During this week of ACS (Annual Conference Session for Youth), Bishop Ward reminds churches of the call to be praying for and being in ministry with young people within the church and those in the surrounding community.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
This week, at Methodist University, youth are gathering from the churches of the North Carolina Annual Conference. It’s ACS time – the Annual Conference Session for Youth. This annual gathering is a wonderful opportunity for young people to grow deeply into God’s great love, to experience God’s great generosity, to make new friends in Christ and connect with old friends, and to go forth energized to be engaged in Christ’s mission in their communities and in all the world.
We give thanks for adults who offer their time, their compassion, and their guidance to young people during this week.
The theme of ACS this week is “Food for the Soul,” a wonderful theme reflected also in the lectionary texts across this summer, as Jesus looks out and speaks week by week of seeds planted and growing, of an abundant harvest, of the need for workers to be sent forth into all the world.
Let us continue to be engaged in ministry with young people wherever we are. in every place, through every church. Each of the 800 churches of our annual conference are called to regularly pray for young people, to be alert to the young people in the neighborhood surrounding the church, and to be engaged with young people in Christ’s ministry.
May you find great joy this week as you share God’s love with the young.