For the past several months, I’ve been deeply involved in the formation of the context for how and why we are in ministry as United Methodists in Wisconsin. Wherever I go, I seek to discover what God is doing in and through our congregations and Circuits to fulfill the biblical mandate to reach out to people with God’s love in Jesus’ name. Since returning home to Wisconsin, I have been seeking to imagine Wisconsin anew!

What does that mean? It means seeking to see what God is placing before us as possibilities. It means learning what has changed and continues to change in the communities that make up Wisconsin. What new populations or people are living in our communities and how are we going to reach out to them in God’s love? How are we preparing ourselves to offer leadership in the United Methodist congregations in Wisconsin to reach out beyond ourselves and our buildings?

How are we as United Methodists going to prepare the soil of our lives and our faith communities so we are equipped to produce the Fruit of the Spirit?

Take Advantage of this Opportunity to Learn & Share

April 14, 2013 is Native American Ministries Sunday in the United Methodist Church. As your Bishop, I ask you to prepare now for that day.

Native American Sunday offers we United Methodists an opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage of the many and varied Native Americans in Wisconsin. Native Americans here in Wisconsin include a rich variety of cultures, some of them dating back thousands of years. According to the State of Wisconsin, there are eleven sovereign tribal nations, each with its own dialect, art forms, traditional practices, and histories. Some of these Nations occupy reservations covering over 500,000 acres of land. For those of us who aren't Native Americans, it is often difficult for us to know and understand the true history of the place and people of Wisconsin, in part because we are taught history from the current day dominant culture point of view. Native American Ministries Sunday gives us an opportunity to learn together and to honor the history of the first people of Wisconsin.

One of the great joys of my ministry is the opportunity to meet the United Methodist people of Wisconsin who are investing themselves and many of their financial resources in the mission of the Church. I love hearing the stories of mission and ministry. Wherever I have gone in the past several months, I have experienced the wonderful connection of God's gifted people with the opportunities for serving and sharing.

Over and over again, I am reminded that sharing in generosity is a gift for the soul. Often those who share the stories speak of having their souls and spiritual life greatly enriched by the experience of sharing. Oh, how my spirit is lifted up when I hear the stories!