Weekly Greeting - November 15, 2024
Greetings friends,
A PASTORAL LETTER FROM
THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS
OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“Now faith, hope, and love remain…and the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 CEB
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Greetings,
May the grace of God and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Amid the change and uncertainty that have resulted from the recent U.S. elections, and the ways in which these matters will impact the whole world, we remember that we are held by the enduring power of God's love and the call to be agents of that love in the world.
We find ourselves at a critical historical juncture that future generations will scrutinize. It presses upon the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, a worldwide body, to speak and act with moral clarity, guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ and our commitment to justice and compassion for all.
We affirm the inherent dignity of all God’s children. As our Social Principles remind us, “God calls all members of the human family to recognize and protect the dignity and worth of all people.” The lessons of history teach us the dangers of silence in the face of threats to human rights. Therefore, we cannot remain silent. We call upon all United Methodists to exercise their faith and to pray, speak, and act for justice and peace.
Our baptismal vows call us “to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.” We therefore reject rhetoric, policies, and actions that demean or discriminate against any of God's children and will be vigilant in defending the rights of the vulnerable and speaking out against oppression.
To people of all generations, especially our young, who yearn for a more just and inclusive world, your vision and passion give us hope. We commit to working alongside you to build the beloved community that reflects God's kingdom on earth. In the days ahead, we will continue this vital work uninterrupted and with renewed vigor. And we commit ourselves to prayer for our political leaders around the globe.
Bishop Tracy S. Malone
President - Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
Blessings,
Craig __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you’ve ever been to a sporting event, you know the crowds can get incredibly loud. Athletes can be distracted by taunts from the opposing team and their fans, and even by internal anxieties. The best athletes, however, learn to always listen to the voice of their coach.
We continue our “Grace Wins” worship series this week. Our text is Numbers 22:10-35. We will be focusing on the importance of listening to God and not the myriad of other voices around us that can lead us astray.
Please pray for us as we prepare for worship and come ready to hear God’s word read and proclaimed. God speaks to us in lots of ways, but Scripture is a wonderful gift from God that points us to our true shepherd and coach.
John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.