– Kim R. Smith, Sound District Lay Leader
God is in this season of excitement with us! As I visit your churches, the energy is palpable. I’ve noticed at online events and those community events promoted as being open for people outside of the local churches, folks are curious. They are reaching out for details and to see if hearts who aren’t from there… will actually be welcome there. By the way, that’s the motto on the back of a publication put out by our church with the help of grant funding from the NCCUMC. “Havelock- You don’t have to be FROM here to BELONG here.”
I encourage you to help us share the good news of Jesus Christ and how the Holy Spirit is walking with us right here and now. Enthusiasm is contagious! We can really help each other by not only sharing the events happening at our own churches but also what is happening at UMC churches all around us. Social media can be used for good. We all have friends who live, love, and serve all around the world right now.
Take church outside some this summer! Neighborhood Block Parties, Movie Nights, Cookouts, Ice Cream Socials… you name it! It’s time to start writing our own story again! We are still those churches we have always tried to be… with open doors to all, open minds to challenge and help each other grow in our faith, and open hearts that want to work together to create disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Let’s tell that story by leaving our buildings with the good news.
Just as enthusiasm is contagious, so is negativity. If we are human, we will move between optimism and negativity. However, if we spend this summer intentionally focusing on the MANY things that are going so very right within our church families, hearts who aren’t from “our churches” will start believing they actually might belong there. We could all use some company on our walk with Christ! This world could surely use more hearts walking together full of the Holy Spirit.
If you need help finding ways to share this summer, reach out for help! The conference and the district have people ready and willing to help you share your unique story this season.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
Photo credit: Kim Rice Smith –
Cherry Point UMC Neighborhood Block Party