Bishop's Blessings
Trip Start
Feb 07, 2009
1
3
12
Trip End
Feb 21, 2009
Covington,
Georgia,
United States
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
new Bishop in October. Wanting to make a good fresh start, Bishop
Mike Watson is making a point to get around to the entire Conference
(largest UM conference in the world, by the way...with over 970
churches) to get to know everyone and become aware of the needs and
characterisitics of these churches, pastors, parishioners, etc.
The pastors of the ADOX District got a chance to meet him on Dec. 9th
where we had a chance to introduce ourselves and learn more about
him. At the end of the meeting, Rev. Jim Cantrell, our DS, asked
for prayer requests among those present. I asked for prayers for
safe travels for our group going to India. Not thinking much more
of it, we made the journey back to Covington and went on with our
business as usual.
Just one week later I received a most exciting surprise in the
mail. It was a letter from the Bishop's office addressed to
Lindsey Mays and myself. Ripping open the envelope as if it were
a much anticipated Christmas gift, I was please to see the following
letter from the Bishop himself...
"Dear Lindsey and Julie:
I join the congregation of Covington First United Methodist Church and
many others to pray for you and your upcoming trip. You will
experience a culture that is very different and people who are very
needy.
The celebration of the Birth of the Christ Child will be fresh in your
mind. Remember that the people with whom you will minister are
people for whom Christ came to show the way to the Father. Let
the joy of the Lord shine through you, and the love of Christ be seen
in your attitude and your deeds wherever you go -- especially in the
Children's Hospital where you will work."
And he signed it himself. No stamped signature here, folks.
So, that letter has left an impression on me that I will not soon
forget. I found out later that he had a little nudge from a dear
friend to send such a letter, but I was pleased to receive it
nonetheless. So if the Bishop blesses this trip, surely it will
be good.
