Dear Beloved Congregation,
As we enter the month of November, a time for reflection and gratitude, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for attending this month’s First Sunday service. Your presence enriches our community and strengthens our bonds in faith. A heartfelt thank you goes to our three speakers — Minister Melvin Rainey, Minister Lorenzo Collier Jr., and Minister Christer Zollicoffer — who graciously shared their inspiriting messages with us, uplifting our spirits on our spiritual journey. Let us continue to keep them in our prayers as they grow in their training and ministry.
With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we are entering a season invites us to pause, reflect, and consider the blessings in our lives. As we embrace the change brought by the annual end of daylight saving time, we gain an extra hour to cultivate a spirit of gratitude, preparing our hearts for the Thanksgiving season ahead. This transition reminds us of the essential virtues shared in our First Sunday service: qualities that embody the Fruit of the Spirit, helping us to express love, joy, and peace in our interactions and deepening our sense of community.
This month also marks our first Sunday School lesson entitled “Thanksgiving,” focusing on 1 Chronicles 16:8–12, 28–36. These verses inspire us to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and to celebrate His faithfulness and sovereignty in our lives. As we reflect on the themes of Thanksgiving and the Fruit of the Spirit, let us remember that gratitude enriches our faith and strengthens our connections within our community.
I am deeply grateful for the 37 churches that I oversee, each serving as a vital extension of our faith community. Together, as we fulfill our mission, we embody the spirit of Thanksgiving, fostering love and service among one another.
May this month bring you peace and joy as we continue our journey of faith together, especially as we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Blessings to you all,
Bishop John L. Ghee
