Greetings Trinity Family,
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, I'm reminded of Paul’s simple but challenging encouragement to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:15–18).
This passage is so much more than a social media quote or a greeting card. This passage reflects a posture of holy gratitude—the kind that roots itself in the goodness of who God is, not details of our lives or the world around us.
Holy gratitude changes us from the inside out. It compels us to respond faithfully.
Jesus teaches us this plainly in Matthew 25:35 and 40: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (NIV).
I can’t think of a better way for us to live out holy gratitude, than feeding the hungry this holiday season. Many of our neighbors are experiencing heightened food insecurity, so I am encouraging a Conference-wide response to serve and feed the least of these, in our own neighborhoods and communities throughout November and December.
Across the Trinity Conference, I am asking every congregation to support local food banks, food ministries, and meal support programs in your communities. For some churches, this will look like taking up a special offering. For others, it may be organizing food drives or delivering meals.
As you pray and discern this call to action, I’d like to highlight one particularly beautiful example already underway: members at Sugar Land Methodist Church have a community food garden, where they plant and share fresh produce with their neighbors for the last 40 years! They've donated more than 2,000 pounds of fresh produce to their local food pantry. It is slow, faithful, patient work. And it looks exactly like the Gospel in action. Well done, friends!
Your church may not plant a garden this year, but you can plant seeds of hope. When you feed the least of these, you are truly serving Jesus.
Peace,
— Jason
Rev. Jason Burnham
Conference Superintendent
