by Rev. Dan Morley, North District Missional Strategist and Superintendent The season of Advent is a mix of traditions and new possibilities. In an unexpected way, it is the tradition which guides and propels us into a new future. The 2020-2021 Pandemic has brought...

We are deep into Church Conference season. As I travel the circuit and gather with leaders for our annual church meetings, I am able to take close up “snap-shots” of each charge and then see the blessing of a panoramic view from the collection of snaps.

The annual church conference is one part of a larger vision and practice of Methodism. We can approach the annual meeting as simply perfunctory or obligatory. Or, we can instill it with the intended purpose and meaning. Let us choose to spend our time on purpose.

Perhaps you have read The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The story focuses upon a small town and faith community in the midst of a crucible of stress, fear, anxiety, and tension. Though it was set in the later 1600’s, the setting reminds the reader of our contemporary life. When under the pressure and heat of a crucible, one’s values, priorities, and heart are revealed.

I have been enjoying getting out and cycling. It feels good early in the day before the wind and the heat build. But those are the known and expected challenges. What is tough and sometimes overwhelming are the unexpected or unforeseen challenges.

Welcome to the new appointments in the North District! The United Methodist Church engages in the practice of itinerancy. It is a system of deploying clergy across a conference in order to assure each congregation has the needed pastoral leadership.