Opening Our Hearts to the Spirits of Grace
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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
This year’s theme for Annual Conference focuses upon spiritual formation as a means of grace. Being formed in the image of Christ as the body of Christ in loving action is our business at hand as we come to Conference this year. How can we do so with integrity and an attitude in which we can agree to disagree, working toward resolutions regarding difficult topics? I believe we do so with an attitude of holy conferencing and a spirit of grace and love.
This year every delegate to Annual Conference will receive a copy of “Listen: Praying in a Noisy World.” It is the most recent book on prayer and devotion by Bishop Reuben Job. The book is a six week study, approximately 40 days, of scripture and prayer practices that are aimed at helping persons learn to “listen anew and develop habits that can lead to a deep and vital relationship with God” and thus with one another. It is the hope that many of the churches in our conference will use this daily devotional as a means of prayerfully preparing for Annual Conference. During the Easter Season, encourage persons to use it as an individual study, with small groups, or as a church wide focus on prayer (also available is leader’s guide and DVD for group facilitation).
Please join me, and so many others from around the Conference, in a time of listening for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is already intervening on our behalf, and preparing this Annual Conference to be conducted and shared as means of grace. May God bless all those who attend and all of our Conference who are represented and effected by the prayerful work we undertake together.