The Superintendent’s Pilgrimage

posted on August 28

The Superintendent’s Pilgrimage
 
“O taste and see that the Lord is good;
Happy are those who take refuge in him.”
-Psalm 34:8
 
I hope my email finds you all settling into the routine of a new school year, enjoying some cooler air, and reflecting on God’s purposes for you in this next season. My summer was a good one – time with the family, lots of occasions to visit churches and reflect with clergy, and some wonderful preaching opportunities.  As we turn to a new season, our clergy begin to think about Charge Conferences, the nominations process, and budgeting for the coming year. You all will have some important meetings this season, and as always I thank you for your faithfulness and diligence.  As for me, I began to think about the best ways for me to visit your missional networks this year and be in ongoing relationship with the 140 churches we serve in the Northern Piedmont District.
 
You may recall that last year we held fall Network Celebrations, coming together for a worship, reflection, and a reaffirmation of our baptismal covenants. I enjoyed that so much! Thank you for your warm welcome, your preparation, and the food we shared together. As I was thinking about this year, it came to me that it might be good to COME TO YOU, to see you IN ACTION and to be IN ACTION beside you. Instead of you preparing an event for me, let me attend an event you are preparing for your community. I am grateful to Maria King for helping organize my calendar to be with our 13 networks over the coming year.
 
I have already enjoyed one such event, as I spent an evening of July 9 at Camp Guilrock, meeting the laity and youth of the Summerfield area who bless the “336” in mighty ways. As always, it’s great to be with the clergy, but meeting the leaders and their youth truly showed me a beautiful dimension of those churches and their relationship with each other. I experienced their deep friendships, heard stories of the mission project as it evolved over the years, enjoyed good food, and most of all I enjoyed their laughter and joy.
 
I look forward to working alongside you in the coming months, whether it be at a STOP HUNGER NOW event, a conversation on faith-sharing, race, or food accessibility, or whatever it may be that you are doing that I can do alongside you. Jesus did his ministry in this way, and I hope to learn more and more about him and about you as I come into your settings to work beside you.
 
Looking Forward,
 
Rev. Bev Coppley
Northern Piedmont District Superintendent