And the word became flesh. -John 1:14
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The recent violence in Charlottesville and the threats between the leaders of the United States and North Korea remind us that words take form and shape for healing or destruction.
John in his Gospel describes God’s great love, healing and salvation for us in saying the Word of God, the grace of God became real in the person of Jesus: The Word became flesh. (John 1:14)
I read stories of white supremacists, neo Nazis and KKK members saying that it is time to take America back. Here in Greater New Jersey this Sunday, the Word of God will be read by United Methodists in nine different languages. The Word made flesh! Greater New Jersey United Methodist Churches have more than 100 cross racial appointments and nearly 150 multicultural congregations. The Word made flesh! Our five largest worshiping congregations are Korean. The Word made flesh! Greater New Jersey United Methodists will give witness to mission trips taken to Hatti, Honduras, Guatemala and others will take offerings to support mission work in Ghana, Nigeria, and the Congo. The Word made flesh!
This week I want you to pray for peace and an end to racism and I want you to bear witness in your communities, schools and work places that hate is the work of evil, not Christ, that nuclear arms are the work of a fallen world, not the Creators desire and that our words should work toward drawing people to Christ. I call for all of us to spend the week living and modeling the same Word of God that we find in Christ Jesus.
I give thanks to God for United Methodists of Greater New Jersey who speak of Christ in nine languages and pray and work for mission across the globe regardless of race, creed and faith so that people see in us the love of God.
Keep the faith!
John
John Schol, Bishop
The United Methodist Church
of Greater New Jersey