National United Methodist Rural Advocates

January 2020 In This Issue:

LEGISLATION

WINTER SOLSTICE

WILL THAT PREACH?

HOME FOR HOMELESS

DEVOTIONS

INTERESTED IN UMRA?

GC2020

RURAL TRAINING

SCHOLARSHIPS

WE ARE ... MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS

by Michele Holloway, Editor
THE UNITED
METHODIST
RURAL
ADVOCATES
You would not ignore a community
more than seven times larger than
New York City. Yet the rural
population in the United States,
with over 60 million people, is often
overlooked because they are not
all living in the same area.
Whether your church is urban or
rural church, large or small, the
UMRA invites you to join our
association of clergy and laity in
reaching out to meet the needs of
people from rural communities,
their churches and their pastors.
We provide advocacy at General
Conference and Annual
Welcome to January 2020, the beginning of the year
leading up to the next planned General Conference. In
an effort to be better prepared for this important
gathering, the UMRA has chosen to do a monthly
newsletter to help keep us all informed and inspired.
Each month we will feature at least one piece of
legislation that the Rural Advocates submitted to
GC2020. We are hoping that those who read this
newsletter and are delegates to GC2020 will see the
value in the legislation we are proposing.
If you are unsure if your delegates are receiving this
newsletter, please forward this email to them and then
send their information along to me at
chele101953@gmail.com and I will be certain to
include them in the upcoming editions.
Thank you.
Conferences to affect rule changes
that enable churches to better
minister in their communities,
provide educational opportunities
for the leaders of rural churches to
better serve their church bodies,
and support church leaders in
personal growth and ministry.
OFFICERS
Chair - Randy Wall –
RandyLWall@aol.com
Vice Chair - Alan Bolte
revahb@gmail.com
Secretary - Sue Grace
smgrlg51@yahoo.com
Spiritual Dir - Peggy Jeffries
peggyx15@yahoo.com
Comm Dir - Michele Holloway
chele101953@gmail.com
Advocacy Dir - Mollie Stewart
Molliecstewart0128@gmail.com
Membership - Sue Grace
smgrlg51@yahoo.com
Treasurer - Judy Hill
judyh@plainstel.com
Visit our webpage @
http://www.umruraladvocates.org/
WINTER SOLSTICE
by Orrinda Stockton
Winter Solstice. Longest night of the year. Blue Christmas. A worship service intended to
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS AS
CLERGY DELEGATES
Rationale:
The reality is that a significant number of licensed
clergy have no voice or vote at General Conference.
This change would expand the pool of those clergy
members eligible to serve. Associate Members have
been examined and approved by the Board of Ordained
Ministry and the Annual Conference.
Amend ¶ 35 and ¶321.2 for consistency as follows:
¶ 35. Article IV.-The clergy delegates to the General
Conference and to the jurisdictional or central conference
shall be elected from the clergy members in full connection,
and associate members, and shall be elected by the clergy
members of the annual conference or provisional annual
conference who are deacons and elders in full connection,
associate members, and those provisional members who
have completed all of their educational requirements and
local pastors who have completed course of study or an M.
Div. degree and have served a minimum of two consecutive
years under appointment immediately preceding the
election.
¶321.2. Associate members may serve on any board,
commission, or committee of an annual conference. They
shall not be eligible for election as delegates to the General
or jurisdictional or central conferences.
To read all the legislation for GC 2020 as proposed by
United Methodist Rural Advocates as well as those
items proposed by the National Fellowship of Associate
Members and Local Pastors, please go
to http://www.umruraladvocates.org/2020-legislation.html
 comfort those grieving during the holidays. Held on the Saturday before
Christmas. One of the last days to finish that holiday shopping. It was now
too late to mail anything. Some of us are still attempting to shake off the
Thanksgiving food coma. The Christmas deadline has once again driven
those compulsive/perfectionist types into a near state of catatonia. And it
was storming.

