Alka's Angle

We have entered the last week of the liturgical calendar, which means next Sunday we enter the Advent season -- the season of waiting and preparation, season for introspection and renewal. So, before we enter that season, I want to share all that I am grateful for in this past year:

I am sure many of you were paying attention to and perhaps even praying for 41 years old Julius Jones, who was on death row, expected to be executed yesterday, but just a few hours before that Kevin Stitt, the governor of Oklahoma commuted his death sentence, reducing the sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Jones has received the death sentence for the 1999 shooting death of Paul Howell in OK but Jones has maintained his innocence.

You may or may not have known that the Bishops of the Northcentral Jurisdiction called for a virtual special session of the Jurisdictional Conference for Nov 10-11, 2021. Because we could not take care of ‘usual’ business without General Conference meeting first, we had the opportunity to do something different. As a result we engaged in honest conversation about the future of the Jurisdiction, and covenanted to work towards ‘becoming beloved community’ by committing to the work of anti-racism. The whole covenant is framed around our baptismal covenant.

As many of you may know, COVID delayed General Conference -- the Quadrennial gathering of United Methodists where all denominational decisions are made. With COVID continuing to spread globally, there is a strong chance that the Conference, scheduled for August-September 2022, may be postponed again, which will leave the denomination in this state of indecision -- the biggest of which is if we can continue to be one denomination or separate amicably so each can fully live into their conviction of who God calls them to be.

Some of you may be very happy to know that we are planning to open the building for in-person hybrid worship starting Sunday, November 7th, which is also when Daylight Saving ends, so be mindful of the time change! If you plan to be at church for worship, remember to sign up. Here are some things to remember: