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General Conference Two-Steppin Reports
  
Two-Steppin in Texas
Day 1
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Day 2
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Day 3
Friday, April 25, 2008
Day 4
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Day 5
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Day 6
Monday, April 28, 2008
Day 7
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Day 8
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Day 9
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Day 10
Friday, May 2, 2008
Two-Steppin Summary of GC2008
Summary, May 7, 2008
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Walter
“Skip” Strickland &
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Olon
and I are back from Texas and now "Two Stepping" in Colorado.
There will be two more video "Two Stepping" Reports that Loren is
preparing to post on the conference web site, very soon. Also, Janet Forbes is working on
one last delegate report.
In
the meantime, many of you have questions about decisions made at
General Conference. An informative summary may be found at
the United Methodist Communications site UMCOM. Also, if you
purchase a copy of the May 5, 2008 Newscope there is an excellent
summary there. Excerpts from this summary may be found in the next
section of this email. Remember you can also check
the UMC.org web site. And additional video and reports will
be posted on the Rocky Mountain Conference Web Site at rmcumc.org
For
those of you who like short emails stop reading here.
Skip
Strickland
For
those who want some more details about General Conference here are some
excerpts from the May 5, 2008 issue of NEWSCOPE, 2008, The United
Methodist Publishing house. Various summaries are written by General
Church Media Staff. These are used with permission only for this email.
A
$642 million dollar budget was approved.
The
Ordination process was made more accessible: General Conference adopted
four petitions affecting the candidacy process whereby men and women
become ordained as deacons or elders. The effect of these changes
reduces the possible years from entry into candidacy to ordination by
two years, and makes the process less prescriptive, therefore making
ordination more accessible to a greater number of potential candidates.
The
membership requirement to enter candidacy was shortened from two years
to one year, and the body ruled that membership is not required if the
candidate has been involved in a UM campus ministry or other
denominational ministry for one year.
Delegates
also removed a prescribed Candidacy Guidebook to allow annual
conferences to determine candidacy resources to be studied and provided
new language to be more accessible to other cultural, racial/ethnic and
non-English-speaking candidates. The candidate, along with a candidacy
mentor, will study resources determined by the annual conference Board
of Ordained Ministry. The required completion and release of
psychological assessment reports, criminal background and credit checks
remain; however, the new paragraph will state that district committees
“shall seek ways to consider cultural and ethnic/racial realities in
meeting these requirements.”
Following
one year as a certified candidate, and with half the educational
requirements one is eligible to be commissioned and become a
“provisional” member, language that was changed from “probationary
member.” Provisional members will follow a “residency curriculum” of
theological education, covenant groups and mentoring with evaluation by
their district superintendent and Board of Ordained Ministry, then
becoming eligible for ordination. Provisional members will be appointed
by a bishop to serve a minimum of two years (reduced from three)
following the completion of all educational requirements, and language
was added to make it clear that they “may be appointed to attend
school, to extension ministry, or in appointments beyond the local
church.” - GBHEM, UMNS, and Newscope reports
The
New Mission Statement of the United Methodist Church is "The mission of
the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation
of the world."
Global
Health Campaign Expanded:
The
UMC “ramped up” its commitment to fight malaria by agreeing to enter
into a capital campaign to raise $75 million to $100 million for global
health. Agencies and boards of the church will join with the United
Nations Foundation and other organizations to combat the diseases of
poverty: HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The initiative represents
an expanded global partnership. The capital campaign will provide
financial support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria.
Study
Group on Church Structure Established
New
steps to reorganize the church were taken. The 2004 General Conference
created a Task Force on the Global Nature of the Church, which proposed
to this year’s assembly the possibility of making the United States a
“central conference” similar to other conferences outside the United
States. The task force submitted 23 petitions to amend the constitution
to create a regional conference for the United States and change the
name “central conference” to “regional conference.”
In
response to the proposals, delegates asked the Council of Bishops and
the Connectional Table to create a 20-member committee to consider
recommendations of the study group and suggested that the six members
of the early study be included in the new committee. The new group will
also consider the financial implications of proposed changes in
structure and report back to the 2012 General Conference.
Under
the plan, the five U.S. jurisdictional conferences would continue, and
bishops would continue to be elected in those quadrennial gatherings.
The
UMC entered into "Full Communion," with the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America.
Proposed
changes to Language on Homosexuality were rejected, but a new
resolution to oppose homophobia and heterosexism was approved.
Significant
changes were made regarding the membership of the Judicial Council.
More "moderate" members were elected.
The
retirement age for Bishops was raised to 68.
The
"Strengthening the Black Church" initiative will continue.
The
700,000 member Cote d'Ivoire church was formally received as an UM
annual Conference. Money for additional African theological
schools was approved.
There
will be a new Faith and Order standing committee to help bishops and
the church reflect on matters of faith, doctrinal teaching, order and
discipline.
