As you probably guessed, I’ve been reappointed to College Avenue UMC for another year, but I know a lot of folks who are moving. I was thankful for this message from Great Plains Bishop Wilson.
This Sunday is a pivotal day in the lives of our Great Plains Annual Conference churches.Many pastors will begin preaching in their new appointments. Others will continue serving in their assigned mission field.Newly retired clergy will not be preaching for the first time in years. Our new class of ordinands will assume their duties in new roles.In each of those locations, laity are exploring ways to work with pastors who are new to them or to work even more effectively with pastors they have come to know and love.I ask that you join me in prayer this weekend for all of these transitions in the life of our annual conference. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide all as our faithful clergy go into these transitions with excitement, joy and grace to lead congregations and ministry settings. I pray for our laity who will continue to help clergy with these transitions with love and grace. I pray for God’s continued blessings upon our ministry and service together in the Great Plains Annual Conference and beyond.
I’m praying for all my friends and colleagues who are preaching their first Sunday at a new church tomorrow. But I’m very happy to be continuing at College Avenue UMC. I’m looking forward to all the possibilities of the coming year.