All Things New DevotionalPreface Grace and peace, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! On behalf of the 250 Task Force, I invite you to use these daily devotions, written by clergy and laity from across the Virginia Conference, for the 40 days leading up to this year’s Annual Conference session in Roanoke. At this year’s Conference, the 250 Task Force will be presenting a proposal, entitled All Things New, which calls for an all-encompassing change in the culture and identity of the Virginia Conference. We believe that nothing short of a complete reordering of our self-understanding and direction is needed to move from being a withering limb of the Body of Christ to becoming the vital and growing Church God calls us to be. The proposal is to move “from a culture of maintenance to a culture of multiplication.” All change is difficult. We invite you to join us in prayer for the 40 days leading up to Annual Conference, that in this and in all things we seek, know, and do God’s will. Our hope is that these daily devotions will be helpful as you seek God’s desire for our Conference. On day 40, June 13, we invite you to the ancient and Wesleyan practice of fasting and abstinence. Fast for a day or for a meal, remembering to drink water. If, for health reasons, you are unable to fast, we invite you to abstain from a particular food or common activity. The purpose of fasting and abstinence is to so interrupt our ordinary routine that we are reminded to use that time and opportunity to pay attention to God. May God’s richest blessing be on you before, during, and after Annual Conference. Yours in Christ, |