Pastor's Letter to Church Conference
Southport United Methodist Church, Indianapolis
Rev. R. Duane Thompson
December 2, 2020
I don't think I have ever been more motivated to be the pastor of a church, And I don't think there has been more promise and potential for Southport United Methodist Church, and more excitement for the future, than there is right now.
This may sound a bit strange considering all that is happening. A continuing global pandemic. Economic uncertainty. Racial tension, Issues facing the United Methodist denomination in the coming year. The days ahead look daunting, extraordinary, difficult. There has really never been a time quite like this.
But part of what this means is that there has never been a time when the world needs Jesus Christ more than now. The world has never needed the Church more. It has never needed you and me more.
I feel that the congregation of Southport United Methodist Church is seeking God's direction to move into the future with confidence, and we are positioning ourselves to offer grace and hope to everyone we can in our community and beyond.
The Coronavirus has forced us to make changes in the way we do worship and other forms of ministry. But the technological advances we have made will last long after the pandemic is behind us. Online worship, weekly live inspirational messages, and pastoral emails to the congregation, will continue, and who knows what further developments through technology will come. In person worship, albeit with much smaller attendance, and suspended now once again for an indefinite period, has remained vibrant and relevant.
The personal notes, letters and emails from church members, staff and pastors to each other, have picked up in recent months, and helped us all stay connected, and will continue.
Not every small group, Bible study and class has been able to meet during this time, but most have, either by ZOOM or in the homes of church members. Our youth group has remained strong and continued meeting with a combination of online and offsite but in person gatherings. We look forward to the time when our church groups of every kind will be able to meet once again in person in the church building as soon as it is safe and feasible.
Ministry to those in need in our community has changed during the pandemic, but we have tried to help in every way we can, sometimes with hands-on and in person efforts, but mostly with cash donations to organizations that provide direct assistance of food and housing to people. We have even started a new ministry, Feed-a-Need (or FAN, as in fan the flame) to provide meals to a small homeless camp near the church.
Allyson Ball and April Patterson have held Imagination Station together beautifully, with flexibility and determination and yes, imagination, through circumstances that change weekly, sometimes
All of this is possible because the membership of our church has remained faithful and supportive and engaged. The financial vitality of the church has been strong during 2020, surprisingly so, given the uncertainty and difficulty that this year has presented.
"For I know the plans I have for you," the Lord God says to the people through the prophet Jeremiah, thousands of years ago, "plans to give you a future with hope." I feel God speaking directly to us today through these words,
When I think about my 17 months so far as the Senior Minister here, just about half of that time, and counting, has been during the Coronavirus pandemic, extraordinary times for sure. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I feel confident, because of the foundation laid over a 171-year history, and the foundation put down even this year, that our best days are ahead as we listen to God and follow his direction.
It is my pleasure to work with a talented and adaptable team of professionals on staff:
Doug Shinkle Associate Pastor
Kathv McCaulev Executive Assistant
Brandon Collins Financial Officer
Allyson Ball Director of Children's Ministry
April Patterson Administrative Assistant
Meqhan Bartsch Music Ministry Leader
Mike Petrow Director of Audio/Visual
Lesa Bellin Student Ministry Director
Makayla Culp Administrative Assistant
Rhys Weber Grounds and Maintenance
Glenda Williams Director of Serve
And with each of you!
