Mountain Sky Outlook
From Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky
Sunday, July 17, 2016
 
Late Friday night the Western Jurisdiction elected Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto to be a bishop.  Yesterday nine bishops  – seven from the western jurisdiction, one representing the Council of Bishops of the world-wide United Methodist Church, and one from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America – consecrated her by laying hands upon her head. She is assigned to serve the Mountain Sky Area. That means that, come September, I will no longer be your bishop (more on that at another time), and the Mountain Sky Area will welcome the first “out” gay bishop in our Church.

Many people will say many things about this election.

Some will assume that a secular “gay agenda” has taken root within the church, overwhelming Christian, biblical values.

Some will say it defies church law, which declares homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching,” and prohibits “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from serving as ordained ministers.

Some will say that it undermines the “Way Forward” being led by the Council of Bishops to address the deep theological and ethical divides within our Church – that it will split the church.

Some will say that it’s too little, too late – that the church has betrayed lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer folk for too long and continues to exclude and hurt them day by day.

Some say, I just wish “they” would be discreet and not rub “our” noses in “it.”

Most of those present will describe how God gently led the Church across a threshold into a new and hopeful day.

As you – the laity, clergy and churches of the Mountain Sky Area – receive this historic news and prepare to receive this gifted leader, I want to bear witness to how I experienced the Jurisdictional Conference that elected her.

The Program and Arrangements Committee and local leaders from the host conference, welcomed and led delegates through an orderly, intentional gathering of the church.  Extraordinary hospitality, music, preaching and teaching set the stage for the work before delegates. The pace of the work, accessibility of information, technical support, all came together to create a gracious space for the church to do its important work of electing a new episcopal leader.

The Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee designed a measured and thorough process for delegates to get to know candidates, experience their leadership, and ask probing questions.  Candidates addressed the conference at the beginning of the process, were available for informal “meet-and-greet” interactions, and met with delegations repeatedly and in depth. Delegates interacted with one another with unfailing respect and collegiality.

The words that keep coming to mind to describe the process by which delegates elected this new leader are:  intentional, measured, and deeply faithful.

On the third day of the conference, on the 17th ballot, from an original pool of 9 candidates, 88 of the 100 voting clergy and lay delegates representing their annual conferences voted to elect Bishop Oliveto. The Committee on Episcopacy, comprised of two members from each conference in the jurisdiction, worked through the night and into the early hours of a new day to recommend the assignment of bishops to their areas.

Yesterday we gathered at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church for her consecration in a glorious act of worship. I have faith and every reason to believe that she will lead the people and churches of the Mountain Sky Area ably. As the people of The United Methodist Church that you are, I know that you will welcome her gracefully with the open hearts, open minds and open doors, and go with her into the world to share the transforming love of God in Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace,

Elaine JW Stanovsky

Mountain Sky Outlook Preview
Saturday morning
 
New every morning is your love, Maker of heaven and earth. Give us fresh eyes to see your world anew this day. Give us listening hearts to understand what has happened in your Church. Keep us focused on your gracious mission to a hurting world, as we seek to follow you in paths that heal and transform.

I have prayed mightily overnight. I'm up early, preparing to preside at the last day of the Western Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church, following the historic election of Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto to be a bishop in The United Methodist Church. Today we will adopt a budget, elect officers, hear the assignments of bishops to their areas for the next 4 years, and consecrate Bishop Oliveto. Last night I met with cabinet and staff of the Mountain Sky Area who are here, in Scottsdale, Arizona. We are praying for each person and every faith community in the Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone Conference, knowing that this election is a cause for celebration for some, and deeply disturbing to others.

Before I rest this evening (Saturday), I will send you a Mountain Sky Outlook, reflecting on the events of the past day. Please check you emails before you go to bed, to keep in the conference communication loop.

My prayers are with you,

Elaine JW Stanovsky

From Bishop Elaine Stanovsky
Mountain Sky Outlook: If We Remain Silent, the Stones Will Cry Out
July 8, 2016

The view isn’t very pleasant from the Mountain Sky this week. Or this month, for that matter. The terrible news comes too fast to respond: police shoot and kill Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, police shoot and kill Philando Castile during a routine traffic stop outside Minneapolis, a sniper hunts and shoots down police in Dallas, Texas.

