I’m awed by all I see happening in district

Charge conference reports

What do these things have in common? 
A free motorcycle wash for a biker rally, craft days, making 2,000 crocheted chickens, a community Halloween costume contest and building houses in Mexico? 
What do these things have in common?
Baptizing babies, a food pantry that feeds hundreds of families, grab bags for homeless folks that include bottles of water and toiletries, a pumpkin patch, buying land, painting parsonages, Disciple Bible Study, Spanish lessons, hosting the Austin Guitar Society concerts, golf tournaments, sponsoring missionaries by paying appor-tionments, Interfaith Housing Network, nursing home visitation, building committees, Safe Sanctuary policies, new roofs, retired pastors reports.
I could go on and on.
Do you know what these things have in common? Do you know the answer?
What these things have in common is simple—and wonderful and profoundly faithful. All these things were reported in charge conferences this year.
All these things are ministries that faithful people are doing in the name of Christ to serve God and their neighbors.
These things, and literally thousands of others like them, are what faithful people are doing day in and day out, month after month, year after year to serve Christ and make disciples.
Imaginative things and everyday things. Hard things and easy things.  Serious things and fun things.
Feeding the hungry, physically and spiritually. Preaching, teaching, singing, giving time, giving money, praying, visiting hospitals and burying the dead.
The breadth and depth of faith in action in the Austin District is astounding for both clergy and laity. I am proud of all of you—congregations large and small, pastors and laity.
The United Methodist Church in action is a powerful force for good in the world.  I am sincerely awed by all I see happening, and I give thanks to God for all of you.
Mary Lou, I forgot to ask. How much are your crocheted chickens?