Bishop Carlo Rapanut deliver the message, "You are Mine," at the Friday morning worship service.

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. God gives us the right and responsibility to say and name, ‘you are mine.’ God gave everyone a name and purpose,” shared Bishop Carlo Rapanut during the Friday morning worship service at the 2024 Dakotas Annual Conference.

The concept of “you are mine” or “you are mineness,” in our world has faded away, Bishop Rapanut, who serves the Phoenix Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, shared. “We were made to believe that God is not enough. Some are tempted to believe that they must be God. We subdue, discriminate, exclude, abuse, ignore others.”

He attributed many of the world’s problems to the corruption of the concept of "you are mine.”

“Let us be reminded that every time we do something to strip someone of who they are, we are subduing,” said Bishop Carlo. “God’s redeeming act is reclaiming us. God is asking us to restore value in each other.”

The common theme in the foundational documents of The United Methodist Church requires that we claim with God that we are reaffirming our “you are mineness.”  

“The concept of “you are mine,” is part of our DNA as United Methodist,” stated Bishop Carlo. ”Our connection is the first order of business.”

While previously serving in the Alaska Conference, Bishop Rapanut experienced, first-hand, that Native Americans are great at forming relationships and connections. They take time to know each other and claim each other as “you are mine.” They see each other as people that are in connection.

“When there is a conflict or differing views because they have a connection and value each other, there is less tension. They claim each other by name,” he shared. 

Gifts for the 2024 Miracle Offering were collected during worship on June 7.

Bishop Carlo’s connection and relationships to the Dakotas Conference include a connection with Rev. Rebecca Trefz. The two served as Director of Connectional Ministries together. He shared that he and Bishop Lanette found themselves at the same table throughout their ministry journeys, including being elected bishops in 2022.

As the District Superintendent in Alaska, Bishop Rapanut appointed two Dakotas Conference clergy members, Rev. Andy Bartel and Rev. Autumn Krueger.

“We have a beautiful connection that allows us to claim each other,” Bishop Carlo shared. “Thank you for that gift of connection.”

Giving to the 2024 Miracle Offering means saying, “you are mine,” noted Bishop Carlo. The offering collected during the service will be distributed to the 38:1 Project, Abbott House’s Bridges Therapeutic Foster Care Program, recovery ministry, and the clergy sustentation fund.

“You are claiming to people and showing them that God is claiming them,” said Bishop Carlo. 

Watch the livestream recording of Bishop Rapanut's sermon here.