Dear friends,
Our “normal” rhythm each year is to send a letter of gratitude to churches who have made 100% of their Connectional giving commitment. This is initiated with a certificate from the General Council on Finance & Administration. (Some of you will find that certificate attached in this email). As many of our “normal” rhythms have been disrupted in these past two years, I am breaking from what is typical and writing to all of the churches.
First, I offer thanksgiving for all of you who have given for the whole of our covenant connection. For those who gave with sacrifice (there are many of you), thank you for decreasing your wants in order to supply for another’s basic needs. Examples are the stories you’ve heard over the past two months: Africa University is the premier theological school on the continent of Africa. We did that together! The response of our TWK Disaster ministries assisting numerous congregations displaced by tornadoes and fires; we did that together! Even as I write, our district has pastors and disaster response disciples responding to the fire at Centerville UMC on June 24. As we often say, we will be the last to leave these sites of destruction where repair and restoration is long in coming.
There are countless stories and they all begin with our relationships: within communities where we are appointed, and stretching all over the world. THANK YOU for the ways you love one another. Your care and compassion are immeasurable. Your financial support is real and experienced.
Many of you have called to talk about finances this year. You are not alone. Some of you have had to alter your budgets. You are not alone. Some of you have experienced sorrow and angst when you were unable to give what you wanted to give. Some of you have given in a way that was sacrificial and covered gaps for others. Thank you, and may God restore any need that you may have because of that sacrifice.
We have been very blessed this year. In a time of hardship, there has been enough. The pension holiday has been extended another year. Positional cuts have been made and people have taken up additional responsibilities with joy for the opportunity to serve. And parishioners across the TWK have continued to give generously in so many congregations. We are deeply grateful for the sharing. We persist in the belief that God has placed everything we need (spiritually and physically) in our basket, we need only discover it and live into it.
So this letter goes out to all of you this year, not only to those who gave 100% of the connectional commitment. Thank you all for what you gave: relationship, friendship, hope, tangible support, sacrificial generosity, help in a time of trouble. And to all of us, may we be reminded that we are not alone. We celebrate together and we cry together. We grieve and we rejoice. Above all – we worship and service with the presence of the resurrected Christ that is embodied in the local church. May God continue to bless us as we seek to honor that to which we have been called and appointed. Thanks be to God.
With Peace and Gratitude –
Rev. Dr. Vona Wilson
District Superintendent
Harpeth River District
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
The United Methodist Church
Preach the gospel throughout the earth, and if necessary, use words. – St Francis of Assisi