First Friday Letter

The World Methodist Council May 2023

Greetings from the General Secretary

Dear Friends,

April marked various religious feasts, fasts, and celebrations in the Abrahamic faiths; the Jewish Passover spanned seven days to commemorate freedom from slavery in Egypt; for Christians, Easter celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, while Eid al Fitr marked the end of Ramadan. It was encouraging to see how many Methodists shared greetings and good wishes and even participated in the events of the other faith tradition.

Besides participating in the customary Holy Week and Easter services, Jackie and I also traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden, to meet with the host and program committee to make some final arrangements for the World Methodist Conference in 2024. I am glad to report that everything is on track, and registration will open in June. I also wish to encourage churches to submit their delegates list and nominations for Council Officers as soon as possible, as there will be a significant leadership transition in 2024.

On the second Sunday in May, we will celebrate Mother’s Day, which was first celebrated in 1907 by Anna Jarvis at a worship service at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. We celebrate mother figures who have been instrumental in our life’s journey, from mothers, sisters, mothers-in-law, stepmothers, aunts, and nieces. We honor and celebrate all women, commit ourselves to challenging gender stereotypes and embrace equity, diversity, and inclusion.

On the 148th day of this calendar year, the 28th of May, we celebrate Pentecost, also known as Whit Sunday. May the Holy Spirit descend on us as upon the apostles and other disciples as described in Acts 2: 1-31 so that nothing will shake the foundations of our lives. It is my prayer that we will be sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit and that the fruits – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will be manifest in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23)

This issue covers the 10th Conference of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU), Plans for the 22nd World Methodist Conference, Work of the Estonia Methodist Church and more.

Later this month, I will host Rev. Dr. Martin Mujinga, the General Secretary of the Methodist Church Zimbabwe and General Secretary Elect of the African Methodist Council. I will also attend the ZacTax Africa relaunch with other World Communions in Johannesburg.

We look forward to your participation in the Consultation on Migration in Manila, Philippines, September 4-7, 2023, and the School of Peace Studies, Cape Town, South Africa, March 11-18, 2024.

During the past month, the Mostert/Abrahams family marked the passing and celebration of the life of Pamela Fester, my wife’s sister, after a short battle with cancer. We wish to thank all our friends in the WMC for their prayers, messages of condolences, and support.

Grace and Peace

Ivan