First Friday Letter
The World Methodist Council
Greetings from the Vice-President
November 2024
Thanksgiving is a sacred time of reflection, gratitude, and connection. As I write to you, my heart swells with humility at the opportunity to engage with the entire Wesleyan family through this Newsletter. Celebrated in November across many nations, Thanksgiving invites us to pause and express our deep appreciation—not only to God but also to those who have journeyed alongside us in faith and service.
First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Almighty God. It is by His boundless grace and mercy that I find myself serving as the Vice-President of the World Methodist Council (WMC), alongside fellow officer bearers who share a passionate commitment to this divine mission. I am profoundly grateful for the trust placed in me as the first office-bearer from the subcontinent of India. I represent the Church of North India (CNI), a uniting church established in 1970. The methodist church [british and australasian conferences] was one of the six denominations that united to become the CNI.
My life and work are intricately woven into the inspiring legacy of the legendary John Wesley, a devoted servant of God whose teachings have profoundly shaped my faith and purpose. I carry a unique legacy of growing up in the Wesley Hostel, studying at Wesley Boys’ High School and worshiping at Wesley Church in Secunderabad. These combinations have surrounded me with the values and principles that John Wesley championed. By divine providence, my first job as a teacher was also at Wesley School and College.
Unbeknownst to me, God was orchestrating my path through John Wesley’s institutions throughout my formative years, preparing me for this global role. In hindsight, I see how I was quietly strengthened in the core Wesleyan mission: spreading the love of God through Jesus Christ, promoting personal holiness, and advocating for social justice. This mission, rooted in grace and service, encourages believers to actively live out their faith and to extend compassion to others.
The journey from my humble beginnings in Ramavaram, an obscure village in Kothagudem [Andhra Pradesh], to this esteemed position has been nothing short of a miracle.. As the eldest of five siblings in a God-fearing home, I bore the weight of responsibility from a young age. I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior at the age of 13 in a Youth for Christ camp in Aler. I am deeply indebted to all who have walked with me on this path, transforming my journey into one filled with joy and purpose.
I am indebted to Ann Leck from the British Methodist Church and Rev. Kim Reisman from the United Methodist Church, my colleagues in the Social and International Affairs Committee, who identified my talent and unanimously nominated me for the election of the Strategic Planning Committee during a pivotal meeting in Sydney, Australia. This moment marked a significant turning point in my involvement in WMC, as I was elected alongside esteemed colleagues—late Bishop Sarah Davis, Dr. J.C. Park, Archbishop Michael Stephen, and Dr. Amos Nascimento—to draft the constitution and bylaws of the WMC. This collaboration not only strengthened our resolve but also forged enduring bonds, allowing us to serve the WMC in various capacities. Last month, I had the unique privilege of meeting Pope Francis in Rome which was facilitated by Rev Mathew Laferty of the Ecumenical Office in Rome.
At this Thanksgiving, I am grateful to God for this wonderful journey of grace from an obscure village boy to Vice President, World Methodist Council.
Chinthala Joshua Rathnam
Vice President, World Methodist Council
Hurricane Helene causes destruction in multiple states
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida late on 26 September as a Category 4 storm before carving a destructive path through much of the Southeastern United States.
As of 4 October, more than 200 people have died across six states, and hundreds remain missing. Helene brought record-breaking storm surges to many Gulf Coast towns in Florida, flooding homes and businesses.
The storm then unleashed torrential rains from Georgia to West Virginia, with up to 30 inches of rainfall inundating mountain communities. In eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, powerful floods destroyed roads, bridges, and entire communities, severely damaging critical infrastructure such as water, electricity, and phone service.
Nearly a week after the storm, more than 1.1 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia are still without power.
“This is going to be a relief effort that goes on for a long, long time,” said Brad Kochis, Superintendent of the North Carolina District. “There’s a lot of devastation.”
One Nazarene church in Nashville, Georgia, and the Georgia District’s Adrian Camp and Conference Center sustained heavy damage. While churches in North Carolina were not damaged, many Nazarene pastors and church members remain without power and need assistance.
Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) teams—groups of skilled volunteers positioned across the country to mobilize supplies and personnel after disasters—are responding in the aftermath of Helene to provide relief and recovery. Several U.S. Nazarene Districts have begun collecting supplies for affected areas, and thousands of Crisis Care Kits have already been distributed through Convoy of Hope, a ministry partner of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
The North Carolina District is preparing at least three churches to host NDR work teams and distribute supplies. Leaders are also coordinating deliveries of water and other essentials to Asheville, where the local Nazarene church is hosting FEMA search-and-rescue teams.
On the East Tennessee District, two churches have committed to host teams and distribute relief supplies, and a shipment of cots and a shower trailer from the Kentucky District is expected to arrive this week. More cots will be delivered to North Carolina. The South Carolina NDR team, along with other volunteers, is serving in the area surrounding Augusta, Georgia. The Georgia District NDR team is at Adrian Camp, cleaning the premises and distributing Crisis Care Kits and essential supplies to the community. In Florida, two churches are preparing to host NDR teams.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our pastors and church leaders who have been working tirelessly, both in preparation for the storm and now in its aftermath, putting the needs of their communities first,” shared Dale Schaeffer, Superintendent of the Florida District. “Please join me in continuing to pray.”
Article written by https://www.nazarene.org/article/hurricane-helene-causes-devastating-destruction-multiple-states
A prayer for Lebanon
Hearts ache around the world for those experiencing the impacts of the war that has expanded into Lebanon. Like all schools in Lebanon, the Nazarene school in Beirut has closed temporarily. However, the church and school’s care for the community continues as they distribute food, blankets, and mattresses to those in need.
The Nazarene school in Lebanon has existed since the 1960s and has endured many wars, explosions, and economic hardships. Thanks to the courage of the staff, the faithfulness of parents, and the love and support from Nazarenes around the world, the school continues to serve those in need. Prayer is requested for the children, staff, and all those suffering during this war.
Lord of peace and mercy, we ask that your presence be felt in the midst of this conflict that is disrupting the lives of those in Lebanon. We pray for a quick end to the violence. We pray for protection and safety for the children and most vulnerable people impacted by this devastation. God, let your peace reign and work through your people to bring healing, hope, and comfort to everyone around them. Give your church wisdom and guidance in the days ahead as your people continue to respond to the needs around them. Lord, hear our prayers.
Article written by https://www.nazarene.org/article/prayer-lebanon
Global Mission Fellows Program Call for Applications!!
The Global Mission Fellows Applications are OPEN NOW! Global Mission Fellows are young adults ages 20-30 from all over the world who spend 2 years living and working with a local community on issues of social injustice. If you or a young person in your life are passionate about alleviating suffering in the world and looking for a way to put your faith into action, consider applying for the Global Mission Fellows program at umcmission.org/gmfapply. Applications for our 20252027 cohort close on January 15, 2025!
Have questions? Join us for an info session on zoom! Registration is required.
November 12, 2024 @ 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time – Register Here
December 19, 2024 @ 8:00 am Eastern Standard Time – Register Here
Participation in the Global Mission Fellows Program requires conversational level English language skills.
Bishop calls for prayer following Milton
Dear Florida Conference:
I am writing this note less than 24 hours after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a dangerous hurricane. Although Milton came ashore yesterday at 8:30 p.m. near Siesta Key, Florida (a barrier island close to Sarasota), the reality is that this storm has impacted our entire state.
There have already been reports of the loss of life as Milton crossed the Florida peninsula, spawning tornadoes, dropping historic rainfall amounts, and packing gusts well over 100 mph through major metropolitan areas, as well as coastal communities and inland rural areas, throughout the state.
I know millions of people in our state remain without power and without adequate cell coverage and yet I wanted you to hear from me as the resident Bishop of The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Karen and I, and our entire Conference Staff, are praying for each of you.
In fact, all throughout today, I, along with all the other members of the Cabinet, have been calling pastors, staff and lay leaders in The Florida Conference to check on them, ask about their families, find out about the impact on their local churches and inquire about the needs within their communities after Hurricane Milton.
