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"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go . . ."

Robert Hoshibata is Bishop of the Phoenix Area of The United Methodist Church and presides over the Desert Southwest Annual Conference. Hoshibata presided over the Oregon-Idaho Conference from 2004-2012 and his blog postings are here for reference.

Dear Members and Friends of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference,

One of my all-time favorite songs by Peter, Paul, and Mary contains the line: “All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go . . .” Well, my bags are not yet packed and I have discovered that I am not yet ready to go off to my new assignment to the Phoenix Area, Desert Southwest Annual Conference. One of the very important things left on my “to-do-list” is to share my gratitude for you as I depart.

Potato Masher photoEight years ago, I was warmly welcomed to the new ministry as a bishop by conference laity and clergy. I was a “newbie” bishop on a journey of discovering how I might use the gifts for ministry that God has given me. Your welcome embraced Greta and me with love and support. As I visited in each district that first year, I received symbols of your vision for our work together. From the (then) Eastern District, I received my beloved potato masher along with the admonition to never forget the churches in Idaho! I received a couple pounds of sand from the Western District reminding me of the beauty of the churches and the many stories of Jesus’ ministry by the seashore. From the Metro District, a pair of running shoes reminded me that we always need to hit the ground running if we are going to be doing excellent ministry for Jesus Christ. A colorful wind-sock in a glass container told of the mighty blowing of the Holy Spirit in the Central District churches. A hand-made ceramic chalice and paten spoke of the beauty and the many talents of the Southern District, used for the work of the church and its communities.

These gifts were only the beginning of many, many blessings I received in our work together. In the ensuing eight years, we were able to accomplish significant work that has resulted in an annual conference that I believe is on the right path to creating healthy vital churches. Relationships forged through visits to local churches, work on various committees and task groups (meetings!), phone calls, letters, and emails allowed us precious moments to pray together, vision and dream, laugh and cry together as we followed God’s call in our lives. I felt the gift of your love and trust in many instances! Your trust has allowed us to try some new and innovative approaches to ministry.

I thank you from my heart for these precious gifts! You have helped me learn and grow as an individual disciple of Jesus Christ and as a bishop of our United Methodist Church. At Annual Conference, I received a beautiful stole with hand-painted scenes of our beautiful Conference which will remind me always of our years together and of the work we have accomplished. A generous outpouring of your love was also evident in a check for over $1,500 to go to the Bishop’s Initiative to Eliminate Hunger. And your kind words were treasures for my soul.

Now as I prepare to move to Phoenix I want to share with you my gratitude for your spirit of inclusion. In this time in the denomination when there is much rancor and debate, I appreciate the ways in which the ethos of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference is to be accepting of all persons. My hope is that you will continue to focus on the real challenges of our faith: to feed the hungry, clothe those without adequate clothing; shelter the homeless, and love those who are on the margins of society as we follow the example of Jesus Christ. And I hope that you will lead your congregations and ministry settings to find ways to make them places where God is worshiped, Jesus Christ is proclaimed, and the Holy Spirit unleashed. Let us be an annual conference of open hearts, open minds and open doors: truly open to all persons, EVERYONE!

Officially on September 1, I will no longer be your bishop. My friend and colleague, Bishop Grant Hagiya will become your Episcopal leader. I covet for him the same warmth and welcome and willing spirit that you offered to me. You are a gracious annual conference, and I have deeply loved being your bishop. Thank you for your love, your trust, and your partnering in the joyful if challenging work of ministry together!

As I leave to assume my new assignment in Phoenix, I am excited about this new adventure in a very different geography. I have come to know that there are wonderful folk wherever there is a United Methodist Church, and I have already been impressed by the staff of the Desert Southwest Annual Conference. I hope that you will hold me in prayer as I make this transition. Know that you will be in my prayers as you and Bishop Hagiya embark on your journey together.
In Christ’s shalom,

Robert T. Hoshibata,
Soon-to-be Resident bishop,
Desert Southwest Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church
 