I had not participated in a Blue Christmas service before and had no real
idea what to expect. I knew I was having grief issues but the pain was coming from
sources other than the loss of both my parents within a nine month period. That should
have been enough of a reason to seek aid and reassurance during this season fraught
with relationship woes. But I hadn't figured out how to express that grief, so it just sits
there--waiting, I am sure, for some truly inopportune moment to rear up and mow me down

I drove the ten miles to my little church wondering who would brave the rain. We are a
mostly elderly congregation and a number of our more active members live across the
border in Oregon. There were three of us: the pastor (retired, quarter-time), the pianist
(runs a "fresh to your door" grocery service), and me (a 70-something grandma with
authority issues).

I eschewed my usual seat in the back row and planted myself in the front. When it became
obvious that we were it, we started following the order of service. Then we realized we
justneeded to share with each other what was burdening our hearts. We laughed, we cried
(of course, I put on mascara that morning), and we lit candles as memorials to the loss we
were feeling. It was cathartic and much appreciated.

What came out for me was an intense feeling of grief for the state of our world, our country
and the church I have called home my whole life. The divisions, the rampant "me first"
attitude so prevalent in our society, the blatant disregard for the health and safety of those
coming to our borders seeking refuge, the dismantling of social justice. I am distraught. I
am in mental pain. I feel like the small steps I take to improve life around me are too small-
-insignificant--maybe even useless.

But then I am reminded, especially during Advent, that I (like Jesus) am a child of God.
That when struck by despair and grief, I have that cosmic shoulder to cry on and to lean
against until I can breathe again. In Jesus, I have the ultimate role model for the cause of
social justice. And I don't have to save the whole world--just be available to help out in my
corner of it.

"Wherever two or three are gathered, . . ." We were three and we were mighty.

Orrinda Holloway-Stockton
Smith River UMC, Smith River, CA
UMRA Western Jurisdiction Rep

WILL THAT PREACH?

by Randy Wall
Early in my ministry, I recall someone asking me "Will that sermon preach at Shiloh?" What
they were trying to say was that the gospel message needs to be one that relates to every
body of believers. It is also true that the polity and structure of the United Methodist Church
needs to be one that is applicable to communities of faith in all circumstances.
Every 4 years, the United Methodist Church sends delegates from each Annual Conference
to a meeting called the General Conference. Like Annual Conference, it is a time for worship,
prayer, making new friends, and renewing friendships. Unlike Annual Conference, General
Conference is a time when delegates review that guidebook for United Methodist known as
the Book of Discipline.

Since 1940, the United Methodist Rural Advocates has been active at General Conference
to be a voice to General Conference and its delegates reminding them that our way of "being
the church" needs to be applicable not just to suburban places with large congregations, but
also to rural places where perhaps only a few dozen gather as the
community of faith.
United Methodists across the globe will gather in Minneapolis in May
for General Conference 2020 Again, the United Methodist Rural
Advocates will be there. I invite you to check out some of the legislation
that the United Methodist Rural Advocates is proposing to General
Conference 2020 at our web site which is
www.umruraladvocates.org. Click on the GC 2020 tab to see
information about what the United Methodist Rural Advocates will be
working on there. We covet your prayers and support for the work we
will be doing at General Conference 2020.

A HOME FOR THE HOMELESS

by Don Ford
I am serving part time at Harmony UMC in Coos Bay, Or. I was appointed there as an
interim July 2018. We liked the area so much, we bought a home and I was asked to
stay. Harmony is doing some great things for a church of 70 in worship. One of the things
is found below. At times I do miss our get-togethers at UMRA and perhaps I can make it
to one of the meetings sometime. We made great friendships and support people while on
my years on the board. So, what is retirement? Half time at a rural church!!!!

Don Ford is a retired Associate Member of the Mountain Sky Conference.

