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A Word From Jay
by Rev. Jay Jackson
In just over six weeks, my daughter, Kari, will be married in Fort Worth. Not
only does this mark a significant rite of passage for Kari, but also a special day
for our entire family. These days leading up to Kari’s wedding represent a time
of both expectancy and preparation for all of us.
Last Saturday, more than 60 elected leaders of our church met to prepare for the
upcoming year of ministry at Holy Covenant. Our gathering marked a significant
transition for not only our newly elected leaders, but also our entire church
family. Our training event marked a significant point of transition that is also filled with expectancy as we
prepare for the days ahead.
We concluded 2011 with a season of expectancy and preparation called Advent. This focused us on the
preparation of our lives for the celebration of Christ’s birth and the expectancy of what that means for us
today as followers of Christ.
Now we find ourselves in February, preparing to begin another holy season of expectancy and preparation
as Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22nd. At the same time, our confirmands are in the home
stretch of their confirmation process, a season of preparation and expectancy as they await their full entry
into the Christian Faith through their professions of faith and join the church.
As I write this article, I am in Dallas at LCI 2012, a continuing education event where once again I find
myself filled with expectancy as I prepare to be a better pastoral leader for our ministry at Holy Covenant.
These concepts of preparation and expectancy in all of these instances are inextricably intertwined. They
are connected, in tension with one another. Our expectancy of what is ahead calls us to preparation. Our
preparation leads us to a greater sense of expectancy.
I am excited and filled with expectancy as I look to that which is directly before us. This calls me to
intentional and faithful preparation. I pray that you are feeling the same. This upcoming Lenten season,
we will embark on a church-wide study of the passion of Christ through Adam Hamilton’s book, 24 Hours
That Changed the World. We are using this time to prepare with a sense of expectancy for what God is
calling us to do as part of the continuing story of God’s gracious work as we prepare with expectancy to
celebrate and Encounter the Risen Savior Anew this Easter.
I pray that you will join us in this season of preparation and expectancy. See you at church!
Grace and Peace,
Jay
Branching Out
by Rev. Stephanie Lind
In a few short weeks, we will be making our second trip to Florida City, FL to serve
with Branches United Methodist Church. The ministry that happens through Branches
UMC is more incarnational than I have ever experienced. Not only do they meet
the needs of people with the power of Christ, but they proclaim the power of Christ
while they are meeting the needs. They embody the presence of God on earth. They
feed, tutor, counsel, educate, empower and minister to people of all ages and races in
their community, in the name of Jesus. They do not shy away from who being they are
called to be. When funds are running low, and the energy for leadership is burning
out, the people of Branches call on God to make a way. God always does.
I ask for your prayers for our team that leaves for Florida City on January 13th, 2012. Pray that we are open to be
involved in the good work of God through Branches United Methodist Church. Also, please pray that we come back
inspired to be more active in our own community surrounding Holy Covenant UMC. With God’s help, we will order
our lives after the example of Christ, and begin 2012 unafraid of branching out.
Peace,
Stephanie
Wrapped in Life
by Rev. J. Kabamba Kiboko, Ph.D.
Dear Faithful in Christ,
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 1:2 NRSV)
As you are reading this letter, I am on the road from Harare to Mutare, Zimbabwe, where the African Clergywomen Consultation will be held. The amazing natural beauty of the hills and mountains reflect God’s majesty. I find myself enwrapped by both the natural elements of this land and the divine / spiritual energy that I feel when I am here. This place, where I am enfolded by the divine and the earthly, is a great place in which to live. It is a place of divine joy made manifest in the grandeur of nature.
The more I gaze at these beautiful mountains and hills and feel this divine energy, the more I am filled with this joy. I know as I am writing this that I will be thinking (just as you are reading) about every one of you at the Holy
Covenant United Methodist Church way far in Texas, as well as about every United Methodist clergywoman that I will soon meet in Mutare, Zimbabwe. These thoughts also bring me joy. As I look at the mountains, I am reminded and filled anew with the joy that I experienced on January 16 when the phone rang and it was some of you
expressing excitement about joining in the community garden ministry which I lifted up in the sermon on Sunday, January 15. The glory of God as expressed in this awesome natural setting is also being expressed in our community garden project. I see the deep connections between the spirit of God and the land both in Africa and in Texas. I live every day enfolded by the joy of being in ministry with you and the joy of being in ministry in Africa simultaneously. This is the way of life of the people called United Methodists. We are people living in the midst of the global church, even when we are not traveling physically. Indeed, we travel via our cares and concerns about people all over the world. We travel through our connection throughout the global United Methodist Church. We also travel by our apportionment, as I reminded us in my sermon on Sunday, January 15. In showing you the slides of Africa University, I hoped that you were reminded that you built this university and traveled to its administrators, staff, faculty, and students, through your contributions--paying 100 % of our apportionment! Africa University is such a great place! It is a place where all its members live in divine joy, connected to both nature and the divine in the quest for knowledge. Moreover, it is a global community that overcomes tribal/ethnic and national disagreements and even hatred to come together to improve themselves individually and as an African community in a global setting. This is an experience of new life in Christ! Thanks to the people called United Methodists.
I live enwrapped in this moment in these two joys: 1) your joining with me in the excitement of our community garden ministry locally in Katy, Texas; and 2) the joy of coming to meet with African clergywomen, American lay/clergywomen representatives, American and African bishops, and our agencies at African University, which you helped build. This is God in our midst, enfolding us in his majesty, love, and joy. I hope that you can also feel it where you are!
See you soon! I miss you all!
Kabamba
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