The rule of thumb for Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) is to consume or dispose of all the rich, fatty foods in the house before Ash Wednesday when ashes are usually placed on the forehead as a visible sign of repentance and humility. This marks the beginning of Lent, the traditional forty days of fasting and self-denial before Easter.
But if you did banish the goodies from your house on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17, and still craved a tasty pastry to go with morning coffee on Wednesday, you might have ended up at the Hometown Cafe on the Berryville Square.
There you would have found Rev. John Michael, pastor of the United Methodist Churches of Berryville and Green Forest, gladly offering the imposition of ashes alongside display cases of the cafe’s rich and delightful delectables.
“People were actually happy to see me,” Rev. Michael said. “Some were grateful to have the chance to get ashes because their schedules meant they would miss regular services.”
A relative newcomer to the area faith community, Michael was appointed from Mountain View to pastor the two UMC churches in Eastern Carroll County last July. His wife, Rev. Dr. Angie Gage, pastors the First United Methodist Church in Harrison.
“We came to the area intrigued by 17 languages being spoken in Green Forest. Some of those cultures have organized their own churches, which is fantastic,” Michael said. “I like diversity and ministering to different backgrounds because their perspective on the gospels can be different.”
All UMC congregations are connected through their shared mission and doctrine, and Sunday sermons everywhere follow the same Revised Common Lectionary. However, Michael is open to God changing his prepared sermon topic to address anything that is “contrary to the gospel of grace” in order to bring God’s light to an issue.
When asked for his personal thoughts on the current influence of Christian Nationalism, Michael began by saying “One can’t explain irrational behavior with rational thinking. Scripture is being interpreted through the lens of nationalism rather than first understanding God’s truth.
“Beliefs depend on what worldview you are interpreting things through. Christian Nationalism filters everything through ‘country first.’ The problem with that is that God is the God of all nations. He’s called everyone everywhere to turn back to Him.
“There’s nothing wrong with supporting your country. If your allegiance is to God, you’ll see it through His view… how foreigners are treated in the land, for instance. This [what we see now] is not what God commanded.
“Issues used as ammunition have been dragged into political arenas, but they are not political, they are spiritual issues. The current analysis is wrong.
“We are not a Christian nation, but a nation of a diverse population of citizens and beliefs. We are Hindus, Rastafarians, Muslims, Wiccans, atheists, and more. Our president is elected by people, not ordained by divine will.
“The time of the Second Coming is not influenced by any human being and is not dependent on who is instigating it or why. Jesus is clear that no one knows… not even Him. Do not depend on what people are saying, but defer to the words of Christ.”
Always good advice for those who profess to follow Him. Meanwhile, Rev. Michael will continue to put feet to his faith and offers a warm welcome to anyone seeking a church home, or even just a lively discussion over a morning cuppa.
Sunday services are held at 9:30 a.m. at the Green Forest UMC (200 S. Springfield) and streamed live on Facebook; and 11 a.m. at UMC Berryville (400 Eureka Ave.) and available on YouTube. A combined youth group from both churches meets at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays in Green Forest. A Bible study on The Last Supper meets at 1 p.m. Mondays in Berryville. There is a free Food Pantry distribution Thursdays from 10 a.m. – Noon on Thursdays at the Green Forest church.
For information on other activities, clubs and groups at the churches, see facebook.com/bvfumc and greenforestunitedmethodistchurch.org or contact (870) 423-2505 Berryville or (870) 438-6122 Green Forest.