Camp established at Harmony United Methodist Church

COOS BAY - Tucked behind Harmony United Methodist Church sits an ever-
shifting neighborhood of tents, trucks and RVs.
For the past six months, the church has offered refuge for local homeless,
providing a safe place for them to stay in its parking lot located on the corner
where Central Avenue curves into Ocean Boulevard.

"It started when I let a homeless person stay on the

property because that
person had no other place to stay and word of mouth
is faster than any Facebook page and it got around,"
said Pastor Donald Ford. "There are a lot of people
who come and go. It is a temporary shelter, not a
long-term or permanent one."

As Ford explained it, some homeless individuals spend the night in their car
and leave in the morning.
 But as of Friday, Ford counted 52 people living behind the church. Of those,
30 are family units. Those who stay on the church property have 24-7 access
to the downstairs bathrooms, though the rest of the church remains locked.
Ford checks in on the camp every morning to ask how everyone is doing and
what their plan is to move forward in finding permanent housing.

"I repeat to them that this is not a long-term situation," he said. "And I remind
them that there is only one rule, which is to treat others the way you'd like to
be treated."

To read the full article about the work happening at Harmony UMC in Coos Bay, Oregon,
please click here.

DEVOTIONS - A NEW OUTLOOK

by Beverley Holloway
When anyone is joined to Christ,
he is a new being;
the old is gone the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17

The room, where I am creative, is a mess. But it's my room and I don't have to clean
up for anyone. But it bugs me. I am basically a neat and orderly person, and clutter is a
bother.

Sitting in this room, and not wanting to see things as they really are, I pick up one of
my prized possessions...a kaleidoscope. Not one filled with pretty colored stuff, only
mirrors. That way I can look at ordinary things and transform them into geometric objects
of beauty.

The myriad colored tissue boxes, used for craft items, become marvelous
patterns that change subtly as I move the kaleidoscope up and down, right
and left. It is beautiful.

I pan around the room. Everything is beautiful. It doesn't look messy.

It's geometric and orderly. My white board with its colored messages forms
a white star in the center of the dust jackets on my disorderly books.

Suddenly I know! This is the way God looks at us...through the eyes of Jesus.
Because we are forgiven, He doesn't see us as we really are, but only the orderly beautiful
parts of our lives. There are still scars and disorder, but unseen through the forgiving eyes
of LOVE. It must be a sight to behold. I like the idea. When God looks at me, through the
eyes of my Redeemer, I am beautiful, orderly, and there is pattern to my life. I don't have
to apologize for being a mess. Because my real self is what I am in the eyes of God. And
that's all that matters.

Oh, Lord, thank You that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder Amen.

Thought for the Day: Need a new outlook? Change your point of view.
 Beverley Holloway was the mother of Michele Holloway and Orrinda Stockton. She passed away January
22, 2019. This devotion is part of a booklet that she and Michele compiled in 2005. This is in honor of her
memory.

INTERESTED IN UMRA?
by Michele Holloway
We are looking for a few jurisdictional representatives to join us on the Board
of UMRA.

Are you interested? It's not a big time commitment over the year but we are
usually busy the two years leading up to General Conference. If you would like
to know more about who we are and what we do, please go to the website:
www.umruraladvocates.org and check out the job descriptions not only for
volunteers for GC2020 but also for serving on the national board. You can also
find the work we have done in legislation for the upcoming General
Conference.

We would love to have you join us. If interested, drop me a line at

chele101953@gmail.com.

GC2020
General Conference will be upon us before we know it. If you are interested in participating
in GC2020 with United Methodist Rural Advocates, check out our website and the GC2020
page. On it you will find the petitions that have been submitted from UMRA, plus the
petitions from the National Fellowship of Associate Members and Local Pastors.

You will also find an interest page of what you might do in conjunction with UMRA while at
General Conference.

