July 11, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you.”
(Philippians 1:3-4)
I thank God for you, the people called United Methodists of the California-Nevada Annual Conference.
There are so many people to thank, we will not be able to thank you all individually. So please understand as Minnie and I use this method to say thank you to all of you.
As the Western Jurisdictional Conference is held over the next few days, we will learn who will lead you for the next quadrennium.
Most of my 43 years of active ministry have been spent with you in the California-Nevada Annual Conference. I am grateful for the many ways in which we have grown together, and encouraged each other through the years. It has been a privilege to be part of this Conference’s ministry which has literally spanned the globe.
I give thanks for serving on your conference staff as your Conference Council Director, District Superintendent for the Golden Gate District, and pastoring Taylor Memorial UMC in Oakland, and First UMC in Bakersfield, and the past eight years as your Bishop.
Your new Bishop’s term of office will begin September 1st. It is my prayer that you welcome and embrace them with the same hospitality with which you welcomed me and Minnie when we first arrived.
In retirement, Minnie and I look forward to residing in the Sacramento area. During my first year, I will follow the practice we encourage all retiring clergy to observe. I’m going to disengage from life within the Annual Conference for the next year, except at the request of your new Bishop.
Minnie and I thank God for each of you, and you will continually be in our thoughts and prayers. We are grateful for the love you have shown us over the years. We are especially moved by the appreciation and recognition you have shown us during this season of retirement. You have applauded us during our times of celebration, and comforted us in our moments of sorrow. We thank you for all that you have done and we thank God for you. May God continue to bless you and the mission and ministry of the California-Nevada Conference.
Grace and Peace,
Warner H. Brown, Jr.
Resident Bishop
