|
Index
Notes on Annual Conference, Saturday, June 24, 2006
by Ben Roe, Information Administrator, RMCUMC:
Saturday began at 8 a.m. with recognition and celebration of the
children. Tommy Gleaton's voice was heard coming from the big fuzzy
bear that talked with them.
The Sunshine District report was on a DVD, which presented some
technical challenges, but was inspiring when it finally worked.
The appointments were read after a scripture and prayer.
A recognition of the importance of scouting was impressive: Daryl
Brouse asked those to stand who had been a part of scouting: Most
of the conference stood.
In the Board of Stewards report for 2005, Kline Kelly and Nancy
Boswell told of meeting via conference call, a new experience for
meetings which was more efficient with less travel time... and
made the members appreciate when they actually met face-to-face.
Judy Hill from Kirk UMC in Eastern Colorado is Conference Lay
Leader and shared thoughts and observations about the health of
the conference ministries. While there are some dire predictions
(Bob Kohler, the speaker for Town and Country breakfast, told attendees
that if we don't change our ways, we're going to be belly up in
4 years), she found some significant signs of hope. She said that
30% of those in process towards the ministry are younger than 30;
dedication to mission was obvious in the mission "parade";
the young persons worship Thursday evening...
Heather Wilson gave the laity some extra time, and urged laity
to be honest. For instance, she was introduced to the book "Good
to Great" by Bishop Brown and had to admit that she was lost.
She had lots of questions as she read it... but finally got some
positive ideas, one of which she shared, from page 127. The hope
for the RMC was that we would develop "discipline, discipline,
discipline" and do the very best that we could to break out
of unproductive habits and ways of thinking.
By Diana Huerta, co-lay leader, Metro District:
The afternoon plenary session opened with a lot of enthusiasm
for an audience that had been sitting for 4 days! We celebrated
the
news that Peggy Sewell had been moved out of critical care at
Swedish Medical Center, and was feeling well enough to send her
love to the group and give her husband a “to do” list!
A personal point of privilege was raised by a member who has
a child in Iraq - he recognized the connection of all United
Methodists, and asked that we keep in our prayers all those who
have family members serving. Bishop Brown offered a prayer for
all of those who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well
as all others who are affected by war.
Current retirees were recognized and celebrated, and the 2006
retirees were introduced as their profiles were read. We celebrated
their
personal faith journeys, their favorite hymns, and their plans
for the future. This group of retirees represented 442.25 cumulative
years - what a blessing they have been to the Conference and the
world!
As we continued in our sacred journey we viewed a video on Harris
Memorial College of the Philippines, a ministry of the Woman's
Division of Christian Service to the Methodist work in the Philippines;
Deaconess Liwliwa Robledo of the Conference serves as it’s
President. The mission of the school is based on Psalm 92:5 “How
great are Your works, O Lord!”, and their goal is to develop
responsive and effective servant leaders. They currently have 742
students enrolled in grades from preschool to college, 79 staff,
and their programs include the Doris Willis Early Education center,
the Center for Community Development, and a Christian Education
Center. We appreciate this opportunity to teach others to offer
their lives for a ministry of service!
A highlight of the Conference is always the presentation of the
Bishops Award, and the influence and good works of this year’s recipient was particularly
humbling to those who listened to her letters of nomination (yes, that was
letters!). Ann Fort from Hope United Methodist Church of Greenwood Village
is described as a “beacon of hope, love, and faith.” She is passionate
about helping people here and abroad deal with issues of poverty and disease,
and her ministries have included Warren Village, DenUM, Meals on Wheels, Project
Love, and the Mayors Initiative on the Homeless. A special interest of hers
has been the ministry in Kenya, and Bishop Lawi Imathiu of Kenya sent a letter
of nomination stating their belief that “service to humanity is service
to God”, and that is reflected in Ann Fort. Ann initiated a project that
has been replicated across the Conference and the nation. It is called the
Backpack Ministry, and it offers backpacks filled with personal care items
and resources to prisoners as they are released from prison to help support
them in their local community. Ann was joined by a long line of family members
and friends as she received the award from the Bishop, and she reflected “It’s
nice to hear nice words while you are still alive!”. She thanked Hope
United Methodist Church for all of their support, and shared her belief that
this is a Conference with a servant’s heart. Congratulations to Ann Fort!
At the conclusion of the Bishops Award (and that was a hard act to follow!)
the Metropolitan District shared their District Report and Appointments. The
Bishop again congratulated the Conference and the United Methodist Church for
their support of the victims of the Gulf Coast disaster. Our ability to respond
through UMCOR allowed us to help families put their lives back together, and
our collective effort made a huge difference to all those families and communities.
The Bishops now ask for our assistance in helping churches put their lives
back together; that is, to support the salaries and the rebuilding of United
Methodist churches across the Gulf Coast region. A video sharing the message
of the victims of Katrina helped us learn how quickly “things” can
be taken from you, and what it means to have your church community scattered
and destroyed. As one elderly member of a congregation shared “I weep
because I know I will not see my home town rebuilt in my lifetime”. The
region had more people die after Katrina than before the disaster, and it is
estimated that it will take 12 years to rebuild. The Bishops ask that we support
the rebuilding efforts with the same spirit and enthusiasm we exhibited in
our early response.
Bishop Brown introduced Jack Ford again and praised his initial efforts as
Conference Treasurer. Jack was presented with a giant Frisbee printed with
the dream of the Rocky Mountain Conference - that apportionments be paid at
100%! There are those who noted that might be the impossible dream. The Frisbee
was tossed to Jack, and he tossed it into the audience to “keep the dream
moving”. An audience member tossed it up to a ledge where it promptly
disappeared from sight! You can’t always control the dream or where it
goes!
Darlene Woods reported on the Nominations Committee, and reminded us all of
our many opportunities to serve. She thanked Ron Hodges and Nancy Butterfield
for their incredible support. Darlene asked that Conference members review
pages 32 and 39 of the Conference brown book and notify her if changes need
to be made.
Local churches were honored for their roles in helping refugees in our local
communities. Awards were presented to the following co-sponsor churches: First,
Grand Junction; Green Mountain, Lakewood; Good Shepherd, Thornton; Heritage,
Littleton; and Smoky Hill, Aurora. Support churches awarded were Applewood,
Lakewood; Burns, Denver; Emmanuel, Denver; Grace, Denver; Grant Avenue, Denver;
University Park, Denver. Other awards as identified in the front of the brown
Program Book were celebrated.
The Wyoming/North East Colorado District presented their District Report and
Appointments. The winds of spirit move through the church!
Final Announcement: The next two years Annual Conferences will be held at this
Marriott Denver Tech Center location. The 2007 Annual Conference will be held
June 13-16. Mark your calendars now!
The session was ruled officially closed after the Ordination Service, and the
Bishop dismissed us with a prayer. The final moments of this sacred journey
were spent in reflection as we listened to the beautiful voice and spirit of
Mrs. Minnie Brown in song.
-------------------------------------------------
This is the last in this series of reports on the 2006 Annual
Conference.
Yet to come, of course, is the Journal with all the official minutes,
awards, appointments, stats, budget, reports, and committee members
who were elected at this session.
The New Vision will be coming out in late August with the theme "Caring
Hands Unite" -- the theme of this year's conference, with
some of the highlights of the Conference. Table Talk will be coming
out later this week by e-mail, next week by USPS.
We hope find these helpful in telling the story of how much good
ministry is going on in our Rocky Mountain Conference.
Index
Index
|
