Dear Church,

I have become really proud of you. Of course, I really appreciated you stepping out the ways you have over my 4 years here. From taking on Project Transformation to supporting Jenifer Beeks at Orchards Elementary School to Summertime Read & Play you have shown your courage and demonstrated your love for your neighbors. Now we have a cooking class in the works as well as a holiday cooking decorating time for the kids at Orchards Glen. All of this is on top of your ongoing support for the Winter Hospitality Overflow shelter and Friends of the Carpenter. Let me repeat what I have said before. I used to say that Orchards UMC was "small but mighty," now I say you are "small but MIGHTY!". One thing I also said to the Summertime Read & Play team was that I want to stretch you to your capacity. I want to see just how mighty you really are.

With that in mind, there are a few irons in the fire for the foreseeable future.

The appointed leaders of 8 area UMC faith communities have begun meeting to determine how we can be stronger together. This is, in part, why we did Charge Conference differently this year. I suspect that in 2020 there will be opportunities for our congregations to at least explore this idea of a United Methodist "Co-op". What that looks like is "to be determined". But I have liked the camaraderie between pastors so far.

Forces from the larger church will affect us. Namely the Traditional Plan adopted at General Conference 2019 goes into effect January 1. General Conference 2020 will take place in Minneapolis in May. Undoubtedly these events will call for action on our part. Your Church Council has discussed this thoroughly, has surveyed you, has adopted a statement of inclusion and will begin the process of implementing that position of inclusion in the coming year.
I have also been exploring new avenues of ministry. I'm not sure where these will lead us, but just know this is work I am doing on behalf of you in accordance with our Mission and Vision.

I have continued to stay connected with our local PFLAG chapters in support of them. You may remember their visit to us in the spring. As they do their work and as we realize our statement of inclusion, there may opportunities to partner with them.  One opportunity is to host a screening of "Lost in Translations" about how the word "homosexual" became part of the Bible in 1959! This is the film version of the story Kathy Baldock shared at our church last spring.

I have revisited a connection with Lynne Prior Samuel, who is Jennifer Beeks' counterpart at Covington Middle School. Since we've envisioned being in care of the kids from Project Transformation for 2-3 years now, some of those kids have moved on to Covington. And since we lost the Covington breakfast group, there is a gap in our schedule as well as our neighborhood.  Lynne has approached us for possible holiday help for the families in her care as well as a possible 'meaningful movie' night for area middle school and high school kids.

Perhaps as we resume Lunch Buddies at Orchards, we can start a "Breakfast Buddies" program for Covington kids.
We have been invited to the new Neighborhood Association meeting next week. Some of you do similar work in your neighborhoods, this one will keep us informed as to the real happenings in our neighborhood.

I know that I just joked with you that I only work one hour a week. In reality, I try to build and maintain community relationships for meaningful partnerships and fruitful ministry. I believe in you as a congregation. I want our whole community to know you and look to you for meaningful support and a godly presence. Please be in prayer for the seeds planted to grow into something good for our community.