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Dear Friends,  

I love my Fitbit which calculates a “readiness” measurement each morning, projecting how physically prepared I am for the day ahead. This score is based largely on the quality and quantity of sleep I experienced the previous night.  

It is also important to enter each day spiritually ready. Spiritual readiness is determined by several factors, including the reading and studying of Scripture.  

Research shows that engaging with the Bible four or more times a week positively impacts our lives in multiple ways. This is because through Scripture we encounter the living God. Such experiences are transformational. 

For the past several years my Bible reading practices have been guided by the Read Together initiative offered in the Conferences I serve. In 2026 we will again be offering Read Together as we journey through the Bible from start to finish in both the Holston and West Virginia Conferences.  

Read Together 2026 offers several new tools to assist us in continued growth in the reading of Scripture. One of these offerings will be a collection of Bible-reading resources designed to support and guide us along the way. These guides will explore helpful topics such as: 

In addition to these practical tools, there will also be opportunities to engage deeply with each day’s reading, allowing Scripture to shape our hearts, minds, and souls. Every three months, we will introduce a new set of spiritual exercises that offer deep ways to interact with the daily passages. These practices will include: 

  • praying with Scripture, 

  • an adapted Daily Examen, and 

  • a visual reflection practice. 

I invite you to join me in shaping our daily routines in ways that cultivate spiritual readiness. 

Those who participate in Read Together 2026 may also subscribe to a daily email that delivers the assigned Scripture passages directly to their inbox each day, offering a simple and consistent way to stay engaged in the journey. 

For additional resources, reading guides, and subscription information, please visit our Read Together resource page. 
 
Please feel free to reach out to Rev. Bonnie MacDonald for more information about Read Together 2026.  

As always, it is a joy to serve as your bishop.  

Blessings,  

Debra Wallace-Padgett 
Resident Bishop 
Holston and West Virginia Conferences