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Notes on Annual Conference, Thursday, June 22, 2006
By Diana Huerta, co-lay leader, Metro District
The day started with the familiar sights and sounds of a RMCUMC
Annual Conference: the room was filling up (from the back, of course),
friends greeting friends, the technical crew testing out the equipment,
rustling at the head table – and then we began. The Bishop
called us together with a reminder: “Because you are here,
and because God is here, this place is sacred”. And so the
sacred journey began!
As we settled into the days’ activities we celebrated the
mission work of our churches – activities as varied as home
repair and serving the homeless, tutoring programs and care packages
for troops overseas, ESL (English as a Second Language) classes
and clothes closets, CROP walks and fire recovery. We shared how
we had a chance to serve our state with trips to Alamosa and Cortez,
our country with services to Native American Reservations and the
Gulf Coast, and our world with our trips to Costa Rica, Africa,
Romania, Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Russia, Venezuela, Guatemala,
and Iraq. We are all connected as people of God!
Bishop Brown shared with us his vision for this conference, based
on Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in
all Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth". In this
Conference, Jesus will work in fresh new ways! Our logo and our
theme ”Caring Hands Unite” were inspired by Luke 4:11, “they
will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your
foot against a stone”.
Bishop Brown reminded us of the struggles in the early church,
struggles brought about by the dramatic changes that were taking
place. This is not unlike the world we face today – and if
we aren’t creative in our response to change, we are relegated
to be counted among the obsolete. The Acts of the Apostles help
us to understand that we don’t get to decide what the timing
will be – timing is the Father’s business, what we
get is the Holy Spirit. It is our faith that will carry us through.
As William Sloane Coffin said “I love the recklessness of
faith: first you leap, and then you grow wings”. The questions
for us are What did the early church do? “What can we do?
The early church practiced radical hospitality, passionate worship,
and intentional faith development. They engaged in risk taking,
mission and service, and displayed extravagant generosity. It is
easy for us instead to be driven by three verbs: to want, to have,
to do. The fundamental verb that should drive our life is to be – we
are called to be the people known as United Methodists! And this
Conference, this sacred journey, allows us to build a shared conversation
to be who we can be…..
The morning continued with a presentation by Kerry Greenhill on
the Graceworks Community, as we celebrated the Young Adult Ministry
of the RMUMC. The proposed structural change to the Conference
was discussed (Petition AC13), and it was moved, seconded and affirmed
that this petition will be addressed in a Plenary session rather
than a Legislative Committee. We were introduced to Jack Ford,
the new Treasurer, Pensions Officer, and Director of Support Services
(replacing Dan O’Neil), as well as Rich Marsh, replacing
John Boyle as Chancellor, after John’s untimely death. The
new Clergy Retirement Security Plan, effective in 2007 was discussed,
and Cokesbury shared their resources and discounts. Su Erickson,
manager of Cokesbury, presented a check for $7,418 as their annual
contribution to the pension funds. The Conference, by voice vote,
decided to direct it to the Central Conference Pension Initiative.
Dr. Sally Geis raised a point of personal privilege as “a
social gospel Christian,” expressing concern about the lack
of petitions reflecting the social issues of our time. She encouraged
us to think prayerfully about petitions that could be presented
in 2007 in preparation for General Conference.
Dr. David Trickett, the recently appointed President of the Iliff
School of Theology, shared his vision of the journey to come. He
applauded Iliff as a progressive voice of faith, and shared his
excitement to be a part of this community. Bishop Zothan Mawia
was introduced; he brought greeting from Myanmar, and shared his
journey of faith and the history of the United Methodist Church
in his home country. We delighted in his story and were inspired
by his commitment!
Heather Wilson led us through a teaching moment with enthusiasm,
challenge, and spirit! She extolled us to meet the needs of the
people and to remember that God provides. God doesn’t call
us to figure it out; He just calls us to answer the phone! She
led us through the difference between thriving churches and declining
churches, and shared the video “Here I am Lord”, highlighting
the work of Meredith Whitaker.
Lunch was an opportunity for networking, sharing food and laughter,
special meals, and time to reflect. Legislative Sessions were held
in the afternoon, with committee rooms full and bursting with energy.
And just when we thought we had no more spirit, no more energy,
no more desire to congregate we were treated to the box lunch (supper)
and worship service presented by the RMUMC Young People. We ate,
we sang, we reflected, we listened to the wisdom of our sisters
and brothers in faith. We were energized by the music, challenged
by the sermon, touched by the reflections, and impressed with the
power of new perceptions. What a perfect end to an inspiring day!
Photos
Immigration Forum Held at Conference
With the controversy and even special legislative session coming
in Colorado over immigration, the Church and Society forum on
Immigration at Annual Conference was especially timely. It was
held Thursday evening of Annual Conference. Speaking on the panel
were:
•
Thomas Spaniolo - Immigration Lawyer, from Phoenix (and spouse
of Bishop Carcaño)
•
Bishop Minerva Carcaño - Phoenix Area/Desert Southwest Annual
Conference
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Adrian Miller - Bell Policy Center Outreach Director, Boulder
•
Father Dennis - Dominican Priest at St. Dominics, Denver
In his remarks, Miller was surprised that this is such a hot issue:
there’s a good economy, unemployment is low. He wondered
if there’s a racial element. He speculated that this is a
proxy for cultural & economic anxiety.
Father Dennis gave some historical perspective from his experience
ministering to a large immigrant community. Debating immigration
is not new; a “first wave” was at the end of the 1800's.
From his perspective, church needs to be a place that's safe, a
social and social service center that responds to the people's
needs, that makes folks feel welcome. He urged that we listen to
people's stories and listen to their sincerity.
Thomas Spaniolo also filled in some history: regulations on immigration
only began in 1920. Then, foreign born numbered 14%. Now it’s
more around 11%. He pointed out the legal issues, including the
fact that only 10,000 unskilled worker visas are issued annually;
Arizona alone needs many more than that. He reminded us of the
difficulty of determining who is and who isn’t an illegal
immigrant; that is a task for the Immigration service. He was concerned
that we’re developing a “permanent underclass.”
Bishop Carcaño told some moving stories of the immigrants
she’s listened to, as well as some personal ones as the daughter
of immigrants. She called all to get beyond “us-them”-we’re
all “us.” She reminded us that the Old Testament is
about an immigrant people; the Good Samaritan was a foreigner;
the prophets spoke about the “anawim”-the most vulnerable,
and we should also care about them.
by Ben Roe, Information Administrator, RMCUMC
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