The Paralympic Games begin on Wednesday in Paris. Athletes will take their marks, set their stance, and launch into action. Today, we find the disciples in a similar position at the beginning of the book of Acts – poised on the starting blocks of a world-changing mission. But unlike those Olympians who relied on years […]
Have you ever walked into a room full of strangers, feeling your heart race and your palms sweat? Perhaps you’ve moved to a new city, joined a new club, or attended a gathering where you didn’t know a soul. That feeling of being an outsider, a stranger in an unfamiliar place, is a universal human […]
As we gather on this Back to School Sunday, having blessed our students’ backpacks, we’re reminded of new beginnings, the excitement—and yes, sometimes fear—of stepping into the unknown. Today, we begin our journey in a new worship series – “Do Unto Others: A Campaign for Kindness.” We hope this is a timely series as we […]
I recently had the opportunity to serve as a reserve delegate from the Great Plains Annual Conference at the 2020(4) United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. This historic gathering brought together delegates from around the world to make important decisions that will impact the future of our church. When I returned, a Sunday […]
Imagine a world where every person is empowered to make a difference, where each unique gift is celebrated and used to serve others. On this particular day, as we celebrate the joy of Pentecost and the achievements of our graduates, we are reminded that this world is not just a distant dream but a reality […]
Today, as we come together on Mother’s Day, everyone here may feel different things. For some, it’s a happy day to celebrate the love of a mother. But for others, it might bring up feelings of sadness or hurt. No matter what, we can all find hope and comfort in the incredible power of Jesus’ […]
Friends, it’s good to be back with you after an intense and transformative couple of weeks at the General Conference in Charlotte, NC. Our United Methodist Church has made significant decisions that will shape our future. Amid these changes, I remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13. In a world that often feels driven by […]
Day 10 of the UMC General Conference 2020(4) began with the commissioning of global missionaries during worship, highlighting the core of Methodism as a missionary movement. The celebration of the Mission Bicentennial emphasized that mission belongs to God, and we are all invited to participate in it. The afternoon session started with the final portion […]
Day 9 of the UMC General Conference 2020(4) started with an early morning prayer for Bishop David Wilson from the Great Plains as he prepared to preach during morning worship. Bishop Wilson’s message emphasized the common ground we share as United Methodists and the importance of making decisions that will positively impact the next seven […]
Day 8 of the UMC General Conference 2020(4) was an ecumenical day, with guests from various ecumenical connections worldwide. During morning worship, we recognized full communion with the Moravian church, which is significant in Western North Carolina. Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches, delivered a powerful message during […]
Day 7 of the UMC General Conference 2020(4) began with worship led by Bishop Karen Oliveto, who delivered a powerful message. She reminded us that religious leaders sometimes focus on law instead of love and regulations instead of relationships. Bishop Oliveto challenged us to see the image of God in every person, not just those […]
Day 6 of the UMC General Conference 2020(4) was a Sabbath day, offering a much-needed break from the busy schedule of the conference. While taking a true Sabbath can be challenging for me, as I often find comfort in checking tasks off a list during my time off from professional church work, I felt the […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 