Pastor’s Message – February 19, 2019

Holy Conferencing

Last month many of us attended an informational session and follow-up conversation on the Special Called Session of General Conference. I am grateful for your interest and participation that springs from a love for Christ’s Church. This upcoming Sunday, February 24, the day after General Conference begins in St. Louis, we will have suggested prayers available in the library for you to take home and offer in your time with God. We have taken time to learn and to converse, but now is the time to pray.

Since the time of John Wesley, the phrase, “holy conferencing,” has described the way we United Methodists conduct business matters of the Church: setting time apart to step away from daily tasks in order to converse with the Holy Spirit and with one another for the sake of the Church. A conference is not only an event that we attend. The Church’s roots are in relationship.

Holy conferencing doesn’t occur solely on international or denominational levels. Last week, as we bid farewell too soon and too suddenly to our friends, Suzanne Brasfield and Ray Millard, holy conferencing happened here in our community. We offered prayers, presence, and plenty of food. We planned worship services that celebrated their lives. We ordered our schedules around comfort, love, and support. The church’s roots are in relationship.

Relationship with God and neighbor are at the heart of The United Methodist Church. Let us pray that our holy conferencing strengthen those relationships. And let us remember that all of our conferencing is not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.

all good things to each of you,

Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for February 24, 2019

Genesis 45:3-11, 15

Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

Luke 6:27-38

* New email address: Pastor Darian’s email address has changed to darianduck@icloud.com.

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