As we face the reality that in this time of crisis, we cannot continue to do things in the usual way, the Saturday October 10, 2015 Connectional Ministries meeting has been cancel. Trenholm Road UMC, where the meeting was scheduled, has sustained some damage and more importantly, is at the center of an area of Columbia that is continuing to flood due to dam breaches in the Arcadia Lakes area.
In addition, there are critical situations in at least 7 of our districts with potential flooding to continue throughout the week. This is not the time to ask our faithful Connectional Ministries leaders to be on the roads to Columbia.
As we step back and regroup, assess the damage and determine how our disaster response and recovery efforts will impact the work of the annual conference, we will need to think about the best schedule going forward. Those of you who are not in the midst of crisis and recovery are encouraged to think about a way we might go forward and still accomplish our goal of planning for the next quadrennium prior to preparing the budget. Those of you who are in the path of flood waters need to focus on being safe and caring for your loved ones and neighbors.
We all have much to be thankful for even in the midst of the devastation. I am truly thankful to be part of this team of gifted and called individuals. I am thankful for how we will hold one another in prayer in the coming days and weeks. I am thankful for God’s promise of faithfulness to us in the midst of whatever storm we encounter.
Thank you for all you do.
