sacramental effort

On June 7, news broke that a resolution was adopted by the North Texas Annual Conference . This resolution stated that "members of the NTCUMC will prayerfully and actively work toward a new reality" regarding the United Methodist Church's inability to resolve their disagreement over human sexuality. North Texas has, since 2013, conducted the business and worship of the annual conference in the sanctuary of a church large enough to hold us. This year, Annual Conference occurred at St. Andrews.  The North Texas AC (NTCUMC) is an interesting conference. Geographically, NTCUMC is the smallest Annual Conference in the South Central Jurisdiction but might arguably be the wealthiest with no signs of slowing in growth. It has a very strong nexus of metropolitan churches in the city of Dallas and very many large (some cases "mega") churches in the northern suburbs surrounding Dallas. It is also home one of the fastest growing real estate markets in the nation, w...

Some of us have “only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug.” But God reminds us, “Do not be afraid.” Some of us are a meal away from death because of addiction or depression. But God listens, and can bring life back into us. Some of us are experiencing “illness so severe that there is no breath left.” But God’s Holy Spirit breathes hope and resilience into us. Some of us are losing our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, daughters and sons. But God never leaves us, death is not the end, and we are a resurrection people. The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail. Glory to God, who is larger than addiction, depression, illness, and death. Glory to the Son who has gained victory over death. Glory to the Holy Spirit who transforms life into life  eternal. Amen.