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Dear friends in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in this joyful season of Advent.
This is the season of God's great gift to us in Jesus Christ. God decides in love to take up residence among us, to live with us in order to draw us back to God. Christmas is the celebration of God's great love and generosity.
God's goodness to us evokes our very best efforts in Christ's ministry. I am grateful for all the ways in which you -- laity and clergy -- are leading your churches in faithfulness and mission.
As the year ends, let us all make every effort for full support of mission shares and clergy pension benefits. Our offerings are essential as we undergird the ministries to which we are committed in our communities and through the annual conference.
I am confident that we will finish the year in strength. This will take the effort of every one of us because we are, as of the end of November, a bit behind last year in percentage of mission shares and clergy benefits sent to the conference office.
Thank you for all that you are doing in faithfulness to our covenant as United Methodists in ministry for Christ.
In Advent anticipation and joy,
Hope Morgan Ward
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