VOTING
RIGHTS FOR CLERGY: If annual conferences approve the amendment to the
Constitution, deacons, associate members and provisional members may
join ordained ministerial members in full connection to vote, for
clergy General Conference Delegates. Local pastors must have
completed the Course of Study or master of divinity degree and have
served under appointment for two consecutive years immediately
preceding and election. Only ordained members in full
connection with an annual conference may serve as delegates.
SACRAMENTAL
AUTHORITY: Pastors or district superintendents may now ask the bishop
to give sacramental authority to a deacon if an elder is not present.
That right is confined to the location of a deacon’s primary
appointment. In areas where it would take a great deal of time to
deliver the sacraments, a layperson may deliver the Communion elements.
- UMNS
ONE
LESS BISHOP IN JURISDICTIONS: General Conference delegates approved a
plan that will result in one less bishop in each of four of the five
U.S. jurisdictions, beginning in 2012. Delegates agreed that savings
from those reductions will be used to fund new Episcopal areas outside
the United States. The new formula will not take effect until Jan. 1,
2009, so it will not affect the numbers of bishops to be elected in the
U.S. in July. - UMNS
ETHIC
STANDARDS: If annual conferences ratify the amendment, then local
churches, jurisdictional and General Conference, “organizations,
groups, committees, councils, boards and agencies” will have to adopt
ethics and conflict-of-interest policies. These policies will apply to
both members and employees to help them “embody and live out our
Christian values.” - UMNS
DIVESTMENTS:
All petitions advocating divestment as a peacemaking strategy in
Israeli-Palestinian conflicts were rejected. It was urged
that peaceful negotiations should take place.-UMNS
ADDITION
TO MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE: People who join UM churches henceforth
will promise to be faithful in “their witness” as well as in their
“prayers, their presence, their gifts and their service,” since General
Conference delegates voted April 30 to add the witness phrase to the
liturgy for profession of membership. The new phrase highlights the
mission and evangelistic responsibility of church membership. - UMNS
Day 10
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Walter
“Skip” Strickland &
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Friday,
May 2, 2008
Three
simple rules for United Methodists to live faithfully:
Do no
harm.
Do
good.
Stay
in love with God.
These
three rules echoed from the first day of this General Conference 2008
until the end. As one sits and reflects on the impact of this
General Conference, one wonders, “What harm?” What Good?” “Oh God, I
love you!”
The
large preaching voice of the tiny in stature Bishop
Violet L. Fisher
shouts the quote from her sister Bishop
Leontine T.C. Kelly: “Racism
does not belong in the church!” The Rev.
Dr.
Gilbert Caldwell reinforced the voice of these two Bishops.
Rev.
Caldwell made reference to these words as he celebrated the end of
Racism with the dissolution of the “Central Conferences” 40 years ago.
He also expressed his deep disappointment that the church holds to
heterosexism! Rev. Caldwell speaks well that we must not rest
in our desire to transform the church’s legislative language of
alienation.
Early
in the day the Bishops again came to the forefront of the conference to
invite the church to claim our Wesleyan heritage that continues to
offer us legitimate hope for our future. The whole of the
Conference prayed together:
Wesley’s
Covenant Prayer
I am
no longer my own, but thine.
Put
me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put
me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let
me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted
for thee or brought low for thee.
Let
me be full, let me be empty.
Let
me have all things, let me have nothing.
I
freely and heartily yield all things
to
thy pleasure and disposal.
And
now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou
art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And
the covenant which I have made on earth,
let
it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
Legislation
continued all afternoon and into the night. The details of
all these debates will surface in the weeks ahead. The
UMC.org web site will have greater depth of information for you.
Listening
to the delegates after the afternoon session, there was some
frustration. The motions that were providing the opportunity
to save time actually took more time! Eventually the
conference found a rhythm of trust with the legislative committee
recommendations. At one point the presiding elder said, we
have 3 minutes per petition in order to end by the appointed time 11pm.
At
the time of this writing (9:08pm) we are awaiting the ongoing work of
the conference.
Have
you ever heard the expression the train is rolling...? CHOO
CHOO! TOOT TOOT! as fast as the presenters could
get to the microphone there was a call for the vote by the presiding
Bishop William W. Hutchinson.
Bishop
Swenson said in prayer of benediction: "You, oh God, reign in all
things..."
The
conference ended at (11: 49 pm) with a circle being formed around that
TABLE...
The Table was the ending place of worship. A verse of "Blest
be the tie that binds" and "Will the circle be unbroken?" The two songs
danced into the voices of those in the arena!
Let
me finally say, it has been a gift to observe and humbly offer a few
thoughts from an event that is constant in the explosion of information
and choices that will effect our working understanding of our
denomination. Please know that Skip and I never intended to be full
reporters of this General Conference 2008. We instead hoped
to share some of the glimpses of this experience. We pray you
feel like you have had an opportunity to encounter some of the
information but we certainly never set out to prepare all encompassing
information. For that, please again move to the UMC.org.
So…
thank you for reading and watching along the way.
