My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I write this letter, thanking and praising our Creator God in and through the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, using the words of the Psalmist, who said, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits..." (Psalm 103:1-2).
I thank God for each and every one of you, for your hearts of generosity, minds for the mission of God around the world, and love and compassion for all the people of God. In 2012, in addition to supporting faithfully all the ministries and missions in your respective local churches, you have enabled the Committee on Finance and Administration of the New England Annual Conference, the leaders at all levels, and Conference staff to send 80% of the general apportioned funds to the ministries and missions of the United Methodist Church in the United States and around the world. This figure is 4.89% higher than 2011.
Furthermore, you have supported several second mile advance missions within and beyond the Conference throughout the year. On top of this, you have sacrificially given $77,100.38 to UMCOR for the ministry and mission to the victims of Superstorm Sandy and an additional $29,674.20 for the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference Disaster Relief Fund, also for Superstorm Sandy.
As your Episcopal leader, I am deeply touched and moved by your sacrificial and loving support for the global ministry and mission of the Church! I know that some of you are in very challenging financial situations. Your willingness to join one another in our accomplishments for ministry and mission of the global community means a lot to me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Having been a recipient of the ministry of the global mission and having personally witnessed how even a single cent can make a difference in some parts of the world, I cannot thank you and praise you enough for your generosity and love.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." We do not know what is ahead of us, but we do know we will face challenges. Nevertheless, by God’s grace, we can make prayer the first step in reaching any goal God sets before us. It is my hope and prayer that with your help and support, we will become a 100% apportionment-paying Conference before the end of the quadrennium (2016)! Will you kindly join me in praying that this goal becomes a reality?
Kindly remember God loves you all and so do I!
With a grateful heart, deep admiration, thanks, and appreciation to each and every one of you, the leadership of the CFA, all the other leadership of the Conference at various levels and the staff who are in ministry with us.
Your brother in Christ,
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar