Got in Thursday night at 11:30 Texas time - too tired to type. Thursday began with catching the shuttle bus from a nearby hotel . The conference is using a fleet of charter buses to help with the parking issue around the convention center. Its not too bad, but last night I had to run to catch mine ( not a pretty sight) or would have not gotten back to the hotel until an hour later.
Thursday morning I was posted up on the stage with the Bishops. I mostly spent the time take notes for one Bishop to another. A little difficult at first - the seating chart was ready when we first got there. So I felt like I was playing " Find the Bishop" for most of the morning. The cool part was that I had a great view of the morning session.
The morning session included several major keynote address. A sampling of three of them follow.
1. A first ever Young People’s with persons ranging in age from 16 - 29. One of the speakers Rev. Annie Arnoldy, 29, of Grand Junction, Colo "What I know about the church is that it yearns for young people,” said Arnoldy. “What I know about young adults is that they yearn for a place to belong. This seems like a pretty fruitful situation"
2.Lyn Powell, lay leader of the North Georgia Annual (regional) Conference, gave the laity address. "If the laity of The United Methodist Church want to reclaim the Methodist heritage of winning communities for Christ, they have to invite people to church, carry the name of Christ with them and claim a personal ministry."
3. Illinois Area Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher gave the Episcopal address.It was filled with songs and multimedia and multi-sensory images about how people received and experienced hope, gave hope, and were transformed by encounters with Christ. "All around this world there is physical, mental and spiritual hunger for the bread of life," she said.
On of the most interesting presentations of the morning for me personally centered around the nothing but nets campaign that is currently going on to raise funds to send bed nets to fight the spread of Malaria in Africa.
Katherine Commale learned at age 5 that—somewhere in the world—a child dies from mosquito-borne malaria every 30 seconds, she said, “Mom, we need to send them bed nets right away.”Her mother, Lynda, agreed. Now age 7, Katherine has collected more than $40,000 . Her goal is that everyone in Africa who needs net will get one.
It really gave me pause to think. If a 7 year old girl can raise over $40,000 to help others. What could and should we a Christs church being doing for others?
The evening was devoted to the various committees beginning their work. I was assigned to the Board of Church and society for the first night. The pages normally rotate between groups so i will most likely be in a different group this afternoon.
All in all in going well. Making new friends, renewing relationshipswith others. Trying to take it all in and not get too exhausted. Thanks for your prayers.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Pastor Vic...It is good to hear that you are enjoying the leaning process and hearing what others are doing in the name of Jesus Christ. I for envy you. But then I go to our church and I see it there so I feel blessed. Thank you!
I agree with the thoughts of growing the church and more importantly Christianity. People are urning for God and to understanding his word. I believe for too long Christians have been told - don't talk about religion or politics. Not talking leaves you alone. But talking helps you find others who think and feel the same way you do. I am as you know Catholic by trade/ritual but I am 100% Christian in my heart, my faith and I hope my one day my life. Can't wait for your return and to hear what you have learned. Thank you for the info. I thank you for your vision and love of God.
May God bless you and your family,
Joeveokzher
Post a Comment