After much prayerful discernment, I resign as Conference Minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference effective May 31, 2021. When I accepted God’s call to serve you in 2015, I sensed your deep yearning for vision to fully live into who God was calling you to be as the United Church of Christ in Arkansas, Memphis, and Missouri. Together, we developed our Unifying Call, where we strengthened relationships, created new ministries, and reimagined who we are together for such a time as this. God’s vision for the Missouri Mid-South Conference enabled a foundation of vibrant ministries, efficient and gifted staff, and abundant financial health to be lived and expressed in our churches and ministry settings throughout Arkansas, Memphis, and Missouri. Thank you.
The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic demanded that God’s vision be realized virtually in all of our churches and ministers. Immediately, God’s vision to support and empower one another was expressed in suggested guidelines, clergy gatherings and a wellness retreat, church leadership webinars, worship resources, and financial microgrants. After the murders of Mr. Floyd, Ms. Taylor and so many other Black siblings, God’s love and mercy to dismantle white supremacy was embodied through book studies, a prayer vigil, pastoral care to Black clergy, and the development of a Racial Equity task force. My friends, never have I felt more energized and called in my vocational ministry than 2020-2021. Thank you.
To this end, I believe the ministry I was called to lead with you, the Missouri Mid-South Conference, has been completed. We have accomplished the work of discerning God’s vision to support and empower one another. I am grateful for your love, support, questions, and always prayer in every moment of our five-year ministry together. Thank you.
As Paul so often said at the beginning of his letters to many churches, I share at the conclusion of my letter to you – I thank my God every time I think of you and will hold you in my spirit always.
Blessings,
