UMC Bishop Wilson to visit Faith United Methodist Church Sunday
Faith United Methodist Church of Chase County will welcome UMC Bishop David Wilson Sunday for its 9:30 a.m. service.
Bishop Wilson, who is based in Topeka, Kansas, serves the Great Plains Annual Conference and requested to visit Imperial to acknowledge the recently formed Faith UMC.
Bishop Wilson, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, holds the honor of being the first Native American Bishop in the entire United Methodist organization. He oversees United Methodist Churches in Kansas and Nebraska.
Erin Konecky led a group of laity with a strong commitment to the values and mission of the United Methodist Church wanted to begin a new church following the decision of the former Imperial United Methodist Church to leave the United Methodist Church and join the Global Methodist Church.
In August, UMC District Superintendent Cindy Kargas contacted Konecky to ask if Faith UMC would like Bishop Wilson to come worship with its members Oct. 29.
Kargas said one of Bishop Wilson’s goals in coming to southwest Nebraska was meeting with people like Konecky and members of the Faith UMC leadership team who are doing “incredible new ministries. “
Faith UMC has garnered the interest of UMC Conference and District leaders who have been following the church, especially on social media, and want to show their support, according to Kargas.
“Our church is excited to have Bishop Wilson visit because it shows we have the support of our conference. Being acknowledged by these leaders verifies, for me at least, that our church is legitimate,” Konecky said.
As a United Methodist church, Konecky said Faith UMC is embracing the mission to be open and loving to everyone.
“I can’t wait to see what message Bishop Wilson has for us. We are in the process of planning to add a few extra touches to our service. I really want to showcase our youth and kids because that’s what really makes our church special,” she added.
Elected in November of last year, Bishop Wilson came to serve the Great Plains Annual Conference January 1, 2023.
During his first year he is traveling to get to the know Annual Conference, with its approximately 750 churches and their pastors and laity.
While in Nebraska, Bishop Wilson will be preaching at two area worship gatherings, one in Scottsbluff and one in Ogallala.
“He also wanted to connect especially with churches and laity who are serving their communities in new and creative ways,” Kargas said.
While there are more requests for the Bishop’s time than he can meet, Kargas said Bishop Wilson particularly wanted to show his support to the laity of Faith UMC who are committed to each other, as well as the Chase County communities, with the philosophy of Open Heats, Open Minds, Open Doors.
Faith United Methodist Church meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the Upper Republican Natural Resource District offices in Imperial.