It's like a college reunion, only lots better...

Methodists are "meeting" people.  Early in our history, we had class meetings as a way to model discipleship.  People met, read scripture, shared their joys and concerns, and their struggles and successes in living for Jesus Christ.  In America, the people called Methodists gathered once a year for camp meeting, revivals often lasting for a week, where people lived and ate, studied and worshiped, together.  Some camp meetings still occur on a regular basis, and if you ever get invited to attend, you should go - it's an amazing experience of how God works through the lives of regular people who appreciate their historical roots.  A Methodist's first response to a problem might be to form a committee and have a meeting... we're working on this, but sometimes old habits are hard to break.

And every year, each geographical area comes together for Annual Conference, where we worship and study together, and do the business of the church.  Sometimes this all goes very well.  Other times there are bumps in the road.  So far this year, it has all gone VERY smoothly.  We have gotten out on time or early from every worship and business session, and we're getting along amazingly well.  Social resolutions and budget approval are saved for tomorrow - we're hopeful it can all continue to be so amicable that we don't get mired down in the midst of what has been a delightful experience so far. 

We have a new bishop, Jonathon Holston, who is awesome in every way I can see.  He is gentle, but firm in his leadership.  And when he's preaching, if he steps out from behind the pulpit, watch out. You will not be able to resist answering back when he calls out.  He has inspired us to new dreams and plans, and given us permission to think outside the box.

There have also been some great quotes from reports and sermons.  Some are real head-nodders.  Others I'll be thinking about for quite some time.

Bishop Holston:

• We are called to make disciples, not members.
• May the business of the church never become so important that it overlooks the beauty of the church.
• 3 best sounds in church: Unfolding of extra chairs; Babies crying; and Sound of checks being ripped out of checkbooks.
• Mark Twain said the scriptures he had the most trouble with are not the ones he didn't understand, but the ones he did and didn't like.
• Do not pray for lighter burdens but for stronger backs.
• 90% of "I can't" is really "I don't wasn't to."
• How do you put a giraffe in a refrigerator?  First, you have to open the door and take the elephant out.
• There comes a time when you're in the "way down yonder" with nobody else... Walking through the valley of the shadow... Take up you're cross, because with it, you will never be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  Knowing all of this, are you up for the challenge for being God's people?

Others:

• While we think of all the things going against us in ministry, we must be reminded that we all have these three gifts for ministry: 1) Place in time, 2) Point on the map, 3) Good news of Jesus Christ. With them we can do anything. -  Susan Leonard Ray
• When asked why he made a change in funding motion today instead of waiting until the budget discussion tomorrow, Rev John Culp responded, "Because God told me, 'Don't wait.  Make it today.'"

Conference Highlights:

• Reconnecting with clergy and laity who saw gifts for ministry in me before I saw them in myself.
• Sharing memories with members of my first church, including three of former youth who are now in full-time ministry in our Conference.
• Having a realization that even though I have spent many years outside of the bounds of my conference, I am still one of them.
• Today (Tuesday 6/11), 287,000 meals were packaged and over $135,000 was raised to meet the hunger needs of people in Haiti and South Carolina.  Click here to learn more about this amazing project to relieve hunger worldwide. 7000 pounds of food were also donated for the local food bank.  (I spent the afternoon shaking rice out of my shoes.  The whole experience was very fun.)

Often Methodists think of Annual Conference as something they have to do, as in "required."  Our hope is that Annual Conference could be come something we have to do, as in "helping us understand who we are."  

May we all have the opportunity to refocus on what's important and what gives our lives real meaning.

Peace, Deb