Bishop Ward thanks churches for faithful generosity and for continuing to reach out and make disciples of Jesus Christ during the pandemic.
For more information on Apportionments or the grants available to local churches, visit the links below:
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
These are beautiful fall days and autumn is the season of the annual Charge Conferences. This year, charge conferences are convened virtually. The district superintendents are meeting individually with every church or charge. The reports are joyful. Thank you for the ways in which you have created worship experiences. For the ways in which you have configured continued study and prayer and mutual support and for the ways in which you’re reaching out creatively in the world in this time of COVID-19.
Thank you also for your support of the conference apportionments. Through apportioned giving in every local church, our connectional ministry is established. Because churches have given generously, supporting the apportionments of the Annual Conference, we have been able, during this time of pandemic, to offer grants to churches that are feeling financial stress. If in your congregation this is the case, we invite you to visit the Conference website. You will find grants available for clergy pension, clergy insurance, and clergy compensation. Grants are available also for local church expenses, and for mission engagement in your community. This is possible because of past generosity, and our continued generosity will make our connection strong for the days ahead.
In this beautiful season of fall, we celebrate the in-gathering, the great harvest, We know that God’s generosity flows through us into the world and we give thanks that we are called into mission with one another. The mission statement of our Annual Conference is clear and resounding. Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ in every place. May it be so in this season and always.