David's Harp
"Sending Forth"
I especially appreciated the “Call to Worship” that was a part of the Service of Sending Forth on the closing day of annual conference.
One: There is a time to pause, to reflect, and to evaluate the past.
All: There is a time to dream, design, and plan for the future.
One: There is a time to worship, to pray, and to give thanks for those who go before us.
All: But there is also a time to set out on the path. The work must be done.
One: Now is that time.
All: Some will go to old fields where the harvest awaits them.
One: Some will go to new places to plant seeds and till the soil.
All: Whether the places are familiar or unfamiliar, the task is vitally important.
One: Our world, our parish, is filled with people who await an encounter with the life and love of Jesus Christ.
Clergy: We go forth as clergy to proclaim the gospel, to order the Church, and to celebrate the Sacraments.
Laity: We go forth as leaders of our congregations to make new disciples, to teach the faith by our actions, and to transform the world in the name of Christ.
All: We go forth as one. We are one in Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to the world.
“Some will go to new places to plant seeds and till the soil.” As we begin a new appointive year July 1, several of our clergy will be serving in new places in our conference.
Scott Moon will be moving from Cape Girardeau: Grace to Maryville: First in the Pony Express District.
Sarah Hamilton will be moving from Advance to Joplin: Byers Avenue in the Southwest District.
Jerry Reynolds, who has been serving at Ellsinore-Grandin, and Almarie Reynolds, who has been serving at Neelyville, as retired pastors will be returning to retirement fulltime.
We give thanks for Scott, Sarah, Jerry and Almarie and their ministries and pray for God’s blessings in their new appointments. Next month we will celebrate new beginnings for pastors and congregations in the Southeast District.
Praying with you and for you,
David D. Norbury
Southeast District Superintendent
