Pastor's E-Letter

Pastor's E-Letter

Filter By:
Showing items filed under “Allee Willcox”

Pastor's E-Letter 8/28/20

I remember when I visited Suntree UMC for the first time and realized that I would be working with Kennedy Space Center technicians, engineers, and other individuals who had worked on the Apollo launches to the moon. I was overwhelmed by the intelligence, patriotism, and (frankly) celebrity of the group who had worked alongside astronauts to complete such important exploration. My first few weeks, I joked with my family that I was “literally preaching to rocket scientists,” and brilliant engineers who challenged my thinking and my way of perceiving the world. This work didn’t stop with Apollo, though. So many in our congregation are still very involved in the space industry here in Brevard County. Members of our congregation work for SpaceX, Boeing, and NASA, all continuing to innovate as we launch into space.
 
As we began preparing this map, someone on our team suggested we use a launch metaphor to describe what it means to proceed further into our faith and grow deeper in our love of Christ. I loved it! The language of launch, the teamwork required to complete such a mission, and the deep thinking that a launch embodies also characterizes the Suntree spirit. You are indeed deep thinking, loving and team oriented, and engaged in the life of the church here and around the world. As we journeyed through our planning, the idea of “Launching into Extraordinary Love,” taken from our e3 commitment to love in extraordinary ways was born. 
 
Through this series, I’ve wondered if the image of the launch has held the same kind of excitement and salience for you all as it has for me. When I think about the work that is being accomplished in worship, small groups, Journey and Oasis, missions like Cuba, our Foster Care Ministry, and Daily Bread, I wonder if you feel the same connection points and excitement about the direction our church is launching into (and has been for some time). Your love of God, one another, and neighbor, is extraordinarily evident. This map simply names a truth already present: you are growing in love of God, and the world. You are working for the Kingdom. Your faith is real, present, and transformative. This launch sequence only enables further growth- it doesn’t start it. You are a wonderful church to work with. (Honestly, I feel blessed simply to be a part of this.)
 
As we close out this series though, I’m reminded that our question is not, “Where have we been?” but, “Where are we going?” The work is always beginning. Part of what you all will know so well, as engineer and engineer-adjacent people (shoutout to us non-math people, right?!) is that constant monitoring is what ensures a launch’s success. To help us explain this, we had a congregation member, Rich Dixon, talk about his experience working with the Apollo program and data collection that made launches to the moon possible. 
Launch Into Extraordinary Love - Intro
 
I love Rich’s testimony so much because it highlights so many important parts about what it means, as a church and as individuals, to launch into extraordinary love. We need to have that data feedback- a constant monitoring as we grow further into Christ’s love to see if we’re being serious about what Christ calls us to be. We need to be willing to work as a team- as a church- to gain the momentum needed to have a successful, kingdom oriented mission. Finally, we engage in the launch because we know that God will use our work, even the smallest parts of it, to make a difference in the world. 
 
As Methodists, we talk about this rigorous and continued growth in terms of “sanctifying grace.” We do not believe as Methodists that you are finished with your faith when you say “yes,” praying the sinner’s prayer and checking the box on the commitment card. We believe in that moment, faith is just beginning! Throughout your life of faith, you’ll have the opportunity to grow, change, and become more like Jesus- becoming “sanctified,” and growing further up and further into God’s love. 
 
So, as we engage “Stage 4: Orbit in Extraordinary Love,” I invite you to look again over the sequence and assessment. Don’t judge yourself, but ask earnestly: where am I heading in my faith? Reflect on what is possible with your time and schedule, especially during the pandemic. We have plenty of Grow and Serve opportunities, online and in person, listed below, as well as ways to serve within the church (like our childcare, welcome, greeting, and congregational care ministries). All of these opportunities can be growth points in your launch sequence, if you’re willing to take God seriously and engage in your faith.
 
