Dear Friends,
We’ve had a busy summer already! We’ve had some great kids classes, a great Middle School Staycation, great produce at the Farmer’s Market, & so much more! There’s some great plans gearing up for next fall as well… Can you believe it’s time to think about that already? It’s been an incredible year of programming & studies & worship together & I’m so grateful to begin our 5th year of ministry together.
Rest and Renewal are an important part to ministry & life together. Both our United Methodist Book of Discipline & the Standing Rules of the Northern Illinois Conference lay out the specifics and parameters of clergy vacation & spiritual renewal. Each clergyperson is granted a week of spiritual renewal per appointed year of ministry. In the years since I have been serving as the pastor of Genoa Faith UMC, I have not taken this opportunity. With the increase of programs & outreach alongside other church responsibilities and the additional Annual Conference responsibilities that I have been assigned, it’s become clear that the time has come to take spiritual renewal. With the blessing & affirmation of our Staff Parish Committee, I’ll be taking August 3-September 2 as spiritual renewal.
When I’ve thought about what I’ll be doing during this spiritual renewal, I’ve asked friends & colleagues what they would do & they’ve offered suggestions like “visit a cabin in the woods” or “Take a long walk through a forest” or “go on a silent retreat”... And while those are great ways to renew… They don’t speak to my soul. My soul is renewed & refreshed by being around people that I love & inspire & challenge me. I’ll be visiting different churches & worship services, breathing different air, trying new things, and listening to the ways that God is speaking. For those that follow me on any of the social media platforms, there may be times when it looks like vacation. Well, spiritual renewal doesn’t always have to be solemn & serious. Play, delight, joy, & wonder are just as important as parts of spiritual renewal. I’ll be visiting Wisconsin, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, & Minnesota.
During this time, you’ll be hearing from our Detroit Mission Team, our fabulous lay speakers, and our District Superintendent Rev. Young Mee Park. Any pastoral care needs will be covered by Pastor Jackie Wills.
I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with you when I return! Our mission will continue to be making the world a better place here & now and for the future.
Blessings,
~Pastor Melissa
