From The Pastor's Desk

June 2010

Many of you have met Pastor Debbie Rose, a retired Elder who, along with her husband Dave, has chosen Beach Lake UMC as her church home. She recently met with the SPRC proposing to lead a new ministry in our midst. We have enthusiastically accepted her proposal that is outlined below.

In Christ, Pastor Mark

Understanding and Caring for the Spirit

Society and the church has led us to believe that our ‘self’ and our ‘spirit’ are separate entities. We take care of our selves – we try to eat well, we exercise, practice preventive medical and dental care. Our spirits, on the other hand, we’re not quite sure about. Some believe it’s a once and forever thing – once we are baptized and/or confirmed, or once one has taken ‘Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior’ our spirits are set for eternity. Others have never had a ‘God’ experience and wonder if they even have a spirit.

Modern-day mystics (spiritually-oriented vs. business-oriented teachers/leaders) are reviving the teaching of the mystics of old such as Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross who saw no separation – the self and spirit are one, a return to the early church’s understanding. They taught that one understands and cares for one’s spirit (or does not) just as we today care for our bodies (or do not). Even though we might have hidden away our spirit, we begin to reconnect when we recognize that we like all humans long for God who is love. But how do we find and grow in a relationship with Love? We have to let go of the ‘self’ we have created,
and allow God’s love to grow our spirit – but how?

Growing as individuals is important – yet as the church, we are to help others find and grow in a relationship with Love. Again we ask – but how? The church today struggles with declining membership, insufficient money to maintain buildings, and we search and search for just the right program on evangelism – which many believe is the answer that will bring others to church which is the place they will find a relationship with God and grow in love – AND we must find the right youth pastor and modern music that help us keep all those young people those other churches are stealing from us. But today’s mystics point out that none of this has provided, nor will it provide the answer for the church in the United States which is currently in selfimposed
exile from our True Source of Love. The church has to let go of the ‘self’ it has created, and allow
God’s love to grow in us and through us to the hurting world.

Because seminaries today spend little if any time on spiritual development, the church is beginning to provide training for those individuals who sense a call to become a Spiritual Director, and as some of you know, I am currently enrolled in this program. A Spiritual Director does not herself or himself provide direction, in the sense of education or training, or
counseling as provided by a social worker or analyst. A Spiritual Director provides companionship, helping you hear God’s encouragement or urging when it is not particularly clear to you. already do understand, but are ‘stuck’ at some point in your journey.

Perhaps you and a few others would like to explore together God’s guidance and healing
as you wander through the wilderness of grief, or the strain of having a loved one at war, or as you try to unlock the prison of abuse. Beginning June 15, 2010, I will be available to meet with individuals or small groups, here at the church (in the space previously known as the library) on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Those who are interested
can simply call me at home, 949-4210, to make an appointment. Once they are identified, I will also be working with the spiritual leaders of Beach Lake UMC to companion with them as they begin the process of letting go of ‘how we’ve always done things’ and open themselves
to God working among us and through us to reach the hurting world right here in our community.

Rev. Deborah Rose