As churches begin moving into charge conference season, let us celebrate that we are collaborators with God in bringing about good in all things.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
The appointed lessons for Sunday next are a great gift to us in this time of pandemic. I find especially helpful the text from from Romans 8: 28.
The theologian, N. T. Wright, in his small volume, “God in the Pandemic,” has reminded me in preparation for this Sunday that God is indeed the actor and that we are collaborators with God in bringing about good in all things. We celebrate this as United Methodist people in every place. God is at work in and through us in all things to bring about good.
Very soon, it will be Fall and charge conference season. The district superintendents and I have talked together about the best way to configure these annual gatherings in which we celebrate the good that is being accomplished in and through us by the power of God. This year, because of the pandemic, charge conferences will be virtual. Every church will have a charge conference individually with the district superintendent. In this way, we seek to be attentive to the particular needs and celebrations of every congregation, to be with you in your joys and in your struggles, in your sorrows and in your hopes in this very very unique time. This means that some of the charge conferences will be held earlier in September; some will be in October; some will be in November.
Thank you for cooperating, as together we configure these times to celebrate the good that God is doing through us. And let us hold to hard anew this week Paul’s strong words. Indeed, God the actor, God is working in all things for good with and through those who love God and are called according to his purpose.
May Christ be with you today and always.