Greetings dear friends of the Capital District, As we settle into the new year, I want to express to the leaders and congregations of the Capital District my hopes and prayers that we may have a meaningful, productive, and effective year of ministry in fulfilling our hopes, goals, and purpose in mission. I pray that…Read More »
A Word from DS Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman – 12/18/24
One of my favorite sermon stories has been about the parent who was reading a magazine and sought to keep their child occupied by tearing out a page with a map of the world on it, cutting the map into pieces like a puzzle, and asking the child to go and put the world back…Read More »
A Word from DS Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman – 11/26/24
During this season of Thanksgiving, we are thankful for the profound impact that the faithful witness of the churches and ministries of the Capital District are having in the lives of God’s people in our mission field. We give thanks for the life-giving word of God that has been shared and taught leading to greater…Read More »
A Word from DS Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman – 09/12/24
Greetings to you in Christ’s name! This message is to share our plan for 2024 Charge Conferences. We will hold an in-person Group Charge Conference on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 4 pm at Lake Travis UMC, 1502 RR 620 North. This year, all Rio Texas Charge Conferences will follow the theme Better Together. With this theme, we…Read More »
A Word from DS Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman – 08/22/24
I was thinking recently about my first airplane trip, particularly the return flight to Dallas from Oakland where I had been for a seminarian’s conference. I was totally unprepared when the pilot came on the intercom with a very calm voice and said, “We are now approaching Dallas. There is a storm below so we will…Read More »
A Word from DS Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman – 07/18/24
Thank You, Bishop Schnase! We express our sincere gratitude to Bishop Robert Schnase for his thoughtful, caring, and transformational leadership during one of the most challenging seasons in the history our church. Bishop Schnase embodied trust, a steady hand, exceptional visionary and executive oversight, and tremendous sensitivity in all of our experiences spanning from hurricane…Read More »
A Word from DS Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman – 06/21/24
Dear Capital District friends: We are living through a historic season in the life of our beloved United Methodist Church. At our General Conference, our denomination made a decision to align with our best understanding of God’s unconditional love for all as known through the life and witness of Christ who extended grace to all…Read More »
A Word from DS Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman – 03/27/24
Bearing the Light I recently met a pastor who shared with me that a number of his parishioners were highly educated, affluent, specialized professionals, many at the peak of their careers, and some were working in exclusive and high-security jobs. Out of curiosity, I asked how he stayed grounded to preach and teach among those…Read More »
A Word from DS Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman – 02/15/24
As I sit in my office on Valentine’s Day this year – a day that also happens to be Ash Wednesday, signifying the beginning of Lent, our Christian season of self-examination, self-denial, or reflection on our relationship with God, a lot is going on in my heart today. I was thinking about those in my life whom I…Read More »
A Word from DS Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman – 01/23/24
I can clearly remember one of the last times that I rode a roller coaster. What a ride it was! It was the Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park in San Antonio. My family had worked hard for a fun vacation day at Six Flags and riding the Iron Rattler was one…Read More »