Grateful to God
Today, I am going to start my writing with an acknowledgment of just how blessed I am! Sure, I have worked hard (like all of us) to get to where I am, but without God's Grace (which is God's unmerited favor) I would not have anything! God's free gifts of grace, mercy and salvation flow freely through me (and you) only because of God's great love for us which was displayed on a Cross at Calvary! Thank you, God!
Being grateful is one of the most powerful ways of deepening our relationship with Christ. I have been making a conscious effort lately to express my gratitude to God (and to my fellow human beings) every day. And boy, does it make a huge difference in my attitude, my relationships with others and my relationship with God! So, I thought maybe today, I would tell you about something for which I am truly grateful that is coming up in my life.
While I was away on vacation recently (and not answering emails, phone calls or text messages) I received one call that I had to answer. It was a call inviting me to take part in a Civil Rights Pilgrimage, hosted by the Florida Conference Institute of Preaching. It was quite an honor to be asked and I accepted immediately! I will be joining other clergy people from September 20th-26th in Birmingham Alabama, Montgomery Alabama, Selma Alabama and Atlanta Georgia, to walk the path of the Civil Rights Movement and learn from those who continue the work today.
This is a blessing in many ways.
- This trip is funded by a UMC grant (the Lily grant) and all I have to pay is my flight and a $150 registration fee. Everything else is included!
- The work of the Beloved Community is so very near and dear to my heart that I feel like this is a special opportunity, hand picked by God for me!
- My status as a fully ordained elder in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church not only offers me the opportunity to take part in these amazing programs (last year I went on the Wesley pilgrimage to England), but also the time away from the church to take part in these educational and growth programs.
You may not know this, but all ordained elders (that's what I am), in addition to four weeks vacation time, are given at least one week of professional development and continuing education time as well as connectional time to serve on various boards, agencies, committees and task forces of the Annual Conference and the District. These involvements are not to be considered vacation or continuing education time (thank goodness, since I have to sometimes drive to Miami or Lakeland to fulfill my commitments as the chair of various teams in the District or attend required meetings or retreats called by the Bishop!)
All this is to say that I am so grateful, not only for the opportunities to learn and to grow that are offered to me by the UMC, but also the time away from the church to take part in these growth and service opportunities. The best part is that I am then able to bring back my experiences to share with you!
I can't wait to bring you whatever God puts on my heart during my Civil Rights Pilgrimage!
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever.
- Ps. 118:29
With humble gratitude…
Pastor Madeline
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