Dear Friends in Christ,

     What a wonderful privilege I count it that Linda and I have the opportunity to begin a fourth year among the people of Rehobeth United Methodist Church! It hardly seems possible that three years have already flown by. It has been said "Time flies when you're having fun," and I'll say without reservation, it has been a joyful experience for us to be here with you. Thank you for all your encouragement, your prayers, support, and vision.

     This past weekend we celebrated Memorial Day, and together we remembered those fallen men and women who have given the "last full measure of devotion" to serving their country in the armed forces. Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, and White -- citizens, and not citizens -- all believed in a country that in the midst of its diversity continues to find common cause in its dream of freedom and justice for all. I reached in my pocket and took out a handful of change. On a quarter, just above the eagle's head we find the words "E Pluribus Unum," which means "from many we are one." That unity is critical to our being a strong country, and sadly, there are deep divisions in our nation presently, magnified by what we see happening in Congress day to day. The divisiveness and bitter contention we often see there weakens the nation.

     In much the same way this motto would fit the church as well. "From many we are one." Paul writes about that in his letters to the church in Corinth:

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so it is with Christ . . . If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

From I Corinthians 12:12-26

     Annual Conference will be held in a few short weeks, where from across the Western North Carolina Conference representatives of our almost 300,000 members will come together for what Bishop Goodpaster calls "Holy Conferencing." It can happen only when the delegates open themselves to the indwelling presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in their deliberations together. So pray for our Bishop, our delegates, and for the unity of our church that this annual conference will bear a powerful witness to our oneness in the love of Christ Jesus our Lord.

     I pray that God will continue to bless you and your loved ones with Grace and Peace.

Yours in the Love of Christ and the Church,

Bob

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