In this time of the over-present reality of COVID-19, we remember our call outward into the world in ways beyond our regular habits and schedules. Thank you for all the ways you are using your telephones and technologies to connect people for worship, Bible study, pastoral care and mission. You continue to beckon all to Christ and offer to all the strengthening and healing ministry of Christ’s church. As March ends today, we remember with others John and Charles Wesley and the wider Wesleyan heritage that is a gift to us.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
As United Methodist people, we give thanks for our brothers and sisters in Christ, those in our communities who serve Christ and who join hands with us from other denominations and Christian families. Indeed we extend our hands and hearts to those who share faith and mission in Christ’s name.
During the month of March, our Episcopal friends celebrate the Feast Day of John and Charles Wesley. On this day, the appointed text is from Isaiah — “I give you as light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” I find it a beautiful thing that our neighbors see this text as the heartbeat of the Wesleyan way. Let us claim for ourselves this wonderful identity. God gives us as light to the nations that God’s salvation my reach to the ends of the earth.
May our view of our life together be as expansive as our neighbors’ view of us. And may our neighbor’s view of us elevate our sense of being called of God to live as light in the world with confidence that indeed God is bringing this whole earth, this whole creation, all humanity back home. Back home through the cross
In these Lenten days, may we be confident of the expansive, wonderful and ever generous love of God.