Siblings in Christ, greetings on behalf of the Laity of the Northern Illinois Conference.

This has been an especially challenging summer.  And while we have endeavored to practice a year of hope, we were constantly bombarded with so many distractions.  Floods, tornados, earthquakes, wild fires and senseless violence.  Adding insult to injury is the continued extremist policies (immigration, voters rights and wars; just to name a few) of abuse, racism and hatred associated with this administration.

Teen plays with children at Youth Valley Center on a mission trip to Duluth with First UMC in Park Ridge. Photo courtesy if First UMC, Park Ridge.

That’s enough to make you want to give up in the face of so much doubt, difficulty and uncertainty.  But you know what? These United Methodist…., they are a peculiar people.  They actually have the audacity to hope; to act as if they really give a darn.  As if they have faith; as if they do truly love and care for their sisters, brothers and neighbors.  They act like they like they are on a mission and are part of a connection. 

Could this really be possible?  Yes! Because they are not robots and will not allow themselves to be taken for granted or give energy and space to a “wanna-be” dictator.  What was God thinking when God gave them such a valuable asset as “free will,” that allow them to think for themselves?

Volunteers from First UMC in Arlington Heights work on a porch repair in Detroit on a mission trip with Motown Mission. Photo courtesy of First UMC, Arlington Heights.

Caring not just for themselves, but for all of God’s children.  Yes, not just those in the Midwest, Hawaii or the Grand Canyon; but also those in Haiti, El Salvador, Kenya and around the world.  Peculiar people indeed, via a connection that is not just local, but world-wide.  Sisters and Brothers of the beloved community of Christ; how good and pleasant it is to dwell with members of this peculiar connection that is filled with love, compassion, service and justice.

See, when the storms were raging and homes were destroyed and lives lost; their lights may have gone out for weeks, but the love and care of the peculiar people were not turned off for a second.  Peculiar people pulled together to help one another; and at times, even more so than did the government.  Helping those who were in need, hungry and displaced.  A continued beacon of God’s love and care that has been instilled in us.

Yes,those peculiar people refuse to be held down.  They have seen these videos so many times before.  We have been through difficult situations before, and through it all; yes, through it all we continue with the mission our Lord and Savior has assigned us.  God will not put more on us than we can handle.  “Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt: 11:30). 

Siblings, our mission is found in the two greatest commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul and all your mind.”  This is the first and greatest commandment.  The second is equally important; “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  The entire law of the prophets are based on these two commandments (Matt 22:37-40 NLT).  We complete the mission by planting seeds that we may never see grow; so that others who come after us can continue to water, so that God might provide the increase.

Peculiar people, be encouraged and be blessed, for God will take care of us.  Go with God and be well.  Then, COMPLETE THE MISSION!  Amen!

Read more about how congregations across the conference lived out the mission through summer mission trips.