Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, breathed upon the frightened and amazed disciples, and said, "Peace be with you."  This is a great gift to us, to the church.  Living peacefully together is our opportunity and our challenge.  Our churches, through A2 assessments, listed conflict as one of the greatest challenges to healthy congregational life and evangelism and mission.

Jesus Christ, alive in the midst of the disciples, said, "I send you." We are apostles of God's good news to all people.  Living powerfully outward into the world is our destiny in Christ.  As God's Easter people, we trust God's victory as we face outward in joy with open arms to all the world.

This first week of Easter, on Friday and Saturday, two opportunities are offered in the spirit of Easter joy and victory.

On Friday, April 9, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., laity and clergy are invited to a day of dialogue toward unity. Please register by Wednesday by contacting Donna White at donna@mississippi-umc.org so that we might anticipate an accurate count for a light snack at midday. The purpose of the gathering is to engage in dialogue so that we might relate to each other and the entire community of United Methodist people with faithfulness and integrity, honoring the mission of the UMC in spite of our differences.

On Saturday, April 10,  9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., laity and clergy are invited to Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, led by Bishop Robert Schnase. Bishop Schnase's writing and teaching have led congregations around the world to fruitfulness in ministry through radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant generosity.  He is an engaging teacher, and you will be blessed. Your registration on the conference web site, www.mississippi-umc.org, will be helpful for those hosting.  Fill your church bus or car for this exciting opportunity!

Both of these gatherings will be hosted by Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson.

I look forward to being with many of you later this week.

With gratitude for Christ's life in us, giving unity and sending us forth into the world,
Hope Morgan Ward