Dear Colleagues in Ministry,
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
I write to you today to witness – and to encourage your witness – in support of the needs of the most vulnerable people in our state. The Methodist church was born as a movement bringing “good news to the poor.” This is still our calling, privilege and responsibility.
I would like you to know three ways in which I am engaged in this season here in North Carolina.
First, I met Thursday with colleague bishops and judicatory leaders for breakfast, prayer and conversation. Through the convening of this time, we were led by God to offer this pastoral letter, in the spirit of Christian compassion with the hope of justice and mercy for all. I hope that you will read it and use it as you see fit.
Second, I have called and emailed and written legislators in recent weeks, thanking them for their public service, recognizing any work they are doing on behalf of the poor and urging them to vote wisely on behalf of the most vulnerable people in our state.
Third, Mike and I were present on May 20 for the Moral Monday gathering at the Legislative Building in Raleigh. We did not participate in civil disobedience; rather, we were there to give witness to our hopes for North Carolina. We will be present on Monday, June 10, as clergy across the state gather to encourage our state legislature to make wise and good decisions for all the citizens of our state.
I urge you to be engaged as you are led by God to do so, not in a spirit of partisanship but in a spirit of faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
With gratitude for our life together in Christ,
Hope Morgan Ward