July - August 2004 - Tower - Page 8
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222nd Virginia Annual Conference
Melissa Kintigh, Lay Member to Annual Conference
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At 5:00 p.m. the clergy met at Hampton High
School while the laity met at the Coliseum.
Our session received reports from the
Society of Saint Andrew, The United
Methodist Foundation and United Methodist
Homes.
The Service of Remembrance was conducted at 8:00 p.m. The Rev. Mary Beth Blinn preached the sermon.
"Holy Rollers," -- they roll for a holy purpose -- a team of seven clergy and laity covered the territory between Charlottesville and Hampton. Their purpose is to inspire congregations to pledge to the Annual Conference Offering. They rolled in on their bikes with over $8,000 and pledges to bring their total to $10,000.
On Monday the Conference convened at 9:00 a.m. The Bishop introduced Rev. Stephen Bauman of Christ Church UMC, New York. Dr. Bauman preached from the text John 2:1-11. The story of the wedding in Cana. Part of his message was that Jesus "loved a good party" and if we as a church expect to experience the miracles of God "we have to really know how to party."
Bishop Pennel called the Conference to order and asked Dr. Walter Lockett to lead us in prayer. This was Dr. Locket's 72nd Annual Conference.
Blood Drive set up at the Conference collected 71 units of blood.
The report from the United Methodist Foundation stated that our giving has increased by 3.8% and Advanced Special Giving was up by 6%.
The Reverend Denise Honeycutt, Conference Director of Mission, led the dedication of 41,332 health, school, baby, cleaning and sewing kits. There was also more than $42,000 donated to Church World Service.
Monday afternoon session began with a report from Ellen Thompson, Area Sales Manager for Cokesbury who presented Bishop Pennel a check in excess of $20,000 to support clergy pensions. A motion from the floor asked that this money be used to assist African retired ministers. It passed resoundingly.
The Laity Address was given by Mr. Ron Hardman who lifted up the standards for commitment, character, leadership, style and discipline among lay leadership. He encouraged all of us to adopt these standards.
The Service of Ordination was held Monday night.
Bishop Machado, Spiritual Leader of the United Methodist Church of Mozambique brought the Bible Study to the Conference both Tuesday and Wednesday morning. He had a very interesting view of the story of the Pentecost. He said also that we cannot know an individual if we don't know his community. This is the way African's look at community as opposed to an individual.
The Common Table Task Force Report, brought by Rev. Tom Berlin, completed their evaluation of the Structure of the Annual Conference Leadership. Their Restructure Plan was ultimately accepted -- with an amendment to provide alternates -- so there will always be 19 representatives.
Tuesday afternoon was a wonderful time as the bishop and his wife were lifted up and their eight year ministry here was highlighted by a wonderful video. They were given three artistic prints depicting scenes from John Wesley's ministry. Copies of these prints will be sold and the proceeds will go to the "Bishop Joe E. Pennel Jr. Wesleyan Heritage Foundation" which has already received gifts of $15,000 or more.
The Conference offering goal was $300,000 for ministries to needy people in Russia, Africa and Virginia. The report we received said that $260,000 in money and pledges were received and more would come in.
42,000 lbs. of sweet potatoes were bagged, loaded and delivered to regional food banks and other local feeding ministries
Tuesday night's service "Africa Now" was a worship service like none I have ever seen. Bishop Machado led the Mozambique team. Drums and music in their native tongue were very moving as were the speeches from three Africa University students, assuring that our money, which offered them scholarships, was money well spent. I must agree. This was a very inspiring part of Conference for me. Our "Global Touch" became real as I watched this evening unfold.
40% of United Methodist Churches in the country did not receive one new member in 2003.
The closing of worship on Wednesday was a service of Communion served by the new ordinands and assisted by members of the youth delegation. This is an awe inspiring service as 1,500 or so worship and take communion. The bishop then sent us out...transformed and scattered to be Christ's ambassadors to the world...the theme of this year's Annual Conference.
These three years, attending Annual Conference have been a real blessing in my life. I want to thank you for this wonderful opportunity of serving you.
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Last update: July 6, 2004