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Seeking a more excellent way together

By Bishop L. Jonathan Holston

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. … Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work powerful deeds? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.”—1 Corinthians 12:12;27-31 NRSV

Twelve years together. Twelve years of shared ministry and mission. Twelve years of dreaming God-sized visions. Twelve years of seeking a more excellent way. Together.

And oh, what a time we have had! From Taylors to Tatum and from Sumter to Socastee. The times we have spent praising God, worshipping and rolling up our sleeves to engage in mission for the benefit of our neighbors. Always together. Focused not on our pleasure, but on God’s purpose for our lives.

These years have not been without challenges, yet even as we faced obstacles, we did so together. Engaging in difficult conversations and shedding tears. Offering farewells, navigating change and all the while, seeking a more excellent way. We’ve done it all, together! And through it all, we have exemplified our shared commitment to faith in Jesus Christ.

Now we look ahead to a new chapter, a new season in the life of The United Methodist Church in South Carolina. And we walk by faith into the future, as we seek to be who God is calling us to be.

Felecia and I have been honored, privileged and blessed to have served as your episcopal family. Please know that it has not been because of our worthiness of gifts, merits or talent but only from the marvelous gift of God’s amazing grace as we sought to be the people God needed us to be … together.

I am grateful beyond adequate expression for the privilege and blessing it has been to accompany the clergy, lay leadership and congregations of South Carolina in our shared mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. You have been faithful in seeking a more excellent way of becoming who God needs us to be. Likewise, I cannot be more pleased to hand-off the Episcopal leadership mantel of the South Carolina Conference to Bishop Leonard and Mrs. Dawn Fairley as the newly assigned episcopal family.

Bishop Fairley and his wife, Dawn, have served the Kentucky and Central Appalachia Conferences for the past eight years and are excited to serve the people called United Methodist in South Carolina.

Now, remember that we are God’s people, a community of believers who serve a mighty God, who has plans for us; plans to prosper us and not harm us; plans to give us hope and a future.

We are Christians who know that the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds.

As United Methodists, we know that we are connected through the love, grace and saving power of Jesus Christ.

Let’s continue to dream God-sized dreams and visions as we move forward together in faith.

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