As the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church steps into the year 2026, we do so with gratitude for where God has brought us and clarity about where the Spirit is leading us. This new year calls us not merely to move forward in time, but to move deeper in purpose, rooted in Christ, responsive to community, and ready for renewed witness.
The work before us is both ancient and urgent. We remain a people shaped by Scripture, sustained by prayer, and sent into the world to embody the love of Christ. Evangelism in this season is not about coercion, but cultivation, creating sacred space for conversation, compassion, and connection. Like faithful farmers, we plant seeds in faith, trusting God to give the increase in due season. Every act of love, every word of hope, every gesture of service matters.
Would you agree that leadership within the CME Church continues to be understood not as power, but as stewardship? We are called to lead with integrity, humility, and vision while honoring the rich traditions that formed us and boldly engaging in the rich realities of a changing world.
Structures must serve mission, and mission must always reflect the heart of God. The spirit of a leader is infectious. Therefore, we choose to lead in ways that inspire faith, justice, and holiness.
The color of our witness remains love. In a world marked by division, the church must be a visible sign of God’s reconciling grace. Love is not passive but active, disciplined, and transformative. It teaches us how to wait without wasting time, how to release what no longer serves God’s purpose, and how to walk together even when the path is difficult. When love finds us, it reshapes how we see God, ourselves, and one another.
As we enter 2026, we recommit ourselves to faithful service that actively cares for one another across generations, honoring those who have labored before us, and equipping those who will lead after us. We move forward with vision, not confusion, with hope, not fear, with faith, not fatigue.
May this year be marked by Holy imagination, courageous leadership, and fruitful ministry. Let us see clearly, serve joyfully, and sow faithfully while trusting that the God who called us is still at work in and through all of us.
“A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky. To serve this present age, my calling to fulfill, O may it all my pow’rs engage to do my Master’s will.”
In the service of the Lord, we step into 2026 together.
In The Service of The Lord!
