Join Bishop Bard online Tuesday, January 12, 9:30-11:30 am for a time of renewal. “Come to the Well” includes scripture, music, and times of reflection.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             –  Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord in this New Year.  Engaging in ordained and licensed ministry always has its challenges, even as we also acknowledge the deep joy that comes with serving Jesus Christ in this way. Yet, none of us have been challenged and stretched in the ways we have in the past year as we seek to engage in ministry in the midst of a global pandemic. We need times of refreshment and renewal, times when we hear again the voice of Jesus inviting us to rest, times when the living water of God’s Spirit touches our weary souls as gently as Jesus touched the dry, dusty soles of the disciples’ feet.           

“Come to the Well” is a morning gathering for renewal open to all Michigan Conference clergy. On Tuesday, January 12, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., clergy are invited to join this virtual gathering.  It will include times of reflection, scripture, music, and messages from Bishops Lee, Ott, Kiesey, and Keaton. 

I want to be clear that this event is purely invitational. This is not a ‘”called clergy session” but rather an opportunity for us to be together as we begin a new year.  If this experience does not sound renewing to you, I encourage you to block this time on your calendar anyway and engage in a practice that you would find renewing. The hope is that you might re-discover who you are as a beloved person of God and be refreshed by the living waters of God’s Spirit.

Clergy will receive an email providing a link to register for the gathering. Upon registration, a confirmation email will provide information/links for joining the meeting.

Grace and peace,

David A. Bard

Last Updated on September 20, 2022