Moving into the Deep

Dear Beloved Bethel AME Champaign Family,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

First, I am truly thankful God saw fit to put it on the heart of Bishop Wright to reappoint me to the Pastorate of the oldest (and THEE BLACKEST) African American Church in Champaign County. As we approach the as we begin a new annual conference year, I am filled with gratitude for your unwavering faith and dedication to our church's mission. Together, we have accomplished much under our theme "Rebuilding the Wall," inspired by Nehemiah 2:17-18.  Like Nehemiah, we faced challenges, but through God's grace and our collective efforts, we have strengthened our church's foundation. We've rebuilt not just physical structures, but also reinforced our spiritual bonds, community connections, and worked on those areas in our lives that needed rebuilding. Your commitment to this vision has been truly inspiring.

As we look to the future, I am excited to announce our new theme for the 2024-2025 Conference year: "Nevertheless: Stepping into the Deep." This theme is rooted in Luke 5:5-7, where Simon Peter, despite a night of fruitless fishing, responds to Jesus' call with these powerful words: "Nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net."  This passage speaks volumes about faith, obedience, and the abundant blessings that follow when we trust in God's guidance. Like Peter, we are being called to step out of our comfort zones and into deeper waters of faith and service.  Our transition from "Rebuilding the Wall" to "Stepping into the Deep" is a natural progression in our spiritual journey. Having strengthened our foundation, we are now prepared to venture further in our faith, taking on new challenges and opportunities to serve God and our community.

This new theme encourages us to:

1.Trust in God's wisdom, even when circumstances seem unfavorable.

2.Be obedient to God's call, stepping out in faith.

3.Expect abundance and miracles when we follow God's leading.

4.Work together as a community, supporting one another as we face new challenges.

As your Pastor, I am committed to guiding our congregation through this exciting new phase. Together, we will explore the depths of God's love, expand our ministry, and reach out to those in need with renewed vigor and faith.

To formally launch this new theme and prepare for the upcoming conference year, I invite you all to attend a special church conference on October 27th, 2024, immediately following our morning worship service. During this meeting, we will:

• Discuss the vision and implementation of our new theme

• Elect trustees for the 2024-2025 Conference year

• Appoint officers for various church ministries and committees

Your presence and participation in this conference are crucial as we chart our course for the coming year. Let us come together in prayer, fellowship, and purpose as we prepare to step into the deep, trusting in God's guidance and abundant blessings.

May God continue to bless and keep you all!

In Faith and Liberation,

The Reverend Terrance L. Thomas,(he/him/his)

Pastor, Bethel AME Church-Champaign