Atlantic District Publications

Letters from the President - The Quick Tour

January 30, 2009 at 1:28 PM

Epiphany provides a quick tour through Jesus’ public ministry, doesn’t it? From his baptism to his transfiguration, we traverse three years in six or seven Sundays.  Healing, teaching, rescuing, resurrecting, arbitrating – Jesus is on the go and working the works of the Father who sent him.

Meanwhile, we’re stuck in January and February, slugging it out until at the very least the President’s week break, but really right on through the end of winter. And we’d love to catch the excitement of His life and work even in the humdrum of getting from here to there in New York State.

Jesus is with us for the long haul, dear brothers and sisters.Jesus is in no rush, no matter the leading of the lectionary. One of the realities in dealing with the process of grief is to realize that even though some of the mourners less connected to the loved one move on pretty quickly, those most intimately part of that person’s life may have months and months of working through their loss. Jesus is good for the whole journey. The quick tour reveals that his love in the specific circumstances of the daily grind is just a glimpse of the love that never ends that is his definition and destiny.

As I travel around the Atlantic District, there’s much to be so thankful for in terms of vibrant witness to the Gospel. Our churches, our schools, our pastors and teachers, our deacons and parish leaders, our missionaries and our institutions of human care are chugging away, day in and day out. Like energizer bunnies, we keep thumping down the path – wow!

Yet we need daily restoration and renewal, don’t we – maybe especially in these short winter days and long months. And the stories of our Lord are there in Epiphany to provide hope, light, life and a realization from deep within that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Carry that truth with you on a daily basis this February!