Fruit of the Peace Tree
By Rev. Dr. Vicki Gordy-Stith
My favorite moment came from an unplanned part of the ceremony. Isn’t that how God frequently works? This past Sunday, at Camp Pecometh, the Peninsula-Delaware Conference held a Peace Tree Ceremony with the six Native tribes in our area:
Lenape, Nanticoke, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, Accohannock, Assateague, and Nause Waiwash. During the 2016 Annual Conference of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, we opened our worship with a time of confession and repentance toward our Native brothers and sisters, and we promised to continue to walk this journey with specific actions. As part of worship, our Conference leaders made specific promises to walk in this path of repentance and reconciliation and we also chose the symbol of the Peace Tree. After that worship service, we planted the Peace Tree (a white pine) at Pecometh and began to plan a ceremony involving the tree.
We recognize that reconciliation involves a journey of a thousand steps. This Peace Tree Ceremony will be an additional marker of that journey. We pray that the Peace Tree will serve as a reminder that relationships take time and that they must be nurtured and fertilized and watered in order to grow. We recommit ourselves to building, healing, and restoring these relationships.
The Tree of Peace symbol arose from the Iroquois Nations. The five tribes had been at war on and off for over five centuries. Creator sent a man who preached the good news of peace. He eventually convinced the tribes to commit their lives to peace. Bringing the tribes together, he dug up a white pine as a Tree of Peace. Underneath that tree flowed a deep river. At its roots, he had the tribes lay down their weapons, letting them fall into the river below to be carried deep into the earth. As he replanted the pine, he instructed the tribes that they had “buried the hatchet,” and therefore committed themselves to peace.
During the ceremony, the Bishop and Cabinet members read words written on sticks. These words have become weapons, further injuring our Native sisters and brothers.
The words included various massacres (and particularly the Sand Creek Massacre, where a Methodist pastor killed over 200 Native women and children), boarding schools (The Methodist Church ran 14 of the 150 boarding schools during that era), the taking of Native lands and territories, the forced relocation of Natives, the forced assimilation into European culture, the Doctrine of Discovery, the use of mascots such as the Redskins, rape, and a multitude of health crises such as a three-fold risk of suicide among Native young people as compared to the national average, higher poverty, lower education, higher incidence of diabetes and tuberculosis. As we read each “weapon” aloud, we dropped them into a basket. The pastor holding the basket, Rev. Shane Moran, then dumped them into the hole next to the Peace Tree.
When Pastor Shane picked up the shovel and began to bury the weapons, the Cabinet had been instructed to just stand there. However, I saw a second shovel. I picked it up and asked Pastor Shane if I could help. He agreed and I shoveled some of the dirt into the hole. It felt good burying those hurtful events.
It felt as if we were truly putting them to rest and committing ourselves to a time of mutual peace. After a few shovels, I looked up and noticed the rest of the Cabinet standing behind me. They, too, wanted to participate in burying those hurtful words and weapons. I watched as each member took a turn at the shovel. After just committing ourselves verbally to continue this journey of reconciliation, we acted out our dedication to work against remaining injustices by burying the hatchet of words.
We had not planned for that moment. Yet, the Spirit showed up, offering us a beautiful moment of acting out the promises we had made. I thought of how the whole process reflected our Conference Vision and Mission. In conversations with tribal leaders, listening to their pain and triumph, we became
“Connected Christians offering the hope of Jesus Christ to today’s world.” Through our actions, we “Connected” to God and one another; we “Acted” to prevent repeating past mistakes; we “Led” the way in demonstrating to the world that reconciliation takes time and commitment; and we “Loved” one another through repentance and forgiveness. In that way, we also
“Cultivated Christ communities through our CALL—Connecting, Acting, Leading, and Loving.” Where have you seen the Spirit show up in your life recently? Open your eyes! Look in those unexpected moments. Jesus will appear. He is risen!
2018 Annual Conference Links
Timeline for the 2018 Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference
2018 Conference Appeals Calendar
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April 28, 2018
* What? Join us for a forum on the future of The United Methodist Church.
You may know that the Bishops created a Commission on a Way Forward at the last General Conference, in 2016, to present options for United Methodists to live together faithfully with differing beliefs around the issues of human sexuality. The two primary aspects of these concerns involve language in the Book of Discipline around conducting same-gender weddings and ordaining “self-avowed practicing homosexual” people. The Commission has asked for our feedback.
* When? On Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, with the support of the Bishop and Cabinet, will host a forum for conversation.
* Where? We will meet at Aldersgate UMC, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, Delaware.
* Why? We are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in us! (1 Corinthians 3:16.) To discern the movement of the Holy Spirit, we need to listen to one another as the Spirit speaks through us.
* How? Please register here: A Way Forward Registration
This is a FREE event.
Saturday, May 5 at 12:00 PM
Whatcoat UMC, Dover DE
2018 Winners
Individual:
Carson Farmer - Centennial UMC
George W. Reynolds Sr. - Baldwin UMC
Harry (Buddy) Bratton - Peniel UMC
Group:
Metropolitan-Zion Ministries - Federalsburg-Denton Charge
Koinonia Fellowship Group - Richardson Park UMC
The Back Home Ministry - St. Andrews UMC
H.U.G.G.S Ministry - Whatcoat UMC - Dover
Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
STRENGTHENING for SERVICE
1 Thessalonians 5:9-12
View agenda
May 17-20, 2018
At “The Power of Bold” United Methodist Women Assembly you’ll be filled with the faith, hope and love that moves women to action. We focus especially on women, children and youth—groups often left behind.
