From the Bishop: The Conspiracy of Silence
Bishop Dan Schwerin calls on United Methodists to break the silence surrounding injustices fueled by powerful interests, urging the church to confront hatred and its consequences. He…
Posted: September 17 2024 at 02:19 PM
Author: Victoria Rebeck
At their installation services on Sept. 14 and 15, Revs. Wendy Hardin Hermann and Victor Melad Jr.—new superintendents of the Prairie Central and Lake North districts—spoke of what would guide their leadership in their roles.
Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann tells the worshipers that knowing the district people and churches--and their knowing her--is a priority.
Superintendent Hardin Hermann, who is now leading the Prairie Central District, was affirmed at a service at Barrington United Methodist Church on Sept. 14. She told those gathered that getting to know the people of the district was a top priority for her.
She referred to John 10:14, wherein Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me." This is the model of leadership she wishes to follow.
The Yim family--Dave, Bang-Wool, Jiho Jiwon, and Jisung--offered their musical gifts during the offertory.
"As a district superintendent, I want to be known as someone who knows what it is like to be a pastor," she said. "There are some things I don't know, such as what it is like to be a person of color or LGBTQ+ and not feel safe.
"But I have walked through the valley of death, and also have been to the mountaintop."
She urged churches in the district to ask themselves, If our church left the community, what would be missing from that community? Would anyone notice the absence of our church? These questions should lead churches to seek where God is calling them to make a difference in their neigbhors' lives.
Superintendent Melad, who leads the Lake North District, told those gathered for his installation at First United Methodist Church in Evanston on Sept. 15 about the path that unpredictably led him to this ministry.
Rev. Victor Melad presides at the communion table during his installation service.
In his native Philippines, the oldest child is expected to support the family once the parents are no longer able to do so. Therefore, this child usually pursues a financially comfortable career. He studied engineering.
But before he finished all the required courses, "I heard God's call to ministry,"
"My mother did not support this," he said. She had raised her children to have faith, and Rev. Melad had been very active in their church in Manila. However, she still relied on the tradition that Victor, as her first child, would support her as she grew older. Thus Rev. Melad wrestled with Bishop Dan Schwerin's intention to appoint him as a district superintendent.
After all, he said, his middle name, Obispo, means "bishop."
Utimately he did submit to the call.
Singers from Sherman United Methodist Church in Evanston close the service with "Revelation 19."
"Sufficient grace will be our theme," he said, alluding to 2 Cor. 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
"In the coming years, our churches will face challenges"—but God's grace will lead and see them through it, Rev. Melad said.
Joyous music from district church groups and uplifting liturgies sent these two superintendents into their new ministries. The many well-wishers who greeted them indicate that many are ready to work alongside the superintendents to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.