He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. Mark 6:1
Friends,
“Welcome to the area,” our new neighbors greeted us upon our arrival to our home in Camden. After packing two U-Haul trucks full of our belongings a few weeks ago, we traveled through a significant rainstorm as we journeyed to the Beacon District. How good it was to arrive safely after some white-knuckle driving along the highways, and how thankful Jackie and myself were to have both of our sons, Jacob and Joshua, home from their colleges, with their younger backs to help us pack and unload the trucks. Leaving the parsonage in Fayetteville that had been home for the past eight years, we now call the Beacon District home.
In chapter six of Mark’s gospel, Jesus has come home. He had been busy freeing a man who was demon-possessed. He realized someone had touched him as he was among the crowds, and offered words of blessing to the woman who had sought him out, saying to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Then he turned his attention to another daughter, this time of Jairus, healing her as well. Jesus had been a busy man. Now he had come home.
Many of us have endured a transition to new homes this past week. Many of us have shared radical hospitality and expressions of welcome with those new pastors and their families who are now in our communities. Many of us are celebrating a continuation of the partnerships we share between clergy and churches. All of us share praise and thanksgiving as disciples of Jesus Christ, as we continue the journey of faith.
As we lean into this season after Pentecost, I pray we will continue to grow in grace, seeking ways of deepening our relationship with God and with one another. This is a day of new beginnings for many of us, time to remember and move on. Thanks be to God for the faithful and holy work Rev. Gil Wise has shared with our Beacon District for the past eight years, and the incredible witness he has been for all of us. I am so thankful for the insights and wisdom he has shared with me over the past month, helping in my transition to become your District Superintendent. I look forward to the ministry opportunities before us and supporting the efforts of our district as we make disciples for Jesus Christ, trusting that Jesus is with us always.
As I begin to journey with you all, I look forward to experiencing the sights and sounds and sacred spaces that will come into my view as I travel the roads that will lead to your churches and communities.
It’s good to be home in the Beacon District.
David
If you would like to view past editions of Driving with David, follow this link: https://beacondistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/