FAITH • UNITY • THANKFULNESS
A message from our pastor
“Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may.” - John Wesley
As I sit to write this message, I write not knowing what the outcome of the election will be. I feel that I can say with almost certainty that regardless of the results of the election, those who have entrenched themselves in their political views will continue to live as though we are a divided nation.
I would suggest that we are only as divided as we allow ourselves to be. As we move forward, accountability and forgiveness need to be a part of our way of life. I believe that as flawed as humans are, most of us have a desire for good and to do good in our world, even if we don’t agree on how that should come about.
The basis for goodness is God’s love. The foundation of our faith is that love made known to the world through the life, example, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, he spoke of the power of faith and love. Jesus healed the sick. Jesus redeemed the flawed. Simply put, Jesus loved. Jesus loved in different ways depending on the needs of those who received it.
It is far past the time for Christians, especially those who live out their faith in the Methodist tradition to seek unity in love, or said more accurately, to seek unity in how we love. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, is quoted as saying the words found at the beginning of this letter. His words are a call to the church, a call to live into our purpose as Children of God - to love one another.
To this end, throughout the month of November, we will seek unity. We will seek wholeness. We will celebrate that which God has given us to celebrate — one another in love. It is my prayer that our nation will experience healing. It is my prayer that our church will experience renewal. It is my hope that the Spirit of God will provide wholeness and holiness to each of us.
- We are meant to be together in love, even with diversity of thought.
- We are called to lift one another to life.
- We are called to lift one another to new life in Christ through acts of love.
As we progress through the month of November, we will seek to experience the healing and wholeness that Jesus offers, and we will respond with acts of thankfulness and love.
I invite you to join me daily in prayer for our nation, our church and one another, seeking unity and the fullness of God’s love for all.
Peace, Pastor Gary
GREECE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | greeceumc.org