By: Bob Hoshibata On 8/13/2012
Topics: Discipleship

Comments

1. Mary Foote wrote on 8/13/2012 10:10:25 PM
Thank-you, Bishop. God bless you and keep you!
2. Gin Sawin wrote on 8/14/2012 12:49:18 AM
You have been an excellent Bishop for this conference. I think Bishop Carcano has gotten your new conference all warmed up for you. May they be just as blessed by you and Greta as we have been.
3. Rev Andrew Williams wrote on 8/14/2012 2:52:20 AM
It has been a privilege to briefly know you. May you been surrounded by the love and peace of God as you move. Blessings
4. Lois Wagner wrote on 8/14/2012 11:21:26 AM
Go with God's blessings. And when you miss the evergreen-covered slopes of Western Oregon, the cooling rains, and the ocean, come back to refresh your body and soul!
5. Trudy Pollard wrote on 8/16/2012 4:51:14 PM
I was so honored to serve on ACOB and listen to the vision and compassion that you expressed to us as we ventured out on a new journey together. Blessings to you and Greta as you continue to enjoy the honor of being grandparents. Peace and Grace Bishop Hoshibata.
6. June Fothergill wrote on 8/17/2012 1:30:24 PM
Thank you Bishop for your leadership and inspiration. Thanks for visiting Canyonville and Wilder for their anniversaries and helping us listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I wish you the very best in your new setting. Prayers and Shalom.
7. Sharon C. Tuck wrote on 8/17/2012 9:08:58 PM
Thank you, Bishop, for welcoming this "refugee from the Central Texas Conference" as you put it when you introduced me to Greta at our first Annual Conference in Nampa! We are so grateful for your leading by example theses past years and for your courage and faithfulness. We shall miss you. Vaya con Dios, mi amigo!
8. Joanne Dobrinski wrote on 8/19/2012 5:19:50 PM
My heart says many thanks for your excellent leadership. It has been a joy to get to know you and work with you during your time with the O-I Annual Conference. Many blessings as you move on to the DSW Annual Conference. They are fortunate to have you following Minerva. Remember the "eyes on one another" promise we made.
9. Jack wrote on 8/20/2012 4:20:50 PM
Bishop and Greta...Aloha and mahalo!!
10. Chuck Lehrman wrote on 8/23/2012 5:16:15 PM
Thank you Bishop for your passion to truly include in full fellowship all members of the GLBT community. Your courage and witness is much appreciated! May the Spirit go with you.
11. Becca & Frank Shields wrote on 8/23/2012 6:00:08 PM
Thank you Bishop for sharing your vision and "walking the talk" of creating faith communities which are truly inclusive and welcoming of all of God's children! We celebrate and cherish our memories with you at various points on our spiritual journeys! You and Greta will continue to be in our prayers as you enter a new season of ministry. Blessings!
12. Byron Beach wrote on 8/23/2012 9:24:41 PM
You are a good man and a good BISHOP. Go with God! Everybody who loves Jesus say AMEN! AMEN!! Byron Beach Klamath Falls, Oregon
13. jim loewen wrote on 8/23/2012 9:52:02 PM
I had the good fortune to be at the first Annual Conference you were at. I was inspired by your words and appreciated your Hawaiian style. Best wishes in your new assignment.
14. Darrell Reeck wrote on 8/23/2012 11:47:26 PM
Dear Bishop Bob, God bless you in Arizona. Having done some work there for U.M.D.F. in 1997-2000 I know you'll like the people and the people will love your leadership. Darrell
15. Maxine Barber wrote on 8/24/2012 12:12:10 PM
Bishop Bob and Greta--you will be missed as much as you will miss your home away from home at the beach in Tillamook County. Bless you both n your work in the Southwest.
16. Susan Delaney wrote on 8/24/2012 1:20:50 PM
Goodbye Bishop & Greta. I will miss you both, and Lily, too. Mahalo for all your good work and ho'omaika'i as you journey to DSW.
17. Marilyn Belcher wrote on 8/25/2012 2:15:44 PM
The very best of wishes to you! Maybe we'll, per chance, see each other again as I visit my sister at Dayspring UMC in Tempe! I hope so.
18. Rev. Deanbo wrote on 8/26/2012 11:42:52 PM
As you have done so among us, may you continue to be the creative, passionate, worship loving, justice seeking bishop we have come to know and love. Listen to Greta, touch the earth often, soak up the DSW sun, play. We are dreary folk when we forget to play. Be well, friend and stay in touch. Ogenkide...okagesama..
19. Rev Jeanie Stoppel wrote on 8/28/2012 9:47:36 PM
Dear Bishop: Thank you for your many kind words and presence, especially to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with Asbury UMC last summer. May God continue to bless you in your new assignment.
20. Joan Collison wrote on 8/29/2012 1:32:00 PM
Brooke and I wish you the best as you and Greta move down south. We feel that OR-ID trained you well!! Hugs on your way from the beautiful campus of Kenya Methodist University, Meru, Kenya, Joan and Brooke
21. Laurie DeKlyen wrote on 9/4/2012 8:44:36 PM
Thank you for the ways you have expressed your loving concern for all the churches, big and small, in the Oregon Idaho Conference, and for your down-to-earth example of walking in the faith.