Thanksgiving and Advent 2020

Sunday, November 29, marked the first Sunday of Advent. I had the privilege of worshiping with Hartford City Wesleyan Church and bringing the morning message as we began. The congregation at HCWC is holding strong and serving their community through this difficult season. Several families in the congregation are impacted by the pandemic and the church is rallying together supporting one another in prayer.
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Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. While Christians can and should give thanks every day, there is something unique about the whole country being called by our president each year since 1789 to pause and give thanks to God. We gather and express our gratitude to God for His blessing on our families and our nation. It was a special joy this year for our family to welcome home all four children and their spouses. We also enjoyed our annual “Turkey Trot” in the form of a five kilometer run/walk through Upland.
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The year 2020 has been been unlike any other in my lifetime. The pandemic has taken more than 250,000 of our fellow citizens, nearly 6000 of those here in Indiana. In addition to the collective grief, our nation has been rocked by waves of economic disruption, racial injustice, and political division. The church has not been spared from the impact of these forces. Admittedly, some churches have struggled to find their footing but others have risen to the challenge and are experiencing God’s favor. Lives are being changed. New believers are being baptized. Faith is being strengthened and deepened. Just yesterday morning, four people responded to the invitation and gave their lives to Christ as Rev. John Hannan and Rev. Claudia Silva ministered together at Richmond Iglesia Casa del Alfarero. What a great time to be serving the Lord together!

Some of last week’s meetings were cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns but our Crossroads District staff was able to meet on Tuesday morning. I am thankful for this team and count it a blessing to work alongside Rev. Seth Bye (COO), Rev. Carla Working (DBMD), and Mrs. Hannah Searcy Brown (Executive Assistant/Ministry Partner) to serve our Crossroads District pastors and congregations.

The Crossroads District team joins me in expressing our sincere condolences on the November 24th passing of General Superintendent Emeritus, Dr. Earle L. Wilson. Our sympathy and prayers are lifted up for Sylvia, his dear wife of 65 years, to his brother Rev. Dr. Norman Wilson (member of the Crossroads District team), to his daughter Rev. Dr. Colleen Derr (president of Wesley Seminary and a member of our district ministerial team), and to the many other members of their extended family. The Wesleyan Church shared this note from his family: https://www.wesleyan.org/general-superintendent-emeritus-earle-wilson-passes-away

Our prayers and sympathies are also extended to Mrs. Nicole Trexler (wife of Rev. Matthew Trexler, The River Church in Marion) on the passing of her maternal grandparents, both of Covid-19. Her grandparents resided in Pennsylvania and passed away within three days of each other this past week. Nicole is the daughter of Rev. Roger and Brenda Freed.

Pastor Brad LeRoy (Harvest Community Church in McCordsville) is recovering from his surgery last week and expressed appreciation for the prayer support he has received.

Congratulations to Taylor and Amy Hulse on the birth of their twins, Corbin and Ellyana! Taylor serves as youth minister on Dr. Ollie Dongell’s team at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. If you’re familiar with Taylor and Amy’s journey, you’ll appreciate what a miracle these babies are. We are praising the Lord with them!

​This week’s schedule will include a StratOp consultation, coaching conversations and our December meeting of the Crossroads District Board of Administration. Thank you again for your prayers and partnership as we work together in His harvest field.

Keep on making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent