“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:25 NLT
This coming week (June 11-13), Dan Kocher and I will be off to annual conference. This is the yearly gathering of lay delegates from every United Methodist church in Minnesota as well as all the pastors. It will be held in St. Cloud this year.
The first Minnesota annual conference was held over 170 years ago. When it began, Minnesota was not yet a state, and most of the pastors were traveling preachers known as circuit riders. They spread out across the frontier bringing Christ to Native Americans and settlers alike. It was often dangerous and lonely. But once a year they would all meet together to worship, pray, discuss ministry, and support one another.
Without cell phones, or any phones actually, they never knew which of their friends would no longer be with them. Death, disability, and discouragement took its toll. So is it any wonder that the Charles Wesley hymn “And Are We Yet Alive” became the unofficial anthem for these gatherings.
And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face?
Glory and thanks to Jesus give for his almighty grace!
What troubles have we seen, what mighty conflicts past,
fightings without and fears within, since we assembled last.
Yet out of all the Lord has brought us by his love,
and still he doth his help afford and hides our life above.
With cell phones and social media we keep a lot closer tabs on what is going on with each other these days. We no longer gather at annual conference and discover that many of our friends are no longer with us. But still we continue to sing this song and celebrate the grace of God that has allowed us to return to see brothers and sisters again.
I feel a little bit like that each Sunday. I am grateful for God’s protection throughout the week and the opportunity to see each other face to face once again. And I am grateful to be alive.
Have a blessed week,
Pastor Mark