|
bishop's perspective:
Take the light into the night
One of my vivid memories comes from my boyhood days in Jamaica.
I remember standing at the doorway of a mountain church at the conclusion of night worship. The pastor held a large lamp from which the worshippers lit candles and tin-can lamps before descending into the valley to their homes.
Soon the entire valley was dotted with tiny lights piercing the darkness. There was no other light. There was no electricity, just the candles. The foreboding night gave way to the splendor of hundreds of shining candles all over that mountainside. The pastor's one light was significant only as it was spread by the many others.
All this got me to pondering how Christ depends on us to get the light into the world. Every candle, lit by the flame of Jesus the Christ, has the power to
- chase the dark
- negate gloom
- defy violence
- outstrip fear
- devour injustice
- obliterate hatred, and
- create hope, faith and love.
Jesus the Christ extravagantly offered light for the world. Now, it's our time to take that light into our homes, families, workplaces, communities and yes, into the church.
May this Advent and Christmas Season so pregnant with miracle surprise you with joy.
Good news! Last month our churches continued to give more on Fair Share apportionments than this time a year ago. With an all-out effort, we can surpass our 2002 giving and we must. A bishop colleague of mine told of a church that received a $7,000 Thanksgiving offering to exceed paying 100 percent of their Fair Share.
Remember, the absolute deadline for receiving 2003 Fair Share funds in the Knoxville or Johnson City conference office is Jan. 9.
So many of you are making a concerted effort to fulfill your Fair Share asking. Thank you! The sun never sets on the ministries we support in Christ's name.
top
|
|
Bishop Ray W. Chamberlain
Resident Bishop
Cover Stories
Reason to Celebrate
and
Apportionments Increase
Nice Shirt
Reading List
District Missions
Holiday Roundup
National & World News
Back to The Call Home Page
|
|
