Bishop Ward encourages us to be in prayer for the 2016 General Conference and particularly to participate in the NC Conference Day of Prayer on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10.
A sign-up sheet is available if you would like to claim a time slot and participate in the 24-hour prayer vigil.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray. This was the name of the gathering of clergy yesterday in Sanford. All the clergy in the North Carolina conference came together for worship and teaching and prayer experiences as we prepare for the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is one week from tomorrow, February 10. February 10 is the day I chose for the North Carolina annual conference to be a part of the United Methodist-wide chain of prayer.
Beginning on January 1, 2016 with the Greater New Jersey annual conference, prayer is unfolding. Each conference is taking one day of prayer and covering that day with continued prayers for the General Conference and for our global ministry around the world. On Ash Wednesday, you have many opportunities to pray in Ash Wednesday services in your congregations, of course, in your personal prayer life. The Methodist Building will be a place of invitation for prayer on Ash Wednesday. The labyrinth will be set up in the Dixon Chapel and you are invited to come and walk the labyrinth in prayer for our church.
The General Conference delegation and the Leadership Team of our annual conference will be praying around the clock 24 hours. Each district will be assigned hours during the day in which to have concentrated prayer effort. In these and other ways that you will create, the North Carolina annual conference will contribute to the prayers of all United Methodist people. We anticipate God’s movement of the Holy Spirit among us in Portland.
Ash Wednesday will be a day that we will pray with confidence and great hope for all that God will do among us. Thank you for your prayers on Ash Wednesday and every day as we live well together.