Alka's Angle

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:

We have had our student interns for about a month and you have even heard one of them preach already. Lee will be preaching on October 31st. I know some of you have also had a chance to meet them one on one and some of you are also on Pip’s site team. If you have not yet made a direct connection with them, I invite you to do so -- their email addresses are in the bulletin, and in the columns they write for the e-news. Take some time to know them better, share with them a little about you; make them feel welcomed because it is hard to experience community virtually. Also, let Pip know what you thought of their message this past Sunday and do the same for Lee after they preach next week.