A message from the District Executive
We live in times of great challenge and change that seem overwhelming and discouraging for many. Yet we are not hopelessness or despairing, because we meet these times as a community of faith, blessed by God with heritage, promise and gifts. Remembering
the past, those who came before us, we are inspired by the work of their hands and the witness of their voice. Trusting the future, what God has promised, we are encouraged by even the smallest signs of new life and hope springing up in our midst. And believing in a God who abundantly provides, we begin to discover that the talents, abilities, and resources needed to meet these times, are already within, among and around us.
These Hands…..This Voice…..These Times. This motto comes to us through the blended prayers and creativity of Ken Neher and Janis Pyle. They offered it to me and I offer it to you, Northern Plains District, as our collective motto for the months and years ahead.
In these troubling, challenging, promising, and exciting times, great things are happening in our District and new things are on the horizon. At this year’s District Conference stories were shared of exciting and faithful ministries of Northern Plains District. These include efforts to develop leaders, expand witness, nurture people of all ages, deepen spiritual ties, and extend the church in new ways and places. There are also efforts underway to expand District communications, deepen the District Prayer Ministry, revitalize congregations, heighten intercultural awareness, and call out area ministers. These all aim to strengthen relationships among congregations to develop shared ministries to continue the work of Jesus, with these hands, and this voice, for these times.
This is only possible because of your dedicated work and witness. As I think of all our congregations and pastors, and each person who faithfully serves our District as an Officer or District Board member, or through the many District Committees or Appointments to carry out our work together, I am filled with deep gratitude. For your commitment, dedication and generosity, I offer you my heart-felt THANK YOU!
Prayer of Dedication:
Dear God — The challenges and questions we face in our lives, our congregations, and our world can seem overwhelming. Help each one of us to trust and see that you supply the strength and solutions we need through what is simple, well-known, and available in our lives. These hands that can reach out, welcome, comfort, create, provide and repair. And this voice that can speak with honesty and truth, share stories of life, love, loss and faith, inspire hope, challenge wrong, and offer wisdom and counsel. For these times in which we live, times of change and complexity, times of great human suffering and global problems, times of searching for faith, hope and love, times ripe and ready for the work and witness of your church. To continue the great work of Jesus in your world, O God, we dedicate ourselves and our resources, beginning with… these hands… and this voice… for these times. Amen.
— Tim Button-Harrison, District Executive (nplainscob@gmail.com)