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Dear Siblings in Christ,
Last week, bishops and UMC leaders from around the world met in Calgary to plan for the future of the denomination. While none of us attended, we can see from the photos and reports coming out of Calgary there were many holy moments of worship, prayer, listening, and conferencing. During part of the gathering, participants divided into 16 covenant groups to set clear directions for the work of leading forward. Each group considered how to fulfill the vision statement that we are exploring this month in our worship series, which calls us to Love Boldly, Lead Courageously, and Serve Joyfully. I think the recommendations from each group are helpful for us to review and understand, so I’m listing them below. One observer described the common thread as: moving from institutional preservation toward shared leadership, equitable resources, younger generations, and meaningful transformation in the world. As we consider how some of these recommendations may be relevant at the local level, I hope we keep in mind that greater shift away from preservation toward transformation.
 

Group Topic Recommendation
1A Discipleship Reclaim Wesleyan discipleship through relationships, evangelism, and service rather than membership growth.
1B Younger Generations Invest in younger generations through relationships, leadership opportunities, and intergenerational mentoring.
1C Connection Create immersive, cross-cultural, accessible experiences that build relationships and deepen discipleship.
2A Innovation Pilot innovative ministries in every region, focusing on youth, bivocational ministry, and new leadership models.
2B Equitable Leadership Redistribute resources and develop equitable leadership through mentorship and empowerment.
2C Global Mission Recommit to serving the world through global relationships, shared resources, and leadership formation.
3A Decolonization Confront colonialism by relinquishing institutional structures and assets to create ministry alongside communities.
3B Youth and Globe Crises Establish 10 locally rooted circles per region to engage young people in confronting global crises through spiritual practice, action, and repair.
3C Lay Leadership Equip and empower lay people to lead evangelism, discipleship, and ministry.
4A Mission over Maintenance Prioritize creative collaboration and mission over institutional maintenance and survival.
4B Resource Redistribution Repent of misallocated resources and redirect funding toward younger generations and marginalized communities.
4C Structural Reform Continually reimagine church structures and resources to better serve God’s mission.
5A Baptismal Commitments Reclaim baptismal vows to resist injustice and oppression through leadership development and global connection.
5B Children and Youth Invest significant resources, spaces, and opportunities in children and youth under age 18.
5C Resisting Oppression Establish a monthly worldwide prayer of confession confronting authoritarianism, racism, and the attitudes that sustain oppression.
Virtual Urban and Rural Ministry Connect rural and urban congregations, plant new ministries, develop young leaders, and ensure disability inclusion.

 
As always, I welcome conversation about how some of this may be relevant in our mission and ministry areas. More details here.
May we proceed faithfully by God’s grace,  Pastor Laura