Where the impact was highest, many people in those locations have their hands full, dealing with flooded homes, churches with multiple feet of storm surge and roofs that have blown away. So many we have spoken to believe that their communities and their churches may never be the same.
In my conversations today, I was struck by the deep resilience of the people of Florida. I am grateful for your leadership in countless ways. We all need to be resilient in the days ahead. We will need to call on the best parts of our connectional system. This storm brought flooding and wind to people and congregations who just began cleaning up two weeks ago from Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane season is exhausting. Yet, I would guess you can remember other times in your life when you faced a crisis and felt exhausted. Often during those times, we feel uniquely dependent on the Lord.
Faithful lay and clergy servants throughout The Florida Conference know what it is to be strengthened by the Spirit of God. God is with us now. We turn to the Lord for strength and hope.
Many I have spoken to, even those who were impacted, have been asking the same question: how can we help?
We all have the opportunity, both within Florida and beyond our state, to show up for others and be there to help.
In the coming days, I will be traveling to some of the hardest hit areas and trying to be present where it is appropriate and safe to do so. I plan to bring you videos and stories from the field. I know our ministry protection partners and district superintendents are already hard at work assessing damage. We are getting initial reports of massive damage to some of our churches.
For now, here are three ways we can all respond:
Pray for one another. Connect with someone by sending them a personal text message or giving them a brief call. Don’t stay on too long because the cell service is spotty. You may never know how much a connection can mean to someone who has gone through this storm.
Give today to the Florida Disaster Recovery Support Fund. This is the fund we use in The Florida Conference to provide relief to the churches and communities who have been most impacted. We use this fund, even as we work with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and others, related to long term relief. The link to give is https://florida-reg.brtapp.com/DisasterRecoverySupport71
Check the conference website at www.flumc.org to find all the information you need related to how you can report needs you and your neighbors have (the Disaster Recovery Hotline is 855228-3862), as well as opportunities to volunteer. Conference staff plan to be available Friday morning to answer your questions.
May the peace of God which passes all understanding guard our heats and minds in Christ Jesus.
In Christ, Bishop Tom Berlin, Florida UMC Conference Read more updates at https://www.flumc.org/
From the General Secretary’s Diary
The General Secretary preached at the 112th Anniversary celebration of the Methodist Central Hall Westminster in London. The online service can be found in the link as follows. His contributions can be found on 33’ and 40’ onwards. At 33’ the General Secretary shares a vision for the WMC as a Fellowship of Methodist/Wesleyan/ Uniting Churches, a community united in love, support and accountability to each other, i.e., a Connexion of Connexions. https://www.youtube.com/live/9EM7f_5Sj_M?si=ATrDkekn87VzMH79
Inter-Religious photo of Rabbi Frank and Sohail, the Muslim poet at the peace demonstration
Sam Murillo, President of the Youth and Young Adults and the General Secretary at a Peace demonstration in London.
Autumn Soul
Autumn Soul is the Methodist Church in Ireland’s annual discipleship event for 13 – 18-year-olds. Young people, youth leaders and volunteers gather from all over Ireland on the last full weekend in October every year. No matter what stage they find themselves on their journey of faith, our programme is designed to be accessible for all teens.
The event focuses on missional discipleship through bible teaching, praise, seminars, community, and fun. It gives young people and youth groups the space they need to meet Jesus in fresh ways, learn about the Bible and encounter the Holy Spirit. It is a safe space for those exploring faith, living out their faith and those who have questions about faith.
Autumn Soul has been running for over 25 years and we even managed to run an online event during the pandemic! It is planned and organised by young people, for young people with an organising committee and worship band made up of 16-30 years-olds, alongside the Methodist Church in Irelands youth and children’s team staff.
We believe and get to witness that this event grows faith and is an encouragement to the young people who attend and the young people who use their gifts and skills to serve. Each year God speaks and meets young people where they are, helping them to take their place in God’s Kingdom.
