June 2008

Pastor’s Page

“But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:5-6

It’s that time of the year again: Annual Conference is here! Actually the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church will meet at Hofstra University, in Hempstead, Long Island. It is our annual gathering to worship and pray, talk about church business and ordain clergy. I look forward to it because I get to see friends who are assigned to other districts. Conference can sometimes be very exhausting; I sometimes feel like I need a long vacation after I get back from the conference.

During the past few days, as I read my pre-conference material, I started to wonder how much my parishioners knew about the New York Annual Conference. The New York Annual Conference (NYAC for short) is composed of 476 churches divided up between 422 charges (West Granby and Copper Hill make up one charge). These charges are further divided up between 6 Districts; the Connecticut District (which we are a part of) has, for example, 79 churches and 74 charges.

We are part of an Episcopal Area with its conference center in White Plains, New York. Our Present Bishop is Jeremiah Park. He provides leadership, and has a very direct impact on local congregations, through the pastoral appointment process. Working with the District Superintendents, he makes sure that every congregation has a pastoral presence. Unlike congregations which operate with a “call” system, the United Methodist appointive process assures congregations that they will never have an empty pulpit. From my perspective the process has evolved into a very sensitive and collaborative system where the conference tries very hard to match the needs of the local church with the appointed pastor.

The New York Annual Conference is also part of a larger “national” organization. Conferences from around the country, and indeed around the world, are connected and work together. This work takes many forms. One of the most visible is UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR quickly moves into action whenever there is a natural, or human triggered, disaster. Donations from local United Methodist congregations go directly to those in need; this is possible because of our connectional system and the apportionments that local congregations faithfully send in every month.

I could go on to talk about missionaries and the work of various committees on the “national” level, but there isn’t enough room in one article. United Methodists are part of a connectional church. When we gather at Hofstra University in June, we celebrate the ministries made possible through that connection. The connection isn’t perfect, but Christ is proclaimed and hearts are transformed because it is there. The work of the United Methodist Church continues: “The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Grace and Peace,

Bob Sorozan

Looking Ahead

Strength for Service Offering at W.G. – June 1, 2008.

Worship Service at Meadowbrook N.H. – June 2, 2008.

Joint Worship Committee Meeting At W.G. (7:00pm) – June 4, 2008.

East Granby Parade – June 7, 2008.

Guitar Recital at W.G. – June 8, 2008.

New York Annual Conference Meeting at Hofstra U. – June 11-14, 2008

Pastor Away – June 15, 2008.

Brownie Meeting at W.G. – June 16, 2008.

Strawberry Supper at W.G. – June 21, 2008.

Peace with Justice Offering – June 22, 2008.

N.C.D. Meeting with Ann Pearson at W.G. – June 24, 2008.

Pastor’s Ice Cream Social and Sing Along – June 25, 2008.