Growing and Celebrating at Charge Conference

On Wednesday, November 7, 2005, at 6:54 a.m., my beautiful wife gave birth to the most beautiful baby in the world. Julia Catherine weighted 7 lbs. 5 ounces. She was 20 inches long and has a head full of dark hair. My family has added another member and our church has grown by one more.

In recent letter to church members, I cited some of the following details concerning our church's growth. In the last twelve months we have added 26 members to our congregation; nine professions of faith and 10 children. We have had three babies born and are expecting five more in the next seven months. Our average worship has increased from 110 one year ago, to 134 this year, a 22% increase. If we look back to 2003, when we averaged 92, we have a seen a 47% increase in worship attendance. Financially, we are stronger than ever and are, therefore, empowering new ministries and outreach. We have experienced a 51% increase in giving during the last two years. I thank God and your ministry for making this incredible difference in the life of Christ's church here in Hartford.

I know that we are just as hopeful in our vision for 2006. Sunday, November 13th will be our Commitment Sunday. You will be invited to celebrate our commitments to Christ and His church here in Hartford.with your prayers, presence, gifts, and service. We will then stay after worship for a wonderful covered dish dinner, where we will fellowship and celebrate our growing ministries. Please plan to attend and help us celebrate this commitment to Christ and His church.

On Tuesday, November 15th at 7:00 p.m., our administrative council will review our ministry plan for 2006. Immediately following that meeting, we will call the charge conference to order and formalize our plans. We invite all members to come, vote, and share in our vision for the work and mission of the Hartford First United Methodist Church. I am proud of the direction in which our church is headed and am excited about making our plans for the next year. Please make plans to be part of our council/charge conference meeting. Among some of the issues coming before us are:

• Celebrating the ministry of 2005
• Remembering those who have passed since our last charge conference.
• Establishing new ministry space for children's ministry
• Bringing Beth Dean to full-time status in music/worship ministry
• Setting the 2006 budget.

I am excited about our ministry for 2005, but I am even more hopeful about 2006. I believe that our best days are ahead of us. God is doing wonderful things in our midst. I get goosebumps just thinking about the work God is doing around us.  Won't you come and celebrate with us on November 13 and November 15th?

See you then.