“Talking helped…”
Hearing these words repeatedly, I give thanks for the wonderful ways you are reaching out in this time of COVID-19. Old phone tree ideas live again. District Superintendents called every pastor in their districts. You are calling all in your church family. Over 107 churches offered online worship Sunday. Offerings continue in support of our shared ministry.
Talking… and staying connected helps. We will continue to do so creatively in these days of vigilance as we share a commitment to slowing the transmission of COVID-19 and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities. As always, we help, doing no harm and all the good we can.
Gratefully, on this day of St Patrick, who answered the call, “Come over and help us,”
Grace and peace to you on this feast day of Saint Patrick.
On this day, we wear green. We hold shamrocks and we remember Patrick who died in Ireland on March 17 in the year 461. Patrick was a great missionary of the Christian church. The apostle Paul heard the summons of God. Paul was in Turkey and he heard the words “Come over and help us.” from the man of Macedonia in a dream in a vision.
In a similar way, Patrick, having been enslaved from Britain to Ireland, escaped, returning home heard the same summons in a dream. The Irish people summoned him “Come over and help us. Come teach us. Come live among us,” so Patrick returned to Ireland. And in his ministry, he preached the Good News, founded churches, created hospitals, began schools. His memory is cherished in Ireland and wherever Christian people remember his strong witness and his fruitful ministry.
Across the ages, God’s people continue to hear the summons, “Come over and help us.” And in this time of great anxiety and fear relative to the Coronavirus, it’s important that we be vigilant yet confident of God’s care.
Posted on the Conference website are suggestions for your faithful ministry in this time. We all will continue to be vigilant to protect the health of all people even as we connect in meaningful ways with one another.
Thank you for your ministry. Thank you for the way that you continue to hear God’s summons “Come over and help us.” May we be continually in ministry with and for one another in the name of Jesus Christ.