great baseball player Willie Mays died at age 93. I have long loved baseball, and Willie Mays was one of… Continue Reading Consider the whole of our history
Conferencing as a means of grace
In this conferencing season, says Bishop David Bard, may we strive to become conduits of God’s grace for one another… John Wesley, the cofounder of the Methodist stream of the Christian tradition, identified “Christian conference” as a means of grace along with prayer, searching the Scriptures, the Lord’s Supper, and fasting. Inspired by Colossians 4:6,… Continue Reading Conferencing as a means of grace
‘May we not love alike?’
We are finding new ways to live in the Wesleyan spirit, says Bishop David Bard as he reflects on a General Conference unlike any other he has attended… I write this one day following the adjournment of the postponed 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. General Conference is the highest decision-making body for… Continue Reading ‘May we not love alike?’
Trust in the risen Christ
With the humanitarian crisis in Haiti in mind, Bishop David Bard asks us to live out our resurrection faith and labor for a more peaceful and just world… Just this past Sunday, many of us sang, “Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!” We shouted out, “Christ is risen.” We heard words like, “Death has… Continue Reading Trust in the risen Christ
Awaiting resurrection
Looking toward Easter, Bishop David Bard says evil causes us to yearn for a new world where hunger is a memory and war is ancient history… “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen” (Luke 24:5b, NRSVue). Among the bands whose music I enjoy is the… Continue Reading Awaiting resurrection