Bishop Hope Morgan Ward shares her story of baking and serving ham biscuits at United Methodist Churches in the heart of the NC State Fair. Bishop Ward’s story reminds us of all the ways we can be in communion in the center of public life, as the body Christ.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. It’s time for the State Fair here in North Carolina. It’s a time of fun, of eating things that are not on the clergy wellness list, of riding rides, of seeing beautiful things made in North Carolina, of petting farm livestock; it’s great fun.
I love to work at the State Fair. At the fair booths that are run by our Methodist Churches across from Dorton Arena: Sunrise, Westover, White Plains and First Church Cary. Thousands of dollars are raised each year as we Methodists sell ham biscuits, barbeque and other good things to eat.
This breaking of bread in the center of the State Fair is a witness to all of our engagement in the world and our commitment to the way of Christ. As resources are garnered through these State Fair proceeds, our mission is extended out into the world. Wherever you are, you have ways of using the talents of the people of your church to garner resources for your mission in the world.
I hope this week, as we enjoy the North Carolina State Fair, we give thanks for the all the beauty of this place we call home, for the riches of the resources around us, for the beautiful fall evenings and for God’s grace that is with us. This grace is with us in every time of joy and in every challenge. May we always be in the midst of the life of our state, even as a number of our churches are right in the center of the North Carolina State Fair.