UM Rural Advocates

RURAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

• NETworX WEBINAR sponsored by UMRA. Information may be found on the
UMRA website under events. http://www.umruraladvocates.org/vision--mission-
webinar.html

• RURAL MINISTRY CERTIFICATE is not sponsored by UMRA. This is an online

program through Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. There are currently two
courses being offered: Engaging the Bible in Rural Ministry and Practical Theology
in Rural Communities.

• RURAL MINISTRY WEBINARS are not sponsored by UMRA. These are available
until May 2020 through Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. There are six
webinars posted and titled Backroads in Rural Ministry.

• LAY ACADEMY FOR RURAL CHURCH MINISTRY in affiliation with UMRA. Check
out larcm.org for ongoing and upcoming training opportunities.
NETworX INFORMATION
Submitted by Debbie S. Rice, Ph.D., MSW
Director of NETworX USA
NETworX-Securing Well-being Together

Measurable outcomes, measured at six-month intervals throughout NETworX

participation, include:

• Increase in income to at or above 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines,

• Decrease in use of public assistance,
• Decrease in revolving debt from credit cards, rent-to-own, or predatory lending,
• Increase in assets,
• Increase in safe, supportive, and nurturing relationships, and
• Increase in perception of overall quality of life.

If you are interested in hearing more, contact Alan Rice, a member of the UMRA
Executive Committee at 336-239-1526 or visit www.NETworXUSA.org

RURAL ADVOCATES SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

by Judy Hill, Treasurer
The national organization, United Methodist Rural Advocates, is pleased to announce we
have a limited number of scholarships to offer for attending programs or trainings that can
enhance rural ministry. An applicant can be considered for a scholarship of up to the lesser
of $400 or one half of program/event fees, etc. It is through the UMRA IGNITE fundraising
campaign that these scholarships are being offered.

Please contact Treasurer Judy Hill to learn more. Contact information is listed below.

Judy Hill, Treasurer UMRA

3642 Road D
Joes, CO 80822

Email: judyh@plainstel.com
Cell Phone: 970-630-0320

SHARE YOUR STORIES

We Want To Hear From You
Are there ministries and outreach in your churches that you want others to know about? We
celebrate the truth that rural/town and country churches are vital and active within their
communities and we want to share that information around the country. Do you have a story
of joy or hope that you would like to have shared here? There are others who could greatly
benefit from what has worked for you and even what hasn't worked but that has allowed you
to grow. Send stories to Michele Holloway at chele101953@gmail.com and your stories will
be published in upcoming editions of this eCommunication.
This newsletter is published every other month: February, April, June, August,
October, and December. Please send all submissions to the above email address
no later than the 25th of the month prior to publication.
UMRA MEMBERSHIP
Memberships are available in the following categories:

Limited Income (What you can afford.)

Student $10.00
Basic One-Year $30.00
Church One-Year $40.00

Two Easy Steps to Membership

1. Please fill out membership form:

United Methodist Rural Advocates Membership

2. Pay Membership Dues through PayPal

For more information or membership, contact:

Email: smgrlg51@yahoo.com
Sue Grace
Membership Secretary

Five Reasons to Join UMRA

5. Network and collaborate with other rural groups and agencies around issues of concern for the rural
church and rural places.

4. Utilize technologies which will help us build relationships, share information and resources, and connect
rural leaders.

3. Discover and learn about sustainable, effective, replicable, generative ministries.

2. Be part of an organization which creates and advocates for General Conference legislation that has had a
positive effect on the rural church; such as NOW (Nurture, Outreach, Witness) leadership format,
development of "Born Again in Every Place," and the Certified Lay Minister. An Organization which will
continue to create and advocate for General Conference legislation that may affect ministry in rural,
town, and country churches and their communities.

1. Together we can make a difference as we advocate for the work of Jesus Christ in rural and town and
country communities.

UMRA membership provides not only voice and vote in the organization, but also includes a subscription to
the UMRA E NEWSLETTER.

Michele Holloway, Editor

chele101953@gmail.com
971.225.8402

Advocating for the work of Jesus Christ in rural communities.