Greetings Christian Friends of the Crossroads District,
I begin this Annual Conference year with humility and gratitude for being appointed by our Episcopal Leader, Bishop Robert Schnase, to represent him as Superintendent of the Crossroads District to begin a third year. It has been a great privilege to serve the faithful and dynamic pastors and congregations of the Crossroads District for the last two years. I thank you for your patience with me as I am learning more about role of the District Superintendent to represent the Bishop to provide support to clergy and congregations. I especially treasure the dedication and faithful Christian witness of Crossroads congregations in your communities for God’s kingdom. I am thankful also for our wonderful team of District leaders and staff as well who have contributed tremendously to help make our District support possible for these last two years.
This new Christian year also brings transition in pastoral leadership for some of our churches. We say farewell to a number of loyal and gifted clergy who are either retiring or moving on to new appointments or different fields of service. We are thankful for their years of faithful service among us and send them forth with our prayers and best wishes. We welcome several newly appointed gifted and promising pastors who will be leading their congregations into God’s future with hope. We pray for their productivity and success.
You are invited to attend our second annual Koinonia, which is a term which means Christian fellowship and picnic. During this event, we will be able to greet and welcome those being newly appointed to serve in the Crossroads District. Our Koinonia gathering also provides an opportunity to celebrate all clergy as all appointments begin anew this year. Koinonia will be a casual and informal time of greeting one another, there will be activities for the whole family, and some good food and refreshments. Koinonia will be held again at Cathedral Oaks Worship and Retreat Center on Saturday, August 10th from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. We especially hope that pastors, their families, along with Lay leaders can be present. Later in August on the 27th, we will have our first District Professionals meeting where we will discuss plans for our 2019 Annual Charge Conference season.
In the meantime, I pray that the summer months will provide needed opportunities for us to experience renewal and refreshment for our souls to continue our great work in the area of God’s kingdom that we know as the Crossroads District.
Have a wonderful, safe, and fulfilling summer in God’s grace and peace.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Marcus
