We welcome John Kelso to the role of District Lay Leader. We invite you to learn more about John and his family by following this link: https://harbordistrictnc.org/about/.
As I sit here at my home in Southport, two words immediately come to mind. The two words are humbled and excited: humbled to have been asked by our District Superintendent, Tara Lain, to serve as the Harbor District Lay Leader and excited about helping our United Methodist churches achieve even greater accomplishments of Christian discipleship and faith lived out in our churches and in our daily lives.
There is an underlying set of principles that I hope we can all strive to achieve. My hope is that we can all be Lay Leaders that are ALIVE. Our Harbor District churches are viable and dynamic, but we can accomplish so much more. So, I would like all of us as the Lay Leaders in our respective United Methodist churches to think of the ALIVE theme in the following way:
A in ALIVE stands for attitudes that are positive. We choose our attitudes every day. It is easy to be negative and nit-picking rather than positive and upbeat.
L in ALIVE stands for a love that is real and ongoing. We are all part of a Methodist Family where we really show our care and love for each other and our community.
I in ALIVE stands for ideas that are both old and new. There are many great things being done in the Harbor District and I would like all our churches to know about and consider these innovative ideas.
V in ALIVE stands for values that are lived. Someone once said that the more you give the more you live. I hope that all of us can continue to be role models for our family, our church, and our community.
E in ALIVE stands for enthusiasm that is contagious. Let us be enthused when we sing a great Charles Wesley hymn or participate in a mission’s project or take part in the many exciting things that our churches are doing.
If we can capture love, ideas, and values under the umbrella of attitude and enthusiasm we will be carrying out the Great Commission.
Regular communication is a critical part of everything that we do. I look forward to connecting with you. You can reach me at (home) 910-253-6135, (cell) 910-540-0118 or at jkelso608@gmail.com.
I like to maintain a sense of humor so
I will end each message with a church bulletin blooper:
The church is glad to have with us today as our guest minister the Rev. Green who has Mrs. Green with him. After the service we request that all remain in the sanctuary for the Hanging of the Greens.
Peace.
John Kelso