Tidings from Thomas - COVID-19 Update

The last few weeks have been the most remarkable in my 19 years of ministry.  Our social media accounts and news stories are replete with people acting selfishly, empty grocery store shelves, frustration with government officials, economic ruin, and rising infection and death rates.  Nevertheless, it has been a blessing to see Central continue following Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors.  We have continued to be about the mission and ministry to which God calls us.

This week we have seen Gov. McMaster and state officials begin to roll back some quarantine measures.  Regardless, we are still being asked to exercise social distancing.  This means limiting the number of people in buildings to 20% occupancy or 5 people per 1000 square feet.  It also means maintaining six feet of distance from people who are not part of your household.  I am also mindful of John Wesley’s first General Rule – do no harm.  From a practical standpoint, it is impossible for us to hold in-person worship and resume normal church activities in compliance with these guidelines.  From a spiritual standpoint, it would be harmful to members of our church family if we were to go against these social distancing guidelines.  As such, we will continue virtual worship and meetings through May 15th.  The situation remains fluid and we may adjust these plans going forward.  Please continue to monitor communications from the church via email and the COVID-19 resource area of centralmethodist.net. 

As I have shared with you before, the words of Romans 8:38-39 have been with me throughout this crazy time:

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I do not know when and I do not know how, but I know this pandemic will end.  I know this because I know nothing can separate us from God’s love.  Until then, let us rest in God’s love and live in love with one another.

Yours in Christ,

Thomas W. Smith

Tiding from Thomas - COVID-19 Update

It’s been a couple of weeks now that we have not been able to gather in person. Yet, we are continuing to find meaningful ways to gather virtually. Though it saddens me, virtual gatherings will be our way of being together for the next few weeks. Following the guidance of Gov. McMaster and Bishop Holston, all church meetings, events, and worship services will either be moved online or rescheduled through April 30th. 

I recently read a Patheos article entitled, “What the 1918 Influenza Pandemic Meant for American Churches.” Author Chris Gehrz cites an opinion piece written by Methodist revivalist George R. Stuart in the October 14, 1918 edition of the Birmingham Age-Herald:

“We have had the strange experience of a churchless Sabbath. What has it taught us? [It has taught] intelligent Christians to tempt God to perform a miracle in the preservation of our health… Christians do not discount their faith in the omnipotence of their God by keeping their bodies and homes and streets clean and non-germ producing; by using care in traffic and travel, accepting vaccination, sprays, and disinfectants and keeping God’s own laws of health and life. Any other course is the fruit of ignorance and false teaching.”

It was nearly 102 years ago, but Rev. Stuart recognized the Christian duty of thinking of others’ health and doing all we can do to further the work of healthcare workers, public officials, and those working to end the pandemic. The 1918 flu pandemic killed an estimated 6.5% of the U.S. population. Our Christian faith demands we do all we can to end the spread of COVID-19 so that no such disaster occurs. If online worship and virtual gatherings will halt the spread of this disease, then we should see them as a meaningful way we fulfill Central’s mission of following Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors.

Let us see virtual worship and online gathering as a Christian service to the world God calls us to serve. To make sure you can fully participate in church life, follow Central on social media and keep up with the COVID-19 resource section of centralmethodist.net. Stay safe, stay well, and may God bless you.

Yours in Christ,

Thomas W. Smith

Tidings Regarding Coronavirus

We serve an awesome God. The Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of the universe loves us and wants a relationship with us. Yet, we often find ourselves in uncertain and frightening times. Recent news is certainly worrisome as we consider the threat posed by coronavirus (COVID-19). 

At Central, we are closely monitoring developments to ensure we are able to effectively live into our mission to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. My primary concern is that we balance our call to mission and ministry with the health and welfare of everyone involved. We will modify and adjust our practices as needed.  For now, we will continue our normal Sunday morning schedule with some practical modifications.  Please refrain from personal contact such as shaking hands and hugging   We will collect an offering, but will not pass the plates. Rather, offering plates will be placed in central locations for your offering. Also, we will not pass the friendship pads.  If you feel unwell, please remain at home.  If you’re not comfortable gathering in larger groups, you can worship with us by radio at Frank 97.1.  You can also give electronically at https://www.centralmethodist.net/give.  Moving forward, we must ensure that Central is situated to reach out to our neighbors in love and service.

