As we approached Thanksgiving Day, Invitation Team members reflected on their experience of being part of the team and why they are thankful for this work together. We share the responses, and as you read, we invite you to dream with us:
“What could happen if we cultivate this reality across Holston Conference?”
“I am thankful that no matter how difficult our conversations may become, at the end of the day, the Invitation Team can still look at one another and genuinely say, "I love you, I hear you, and I want to work with you to make this conference better."
“I am thankful for the calling God has placed on a variety of people that make up this team (and this conference). I am thankful for the desire to overcome and move forward as a team.”
“I am thankful for all the clergy and laity working to help us make space for one another, even when we disagree.”
“I am thankful for a place where difficult conversations are seen as tools for growth and not weapons of destruction. Iron can either be used to hurt or sharpen iron. I am grateful for the sharpening.”
“I am thankful for the gracious way we hold one another accountable to listening well.”
“I am thankful for the strong commitment to prayer and our dedication for discerning God's voice and vision.”
“I am thankful of the consolidated language of hope for Holston Conference that continues to flow from this diverse team. This evolves from the intentional listening of God’s call, respectful recognition of each other’s context, and a genuine acknowledgment of the pains of our past.”
“I am thankful that God has given each of us different areas of strength and blessing that are anointed when we work together for the good of God's Kingdom.”
“I am thankful for each Invitation Team member and their commitment to our moving forward together as an Annual Conference.”
“I am thankful for minds and hearts willing to come together from a place of diversity to move towards Divine unity.”
“I am thankful that we can come together from our different perspectives, backgrounds, and understanding and begin with worship, which grounds and unites us. I am also thankful for the ways in which each member is truly seeking to live out Christ’s call in their life.”
“I am thankful the Invitation Team is a group of individuals who have come together with willing and obedient hearts to sincerely listen for God's voice, to discern His will, to write His vision, and to press toward the mark of His call both individually and as a unified Conference.”
“I am thankful for a team of laity, and clergy colleagues and the space that has been created for us to have difficult, honest, meaningful conversations about our life together in the Holston Annual Conference as we all are seeking the Kingdom of God.”
Together, we offer thanks to God for the people and churches of Holston Conference and pray for our work together.
Thanksgiving Blessings,
Holston Conference Invitation Team
Ray Amos, Jr.
Lauri Jo Cranford
Kim Goddard – Co-chair
Timothy Hale
Becky Hall – Co-chair
Angela Hardy Cross
Del Holley
Jonathan Jonas
Tim Jones
Belinda Kenny
Micah Nicolaus
Sarah Varnell
Mickey Rainwater
Craig Robertson
Brad Scott
Scott Spence
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett
“What could happen if we cultivate this reality across Holston Conference?”
“I am thankful that no matter how difficult our conversations may become, at the end of the day, the Invitation Team can still look at one another and genuinely say, "I love you, I hear you, and I want to work with you to make this conference better."
“I am thankful for the calling God has placed on a variety of people that make up this team (and this conference). I am thankful for the desire to overcome and move forward as a team.”
“I am thankful for all the clergy and laity working to help us make space for one another, even when we disagree.”
“I am thankful for a place where difficult conversations are seen as tools for growth and not weapons of destruction. Iron can either be used to hurt or sharpen iron. I am grateful for the sharpening.”
“I am thankful for the gracious way we hold one another accountable to listening well.”
“I am thankful for the strong commitment to prayer and our dedication for discerning God's voice and vision.”
“I am thankful of the consolidated language of hope for Holston Conference that continues to flow from this diverse team. This evolves from the intentional listening of God’s call, respectful recognition of each other’s context, and a genuine acknowledgment of the pains of our past.”
“I am thankful that God has given each of us different areas of strength and blessing that are anointed when we work together for the good of God's Kingdom.”
“I am thankful for each Invitation Team member and their commitment to our moving forward together as an Annual Conference.”
“I am thankful for minds and hearts willing to come together from a place of diversity to move towards Divine unity.”
“I am thankful that we can come together from our different perspectives, backgrounds, and understanding and begin with worship, which grounds and unites us. I am also thankful for the ways in which each member is truly seeking to live out Christ’s call in their life.”
“I am thankful the Invitation Team is a group of individuals who have come together with willing and obedient hearts to sincerely listen for God's voice, to discern His will, to write His vision, and to press toward the mark of His call both individually and as a unified Conference.”
“I am thankful for a team of laity, and clergy colleagues and the space that has been created for us to have difficult, honest, meaningful conversations about our life together in the Holston Annual Conference as we all are seeking the Kingdom of God.”
Together, we offer thanks to God for the people and churches of Holston Conference and pray for our work together.
Thanksgiving Blessings,
Holston Conference Invitation Team
Ray Amos, Jr.
Lauri Jo Cranford
Kim Goddard – Co-chair
Timothy Hale
Becky Hall – Co-chair
Angela Hardy Cross
Del Holley
Jonathan Jonas
Tim Jones
Belinda Kenny
Micah Nicolaus
Sarah Varnell
Mickey Rainwater
Craig Robertson
Brad Scott
Scott Spence
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett