REPORT OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT 2009
Stillwater District United Methodist Church
Dr. Bertha M. Potts
Theme: “CANDLE
IN THE WINDOW”
A DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT’S THOUGHTS
Bertha M. Potts
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In John 14:12 we find these words of Jesus, “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Do you believe this; that we will do greater works than Jesus? I believe with all my heart that if we do believe it we will find the strength and courage to transform the world with the spirit of Christ, starting right here in our Stillwater District.
Despite the disconcerting changes taking place in our culture, the fear we might have concerning the unknowns of the economy, world peace and global warming, the diversity of thought and overload of information in our culture, we can remain hopeful and optimistic.
Sure, many of our church buildings need updates, more parking, and media capabilities even in our smallest of congregations. We need more financial support for our campus ministry setting at Oklahoma State University as our Wesley Foundation ministry is bursting at the seams. Three years ago we were serving around 35 to 50 students at our Tuesday meals. Folks from our churches could easily take turns preparing for such a meal. Now we serve 250 to 300 students on Tuesday. The way the meals are prepared have changed considerably and just like when churches become “large” new systems have had to be developed, all with a very small budget. Yet think what an exciting challenge for all of us. When our conference goal is to reach younger and more diverse populations we can do just that at OSU!
Knowing the possibilities before us, our district leaders have affirmed these principles as the foundation for our ministry in this district.
- Shared Ministry, especially utilizing laity in Certified Lay Ministry is an effective means for transformation.
- Christians can do more together than apart, thus our District clusters are essential.
- Excellent communication is vital; more efforts need to be made with media and internet.
- Children/youth are a major focus of our mission.
- Great ministries are happening throughout our district and need to be shared.
- Our town and country churches and settings are ripe for new growth and mission.
- More ministries relating to Drug/Alcohol, Marriage Enrichment, and Divorce Recovery are needed.
- District resources are to be used for revitalization and mission immediately in areas ready for transformation.
- The Creation of a Ministry Academy can develop lay and clergy leadership skills necessary for transformational ministries.
- The Relationships of our people are essential to healthy congregations so training with Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee require extraordinary efforts by the members, pastors and district superintendents.
Quote |
Alone
we can do so little; together we can do so
much.
~
Helen Keller |
Therefore our District Council and our District Board of Church Location and Building have determined to work on the following ministries for the next several months.
The 10-100 Club, our long time district ministry for helping churches financially, will be entering a new phase to raise funds and grants will continue to be issued to congregations as fast as the money allows for it.
Grants are being offered from $500 to $1000. Memberships will be asked for each year at $20.00 per person.
The District Council has voted to set a goal of 125 youth to attend district camp in 2010 and a goal of 165 in 2011.
A major theme for our district will be Health and Wellness during 2010. Our district will lead walks throughout the districts with a goal of walking 100,000 miles to raise $10,000 for our 10-100 Club. Walkers are to be children, youth and adults. Each walk to be sponsored by 10 cents per mile; individuals can raise funds by developing the discipline of walking and can sponsor themselves.
The District will develop a Children’s Ministry Council in the year 2010 to continue the work that has begun with Living Well Kids.
Our District Youth Ministry will be reinforced in 2010 by continuing the effort to do Random Acts of Kindness. T-shirts will be sold to help raise funds for these ministries.
And finally our District Conferences and Leaders Workshops are understood as “rallies” for our people to come and be inspired and share ministries. This year we will have a major focus with our new friends from Costa Rica at our Leader’s Workshop.
Our District Conference is set for November 15, 2009 at Stillwater First UMC, beginning at 3 pm.
Our Local Leaders’ Workshop is set for February 6, 2010 at Stillwater First.
The pastor of the church we served through our international VIM mission to Costa Rica will be with us along with his family at our leadership workshop. We will be recruiting for another mission to Belen. Details will be announced soon.
And there is a major effort to ready our district to help update churches, serve the needs of people facing crisis in our district and beyond. Therefore, there will be chain saw training at our Local Leader’s Workshop in February. We are ready to get our carpenters and those with other labor skills prepared to help with all the variety of needs in our district.
We are looking for people who can help with parking lots, updating restrooms, landscaping, painting, etc.
You see the list just goes on and on… it is a great new day and if we work together we can make this beautiful world even better.
I think Jesus would want us to believe that life can be better, that all people can be valued and most of all that the power of resurrection is all around us…if we choose to believe it is present!
Remember, “If we believe it, we will see it!”
Many blessings,
Bert
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