Dear Harbor Friends,
Grace and peace to you. I give thanks to God for each of you.
This week I have spent time in reflection on our identity here in Harbor. We look different as a district these days. And while we might credit conflict with bringing us to this place, I see light shining in the midst of us and our future!
We are smaller in number of churches and overall number of members. Yes, we have fewer people; and the people who remain are excited to BeUMC! The folks who remain have made an intentional choice of United Methodism and are all in to live into our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Clergy are reporting small but steady growth, adding to our numbers, as well as joy in being reunited in our congregations: a reunification in making our mission primary, leaving conflict behind, and delighting in the joy of ‘being the church!’
Geographically, we have a desert within our district boundaries. Many of our remaining churches are in the south, along the coast, and within Brunswick and New Hanover counties. We have churches in Columbus, Pender, Sampson, Bladen, and Duplin – small in number, yet mighty in spirit. Thanks to all the clergy who are equipping your congregations into living into this new reality! We have rural churches welcoming in members from surrounding areas. You all, our remaining church members, are highly dedicated to ministry that reaches out to the community, nurturing members, and seeking to welcome all to a relationship with Christ. Thank you for your dedication to servant leadership!
We are seeing unity, energy, and renewed connection across our churches, and for this, I give thanks to God. I am grateful for all of you, clergy and laity, who have shared your gifts to bring congregations together, to highlight mission over conflict, to keep the main thing the main thing.
What if we shared more of what we are doing with one another? What if we get together on the missional needs of our communities? What if we utilize our connectional ministry to help one another serve in the best possible ways?! We want to make sure our schools are supported – can we support teachers and students together? Maybe your congregation needs assistance in making sure all families have access to fresh vegetables – is there a partnership that could help?
My thought is that we can help one another when we know more about one another. I will ask clergy to begin to add to a list of how each congregation works within the community, their best practices for mission and ministry, so that we might create a master list for the district. As a smaller district of 44 congregations, let’s lean into our giftedness and connection as a source of unity and strength. Let’s lift up and resource one another well as we seek to live our communities in a Christ-like way. I’ll share more with our clergy at our district meeting this week! Keep connecting and praying for one another!
Peace, 
Tara