I am reminded of these words from Psalm 91:

“You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.”

(Psalms 91:1-6 NRSV)

The God who made us, saves us, and sustains us has us all in his loving care. Let us resolve to be God’s hands and feet in ministry to frightened and potentially ill people. Let us also resolve to pray for those who are sick, those offering them care, those working on a cure, and for a quick end to this pandemic. 

Yours in Christ,

Thomas W. Smith

FOCUS - Tidings from Thomas

My taste in music is sometimes a bit eclectic, which partly explains why I once heard Clarence Carter at a concert in Gaffney. At one point in the concert, Clarence said to us, “I’ve been married seven times.  Something was wrong with those women.” Clarence spoke with obvious irony, but he gets at an important point. It’s a whole lot easier to find fault in the people around us than it is to find fault with ourselves.

I write these words on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Lent may be one of those words we hear bandied around at church.  We may hear people talk of giving something up for Lent.  But, you may be asking yourself, what does it all really mean?

Lent is the 40-day season of penitence (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. After His baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. Jesus spent His time in fasting and prayer as a preparation for His earthly ministry. This time prepared Jesus for the work of ministry, but it also prepared Him for His ultimate death. Jesus knew there were hard days ahead. In preparation Jesus didn’t read books on leadership or scour the internet for tips on holy living, instead, He prepared through a 40-day season of solitude and introspection, founded on a regimen of prayer and fasting.

Our theme for Lent this year is FOCUS.  These 40 days offer us the opportunity to focus on our relationship with God instead of all the things that distract us from growing as disciples of Jesus.  During Lent, we remember Jesus’ self-giving love for us.  As a way of remembering, many people give something up or take something on. Giving something up or taking something on for Lent offers a reminder of Jesus’ saving work. For example, giving up chocolate for Lent does not make you a better person, but when you feel the urge for chocolate it can serve as a reminder of all Jesus did for you.

This Lent we’ll have several opportunities at Central to observe the season and realign your focus on God:

·  Mid-Week Services – Each Wednesday in Lent we will have a special service at 12:30, with lunch served both before and after.  Inspiring guests will lead us through music and preaching.

·  Thursday Services – We have a weekly service of prayer and Holy Communion every Thursday, but Lent may provide an opportunity to add this service to your spiritual practice.

· Daily Scripture Readings – If you haven’t already, go to centralmethodist.net and sign up for this prayer and Bible reading guide.  It comes right to your email box and social media platforms.

There are a lot of opportunities to connect with God this Lent and I hope you’ll take advantage of them.

Yours in Christ,

Thomas W. Smith

What is your story? - Tidings from Thomas

As a minister, I am occasionally called upon to share the story of my call to ministry.  I am happy to do this.  At the end, I like to remind people, “YOU have a story.” 

I occasionally find myself in conversation with someone who is skeptical about matters of faith.  From time to time I have been challenged to prove the existence of God or the truth of Christian teachings.  These are matters of faith, which means I cannot prove anything.  Instead, I can share my experience of God and the difference those experiences have made in my life.  In other words, I share my story.

When I was a teenager, a regular feature of youth events was the ringer who would be brought in to share his or her story.  It usually involved a speaker who was raised right, did wrong, suffered dire legal consequences, became a Christian, and everything changed for the better.  I began to ask myself, “Do I have a story to share?”  Nothing in my experience came close to these kinds of stories of people coming to faith in Jesus.  I thought I didn’t really have a story worth telling, but I was wrong.

One of the vows we United Methodists take when we join the church is to support the ministries of the church with our witness.  Think of a witness’ job in a court of law.  He or she is not supposed to convince a judge or jury or anything, but to share what he or she saw and heard.  In other words, a witness shares what he or she experienced.  A witness shares his or her story.  So I ask, what is your story?  You might not think you have a story, but you do.  How has God worked in your life?  Make no mistake – your story is important!  You have a story to tell and you never know when telling it might make a difference in someone’s life.

Yours in Christ,

Thomas W. Smith