These headlines claim attention against a backdrop of recent terrorist attacks in Orlando, Istanbul, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, political hate speech, betrayal of public trust, aching chronic poverty, poisoned water, persecution of gay people, explosive train derailments, the Zika virus. And, beneath the public agony, our private hearts beat with their very deep and personal sorrows and fears. Nobody knows the trouble we’re seeing but Jesus.

I find myself praying: God, you promise fullness of life. We are living the valley of the shadow of death. Shall we fear no evil? Are you protecting us with your rod and staff? We could use your comfort!

God is quick to answer my prayer with a call to action: “Hey, church, listen up. Give me some help here! I’ve prepared you for this.” Love your neighbors! Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute! Judge not! Cry out for justice! Be my peace-makers!

When I am buffeted by the news, I turn to scripture in prayer, because I am absolutely certain that God is working through people of faith to build a better future.

God wants all people to live in peace and unafraid. Black people and other people of color in America should not be stopped by police, arrested by police, shot by police, die in police custody, given longer sentences, imprisoned or executed at a higher rate than White people. Injustice in the criminal “justice” system in the United States is undeniable, and no follower of Jesus should sit by quietly as long as these are realities in our nation.

In the social contract between law enforcement and the public, we ask police officers to put their lives on the line for public safety, and we entrust them to use lethal force to “protect and serve.” We have a responsibility to ensure that they have what they need – the training, the equipment and the support systems – to do the job. As a society we need to prepare them, expect them, and hold them accountable for interacting with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations in ways that de-escalate tensions and to use the power entrusted to them with restraint and fairly.

The interests of Black Americans and police should not be seen as in competition with one another. Systemic injustice makes it appear that the support for police comes at the expense of fair treatment of African Americans. Systemic injustice causes cries for just treatment of African Americans to be heard as criticism of police.

Christians have the responsibility to love and care for our neighbors and strangers as dearly as we love ourselves, to speak out when we see injustice, and to hold systems of authority responsible when we see patterns of unfair treatment.

What would Jesus do? It’s hard to know for certain. But we have some pretty good clues: He wouldn’t protect himself against the dangers of the world. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t buy a gun or carry a gun. He stood up against the powers and principalities of his day with the power of his un-defended person. He never armed himself, rather he berated his followers who drew the sword. He wouldn’t blame or banish immigrants or people of specific racial or religious groups. Time and again, Jesus reached across social barriers to embrace tax collectors, foreigners and the physically and mentally ill. He wouldn’t stigmatize divorced people, or gay, lesbian and transgender people. The gospels teach that his closest followers and religious authorities criticized him for hanging out with un-desirable people of all kinds, though he would call them to live in relationships of integrity and to keep covenant. He wouldn’t stay at home and watch the news on TV and follow Twitter on his smartphone. He was always on the move, always interacting with townspeople, always moving among the crowds, and, except when he intentionally withdrew for prayer, he was always touching the lives of people. He moved into situations of need and conflict, to engage those most affected. He traveled to Jerusalem, just as things were heating up, and the danger was greatest.

We say that the Church is the living body of Christ. So, what are we going to do? How will we work to end unjustified police killings of Black people? How will we temper the presidential campaign? How will we create community with persons who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender? How will we build community with Muslim Americans? How will we support officers of the law to live fully, also, as officers of the peace?

It’s time to ACT our FAITH. In the days ahead, I hope that every church will open its doors to its community to gather to share common concerns and grief in prayer. Pray that God’s kingdom will come. Build healing relationships. Bear witness to truth. Advocate for justice.

Serving Jesus' promise that all might enjoy abundant life,
Elaine JW Stanovsky

Attached is a letter from Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, encouraging faith communities to gather to pray for justice, reconciliation and peace.

A spiritual resource for people experiencing distress: “Seven Suggestions for Healing in the Midst of Stress and Anxiety,” by Flora S. Wuellner.