Alka's Angle

As you may have noticed we are in a 6 week sermon series on the “Social Principles” of the United Methodist Church. We often hear that because of the separation between church and state church should not get involved in political matters, and while we as United Methodists affirm that separation, but Methodists have also been actively involved in social and political matters since their founding in 18th century England.

This week marks the completion of 8 years of my ministry at Broadway UMC. I am very grateful for all the experiences I have had here, and all the ways you have blessed me. You are all wonderful people and I am indebted to each one of you for the freedom you have given me to show up in spaces of justice, to participate in protests and marches, and to see the scripture with the eyes of marginalized people. I have learned and grown a lot with you all in these 8 years. Thank you for always loving me and my family! I also want to share with you a few more joyful events-

We had a wonderful time of food and fellowship at Broadway’s “Worship in the Yard” last Sunday. Jon prepared an amazing spread and there were about 30 people to enjoy the meal. And even though Chuck could not be with us, we manifested his spirit of welcome by inviting several guests who were passing by. The weather was beautiful also. Grateful to all who helped, participated and celebrated with us.

This is a busy weekend in Lakeview and at Broadway! But before we get into that- in case you didn’t notice the White House recently announced a series of actions to protect our LGBTQIA+ siblings, including a new appointed position within the Department of Education specifically to combat book-banning. Take a moment and join the American Library Association to thank President Biden for fighting the Book Ban.

Paula and I just returned from the 184th session of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference. We met from June 6-8th at the Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL. As always it was a joyous to see so many of our clergy colleagues and lay partners in ministry, but this year was exceptionally sad also, as we voted on disaffiliations.