A Letter from the North Conference
Solidarity letter to Missouri Conference on May 06, 2020
Beloved Sisters and Brothers,
Fraternal greetings from the North Conference of the United Methodist Church, with wishes for peace and good health in this period of social distancing caused by COVID-19.
Sisters and Brothers, together we are facing an unprecedented situation. It is affecting all of our families, communities and our lifestyle. At the Annual Conference of Mozambique, as a way of maintaining our members’ spiritual life, the Episcopal Office sends daily Biblical texts to serve as a reflection in our home family services. These services unite families more, and in them there is a sharing of experiences of faith and the word of God. We have sensitized members to observe preventive measures that have been disseminated by the Ministry of Health.
Sisters and Brothers, we have followed the magnitude of the situation that you are going through, in particular in the U.S. and Missouri, in this way we want to share with you the following message of hope.
First of all, our hearts are with the people direct or indirectly impacted by the virus, especially those who are sick, to whom we extend our desire for a quick and complete recovery. We also pray for health professionals around the world who are at the forefront, working tirelessly to care for people in need.
Second, we send you this letter showing that we are all united in a cycle of prayers and you are at the forefront of our daily prayers because of the high rates of people affected by the disease.
We are also aware of our beloved friends who perished, many of those who supported Mozambique so much in life. We are reminded of the passing of Glenn Sutherland, the husband of our friend Martha Sutherland. To our brother's family, we address our deep feelings of grief, in our faith that, for the work he has done on earth, God will take good care of his soul in heaven.
Third, while we are dealing with this pandemic, we invite you to remain focused on prayer until God, for His mercy that he showed in other past crises, hears us!
Finally, we remind you that God's love, agape, is perfect and unconditional. The Book of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, perfectly describes this type of love: selfless, just, true and patient. Perfect love (agape) never ends. This is the kind of love that is above everyone. Through this love, God offers us salvation without deserving it and teaches us to offer the same kind of love to everyone around us. That is why we always pray for you and hope that you will also do it for us.
The Council on Ministries Director
Rev. Herminio Guifutela