Learn about our four social justice priorities. Join more than 3,000 attendees to Rally around Economic Equality and Living Wages for All. Attend Community Gatherings with deep spiritual journeys and cutting-edge speakers who will inspire and offer tools to mobilize and activate. Engage and learn from one another in our interactive workshops. Connect with experts in our Ubuntu Networking Library to help shape your action plans. Discover how to mobilize for change at the action tables in our social justice immersion exhibits. Be a leader on our BOLD Talks stage. Encounter women from all generations to understand what they seek and what motivates them to action.
You will leave knowing how to create a community culture where all women feel fully welcomed, valued and empowered to unite for bold and courageous action.
Don’t miss the “Power of Bold”.
www.umwassembly.org
Travel Package Flyer
2018 Peninsula-Delaware Conference Officers List
Conference Council on Young Adult Ministries Applications Due May 1
CCYAM Members plan events for fellowship and service, attend annual conference as delegates, and work to support young adult ministry in the conference! Applicants must be 18-35, and an active member of a United Methodist Church in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference.
Learn more and apply online: https://wp.me/p7Z6bM-3t
Young Adult Delegates to Annual Conference
Any young adults who are interested in attending Annual Conference as lay equalization delegates are invited to register online: https://goo.gl/forms/Nohb5j3bd4BLYcSH2
Open to young adults aged 18-35 who are active members of a Pen-Del congregation. Delegates will be approved upon receipt of a pastor recommendation.
Pen-Del Young People's Convocation May 19
Youth and young adults (18-35) are invited to a day designed to empower young people to have a voice in the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference.
The day will include:
-Worship and prayer together
-Sharing about our hopes for the church
-Learning about Annual Conference
-Symbolic voting on select resolutions
-Training for youth & young adult delegates to Annual Conference
This event is geared for youth and young adults but those working with youth are welcome to come and observe!
Learn more and RSVP at the Facebook Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/400727287051814/
Draft of the Revised Social Principles Released
Call for feedback from United Methodists across the Connection
WASHINGTON — The draft of the revised Social Principles was released Thursday after years of listening and writing sessions. United Methodists are invited to weigh in on the content throughout the following months.
The draft and the mechanism through which individuals can submit comment are accessible at www.umcjustice.org/sp2020.
The draft and subsequent materials are available in English, French, Portuguese and Swahili.
General Conference in 2012 tasked the General Board of Church and Society with conducting listening sessions across the connection. From these listening sessions, Church and Society concluded that the Social Principles needed to be more theologically grounded, more globally relevant, and more succinct. At the 2016 General Conference, Church and Society was further tasked with bringing revised Social Principles to the 2020 General Conference.
“The current draft of the Social Principles is very much a work in progress,” stated Dr. Randall Miller, vice president of the General Board of Church and Society and chair of the Social Principles Task Force. “Very often in our Church what is made public is close to a finished draft, but in this case the GBCS Board and the members of the Writing Team made a very deliberate decision to make this working draft available for comments and suggestions by United Methodists from around the world. As much as humanly possible, we want the new Social Principles to reflect the diversity of our worldwide connection.”
“The Social Principles strengthen the witness of United Methodists across the world,” said the Rev. Neal Christie, assistant general secretary for education and leadership formation at Church and Society. “These words reflect who we aspire to be as a Christian community engaged in the timely realities of our world. I hope this revision process energizes United Methodists to use the Social Principles in their congregations and communities.”
Readers of the draft will notice that two sections are not drafted: “Human Sexuality” and “Rights of Persons of All Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities.” Church and Society has decided to be informed by the actions of the special session of the General Conference in regards to the content for these sections. Following the called session of the General Conference in 2019, language will be developed in preparation for the 2020 General Conference.
“This has been a yearslong process, and we are excited about this next step,” shared the Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, general secretary of the General Board of Church and Society. “I am grateful for the hundreds of United Methodists who have devoted time to this endeavor in service to the Church, and urge everyone to read the draft and submit feedback.”
The opportunity to weigh in on the draft will run until the end of August. At which point, an editorial team will compile the feedback and edit the document for presentation to the General Board of Church and Society.
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Rockawalkin UMC in Hebron, MD is looking to hire a Director of Music Ministry. This is a part-time position. Primary responsibilities are playing for worship (piano or organ preferred), directing the choir, working with the Praise Band and Crossroads Worship Team, selecting the music for worship and working with the Worship Team to set the vision for future worship. Please send requests for information or interest in the position to rockawalkinumc@verizon.net or call the office at 410-742-6975.
Schedule of Events
April 28, 2018 - A Way Forward - 2nd Forum Event
May 5, 2018 - Order of St. Barnabas Laity Celebration
May 15, 2018 - Pre-Conference Orientation EASTON
May 16, 2018 - Order of Elders
May 17-20, 2018 - Assembly 2018
May 17, 2018 - Pre-Conference Orientation DOVER
May 21, 2018 - Pre-Conference Orientation WILMINGTON
May 22, 2018 - Pre-Conference Orientation SALISBURY
May 29-30, 2018 - African American Summit
May 31-June 2, 2018 - 234th Session of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference (Annual Conference)
