Rev. Margie Crawford, superintendent of the East Winds District, gives an update on a new Lenten mission opportunity her district started.

MARGIE CRAWFORD
Superintendent, East Winds District

I have experienced many firsts in my life. Although I wasn’t the first of my parents’ daughters to attend college, I was the first to obtain master’s and doctoral degrees. More times than I care to count, I have been the first to blaze new trails, explore new possibilities, and embrace new ideas. Usually, I wrestle with seeds of doubt each time I consider making a life choice. “What if” — just two little words that might deter my excitement and hope. What if I can’t explain my idea in a way that invites others to help? What if the costs outweigh the rewards? What if no one comes? What if everyone comes and there aren’t enough resources? What if this fails?

I think you get the idea. I am an optimist, and although I sometimes internalize these questions, they do not prohibit me from listening to how our Lord encourages and inspires us to boldly pursue how we are in mission and ministry with one another. As we consider how to move forward with the visions and missions of our congregations, we may also feel as if we are in a time when these “what if” questions could prevent us from sharing our gifts in service and ministry.

In the Lukan version of Jesus’ call to Peter, the fisherman wrestles with the work before him (Luke 5:1-11). I can only imagine what the life of a fisherman was like. No doubt, it had been a long day, made longer by the fact that no fish were caught. Peter may have been tired, more likely weary, when Jesus arrived on the shore. But when our Lord asks Peter to cast the nets once more, Peter does so, catching so many fish that he and the others on the boat need everyone’s help to haul in what was caught. Verses 4-7 affirm that our Savior is with us as we cultivate the soil, plant seeds, and prepare for the harvest again. We only need to cast our nets into the water, seeking to catch people in new ways.

Over the past few months, those who call the East Winds their district home have had time to consider my question: “What more can we do?” During the fall conference season, we generated ideas called “New Leaves” to help each congregation and Mission Zone embrace a mission or ministry.

As this season of Lent began, each faith community in the East Winds District was invited to participate in mission and ministry with our first responders. Each local congregation can shape how they will support persons on the front line. The hope is that the dedication and difficult work of our local firefighters, police officers, state troopers, FBI agents, physicians, nurses, and others will be honored over the next several weeks. For some churches, this was an easy choice for the District Lenten Mission, but for others, reaching out and journeying with these persons is a new opportunity.

Just as Jesus asked Peter to cast nets one more time, our Lord and Savior desires that we continue to fish for people in all we do. As we rededicate ourselves to the work before us, may we have faith that what we do and who we help will make a difference. As we pray for new energy and new ways to be in relationship with one another, may we also recognize that God’s plan unfolds in our lives and souls in awesome and amazing ways. As we look forward, may we do so with the knowledge that our cup is overflowing with the ways God touches us and asks us to embrace one another. Amen.