Dear Friends,
Our district is being called to join hands with United Methodists around the world in making our connection something more than a catchphrase. On Monday evening, April 5, and Sunday afternoon, April 11, the clergy of the Raleigh District (active and retired) will be called to join with key lay leadership in seizing a life-changing opportunity. In short, together we will make our connection visible.
These gatherings will enable us to pause and take a closer look at an issue which has existed in our United Methodist family for decades. The time of studying this issue is over. Now is the time to address it with Christ-like compassion.
“The stories are numerous, and the theme is always the same—years of devotion and sacrifice and dedication to the Church, followed by years of hardship during retirement. Approximately 2,000 retired pastors, lay workers and surviving spouses in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe are struggling to survive—growing their own food, relying on their children and even creating products to sell. In areas where living conditions are already difficult, these faithful workers for Christ face economic insecurity when their career in ministry ends—they will have little or no retirement income.”
It is altogether fair to say that a discussion among clergy of the Raleigh District regarding pensions is usually one seasoned with concerns about declining investment portfolios and hopes for upturns in the financial markets. It may be crass, but nonetheless true – pension concerns for those of us living in the minority world are focused on lifestyle not survival.
This is why I am asking all clergy in the district to respond first to this opportunity for extravagant generosity. Across our annual conference clergy are in the process of making pledges toward strengthening the day-to-day lives of those who have served Christ and the Church with self-less dedication. I am asking clergy under appointment to attend one of our two scheduled district gatherings, to make a pledge, which will be combined with pledges of laity across the entire United Methodist connection, and together we will eradicate an avoidable disconnect in the connection.
Clergy under appointment should be accompanied to one of these gatherings by two key leaders from their congregation(s); individuals such as the Lay Leader, Lay Member to Annual Conference, Mission/Outreach Chair, or Stewardship Chair. Please come to one of these gatherings together. We will see and hear some of the stories which put faces on the issue, learning how congregations can embrace this opportunity and embody connection.
Materials for promotion will be available at our gatherings and churches will be encouraged to explore a variety of potential ways to respond on a broader scale. Local congregations will present their pledges at the 2010 Annual Conference in Greenville, as Lay Members will present them on their behalf.
On April 12, I will present my pledge, along with the combined pledges of clergy across the district in Phase One of our focus. These pledges will be received by the Annual Conference and will be administered by the General Church. These gifts of faith are confidential and will change the lives of brothers and sisters who are not strangers, just fellow pilgrims we have not had the privilege of meeting.
Our gatherings are as follows:
Monday, April 5 Louisburg UMC 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Sunday, April 11 Hayes Barton UMC 3:00 to 4:30 pm
“…there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
– I Corinthians 12:25-27 NIV
In Christ,
Jon E. Strother
