 Annual Conference 2005
Annual Conference Grows The Church!
The 2005 Annual Conference ended today (Saturday) with a number
of joys being celebrated. There was the birth of Caleb Jonathan Carr
(son of Chris and Charlotte Holden Carr of Longmont), greeted with
hoots and hollers; RMC Clergywomen introduced their special calendar
celebrating 50 years of clergy women's ordination; the children
performed a skit called "Who's the Greatest".
Bishop Brown thanked the children and then told the body, "Being
a servant is the most important part of leadership. But sometimes
we forget. Some people are only impressed with how many state capitals
you can name so thank you for reminding us."
Ron Hodges, Director of Mission and Ministry, announced that a 3-year
agreement with Denver Tech Center Marriott (4900 South Syracuse,
Denver) has been signed. One advantage of meeting there is that all
meetings can be held in the hotel. Cost is only $10 per person more.
Next year's Conference will be held there June 21-24, 2006.
Appointments were read for Peaks and Plains. Steve Burnett's leadership
was celebrated and Eric Smith was welcomed as the new DS.
Bishop Brown announced a correction in the appointments: Liliwa
Robledo, RMC clergy, will be the president of Harris Memorial College
in the Philippines.
The Board of Stewards report was given by Kline Kelly and Nancy
Boswell, co-chairs. They gave an overview of the purposes and functions
of the BOS and explained that the BOS makes decisions in between
Annual Conference sessions. A lot of work has gone into implementing
the new structure that was adopted at last year's Annual Conference
Session.
The Conference Lay Leader Judy Hill led the body in reciting the
Conference Vision and Mission, and suggested that we had more work
to do to become vision-driven. She pointed out the need for more
diversity on the BOS, and for more district training for lay leaders
and lay speakers.
Ben Seracino from the UM Credit Union was introduced and gave a
brief presentation on the resources available to UMs, churches and
groups who join the CU, including no fees, Pastoral Assistance Loans
(up to $5000 interest-free for 6 months at reappointment time), and
deposits made at any Wells Fargo branch.
The Field Rep for The Advance, Heather Wilson, explained that The
Advance is "second mile designated giving." She suggested
we think of "Apportionment" as "a portion meant for
others." She went on to explain that the World Service Fund
undergirds all mission work of the UMC. "Mission is not a part
of the Christian walk: it is the work of Christ." She asked
us to "be uncomfortable for Christ, to reach out to those who
don't look like us, to the stranger." She said she was available
for leadership events. She received a warm, standing response.
The Board of Ordained Ministry presented those to be ordained elder
and deacon in full membership.
Bishop Brown explained "Membership in Annual Conference":
this body becomes the church for these folks. They represent this
AC to the various settings where they serve. They work shoulder-to-shoulder
with all of you. He reminded the body that "you are not delegates,
but elected to be members" of the Conference. 'Delegates' mean
you represent the persons who elected you; 'member' means you come
as someone entrusted here to vote what the lord has put on your heart."
The historical questions to these new members, deacons and elders
intermixed, were answered with very audible enthusiasm. They were
all approved for membership.
The results on the vote on the 8 Constitutional Amendments were
given. All but one had over 500 yes and less than 61 no. The amendment
on the definition of clergy failed 281-295.
The chair of the Council on Finance and Administration, Paul Murphy-Geiss,
made a brief presentation on the %6.1 million budget. The rules were
suspended by the body so that a hand vote could be taken. It passed
handily.
Discussion of AC06 began with the legislative committee chair, Dennis
Shaw, expressing appreciation for all the prayers during his recent
surgery. The Equitable Salary petition was to set up a two-tier minimum
salary structure, one for clergy living in parsonages and one for
those not in parsonages. Several amendments were tried; one which
took out the second tier in favor of a better, clearer approach next
year passed. Finally the main motion passed, now in a more traditional
single-tier form.
The time for the learning time arrived and Kent Millard again talked
about how to grow the church. He referred to Paul's letter trying
to get the Corinthians to stop being so contentious. He suggested
that Passion + Vision + Teamwork = a transformed church and world.
