March 10, 2017

Friends,

As another week has passed and the weekend is dawning, for me, it is filled with traveling this Saturday morning to Santa Rosa Beach and Good News United Methodist Church to participate and share in the Service of Celebration of Dr. Chris Perry. Then it is on to the Dothan District where the Cabinet will gather on Sunday evening and spend six days in the second round of appointment making.
 
To the clergy and laity of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, I ask for your prayers for the Perry family. Chris’s death has impacted the whole annual conference and the General United Methodist Church. In talking with many people over the last week and reading many social media posts, it is evident Chris made an impact on many. My heart and prayers are with everyone who is hurting.
 
Furthermore, the Cabinet seeks your prayers for us next week. So much is at stake in the decisions that will be made. It will be my eighth time to sit at the appointment table and the first as Bishop. In my preparation for this overwhelming task, I have been holding onto James 1:5, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and God will give it to you.” Join me in praying for God’s holy wisdom.
 
In the last two days, I have reread the book, The Red Sea Rules, written by Robert Morgan. His book has been a blessing to my ministry for over 15 years. Dr. Morgan uses the Israelites’ story of being by the Red Sea and offers ten sound strategies for moving from fear to faith. Among them are realizing that God will provide the means for wherever you might find yourself, acknowledge your circumstances, but keep your eyes on the Lord. Pray!
 
We live in a world where many challenges are often times grounded in anger, hate, and so many pointed opinions. Life is hard, yet God is still in control. For this, we have great hope for today and tomorrow. Pray and remember, the best is yet to come!

In Christ, 
Bishop David Graves