 Annual
Conference 2005: Summary Report
(June 24, 2005)
The Rocky Mountain Annual Conference met June 15-18 at The Renaissance
Hotel in Denver, welcoming back Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. and
his spouse Minnie to a second quadrennium as resident bishop of the
Denver
Area. Bishop Brown opened the Conference on the theme of "Growing
the Church" by challenging members to to listen better to each
other, especially "when we are sure we are right," to move
beyond the polarizations of various issues to true dialogue. He urged
UMs to develop a passion for welcoming: "since we're not the
host, we don't get to make the guest list." God is the host,
and God invites people who make us uncomfortable and people who don't
look like us. He cited some signs of hope: of the 257 churches, 52
have shown consistent growth in worship attendance and membership.
He pointed out that RMC has 12 churches with membership greater than
1000, which is more than any other Conference in the Western Jurisdiction. "We
are called to stand on the promises of our God, not sit on the premises
we've inherited." He invited Rocky Mountain Conference churches
to "live into a vision of a community that welcomes all."
The logo of the 2005 Conference was a tree with green leaves and
its roots in the United Methodist cross and flame. The theme was
seen in the worship center of running water, water jars, and trees
(including an apple tree with each apple named for each church and
fellowship in the conference, and one decked out with flags from
185 nations of the world). During the lay session, this was covered
with containers of money from conference churches for a water well
project in our sister conferences in Angola. The total of the "Bridge
of Love" offering was $10,811.64 ($4,032.77 from 532 pounds
of coins!).
Dan O'Neill, Conference treasurer, celebrated over $487,000 given
for tsunami relief. A budget of $6.1 million was approved, an increase
of 4.25% over last year. The conference heard plans for the continued
growth of the camping program, esprcially the Templed Hills site
near Colorado Springs.
The conference heard inspiring preaching on the theme from Bishop
Jeremiah Park on the New York Area, who challenged members to "catch
the waves" God is sending our way, and to participate in transformation
of the "culture" of the churches. Also inspiring were the "learning
moments" led by Kent Millard, senior minister at St. Luke's
UMC in Indianapolis, who challenged churches to create more open
congregations. He observed that "passion + vision = transformation" and
told of his experience with the importance of belief in the possibilities
for growth. Bishop Ott inspired Global Ministries special meal attendees
with stories of his faith. Many inspired prayers were heard as well.
The conference continued providing simultaneous translation for Korean-speaking
members.
The Conference celebrated 27 "congregations of transformation" who
had received at least one member by profession of faith; who had
baptized aat least 1 new member; who supported the wider mission
of the Conference 100%; and who had additional benevolence giving
that exceeded 5% of total church expenditures. Retired clergy Gil
Caldwell and his spouse Grace were recognized with a "Champion
of Justice" award. Many laity, clergy, and churches were celebrated
with awards from "Road Runner" (clergy in town and country
setting) to "Peacemaker" to "mission" churches.
A "Mission Parade" began the opening session, and a "Global
Village" display area highlighted missions around the world.
Special offerings included Global AIDS Fund, a clergy "Covenant
Fund," Ethnic Seminarians, and a camp for children of incarcerated
parents.
Bishop Brown confirmed 8 local pastors, commissioned 9 to probationary
membership as deacons and elders, and ordained 4 deacons and 5 elders
in full membership. Twenty-one clergy members retired with a total
of over 500 combined years of service!
Actions of the conference included: relocate the current Conference
Center by selling the property and using the proceeds to buy and
renovate space in another part of the Denver metro area; supported
verified voting in public elections (with open source software and
paper trails); supported a Global AIDS Fund awareness and fundraising
effort of $1/member over the quadrennium ($70,000); encouraged members
to become active in local school boards; encouraged churches with
building projects to care about workers; condemned the use of torture
by US forces (59%); continued a camping program apportionment.
Total membership stands at 69151, (down 0.66%) with total worship
attendance at 33,759 (up 1.56%).
Ben Roe
Information Administrator
Rocky Mountain Conference
The United Methodist Church
303-777-3116x102 800-536-3736x102
ben@rmcumc.com
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