A Moment for Mission
"I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." —Psalm 121:1-2, NRSV
No matter the outcome of the 2020 General Conference, The United Methodist Church is going to change. We don't yet know how. The only thing we know for certain is that whatever direction the church takes, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's mission will always be vital to making principled Christian leaders for the church, the academy and the world.
There will always be students who need greater access to higher education. There will always be youth answering their calls to ministry. There will always be clergy who need training and support. We're going to continue doing those things, but we are going to be more adaptive in our approach.
We are preparing for a new reality that, among other things, will almost certainly include a reduction in apportionment funding. With that in mind, we have begun a deliberative process to remodel our work. We're taking concrete steps to keep the agency valuable and sustainable into the future.
Dr. Stuart Kauffman, a theoretical biologist and complex-systems researcher, posed what he termed the "Adjacent Possible Theory." This suggests that, at any given moment, there is a space around every person of untapped potential and possibility.
In the year ahead, we will walk boldly into the "adjacent possible." I know our agency's halo of possibility shines brightly, and with the help of our friends and supporters, we have everything we need to build the GBHEM of the future. Thank you!
—Adapted from "Finding a Halo of Possibility," the Rev. Greg Bergquist, General Secretary, GBHEM, Jan. 23, 2020. Used by permission.
Your congregation plays an important role by supporting the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry through the World Service Fund. Thank you!
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, we know that, no matter what happens, you are with us. You are our helper in times of sorrow and in times of joy. Thank you! In your name, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Second Sunday in Lent Generous – God, our guide on the journey: as we continue in worship by offering our gifts in response to your goodness, we can't imagine where we would be without you guiding our path -- sometimes before us; sometimes besides us; sometimes behind us, nudging us in the direction of the work you have for us. As you have watched over and cared for your creation, so we acknowledge in our giving that you are calling us to do the same. We surrender our treasure, knowing our hearts will follow. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. (Psalm 121)
Newsletter Nugget
Proverbs 16:16, NRSV, advises, "How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." Indeed, education is a core value of The United Methodist Church, dating back to 18th-century England. John Wesley considered education essential to a fuller, richer life. He championed greater educational accessibility as a way to ensure that leaders would act ethically and responsibly.
Building on those Wesleyan values, United Methodist-related educational institutions strive to provide quality education, to be vital and vibrant faith communities and to prepare students for lives of committed service.
Globally, The United Methodist Church has hundreds of schools, colleges and universities, including 117 in the United States. Each is unique to the community and region it serves, but all share a commitment to expanding educational accessibility and training new generations of leaders for the world.
Your congregation plays an important role by supporting the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry through the World Service Fund. Thank you!
—Adapted from General Board of Higher Education and Ministry website. Used by permission.