*Women of Witness (WOW) – April 28 Gathering
Peace to you,
We have been blessed with such beautiful weather this week. I hope you have had a chance to enjoy this lovely spring season.
For me, this is a “meeting week.” This Wednesday and Thursday, I will be serving as part of the District Committee on the Ordained Ministry (DCOM), helping conduct annual interviews for 14 local pastors in our Katahdin District. It is time- and heart-intensive work, yet it is also deeply meaningful and sacred.
My journey with DCOM began in 2008. I became a declared candidate in 2008, a certified candidate in 2009, a local pastor in 2012, a provisional elder in 2014, and a full elder in 2019. It was a long process. At the time, I often wondered why so many steps were necessary, why so many hoops to go through.
But looking back, I now have deep appreciation for the guidance and labor of love offered by DCOM members. It provided accountability. It served as a safety net. It was, in many ways, an expression of love and care.
This strong tradition goes back to John Wesley’s class meetings. In Wesley’s time, George Whitefield and John Wesley were close friends, both part of the Oxford Holy Club. Whitefield was widely known as a powerful and gifted preacher. People traveled from far and wide to hear him. Yet years later, Whitefield reflected:
“My brother Wesley acted wisely. The souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in class, and thus preserved the fruits of his labor. This I neglected, and my people are a rope of sand.”
Our Methodist Church continues this “connectional” way of life today. We still gather to “watch over one another in love” at every level - through small groups and church conferences in our local churches, through our New England Annual Conference, and even globally through the General Conference.
This Sunday, all nine Methodist churches in our county will gather for a special combined worship service at 10:30 a.m. at Grant Memorial UMC in Presque Isle. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton will be preaching. The service will include a handbell choir, combined choir, worship dance, and Holy Communion. We will also share a meal together.
You are invited to bring a salad or dessert if you are able. If you plan to attend the service or luncheon, please let me know. It will help the hosting church prepare. If you need a ride, I would be glad to help arrange that for you. You can watch the service live here:
Our New Testament Journey continues. This past Sunday, we explored the Book of Hebrews. If you missed it, you can:
- Watch the service: https://youtube.com/live/YoInNf9tN-E?feature=share
- Read the message: https://pastorvictorhan.blogspot.com/
In Christ's Love,
Pastor Victor
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