Thanks be to God! The ministries of Bay View UMC are wonderfully blessed by the generous and faithful hearts of this congregation all through the year. Once again, the annual church conference (11.20.16) reflected on a fantastic year of ministry in this place. They acknowledged the hard work of leaders who volunteer their time to bring programming, mission, education and added funds that supplement the operating and apportionment budgets. While we trust that 2016 will end in the black, the group also approved another deficit budget for 2017. Andy and I acknowledged the faithful response to every occasion of need/opportunity and the above and beyond response to the summer season fun-d raisers, as well.
As an urban church, we are committed to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood as well as our church family. This makes for wonderful, exciting ministry that is often unpredictable and chaotic. Our “established”/ “traditional way” of ministry opens us to “moments in ministry” more and more. This focus will be the driver of our discipleship for 2017 – “Methoducks in the Moment” if you will!
The new accountable leadership board structure, ministry teams, and work teams affirmed at church conference for 2017 will continue to focus on the gifts among us that spark and propel ministry forward. I look forward to the blessing of more ideas, short term opportunities, classes and fun as we work together for God’s glory. I also anticipate a rise in the energy the Spirit will bring as we share our stories, our experiences and the new friends we’ll make through our moments in ministry together.
My dear church family, it is my deepest honor and blessing to serve you. My commitment to celebrating our understanding of God’s call upon us here at Bay View UMC is a joy for me every day! I am blessed with the best colleague on the planet, a cohesive and lovely staff with which to work. We ALL come before you, just as we are, and we appreciate your gentleness, your gratitude and your generosity in collaboration as we continue to serve in the year to come.
Thanks be to God for the ministry of Bay View United Methodist Church!
Pastor Kelly