From: Sherri Martin <smartin@lmcchurches.org>
Date: Wed, May 20, 2020 at 10:34 AM
Subject: A Word To The Churches
To:
Cc: Brinton <brutherford@lmcchurches.org>, Conrad Kanagy <ckanagy@lmcchurches.org>, Dale Stoltzfus <dstoltzfus@lmcchurches.org>, Felixa Valladares de Kunkle <fvdekunkle@lmcchurches.org>, Keith Weaver <kweaver@lmcchurches.org>, Marcia Mylin <mmylin@lmcchurches.org>, Mindi Hoover <mhoover@lmcchurches.org>, Sherri Martin <smartin@lmcchurches.org>, Tom Eshleman <tome@groffdale.com>, William Higgins <whiggins@lmcchurches.org>
Dear colleagues in ministry!
Last week, in a (virtual) meeting of the LMC Conference Executive Council (CEC), we discussed the challenging dynamics pastors are facing around questions about how and when to resume gathered worship services. In the course of our conversation, we agreed that there are more pressing questions, like "What is the Lord teaching us in this experience?" and "What is the Lord saying to us about how to be the church going forward?"
The CEC commissioned a smaller group to prayerfully discern what word the Lord has for our fellowship of congregations. Yesterday, we reached a shared sense of discernment and asked Bishop Stephen Weaver, Assistant Moderator, to share a word with you in the attached video link: A Word To Church
Please prayerfully consider this as a word from the Lord for the LMC family of churches. I urge you to find ways to share this with your congregation so we can all learn together the new things God is inviting us to experience. The circumstance surrounding COVID-19, as painful as they are, may be the best opportunity this generation will have to re-think what it means to be Kingdom people serving our Lord Jesus Christ in His mission to redeem and renew all things.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5.13-16
Finally, Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 21)
In His Grace,
L. Keith Weaver
LMC Moderator
717-293-5246 ext. 101
