Enjoy the Special December edition of the Sixth Epistle Newsletter.

A WORD FROM THE BISHOP’S DESK

A Bold Invitation

Isaiah 55:1-13 (King James Vision)

On Sunday, December 1, 2024, we embark on the Season of Advent, the first season of the Christian church’s calendar. This season ushers in heaven’s invitation to hope and experience peace, joy, and love. The invitation offered in this season is bold, daring, and even audacious. Advent invites us to choose an alternative that repeatedly gets rejected by too many humans. Yet Isaiah 55 extends an invitation to choose between courage and cowardice. The prophet invites: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the water; and you that have no money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:1-2a).

First, the invitation is extended to everyone. This is where our politics, and too often our religion, tend to close the doors. It is not human nature to be inclusive. Something about being human usually leads us to erect walls of separation and barriers that permit access for everyone.

Click here to read the rest of The Sixth Epistle...

Join Us This Sunday. 12/8 for the Nationwide Launch of Free & Discounted Text Messaging Services and Digital Technology Ministry Resources for U.S. CME Churches

***The 6th Episcopal District's Gloo Team will share more information at Bishop's Winter Gathering on December 14. We encourage you to join this virtual session and register your local church with Gloo in preparation.

Greetings!

It is with great excitement and joy to announce that through a partnership with Gloo.us, free text messaging services and up to 40% discount on Gloo+ subscriptions and a wealth of digital ministry resources is now available to all U.S. local CME churches and entities including Episcopal Districts, Presiding Elder Districts, General Departments, and Connectional Departments! 

Join us virtually for the nationwide launch of text messaging services at the CIT Tech Talk on Sunday, December 8 at 6 PM ET | 5 PM CT | 4 PM MT | 3 PM PT | 2 PM Alaska. Learn more about the Gloo text messaging platform and discounted subscriptions for Gloo+, and valuable digital ministry resources for CME local churches and entities; training sessions that will be offered by CIT; and meet our Gloo.us representatives Ms. Kristy Shotwell and Dr. Elliott Johnson. You will hear about the pilot project launched in the 6th, 7th, and 9th Episcopal Districts under the leadership of Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Bishop James B. Walker, and Bishop Charley Hames, Jr., respectively.

What is Gloo

Gloo.us provides a text messaging platform that currently connects over 70,000 churches in the United States to help ministry leaders scale their impact through technology. Gloo gives churches the information they need to connect with their community and better understand their congregation. Additional information about Gloo is available here: https://www.gloo.us/,

Gloo Pilot Project with the 6th, 7th, and 9th Episcopal Districts

The Department of Communication and Information Technology (CIT) launched the partnership with Gloo.us in September of this year resulting in a pilot project with the 6th, 7th, and 9th Episcopal Districts. To date, 90 CME churches have participated in the project and benefit from a free Gloo account.

I am grateful for this collaborative project with Gloo.us, and thankful for the leadership and support of Bishop Walker, Bishop Brown and Bishop Hames. Bishop Hames paved the way for the CME Church's partnership with Gloo.us.

Benefits of the Partnership Between Gloo.us and the CME Church

The partnership between Gloo.us and the CME Church marks a significant milestone as both organizations unite to further a shared mission of community engagement, growth, and support. Through this partnership, Gloo.us will provide innovative digital tools and solutions to empower the CME Church to better connect with its congregations, enhance communication, and foster a more impactful ministry. Together, we aim to create stronger, more vibrant communities, and to provide our local churches, pastors, and members with critical communication and ministry resources.

I hope to see you at the CIT Tech Talk on Sunday, December 8!

Zoom Meeting ID: 964 0227 3651 Passcode: 187024

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecmechurch

Bishop's Winter Gathering Registration is now open!

Greetings to All Elders, Pastors, Regional Administrators, and Laity,

We are pleased to invite you to the 2024 Winter Gathering, hosted by Bishop Thomas L. Brown and Dr. Louise Baker Brown, on Saturday, December 14, at 8:30 AM. The event will be held at the Anderson Conference Center (5171 Eisenhower Pkwy Suite D, Macon, GA 31206) and will be an in-person gathering only. Reverend Dr. Lindsey P. Napier, Sr., will serve as the Host Pastor and Presiding Elder.

Agenda for Friday, December 13 (Clergy & Spouses Only)

@ Bethel CME Church (1668 Pio Nono Avenue, Macon, GA 31204)

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: The Joint Boards of Finance will be available for Regional Financial Reporting and pre-registrations at Bethel CME Church (1668 Pio Nono Avenue, Macon, GA 31204).

6:30 PM: MANDATORY meeting for all Pastors with Bishop Brown.

-- Dr. Louise Baker Brown invites ministers' spouses, widows, and widowers to join her for fellowship.

Agenda for Saturday, December 14, 2024 (Sixth Episcopal District)

@ Anderson Conference Center (5171 Eisenhower Pkwy Suite D, Macon, GA 31206)

7:30 AM: Registration Opens (Joint Boards of Finance)

8:30 AM: Winter Gathering Opening Session

-- Presiding Elders’ Reports and District Final Report

-- Additional Business

Registration Information

All attendees must register to participate in the Winter Gathering. The registration fee is $50 per person; there is no fee for children and youth under 18. The general session will be held in person only. To register, please visit the Sixth District website: www.6thdistrictcme.org.

Important Registration Reminders:

If you pre-register via Eventbrite, the registration fee is $50.00, plus a $5.20 processing fee, for a total of $55.20. There is no fee for children and youth (17 and under).

If you have paid $50.00 to your Elder, you must still register online. When registering, select "Enter promo code," input Gathering24, and click "APPLY." The Joint Board of Finance will confirm your payment with your Elder to secure your admission. If your payment has not been confirmed, you will be required to complete registration on-site.

For registration assistance, please contact your Region’s Joint Board Representative:

GA North Region: Paige Perry at spaige.perry@gmail.com

Central GA Region: Reverend Angela Wootson at wootsonad540@att.net

West GA Region: Valerie Alexander at valeriewalexander@gmail.com

South GA Region: Monica Harbert at monicaharbert@gmail.com

For technical support with registration, please contact Paul Davis at (706) 393-0258 or Que Jacobs at (478) 442-3360.

We look forward to your attendance at Bishop's Winter Gathering, for a time of fellowship, worship, ministry planning, and reporting.