Lay Leader's Corner
April 2026
Greetings from the Lay Leader's Corner. Get ready for the showers, April has arrived! Lent
concludes on Easter, the first Sunday in April. The Easter season continues until Pentecost on
May 24, followed the next weekend by Annual Conference (updates on that in the next
newsletter or two). But more has been added to the calendar since our last newsletter. An
announcement has been made that Bishop Bard has appointed a new pastor for our charge, and
Pastor Sam will be moving on to a new appointment. He and Elizabeth will continue to be in
our thoughts and prayers as they journey into the new reality of their life. While we plan to
receive Pastor Paula Vergowven into our community. Again, change is in our future.
We, as Reed City United Methodist Church, are no strangers to change. Collectively, we have
had countless experiences with change. Yet every time a change brings a new opportunity.
Opportunity to pause, reflect, and make thoughtful, hopefully sound decisions about our
direction in life. This change in pastoral care brings such an opportunity. The Leadership Team
will be discussing the many aspects this transition will provide, or demand, as we proceed.
Input from you, the congregation, will be key to the decision-making of the Leadership Team.
As your Lay Leader, this seems to be an opportune time for us as a congregation to take stock of
where we, as individuals and as a group, find ourselves spiritually and as United Methodists.
Yes, some of us have been United Methodist for many years. But if quizzed on just what it
means to “Be UMC”, would you pass the quiz? Methodism has a long and rich history. How
aware are you of that history? Wesleyan theology of grace, anchored in Scripture, and based in
the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and the continuing movement of the Holy Spirit is what
the United Methodist Church is founded on. So, what exactly does that mean for you? We are
called to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. How are we
prepared for that task?
In the days and weeks ahead, if you are not already participating in the “Knowing Who We Are”
study class, please consider picking up a copy of the book for your personal study. You can
contact me for details about the book and accompanying materials that are available. As we
contemplate what it means to be a United Methodist, we remind ourselves of the basics of our
faith, where it began for the church and for us. April showers bring May flowers, so the saying
goes. May your faith blossom into a life of service for the Lord.
Peace be with you,
Your lay leader,
Timothy Locker, Sr.
March 2026 Greetings from the Lay Leader's Corner.
Welcome, March, a pivotal month of the year. We are turning from short days to longer days and Winter to Spring all the while continuing our journey through Lent. As there is more daylight, we tend to get more active and perhaps seem to have more energy to get things done. As that Spring cleaning time of year approaches, we look forward to more 'warm' days when 40's and 50's feel like a heat wave and the snowbanks shrink as the days go by. We also look forward to green grass and the first Robins of the year. Ash Wednesday is behind us, and Easter is on the horizon, but we still have time for contemplation and reflection to prepare ourselves.
As I asked last month, what could you start doing or increase doing to better prepare you spiritually for Easter? Especially if that something could continue beyond Easter to change the rest of your life and the lives of those around you. Here is one more opportunity. The theme of this year's Annual Conference is “Love Boldly” and will focus on forming United Methodist identity – what sets us apart from other Christians and gives us our unique voice. Bishop Bard has requested that each congregation prepare for AC and the year ahead by participating in a study entitled “Knowing Who We Are”, starting during Lent. The study is subtitled “The Wesleyan Way of Grace, what we believe, what we do, and why.” Laceye C. Warner writes it. The study will be offered at RCUMC in six class sessions, starting in the middle of March and concluding by the beginning of May. We will be utilizing a study guide, videos, and discussion in small groups. The dates and times will be determined by those participating in the study. Please contact me if you are interested.
We have been given the commission to 'make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world'. What better opportunity to 'lean in' to that commission than during this time of Lent and a study of what we believe, what we do, and why. Getting more involved in the various activities at RCUMC may be a start. But God gives each of us numerous possibilities everywhere in our lives to serve him by serving others in his name. Look around, use that springtime energy to exercise those muscles (physical and spiritual) that may have been dormant for a while. Easter is on the horizon, and the rest of your life lies beyond. Prepare yourself.
Peace be with you,
Your lay leader,
Timothy Locker, Sr.