This year’s theme is ‘undivided – heart and mind’ focusing on questions such as, what does it mean to live an undivided life with Jesus and for Jesus? Can the Bible really help us when it comes to making everyday choices about who we are, what we do and how we do it? This theme will be explored through the main stage worship gatherings and the seminars and workshops. We are excited to have Jenny and Wallace Bruce as our speakers this year. Jenny has been a teenager at the event and then led our prayer ministry team for a number of years. When she married Wallace, he got introduced to serving at Autumn Soul too. We are looking forward to hearing what God has for us through them this year.
As a staff team what we love about this event is that we get to witness God working in so many ways in the lives of the teenagers, but also in the lives of the volunteers and youth leaders. We are always encouraged by the willingness of older young people and young adults to serve and lead
at the event because of the experience they had as teenagers.
One young volunteer said this, ‘ I attended Autumn Soul once in 2020 when it was moved online due to COVID and had real encounters with God myself through the worship. These moments solidified my faith that he is good, loving, and simply wants to meet you right where you are, whether that’s on a mountain or in the dirt. This made it even more special for me to be able to thank and praise him for what he’s done for me since then through helping out at the event this year.’
Check out what happens at Autumn Soul through the IMYC Instagram @imycd
Article written by Gillian Gilmore, Team Leader of the Irish Methodist Youth & Children (IMYC).
The Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin America and the Caribbean
CIEMAL, the Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin America and the Caribbean, serves as a regional body committed to strengthening and uniting Methodist churches across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in February 1969 in Chile, CIEMAL was created to embody a Methodist communion and connection throughout Latin America, fostering Christian unity and cooperation within a Wesleyan identity. Through this structure, CIEMAL serves as both a collective voice and a supportive network, allowing Methodist communities in diverse countries to share resources, and work collaboratively to address the social and spiritual needs of their communities.
CIEMAL’s mission encompasses providing spiritual guidance, pastoral support, and resources to clergy, lay leaders, and congregations, equipping them to respond effectively to the region’s unique challenges. Key focus areas include promoting social justice, supporting education, and fostering economic empowerment. By offering training, theological resources, and a platform for advocacy, CIEMAL empowers local churches to serve their communities holistically, engaging in outreach and action that reflect the Methodist values of compassion and social responsibility.
At the core of CIEMAL’s leadership is a dedicated Executive Board that steers the organization’s vision and mission. The current board comprises leaders from several countries, with President Bishop Juan de Dios Peña Gallegos from El Salvador, who emphasizes unity and youth engagement. Emeritus Bishop Frank DeNully Brown serves as Vice President, bringing extensive ministry experience, while Pastor Adela Saraí Samayoa, also from El Salvador, manages the council’s financial resources as Treasurer. Kelvin Martir from the Dominican Republic holds the position of Recording Secretary, ensuring effective communication across member churches, and Honorary Bishop Pedro Correa from Chile serves as Interim General Secretary, providing strategic oversight and counsel.
The council’s objectives are clear: to create spaces for reflection on the mission, amplify the voice of Methodist churches in the region, and establish common mission goals in harmony with Wesleyan theology. During conferences and gatherings, CIEMAL fosters a spirit of communion through worship, prayer, and biblical study, grounding its work in spiritual formation and unity. Representatives from member churches discuss mission strategies, share national and regional updates, and identify priorities that reflect Wesleyan values within the Latin American context.
Looking ahead, CIEMAL aims to deepen its engagement with the global Methodist community, strengthening partnerships with other regional bodies. By enhancing these connections, CIEMAL aspires to share the distinct experiences of the Latin American Methodist community with the broader Methodist family and to draw on global insights to support its mission in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through unity and collaboration, CIEMAL stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, committed to nurturing Methodist communities and fostering faith-based impact across the region.
Submitted by Bishop Juan de Dios Peña Presidente del Consejo de Iglesias Evangélicas Metodistas de América Latina y El Caribe. (CIEMAL)
Committee Vacancies and Roles
Help the World Methodist Council move forward by serving as a Chair or Member of one of the Committees! Click here to access Nomination Forms and Vacant Committees!
CIEMAL Executive Board
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About the First Friday Letter
The First Friday Newsletter is a monthly publication of the World Methodist Council.
Publisher: Rev. Dr. Reynaldo F. Leão Neto, General Secretary Communications: Michaela Bryson
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