Living Life in the Divine Flow

Whether you are aware of it or not, there is an underlying current in your life — a divine flow — that is continually guiding you toward the effortless fulfillment of your heart’s desires. The challenge is learning how to recognize and cooperate with that flow. And that’s what author Steven Lane Taylor (at left) will explore beginning at 9:30 AM during the St. Stephen UMC Sunday School hour on May 20. Based on his book, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” Steven will talk about the three main ways that you receive divine guidance in life. And in an entertaining and memorable manner, he will demonstrate how heeding that guidance can free you from needless struggle. Join Steven as he shows you how to “row with the flow,” and live a life of greater happiness, satisfaction, and ease. Thanks to St. Stephen UMC member Ron Mart for arranging Steven's appearance.

A Visible Witness for General Conference

    The Prayer Wall at 2008 General Conference

                                     Photo Courtesy of Reconciling Ministries Network

The struggle to convince The United Methodist Church to live up to its motto of "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" has been a long journey for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers. As a Reconciling Congregation, St. Stephen UMC is one of the few Texas congregations that have walked this journey with our LGBT kindred. Once again, at this year's General Conference, a concerted effort will be made to remove all anti-LGBT policies from the United Methodist Book of Discipline, our collection of church doctrine and law.

On Sunday, April 15, St. Stephen's Social Justice Committee invites worshipers to make our prayers for the 2012 General Conference a visible witness that will be displayed outside the Tampa Convention Center. Before or after you receive Holy Communion, if you choose, go to the prayer station at the rear of the sanctuary and write your prayer on a strip of cloth that will be provided. We encourage uplifting expressions for our delegates such as "Open Hearts & Open Minds," "Wisdom, Courage & Strength," "Love Your Neighbor" and other positive prayers. The prayer fabrics will be displayed at a "tabernacle" across the street from the convention center, easily seen by the delegates at they walk to their work April 24-May 4.

This prayer effort has been organized by Common Witness, a General Conference coalition that includes the following unofficial advocacy organizations:

• Reconciling Ministries Network
• Methodist Federation for Social Action
• Affirmation
• Black Methodists for Church Renewal
• National Federation of Asian American United Methodists
• Native American International Caucus 

This is the first General Conference at which these historic United Methodist racial-ethnic advocacy groups have joined Common Witness, and we commend their participation.