He told of research that showed that strengthening one's strengths
gave higher performance than focusing on bettering one's weaknesses.
He wondered what it would be like if we never said a critical word
about our pastor, if we only talked about them in terms of their
strengths. This applies to the whole team of a church: never criticize
other teammates, always "radiate possibilities--that's resurrection
talk." He suggested we ask, "how can I cheer you on in
your ministry?"
Saturday Afternoon was the celebration of the ministries of those
who were retiring. They represented a total of over 500 years of
service!
Gil and Grace Caldwell were recognized with the Champion of Justice
award. Gil was one of the first cross-cultural, cross-racial pastors
to witness to the inclusiveness of God. They received a standing
ovation.
The ministry of many others was celebrated in the awards (names
and awards received will be sent tomorrow).
The Bishop's Award recognized lay persons who were actively involved
in giving leadership in the local church, the community and annual
conference. This year's recipients were:
Mary Knudson, member of the UMC of Johnstown, was called the quintessential
great, warm, Christian Lady. Nearly "half the town," family
and co-workers had come to celebrate with her.
Clarence Williams is an active leader at Epworth UMC and the Metro
district office.
Brad Laurvick was described as having a passion for justice, for
religion and race and for young people.
Janet Forbes, chair of the Episcopacy Committee, introduced Minnie
Brown, Bishop Brown's "partner in ministry," and who is
active at St. Luke's UMC, Highlands Ranch. She sang "Because
He Lives" because when the Lord speaks to her, she sings.
Jayne Adams, the Bishop's "right hand" has been ill this
week; she was introduced with great appreciation.
Back to the petitions, AC19 had undergone a substitution, and was
introduced by Aaron Gray, chair of the Legislative Committee D. The
replacement petition, "Building Projects and Religious Values" generate3ed
thoughtful discussion in Committee. Daniel Klawitter, probationary
member, briefly spoke about the Social Principles and their statements
on the right of workers to form unions. There was no debate; the
substitute petition was adopted with a sizable majority.
AC18, on the use of torture by US Military, generated discussion
as well. Ginny Bettendorf, chair of the legislative committee, and
Roger Wolsey, co-chair of the Church and Society Network, presented
the petition. The debate touched on the assumptions of the petition,
on the attempts to "redefine torture," the fact that others
were using torture, the place of responsibility in a "chain
of command," and the fact that while we cannot control other
countries, we can influence our own to act with Christian values.
There was an amendment to take out all references to the US only.
This amendment failed. The main motion passed 199-152.
AC17 was approved. A call for a formal ruling of law was requested
by Jon Laughlin, who had an amendment to AC06 ruled out of order.
Bishop Brown explained how a request for a ruling of law requested
at last year's session was not in proper form to receive a ruling,
but the Judicial Council reviewed the new structure and ruled that
RMC must stay with the old structure until they have a chance to
rule. The nominating committee report was adopted in two ways; the
people are the same, but they are presented in two ways: one using
the old structure, and one using the new.
Look for the nominating committee report on the web along with the
petitions sometime in the next two weeks. You are reminded that these
reports are not the official record of the meeting; that is contained
only in the Journal, which will come out again in 2 parts over the
next months.
After the Metro District appointments were read, Janet Forbes, chair
of the Episcopacy Committee led the body in a blessing of the appointment
of Bishop Brown, "our chief shepherd," back to serve the
Denver Area for another 4 years.
The Ordination Service was held at Trinity UMC, downtown Denver.
It was a memorable service because of the music, the address to those
being confirmed, commissioned, and ordained by J. Philip Wogaman,
interim president of Iliff School of Theology, and of course because
of those who were confirmed, commissioned, and ordained. The complete
list will be sent tomorrow.
Please accept these reports as an attempt to give a flavor of the
Conference and a few of the most important details in a timely manner,
and are not meant to be exhaustive (I could only be one place at
a time!). A formal summary will be forthcoming, written for Newscope.
Gratitude to Alane Currier Griggs, who contributed to this report.
Blessings,
Ben Roe
Information Administrator
RMCUMC
|
