Dear Siblings in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, who transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary and calls us into God’s beloved community. As we approach this mid-January season, we are invited to reflect, remember, and recommit to the work of justice, reconciliation, and hope.
 

This Sunday, we observe Human Relations Day, one of the six Special Sundays in The United Methodist Church. This day challenges us to affirm the dignity and worth of every person, especially those marginalized by society. Your giving on this day supports ministries that empower communities through justice and compassion, offering a glimpse of the beloved community God envisions.
 
On Monday, our nation pauses to honor the prophetic legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who gave voice to the call for racial equity, nonviolence, and reconciliation. Dr. King’s vision of the beloved community is rooted in the same hope Jesus embodied—a world where justice and love prevail, and no one is left behind.
 
In this same spirit, the upcoming presidential inauguration reminds us of our shared responsibility as people of faith to engage in the public square, to advocate for the vulnerable, and to lift prayers for our leaders. Our Wesleyan tradition teaches us that personal holiness and social holiness are inseparable; we are called to transform the world in the name of Christ.
 
Our lectionary gospel for January 19, John 2:1-11, recounts Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana. When the wine ran out, Jesus transformed water into wine, revealing his glory and abundance. This miracle reminds us that in the face of scarcity, Jesus brings transformation. Just as the wedding feast became a symbol of joy and renewal, we are invited to bring Christ’s transformative power into the places where hope seems depleted, and joy feels far away.
 
Beloved friends, as we seek to build God’s beloved community, we are faced with the ongoing struggles of racial inequity, environmental crisis, and the divisions in our communities. Yet, we take heart in the miracle at Cana. Jesus shows us that even in our brokenness, there is potential for transformation. He turns scarcity into abundance, despair into hope, and isolation into beloved community.
 
I encourage you to:

• Pray and act for racial equity and justice in your communities, inspired by Dr. King’s vision of the beloved community.
• Offer generosity through Human Relations Day, supporting ministries that empower and uplift those on the margins.
• Look for places in your own ministry where Jesus might transform what seems insufficient into something extraordinary.

May this season remind us that God’s work of transformation is ongoing, inviting us to participate in the miracle of abundant life. Together, we are building a future where God’s love is made known in every corner of our communities.
 
In Christ’s love,



Bishop Lanette Plambeck 
Resident Bishop, Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area 
The United Methodist Church