May Newsletter - Winchester District

Not too many weeks ago, I was often praying and thinking about how our United Methodist Church might radically change after General Conference 2020. General Conference would have ended today (5-15-20), but the COVID-19 pandemic changed those plans. Indeed, many assert it has already changed everything, including Christ’s Church.

But has it really changed everything?

Without a doubt there is a great deal of loss, pain, struggle, and disorientation taking place globally caused by this viral pandemic, one that some pundits are calling the largest global loss of the last century or in modern times. It certainly has impacted everyone’s life in an abundance of ways that are both common and unique to each of us.

Truly, we are all in an unprecedented season of change, not of choice, but with us nonetheless. This radical, unexpected change is having a variety of consequences on every level of society and culture. Even the best practices we develop as a Church and people are shifting daily as we learn more and more about the virus and how to live with it in our midst.

One constant I am finding is the many ways in which one essential question is being asked, What do we do to get through this thing to the ‘other side’”? For me, however, the two more vital questions adaptive leaders and all the people of God need to ask within a season of profound disturbance is: What hasn’t changed, and what will not change?

The answers to these questions will help us find our grounding and develop the appropriate frameworks to move ahead with courage and resiliency. As we do this, we will thrive in this liminal season of uncertainties, for God is with us.

Here are just a few things I know beyond a showdown of a doubt that have not and will not change:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8; all Scriptural references NRSV)

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12)

[Jesus said] “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

“For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”

(2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Psalm 91: see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svwe8nbnupg

[Jesus said] “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

These Scriptures, and others, remind me of what hasn’t changed and what will not change, no matter what. In and through them I find greater orientation, grounding, hope, and strength for the day as I live and serve Christ. My prayer is that you will experience this with me in God's grace and through God’s Holy and precious Word.

There is one other thing I’d like to mention that will remain steadfast: I greatly appreciate and care for each of you as the laity and clergy of the Winchester District. You are a very special people, and we are mightily blessed to be together at this time. Thanks for all that you are doing for the cause of Christ. Through your work, I sense in my heart, is a revival in the making by the power of the Holy Spirit.