March has arrived and the Lenten season is moving along!  I trust that your and my Lenten journey to the cross and empty tomb will be spiritually meaningful and that’ll we’ll end the journey having a closer walk with Jesus, Who died and rose again for us!  I love the Easter message, “He is risen!”  As Christians, let’s proclaim the wonderful news that we have a LIVING Savior and that He’s STILL “in the world today”!

I’m actually “penning” these words on the Monday following the Marion District United Methodist Day that was held at Aynor High School on March 3.  More than 200 United Methodists from 41 churches in the district attended this special event, and the evaluations that were submitted indicate the UM Day was a great success.  I appreciate, first of all, all those lay persons AND clergy who “braved” the rainy weather to come out for this day of worship, fun, fellowship, and food, and thanks to everyone who brought all that delicious food.  Next, gratitude is expressed:  to Rev. Scott Johnson and My Dear Demas for leading us in awesome worship of our awesome God; to the Bennettsville-Cheraw Area Cooperative Ministry Mass Choir and Rev. Rodney Earls for providing some very special music during worship; to Mr. Barney Barnhill and Goodfellows for providing the sound system; to Rev. Ed Daniel and Rev. Jeff Dunn for their inspirational messages: to Mrs. Pam Ashwood and Rev. Sarah Branyon and their helpers for the “breakout” sessions with the children and youth who were present; to Rev. Sarah Branyon and Lizzie Branyon for leading us in the Resurrection Dance; to Mrs. Linda Lovell for picking up the fried chicken and helping in other ways as well; to Mr. David Parker for videoing the Resurrection Dance; and especially to Principal Daryl Brown, Mrs. Yolanda Vickers, and Ms. Linda Samuels of Aynor High School for everything they did to make the facilities ready for us to use. 

Of course, the UM Day couldn’t have happened without a VERY SPECIAL group of people who planned the event.  I want to say a VERY SPECIAL “thank you” to the following individuals for EVERYTHING they did to make the day such a blessing to everyone:  Rev. Millie Nelson, Corina Esau, Antoinette Balfour, David Lovell, Rev. Sarah Branyon, and Rev. Bill Heustess.  As I think about March 3, I just have to exclaim, “Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!”

What’s next in the District?  The Marion District Vital Congregations Celebration will be held on Sunday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, Marion.  Pastors and church leaders are expected to be present to worship and to present their “goals” during the offertory at the Celebration.  Then on Sunday, April 15, a special Small Church Celebration is planned at Macedonia United Methodist Church, Mullins.  This event will begin with a “pot luck” meal at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Worship Celebration from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Participants in the Celebration will come from several of the small churches in the district.  It’s going to be a great Celebration, so EVERYONE is encouraged to be in Mullins on April 15!

This letter is getting long.  I guess I’d better close until next time.  Have a blessed Lenten journey!

                                                                        In Christ,

                                                                        Dickie Knight    J