Hello, Friends!

    Today in this space Dianna and I will offer a few gleanings from this year’s annual conference, that we hope will help shape our thoughts and actions in the months to come.

      One common theme that was striking to both of us was the notion that it’s not enough just to tell the story—we have to live the story.   In other words,  what we say and sing and invoke in worship needs to have a positive and genuine impact on our daily lives—and our lives should be an open book illustration for others of our faith commitment, and our joy in experiencing God’s love.

     In his report to the conference from the bishop and cabinet, Rev. Virgilio Vasquez-Garza reminded us of an essential aspect of this lived faith.

     He noted that we need to keep as a central focus the importance of engaging people where they live, in the cultures and languages they know.   This means learning new languages ourselves, opening to new ways of worship and dialogue, and really listening to neighbors tell of their needs and yearnings—so we can advocate and work alongside them to bring the good news home.  

   In a workshop on evangelism offered by Rev. Tina Carter, she offered both challenge and reassurance that this brave work of welcome and outreach is possible, because the Spirit blesses and empowers us—God gives us what we need, when we stay open and embrace the process of learning together.

     One of her catch phrases—“We can, because we have,” she says reminds her that nothing is impossible with God, and change is happening anyway, all the time.   The key is to harness our energies for positive change so that we preserve the essentials and see every person as a potential member of the family.

   One important key to making church work as an instrument of deep hospitality and justice  was echoed both by our conference lay leader Jay Brim and Bishop Martinez.   It’s quite simple, and familiar to the St. Luke fold:

    All of this begins at home, in our own congregation, our own community—and we have to work together, as partners with Christ.   Jay’s beautiful way of phrasing our aim was to say that “we should be a vessel of our words.”

     We’ll be sharing other thoughts as they emerge, as they connect to St. Luke’s mission and vision.

  Shalom and Happiness,

Sarah

(An extra note from Dianna:

     I would like you all to know   what a pleasure it was for me to represent St. Luke UMC. I learned so much in such a short while, but everything I did learn was eye opening.)