Most of you are probably aware that there is a lot of anxiety around the United Methodist Church these days. Divisions over a whole host of moral, political, and theological issues makes it seem like we, as a denomination, have nothing going for us except disagreements. But, I'm going to tell you a few reasons why I am thankful to be part of this Church today.
As we speak, I'm watching the news from and praying for the people of Texas as they are suffering through Hurricane Harvey. It's one of the worst natural disasters in American history. And before the rain has even stopped, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already mobilizing for recovery. UMCOR is the first on the ground after a disaster, and it's the last relief group to leave, staying long after everyone else has gone home. If you'd like to donate or volunteer, go to umcor.org. 100% of everything you give goes to disaster relief, because overhead is paid through the offerings taken up at United Methodist churches every Sunday.

Today, I also spent several hours at a meeting for a Conference committee that oversees the UM campus ministries across the state. Again, thanks to the support of United Methodists across Mississippi, college students' lives are being changed every day by our Wesley Foundations.

Additionally, I have been in conversations with UM churches around this area of Jackson, and Broadmeadow will be partnering with St. Luke and probably several others to do youth and children's ministries on Wednesday nights.

We are able to do so much to serve God together that we wouldn't be able to do separately. It is a privilige to be a part of this connection. I thank God for what God continues to do with and through us every day.