Give Thanks
In Ecclesiastes chapter 3, the writer of Ecclesiastes shares a well-known passage that was also famously adapted by The Byrds into a 1965 Billboard #1 Hit, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” The passage (and the song) remind us that “for everything there is a season.” I was familiar with many of the claims in the passage (a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to plant and a time to uproot). However, it was during an adult bible study a few years ago, when I paid closer attention to the closing verse in this chapter. Ecclesiastes 3:22 says, “So, I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work”.
There have been many seasons of the work of the Office of New Faith Communities over these last three years. We have expanded our work of co-creating new places for new people to gather in communion with Jesus Christ to include equipping congregations through our Lighthouse Congregations initiative, welcoming displaced people through the UM Collective, and addressing emerging United Methodist deserts through our partnership with The Duke Endowment. We have also remained committed to our core work of equipping churches, pastors, and lay leadership teams to co-create new places to welcome new people. It is truly a joy to see new people gather together and experience the transforming and liberating love of God and the love and support of God’s people.
In this newsletter, we pause to give thanks for the work of Rev. Seyun Hwang and the people of Genesis UMC (Cary, NC), and for Rev. Dr. Layne Harpine and the people of Pine Valley UMC (Jacksonville, NC). We also celebrate with Ware’s Chapel UMC for receiving the “One Matters” Discipleship award during Annual Conference this year. Thank you for your prayers and support as we strive to co-create new places for new people to gather in communion with Jesus Christ.