Summer 2024 – Partner Update
Through your gifts you and I together are loving people to life.
Hello Partners!
Good day! As we transition from spring to summer, we want to share updates and plans for the remainder of the year. Cheryl and I are excited to bring you some wonderful news and upcoming events that we believe will be significant for all of us.
HEALTH UPDATE
First and foremost, we have fantastic news regarding Malcolm’s health. His most recent PET scan, conducted a couple of weeks ago, showed even more shrinkage of the cancer. The oncologist has confirmed that Malcolm is now more than 95 percent cancer-free. Hallelujah! Malcolm has been incredibly busy with his writing, and we’ve had our plates full, but this good news energizes us.
DECEMBER RETREAT
We are thrilled to announce our Winter Retreat, scheduled for December 6th, 7th, and 8th at the DoubleTree in San Antonio. This year’s theme is “Meal of Mystery, Meal of Wonder” which ties into the new book Malcolm is writing about the Holy Communion. Many people have expressed interest in understanding the significance and practices surrounding the Holy Communion, and this retreat will delve deeply into this sacred ritual.
The retreat will feature comprehensive teaching sessions on the Eucharist, starting from Friday through to Sunday morning. Each evening and on Sunday morning, we will celebrate the Eucharist together, aiming for a deeper experiential understanding of its significance. This will be more than just a learning experience; it will be a time to live and feel the teachings as they are presented.
Find full details for the retreat and register online at unconditionallovefellowship.com/2024-retreat/, or register by phone by calling the ministry office at 830-460-4000.
NEW BOOK
The upcoming book, Meal of Mystery, Meal of Wonder explores the profound mystery and significance of the Eucharist, uncovering layers of meaning that have long been misunderstood or overlooked. It promises to be an enlightening read, bringing the practices and teachings of the early church to life. The book is expected to be published in the fall, and those attending the retreat will be the first to have the opportunity to purchase it.
My message to you this month is from the first letter of John, in chapter 4:7-21. This passage reminds us that love originates from God, and our ability to love comes from His initial love for us. This divine love is not something we earn or initiate but is His nature which we receive and respond to. It’s a love that is not based on our actions but purely on His grace and initiative. This understanding frees us from the struggle of trying to earn God’s love and allows us to rest in the assurance that we are already loved unconditionally. As we continue through the summer, let us keep this realization in our hearts and carry it with us in our daily lives.
Cheryl and I look forward to seeing many of you this December at the retreat and sharing some time together. We thank you for your continued support and generosity. Your gifts and giving are essential in helping us share this message and continue our ministry. It is through your contributions that we are able to reach more people and bring the love of God to those who need it most. We will be back soon with another update.
You are blessed in Christ Jesus,
Malcolm and Cheryl Smith
If the download does not start automatically, right-click the link and choose “Save Link As…” and that should let you save the recording.