Bishop Ward invites us to engage in study and thoughtful conversation about the history of enslaved persons in the U.S. and renew our commitment to anti-racism and multicultural ministries.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
I invite you in this month and next to pay special attention to important opportunities to grow in our commitment to anti-racism and multicultural ministries.
August 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved persons on the shores of what is now the United States of America. Enslaved persons were brought to Fort Monroe, Va. bound for the Jamestown colony. As we worship, learn, pray and serve together, it’s essential that we remember our history and that we learn more of it, that we recognize ways in which our history continues to bind our spirits and dampen our capacity to be visionary leaders.
In September, Sept. 19 – 21, the “Crossroads” retreat is offered. I look forward to being there with many of you. Over these two days, we will worship, we will learn, we will be inspired, we will talk together. At the end, we will leave more deeply committed and more fully equipped to be God’s servants in this important focus of our Annual Conference.
Thank you for your witness, your teaching, your preaching, your leadership, as we grow together as God’s people.