In this week’s Dear Disciples, General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens invites the church into prayer for the flooding in Kentucky and for her time at Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York in the coming week. She reminds the church to seek rest as a part of who and how God has created us.
“Please know that I carry you with me, knowing that wherever I go I represent the work that we all do together. So thank you for the opportunity, the time away to be at Chautauqua.” – Rev. Terri Hord Owens
Explore the latest update on the flooding in July from Week of Compassion.
Learn more about the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.
Hello Disciples, this is your General Minister and President, Terri Hord Owens. Today I’m continuing to pray and hold in love so many across the life of our church who find themselves in communities devastated by floods. We know the extent of vast flooding in Kentucky and while no Kentucky congregations to our knowledge were directly impacted, we know that many families of those congregational members were and so congregations in Kentucky are seeking to find ways that they can minister to the communities in which they serve across the state.
I would also ask you to just to lift in prayer Kentucky’s governor our own Bear Grass Christian Church member reverend not reverend but governor Andy Beshear. Andy has a huge load and he is one of ours so regardless of your politics let’s pray for this leader as he seeks to serve the state in the midst of all that’s going on continued wildfires and the aftermath of tornadoes everywhere.
A few weeks ago I said that we have to hold on to hope. And those of us who do the work there are so many times when we must burn the candle at both ends and the work and ministry can overtake our lives and rob us of opportunities of rest well.
Next week I’m going to have the opportunity not only for rest but for reflection and ministry as the chaplain for the week at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. Disciples have a denominational house there at Chautauqua so many of you are probably familiar and have enjoyed the respite that that environment affords you—an opportunity to listen to inspiring preachers, an opportunity to engage in thought-provoking lectures, to listen to wonderful concerts, enjoy just the scenery and the relaxation that’s available there.
Rev. Tricia Hersey, I’m a fan of her the nap ministry. When I went on sabbatical one of my watch words was “get lost in the rest.” And so I hope that next week as I head to Chautauqua after I have served in the morning with a sermon for worship, I hope that my husband and I will be able to take in these exciting lectures to listen to beautiful music by the symphony in the evening, to stroll the grounds to engage with new friends and old friends, to meet with Disciples, I pray that you will be prayerful with me as I preach all next week at Chautauqua.
Please know that I carry you with me, knowing that wherever I go I represent the work that we all do together. So thank you for the opportunity, the time away to be at Chautauqua.
I also want to thank you for time away to celebrate my 35th wedding anniversary. Walter and I will celebrate 35 years of marriage on August 15th and I’ll be on vacation this week as we go to one of our happy places so in the midst of all that’s going on don’t forget to latch on and cling to hope don’t forget to continue to celebrate what these disasters say to us is that time is often uncertain and short and so we must hold on to life to love and even rest as often and as fully as we can God bless you and remember that God loves you and so do I.
Offering received Sept. 26 & Oct. 3