Thank you….

My dear friends – and United Methodist followers of Christ –

As I prepare for my surgery, I am overwhelmed with thanks for very touching prayers you have lifted up for me in the Charge Conferences…and for the gifts and cards and emails that have extended your ongoing commitment to hold me up in prayer through this surgery. This means more to me than words can say.

I am writing to tell you about another way that you contribute directly to my welfare and peace of mind during this challenging time in my life…and that is the undergirding that you give through your apportionment giving that makes it possible for me to have health insurance. I know that sometimes those apportionment numbers are a remote, abstract necessity. Maybe you have been one of the people who wonder how your money makes a difference. Well, I am giving you one very personal example. The health insurance for District Superintendents is something that is undergirded by your apportionment giving. And, although for most of my ministry, I made no claim on the health insurance, I can tell you that, at a time like this, it means the world to me to know that I have good, solid health insurance coverage. I know that health insurance is a blessing that everyone doesn’t have. I do not take it for granted.

Getting the news that I had a malignant tumor was hard. Emotionally, it was a big shock to me. I had a big challenge to go through the ultrasound, the biopsy, the search for the best surgeon, etc. But, I tell you, if I did not have health insurance, I would have really been in a tailspin. The health insurance coverage that you make possible has made a direct contribution to my peace of mind. I thank you.

Our health insurance won’t take care of everything. In an effort to get the best prices we can for the churches who pay the premiums, we have a $1000 deductible and co-pays. Even with insurance, this surgery and followup treatment is still going to cost me thousands of dollars. But I pay that gratefully in light of the staggering total costs that something like this would mean to someone who was uninsured. There would be no way I could come up with enough money to take care of my health care needs without insurance.

So I thank you with all my heart. The money you contribute to the connection makes a difference…and, through what you are giving, I hope to be restored to health in a way that will return to you a gift of leadership and gratitude in the days to come.

Mary John

Click here to send Mary John a message.

Phone: 704-873-6162 Fax: 704-873-8271 Email: sdumc@wnccumc.org
District Office Address: 941 Thomas Street, Statesville, NC 28677