Dear Friends in Ministry,

I am delighted to join you effective July 1 as your new District Superintendent. The mission and ministry of the Elgin District is diverse in both urban and rural congregations, both large and small. As I travel about the District, my map is highlighted from the lakefront, to the Wisconsin border, to O'Hare Airport, and west to Route 23. As I study the district and visit with the clergy leadership, I am excited to find 73 churches including two federated congregations, three Hispanic congregations and seven Korean United Methodist Churches. We range in size from 15 to 1,400. It is indeed an exciting time as we look to increase our mission, ministry and membership for "Harvest 2020!"

I look to visit with each church over the course of the next several months as we begin our annual Church Conferences. As a young pastor, I remember those memorable conferences of reports, refreshments and fellowship as the congregations waited with anticipation the moment of celebration of their ministry and mission efforts over the past year. I come to you with that same fresh anticipation! Let us celebrate together!

In Christ's Service,

Rev. Oscar N. Carrasco