This week, Bishop Ward and the Cabinet ask for your prayers as they finish the appointment-making process. Also, for clergy who will be in transition this year, learn more about the Transition Seminar on May 1.
We celebrate Easter joy in these days after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace, peace, and power to you this day.
Today, April 22, I am meeting with the eight district superintendents as we complete the work of appointing clergy for the next year, to their places of ministry. Thank you for prayers for us, today, tomorrow, and Thursday, as this work is done.
As we meet this week, the Cabinet and I are praying for you by name, every church in the North Carolina Conference and every clergyperson. When we hear the name of your church, when we speak and hear the names of the clergy, our hearts are grateful for this ministry we share across eastern North Carolina.
On Friday of this week, pastors who are moving will be contacted by their district superintendents and Pastor-Parish chairpersons will be called, and on this next Sunday, there will be announcements in churches where there will be clergy transition.
The vast majority of our clergy in churches will continue in the configuration of pastoral leadership that you now know, and our prayers are with each place, with each congregation, with each clergy leader as we move through this week together.
In just another week, on May 1, there will be a transition seminar for clergy who are transitioning, and for two Pastor-Parish members from each church in transition. I look forward to being with these leaders, May 1, in Garner as we enter into a day in which we learn how to enter into excellent transitions, to give good and faithful goodbyes, and to embrace the future with God’s strength and light.
Thank you for your prayers and all these ways in which we are giving witness to the connection of the United Methodist people engaged in Christ’s ministry into the days ahead.