To my Federation Family
Greetings in the name of Christ who is our Hope!
The past month has been a time for me to reflect on events of the 12th Assembly and the future role I’ll play as your World President. As I said in my response after the Installation, this position was not on my agenda. I went to Johannesburg hoping to become South Pacific Area President, but was invited to put my name forward as World President. Two sleepless nights and much prayer later, I agreed that God’s plans are not always our plans, but if God calls, God will equip. So here I am – your President!
Paul tells us hope involves things unseen. Sometimes God calls us into an unseen future – and hope sustains us.
This certainly has been true in my life. Left fatherless at 2; called (with 48 hours’ notice to make a response) to serve alongside my husband, John, with the Methodist Church in Tonga; suffering from chronic depression for over 10 years, it has been the hope found through my faith, the support of the church family and the willingness to serve with all my being in each area of ministry that has got me through tough times.
Your new Executive met immediately after the Assembly and made these decisions:
- Dorothy Kumar (India) invited to be Tree of Life Editor for another quinquennium with congratulations and thanks for a superb job done over the past five years.
- Emmy-Lou John (USA) invited to be our Archivist, following the great work of Pamela Klimcke 2006-11.
- Nicholas Connan, my elder son, invited to take over the web-site from Ken Milan, Chita’s son. We thank Ken for his work and especially for the Assembly material now available for all.
- the adoption of a new version of the Tree of Life logo which will make photocopying easier.
As I wrestle with the changes this appointment means in my already busy life, I ask for your prayers as I offer prayers for you, your families, your churches, your countries and our wonderful Federation family. Bambelela!
Shalom.
Ann Connan