bishop's perspective:
Empowered by the spirit
There will be absolutely nothing we do at Annual Conference this year as crucial as experiencing an empowerment by the Holy Spirit. We often speak of clergy empowering laity. But it is far more essential that we become newly empowered by the Holy Spirit for faithful witness, compassionate outreach and grace-filled love for others. Baptized by God's spirit, we will be able to break the cycle of violence, blame, rejection, racism, and classism.
Yes, we will elect delegates. We
will approve a budget. We will discuss
structure. We will care for our institutional
infrastructure. But we will do all
this toward a larger purpose, which is
to discover and implement the means
to win others to faith in Jesus Christ.
And we will be blessed. Bishop
Ricardo Pereira Diaz of Cuba will
bring earth and heaven together
through anointed preaching. Bishop
Violet Fisher will get under our
spiritual skin as she challenges the
ordinands and others to a ministry
beyond the conventional.
The Rev. Grace Imathiu-Jones of
Kenya will stir our souls to love God
and others fully and honestly. Our
own Rev. Mark Flynn will bring us
into a sacred place as we remember
and celebrate resurrection.
We will welcome new clergy and bid farewell to retiring clergy. Finally, preachers will be anointed and sent, laity challenged and commissioned – to be empowered by the Holy Spirit as God's change agents and messengers of a Holy Hope.
Come prayed up. Come with your
cup turned right side up and let it be
filled to overflowing.
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