105 Franklin St, South Hill, Virginia
434-447-4761
office@southhillumc.org

Summer is Here

South Hill United Methodist Church

Summer is Here

Easter is over, school is out, and summer is here.  Now what?

As we take time this summer for family, vacations, and relaxation, let us not forget that the work of the church in our community continues. The mission arm through the Upper Room keeps going. The weekly Sunday School and worship times march onward, like clockwork. Behind the scenes, we are in the midst of planning summer experiences, fall kickoffs, and structure changes.

Wait, did the pastor just mention structure changes? Yes, I did. We are in the process of setting up teams of people to attend to specific ministries and church functions. By doing this, important work does not fall on one person and more people can be involved in the rewarding work of participating in God’s work here and now. Teams also allow us to respond faster as the membership changes. We need everyone’s help in accomplishing this shift. If you have a skill or hobby you enjoy, let me know so that we can find a way to utilize your passions in the work of the church. When we all use what God gave each of us together, we are stronger and more able to reach the world around us.

The work we have done, are doing, and will be doing is so exciting! So much is happening, and we are changing to address the changing world around us. This work of being nimble is difficult for established organizations, and we’ve been in South Hill 225 years. I believe we are up to the task. In the short time I have been here, I am consistently encouraged by positive motion and hearts passionate about ministry.

In the midst of all the positive, I know there is anxiety around a variety of discussions happening within the United Methodist Church, not the least of which is around human sexuality. The problem with most of the speculation is that it is fruitless and distracting. The Commission on the Way Forward is the body currently undertaking the guiding role and they need prayer to continue and complete their work. We need to support them in this way, and I believe, live into whatever they discern as our direction. While we wait for decisions, we need to continue working God’s work here, because what we do together is important. If we seriously let God guide us looking at who we are, what we are about, and what the community around us needs, then God will bless what we do in his name. I can’t wait to see what God is bringing us.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Brian

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