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Disaster Response and Recovery
Higher Education & Campus Ministry
Pan-Methodist Campaign for Children in Poverty
4/1/2020
Dear Friends, Prayer is foundational for Christian living. Jesus said “when” not “if” you pray. (Luke 11:2) The Lord’s Prayer, prayed by Christians all around the world, is based on Matthew 6:9-15 and Luke 11:2-4. It includes four dimensions to prayer: Praising, Repenting, Asking and Yielding (PRAY). I often use the PRAY acronym as a structure for my prayers. P: Praising God – “Hallowed be Your Name “(Luke 11:2, Matthew 6:9) R: Repenting- “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Luke ...
3/25/2020
Dear friends, I am inspired by how North Alabama United Methodists are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Churches of all sizes are finding innovative ways to be Christ’s hands and feet in their communities. Examples include: Online worship services offered by many of our congregations, with more being added every day. A few churches are hosting drive-in worship, using low-cost FM transmitters to allow participants to worship in their cars; One church continues to cook Celebrate Recovery ...
3/16/2020
Dear Friends, These are unusual times for us all. Indeed, most of us cannot remember a circumstance when during a time of crisis churches were asked to suspend worship services and meetings. However, in the instance of the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts warn us that it is in the best interest of church members, especially those in high-risk categories, the community, the state of Alabama, our nation and world for us to stop assembling for a period of time for worship services and other group ...
3/13/2020
Dear Friends, Blessings to you during this Lenten season. Thank you for your faithful ministry in North Alabama and beyond. The appointive cabinet and I are writing to encourage you to use your best discernment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We trust the insight and wisdom of our clergy and lay leadership in making decisions about worship, small groups and other church-related gatherings in your specific ministry context. Particularly we want to slow down the spread of the virus as well ...
3/4/2020
Dear Friends, Every day, the number of infections from the coronavirus is increasing around the world, including in the United States. I invite you to join me in responding to this challenging situation by praying daily, preparing for the possibilities and giving generously. Pray daily for: those personally affected by severe illnesses and loved ones’ deaths caused by the virus; individuals and businesses whose work and economic well-being are adversely impacted by the virus; a cure for the ...
2/24/2020
Dear Friends, One of my favorite seasons of the church year is Lent, the 40 days immediately prior to Easter, excluding Sundays. (I feel the same way about Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost as well as the Ordinary Time between Epiphany/Lent and Pentecost/Advent.) The church seasons established by our fathers and mothers in the faith offer a rhythm that is good for our souls. Lent is a time of introspection and repentance in preparation for Easter Day. Initially, a period of ...
2/3/2020
Dear Friends, Many questions are being asked across the UMC about the protocol that became public on January 3, 2020. Some of the questions are unanswerable until the actual protocol legislation becomes public in the near future. However, enough information was stated in the protocol to give people a sense of what could be ahead if a legislative version of it passes at the May 2020 General Conference. Some people are embracing the protocol concept with enthusiasm. Others are disappointed with ...
1/15/2020
Dear Friends, The beginning of each year brings with it appointment questions for United Methodist clergy and churches. Clergy ask: “Is God leading me to stay in my current appointment for another year or is it time for me to move to my next assignment? Is my ministry in this context fruitful? Are my gifts and graces what this congregation needs?” Staff-Parish Relations Committees ponder, “Are we a good match for the clergy appointed here? Are we making a difference in our community?” These are ...
1/5/2020
An Epiphany Season Devotional Read Matthew 2:1-12 Dear friends, The 12 days of Christmas are among my favorite, beginning with Christmas Day and continuing until Epiphany, which is celebrated every January 6. A powerful Epiphany question is answered by the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12. What are we waiting for? These Magi were likely Zoroastrian priests, characterized by their knowledge of philosophy, history, geography, plants, medicine and the heavens. When they noticed the new star in the sky, they ...
12/24/2019
Scripture Reading: John 1:1-18 Dear Friends, Silence can be a gift. This is especially true in our 21st-century world where i-Phones, YouTube, laptops, Zoom, television, radios and multiple other technological wonders fill our lives with noise. Though technology keeps us connected with others, it also can cause us to experience silence deprivation. I am referencing the kind of silence that we embrace because it quiets our spirits, calms our racing minds and enhances our ability to hear from God....
