– Rev. David Blackman and Rev. Jon Strother,
District Superintendents
Beacon District Friends,
As I compose this closing column of Driving with David, it’s Thursday of moving week for our Annual Conference. Many pastors across our connection participated in Moving Day on Tuesday, and are now settling into new places and unpacking boxes. Emotions are so mixed during this time, with goodbyes and hellos happening in a matter of hours in many cases. There may have been ups and downs with the moving process, as there are so many variables at work during a move. I trust pastors and congregations have participated well as partners in these moves, extending graceful hospitality in all the ways the Holy Spirit has nudged you to do so.
The Old Testament lesson from Genesis 22 (for this Sunday, July 2), has been working on me this week. This story of Abraham being tested, taking his only son Isaac to a place to be sacrificed. For sure it is a story of Abraham’s faith and obedience, and I have heard sermons and read commentaries about these powerful themes being so prominent in the story. For me this week, the words of verse 14 especially speak loudly, as I journey from Beacon to Gateway. I have taken great comfort in Abraham’s words, “The Lord will provide.” This is the name Abraham gives to the place where he was tested. This is the name Abraham gives to the place where he earlier said in verse 8, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” This is the name Abraham gives to the place where he absolutely loved God above all things.
During our move week, there were so many places where the Lord provided. Matt and his moving team that was over-the-top with their professionalism. Len and Susan who shared radical hospitality with us during our overnight stay before moving into our home. Sarah, our property manager who has responded to a couple of hiccups during our move in. Brian, who shared his mower so we could cut the grass. Through the generosity and support of each of these relationships, the Lord provided what we needed in our transition from one place to a new place. Thanks be to God.
As we embrace the new seasons to come, I thank you all for the ways you poured into Jackie and myself during our two years in the Beacon District. You have blessed us and helped us grow in grace during our time serving alongside you all. Now, as you lean into the future with hope, I pray you will welcome your new District Superintendent, Jon Strother, who is no stranger to the district, having served at Hertford UMC in a previous season of ministry. “The Lord will provide,” and has done so with Jon’s appointment to serve you well.
God bless you and keep you in all the seasons to come.
Blessings, 
David
Friends,
I am so grateful to begin serving with all of you and the congregations of the Beacon District. This marks the beginning of the eleventh year our district has carried that name. I’m so old I remember when it all began. It’s hard for me to believe that 44 years ago I made my first-ever trip to the OBX and for two summers the OBX was home (one in Manteo and the other in KDH) I remember moving on a cold January day in 1994 to Hertford. How cold was it? Well the Perquimans River was completely frozen over. I have family and friends who call our district home. And while I have many people to meet, and places to visit, and lots of friendships to renew, I know the truth: I’m blessed.
Like all of you, I’m pausing to give thanks for my brother and colleague, David Blackman. Time and again over the last couple of months he has extended himself in ways that will benefit us all. Together we say: “Well done, David! The Gateway District is going to be blessed, even as the Beacon District has been. In a previous millennium I served as an associate pastor at Hayes Barton UMC in Raleigh. At the end of my first month on the job the senior pastor transitioned out and a new one came in. The first senior pastor (whose initials are Kermit Braswell) was a fairly tall person and the new one (Tommy Smith) was – shall we say – a bit vertically challenged. He stood in the pulpit on his first Sunday and said: “Some of you have been telling me that I have some mighty big shoes to fill… Well I’ve got news for you: I can put both of my feet into one of Kermit’s shoes!” I kind of know how Tommy felt. My friend David wears Big spiritual shoes. By the grace of God, and with your patience and encouragement, I’ll see if I can get my feet of clay into even one of them.
Still In ONE Peace,
Jon (the Methodist)