The Higher Way Church Jones Memorial United Methodist Kenneth Levingston, Senior Pastor Dr. Jacqui King, Associate Pastor
May 18, 2015 Sisters and Brothers in Christ, We have wonderful kingdom expanding news for the Jones family. Yesterday, in a unanimous vote, the members of the Living Water United Methodist Church made a God honoring, kingdom focused decision to become members of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church. The combining of our two congregations will serve to expand our collective impact for the Kingdom of God and as a witness to others of what God can do if we place him first in all we do. The road that led us to this place has been watered with prayer and deep contemplation. During the past several months, the members of Living Water have been involved in a process to discern God’s best future for its witness and unique gifting for God’s Kingdom. Through conversation and consultation with the Southwest District Superintendent, Rev. Jay Jackson, and a task force of laity and clergy, the idea of combining with another congregation came into focus. Given Jones Memorial’s long history of being in relationship with Living Water, it quickly became apparent to the task force, District Superintendent and lay leadership team that Jones would be the perfect union. In March of this year, a conversation to discern the willingness of the Senior Pastor and Staff Parish Relations Committee of Jones to receive Pastor Ed Jones of Living Water as an appointed member of the Pastoral Staff of Jones Memorial was initiated by the District Superintendent with my enthusiastic support. During an April 26th meeting with the Staff Parish Relations Committee and the District Superintendent, the Staff Parish Relations Committee voted unanimously to receive Pastor Ed Jones pending a vote of the Living Water congregation to combine with Jones Memorial. That vote has been taken. The official start of our new relationship as one congregation will be the first Sunday in July. We will immediately begin getting to know one another as sisters and brothers in Christ. Pastor Ed and I will work together with the lay leadership of both congregations to make the transition to one congregation serving to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ. Living Water has a great heart and proven track record of connecting young adults and their families to God’s plan for their lives. I am absolutely convinced that we will be stronger internally through the collective ministries of loving, serving, reaching and teaching and externally as we work to bring others to Christ as a result of our coming together. This lifework will allow us to better serve our community as we follow Jesus and do what Jesus did.