It has certainly been a whirlwind few months for Chris and me! On November 18, we welcomed our first child, Anna Marie, into the world. Since then, our lives have been a flurry of diapers, nursing sessions, sleep, waking up at all hours, and as time has passed, watching Anna grow and learn. Chris and I have also grown and continue to learn—and continue to reflect on what kind of parents we want to be for Anna. After all—we cannot so much form her as we can form ourselves and hopefully by our example help form her.
As I have reflected on my own childhood, one of the things I am reminded of is the way that social issues—and indeed even political topics—was a normal part of our family’s conversations. By fourth grade I was reading and listening to the sermons of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and I was hearing about local campaigns involving church members. All of this played a role in my own involvement in politics—both student government and local (Baltimore City) politics. I help lead my high school and the city student governments as well as serving on the city school board as a student member. My life was saturated with public service. And then junior year, it all started to change. My call to politics began turning into a call into ministry.
Since then, I have so focused on my religious education and ministry preparation that what once was a near obsession for me has become less even than a hobby. I suppose that as I began my ministry, I was quite aware that my job (as I see it at least) is first and foremost to help lead people more deeply into discipleship and community. And I have seen too many examples of pastors who have apparently decided that they are only truly following Jesus if they take a stand on a political or social issue that instantly draws fire. I do not personally see my job as making people angry just for the sport of it.
BUT—I do believe that as a Christian, which is a more powerful identity for me even than ministry, I and all of us are called to speak to those issues which affect people’s lives. As United Methodists, we follow in the long tradition of John Wesley—and of Jesus—in our commitment to speak for the least, the last and the lost. Wherever there are people whose voices are not being heard, and who are suffering, we are called to speak up.
On February 17th, I had the opportunity to gather with other United Methodists in our state to learn about and advocate for issues on this session’s agenda in Annapolis. The event was organized by our conference United Methodist Women and Calvary’s own Beth Reilly (who works as our annual conference’s advocacy coordinator). We learned about the three legislative advocacy focuses this session for United Methodists: immigration, human trafficking and the alcohol tax/health care. All of these issues are within the main focuses of United Methodist concern all the way back to John Wesley!
After learning more about these issues, and the bills on this session’s agenda related to them, we set out in small groups to visit senators. My group, comprised of several Calvary members and a couple other Frederick area UM clergy, visited Frederick’s Senator Ron Young as well as the office of a senator from Baltimore County. We had been charged with advocacy on the immigration issue—specifically a bill (SB 167/HB 470) which would broaden the eligibility for in-state college tuition to include students who attended Maryland schools and have paid taxes in the state.
It was, I have to admit, nice to be back in Annapolis speaking for issues that affect the lives of God’s children. Indeed, I know that Calvary is blessed to have many people who are very involved in local, state and even national politics. I also know that our congregation is made up of people of all politics parties and varieties—and no matter what our political stances we are all seeking to serve God in all we do. I hope that you will join me in a renewed focus on how we as followers of Christ can come together and advocate for the least, the last and the lost.
This focus will take many different forms in the coming year. You may have opportunity to learn about issues of focus for the United Methodist Church, write letters or make calls in support of those issues, encourage others to do the same, pray for these important social justice issues, or even take part in a discussion about the issues or even particular pieces of legislation. All of this is indeed part of our faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
My days of political campaigns may have ended in high school, but my interest in social issues must never end. It was good to be reminded of this at the legislative day in Annapolis. And as much as I do hope you will join me in speaking to these issues, my hope most of all is that Chris and I can help Anna understand the importance of doing so. I pray that she never shirks from the opportunity to speak for the least, the last and the lost. Such is our task as followers of Jesus Christ, who did just that.
Grace and Peace.
Rev. Sarah Schlieckert
For more information about the issues and bills mentioned in this article, visit Pastor Sarah’s blog at http://divinepassive.blogspot.com
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