As you read this, I am away at Annual Conference. This year’s theme is “United As One in Mission,” based on the text found in Acts 1:8b, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (NIV). Sound familiar? Well, it should, for we heard this word from the Lord a few weeks back. Any wonder why it is the theme for this year’s annual gathering of the United Methodist Churches in Virginia?
Amidst this season of disaffiliations, I am certain there will be fewer in attendance at Conference – approximately100 churches worth of clergy and laity representatives at my last count. Yet, even in this case, there will still be over 2,000 people gathering to celebrate how God is still at work in Virginia through those who have remained. AND, we will be continuously reminding ourselves that God has given us the task to continue with the mission of being witnesses everywhere we go, with everyone we meet.
As we have discussed during the season leading up to Pentecost, God gave us the Holy Spirit for this express purpose. We have been given Holy Spirit power to do what might otherwise seem undoable. Yes, we can be witnesses in Waverly and Carsley, in Sussex and Surry, throughout all of Virginia! It only takes us being united as one to carry out the task.
So, the real question is – how will you fulfill God’s calling today? How will you live out Jesus’ statement in Acts 1:8b? How will you unite with the Church to be a faithful witness wherever you are and whomever you are with?
Always pondering, Pastor Steve