It is my and the Grow Team’s earnest goal that this map is a tool that will be used for years to come. We want this to become a part of our collective language and the way we as a church help others come to know and serve Christ. I hope you’ve heard the excitement we feel about this work throughout this series, and are ready to launch into extraordinary love! We need all of us, pulling ahead to love of God and neighbor, to make a true difference in our world. 
 
See you Sunday,
Pastor Allee 
Posted by Allee Willcox with

Pastor's E-Letter 8/14/20

“[They’re] my person.”
 
If you are a fan of the hit TV-show Greys Anatomy, (or even if you’re not!) you’ve probably heard or seen this quote float around, shared between main characters Meredith Grey and Cristena Yang. 
 
Throughout the series, Cristena and Meredith being one another's' “person” is a theme. Even as Cristena goes on to other endeavors, and Meredith’s life changes again and again, Cristena is still Meredith’s “person.” They’re with one another, thick and thin. The relationship that they share is beyond even the worst parts of each other and a steady force in their lives. It is a gift, and a grace to each of them. 
 
I wonder if, as you read that quote, you can think of your “people,” in this life. I can. They are close, intimate friends who know me well and know even the worst parts of me. They have shown up, again and again, in the face of all of my messiness and loved me. It is a true gift, without which I’m not sure I would be where I am today. 
 
Stage 2 of our Launch Sequence is all about the Christian gift of this relationship, in “Love each other.” It is about the way our Christian discipleship shapes our relationships with our families, and our relationships in the church. It is also about the deep importance of Christian relationships and community, and how these forces shape our lives- like being someone’s person, and showing up in the mess. 
 
The encouragement to participate in Christian community is similar, but not exactly the same, as Meredith and Cristena’s relationship in Grey’s Anatomy. Certainly, we are called to support one another in the crises and the mess that we encounter. I hear that again and again from our long-term Life Groups, and you’ll hear it on Sunday. We are better together. But, witnessing to one another’s mess is not where we end; but rather we walk with each other through it and help one another follow Jesus better. The basic desire of a Christian community is to form one another and the world to be more like Jesus.
 
This is why I think it is so vital for you to engage in our Stage 2 Opportunities. Whether it is a long-term Life Group, a Journey or Oasis Class, Mens’ or Womens’ groups, or an age-based opportunity like Older or Younger Adult gatherings, we think that gathering together in deep, intimate Christian relationship has the power to make a difference in our lives in extraordinary ways. We would love to get you connected in groups, especially this fall in the midst of the coronavirus isolation we are experiencing. Please know you can always reach out to me at   to begin that process.
 
As Pastor Annette and I have Zoom check-ins with Life Groups, I hear this truth reflected over and over from you, too. Your groups hold you up, especially during this time. I know this is true of me, too. In my life, this Christian community includes “covenant” groups that I participate in- one with friends from seminary, and another, slowly beginning, is a group of clergywomen in Florida. Some weeks, these groups are fun and silly catch-up-on-trash-TV message threads. Other weeks, we get into the deepest, messiest parts of life and ministry: we are sad, or scared, or burnt out, or tired. We talk about marriage, children, and family, and the deep love and loss that accompanies these things. I know these groups will continue to help me be the best follower of Christ I can be, and hold me accountable to love and grace in the midst of all of life’s trials.
 
Being together is a true gift. And I know that you all miss being close to one another, physically present in worship! We had a wonderful first Sunday back on August 9th- but were so cognizant of how many of you have still, validly, chosen to stay home. All of our services were socially distanced and safe- so if you’re looking to come back but unsure, or if you haven’t registered, you can register for this Sunday at suntreeumc.org/register. Remember, you need to register for services each week. On this form, you can also see how many others have registered, if you’re looking to go to a “smaller” service to be safe.
 
In that way, whether you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy or not; whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert; whether you’ve done a study or a group before or not; we all need Christian community. I invite you to seriously evaluate Stage 2 and see where you might be able to join and re-engage this aspect of your faith.
 
See you virtually (or in person!) this Sunday,
Pastor Allee
Posted by Allee Willcox with

12...891011121314151617 ... 2324