A Word from Pastor Thom
The introduction is always the hardest part.
At least that is my experience in writing newsletter articles, research papers, letters, sermons, and even Get-Well notes. Getting that pen to first touch the paper or moving that blinking cursor slightly ever to the right is the most awkward and unsure moment of the whole process.
Then it happens.
A letter, then a word, perhaps even a complete thought is out there in front of you. Maybe it is now underlined with a blue line and a box suggesting AI could really help you. Maybe it is misspelled and looks like it is written left-handed by a right-handed raccoon. Maybe it is in that perfect font on linen paper.
You did it!
Thank you so much to everyone whom we have had the opportunity to meet so far! Katie, Aislin, and I are so grateful for your thoughts, work, and prayers during this transition and introduction time.
We already feel extremely blessed, excited, and joyful to call this home. We have just put pen to paper on the story God is writing with us.
We look forward to every pen stroke and blink of the cursor. The Spirit is clearly present in this introduction.
That’s the hardest part!
Let’s keep writing! This looks like it’s going to be part of the greatest story ever told.
Blessings!
P Thom
Did You Know... Part 5
Our Church and Society team continues to highlight the United Methodist Social Principles (established in 1972, revised in 2024). These principles address current global and national issues, reflecting our identity as a connected global church.
Note: In the Social Principles, "we" denotes the General Conference and all global United Methodist Church members. This month we highlight the Principle of “Religious Minorities”.
Quoted statements are from the Social Principles document:
· “We affirm the rights of religious minorities to worship in peace and to exercise their faith free from fear of discrimination or persecution. We condemn actions by any individual, group or organization that denigrate or demean those belonging to another faith. As Christians, we consider such attitudes and actions to be antithetical to Jesus’s command to love one’s neighbor.”
· “We urge governments, businesses, churches, and other institutions in civil society to take concerted action to preserve and protect the rights of all religious people. We object to any form of discrimination and intolerance toward religious minorities, including laws that ban religious clothing and symbols, and statements from public officials that incite intolerance, hatred and violence.”
· “We call for responsible media coverage of religions and condemn the dissemination of stereotypes and untruths about religious minorities.”
The Church and Society team is currently focusing on “Christian nationalism”. While the 2024 Social Principles do not use the specific phrase "Christian nationalism", the Council of Bishops issued a statement denouncing Christian nationalism as a political ideology that "defies God's love" and "fosters centralization and abuse of power". Official teachings state that Christian nationalism contradicts the Wesleyan tradition of "love of neighbor" and a passion for justice.
Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 2:14: “Christ is our peace. With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us.”
Acts 10:34–35: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."
Revelation 7:9: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
United Methodist leaders and scholars cite such scriptures to highlight a biblical vision of an inclusive, multi-ethnic global community over any single nationalist culture.
Prayerfully yours,
Church and Society team