Observations
by:
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications, Walter
“Skip” Strickland, video tape master crafter, and all around nice
person.
Day 9
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Walter
“Skip” Strickland &
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Thursday,
May 1, 2008
SECTION
A:
The
table was shrouded on Thursday morning.
A
black veil was carried in and covered the table during “A
Witness.”
The “Witness” / protest took place because of the way
that the legislation surrounding the issues of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender Persons are not permitted to be candidates, ordained, or
appointed to United Methodist Churches. Bishop Palmer said, “We received a witness from a
group that feel excluded.” During the morning session there
was a moment when the presiding bishop said that he would have a recess
for the purpose of a witness. Into the room came individuals
dressed in black. Some carried photos, “My child is of Sacred
worth.” Others wore pins, “All means all.” One tee shirt
read, “CLOSED HEARTS, CLOSED DOORS, WE MIND.” Delegates who were
supportive of the witness stood. Tears were on many
cheeks. Into our delegation as for many delegations came our
bishop to stand with us. There are other reports that can
better articulate an account of what happened. There is also
a link to a video stream of the Witness.
SECTION
B:
Earlier
in the morning during a gathering of the Western Jurisdictional
gathering there was a poem read:
The
Rules of Evidence
by
Lee M Robinson
What
you want to say most
is
inadmissible.
Say
it anyway.
Say
it again.
What
they tell you is irrelevant
can’t
be denied and will
eventually
be heard.
Every
question
is a
leading question.
Ask
it anyway, then expect
what
you won’t get.
There
is no such thing
as
the original
so
you’ll have to make do
with
a reasonable facsimile.
The
history of the world
is
hearsay. Hear it.
The
whole truth
is
unspeakable
and
nothing but the truth
is a
lie.
I
swear this.
My
oath is a kiss.
I
swear
by
everything
incredible.
SECTION
C:
Here
are four quotes from the day:
1.
A layman from west Texas said: “Kicking a dead horse doesn’t make it
run any faster…”
2.
William
Gates Sr. present on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation for Global Health said: “All lives have equal value.”
3.
William Gates Sr. also quoted John Wesley: “I look on all the
world as my parish.”
4.
Bishop Hee Soo Jung while preaching offered two words that focused the
differences of the United Methodist Church in matters of Human
Sexuality: “Hospitality” and “Holiness” He continued to say
that we want radical hospitality and we need holiness with adequate
boundaries.
SECTION
D:
We
pray for our church.
We
pray for each other.
We
pray.
Thursday,
May 1, 2008
Observations
by:
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications, Walter
“Skip” Strickland.
(Skip
wrote: If you are interested you will be able to see some
brief video coverage of the Witness on the "May 1 video Two Stepping report",
or the full "Witness" is to be available on the General Conference web
site at UMC.org. Most of the rest of the day, May 1st, was spent
dealing with Constitutional Amendments. Remember you can also
watch "live streaming," of the General Conference Session at UMC.org.
You might be ready to stay up late Friday night to follow the end of
General Conference. Thank you for allowing us to share with you during
the Conference.)
Day 8
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Walter
“Skip” Strickland &
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Wednesday,
April 30, 2008
The
acceptance of the Social
Creed… I yield the first part of this report
to the words of the new social creed:
God
in the Spirit revealed in Jesus Christ,
calls
us by grace
to be renewed in the image of our Creator,
that we may be one
in divine love for the world
Today
is the day
God
cares for the integrity of creation,
wills the healing and wholeness of all life,
weeps at the plunder of earth’s goodness.
And
so shall we.
Today
is the day
God
embraces all hues of humanity,
delights in diversity and difference,
favors
solidarity transforming strangers into friends.
And
so shall we.
Today
is the day
God
cries with the masses of starving people,
despises growing disparity between rich and poor,
demands justice for workers in the marketplace.
And
so shall we.
Today
is the day
God
deplores violence in our homes and streets,
rebukes the world’s warring madness,
humbles
the powerful and lifts up the lowly.
And
so shall we.
Today
is the day
God
calls for nations and peoples to live in peace,
celebrates where justice and mercy embrace.
Exults when the wolf grazes with the lamb.
And
so shall we.
Today
is the day
God
brings good news to the poor,
proclaims release to the captives,
gives sight to the blind, and
sets the oppressed free.
And
so shall we.
It
was wonderful to see the conference be united with the acceptance of a
new social creed. The good news is that there will be musical
settings for it too! The goal is to help our social creed be
available in worship more readily. It is awesome … give it a try!
One
other observation of the day:
The
bulk of the day was in and out of the church conversations on Human
Sexuality and ordination. There is a great deal of
information on the
UMC.org
website regarding a day filled with presentations, minority
reports, votes and protests. Walking among delegates was a
solemn experience. Several have said that they did not know
about the emotional energy that the debate demands. They came
prepared for the physical demand, but the emotions are draining in such
a significant way also. The emotions
drain as there is a
sense that in debate there is the possibility for alternative ideas to
emerge. Then with a motion to suspend the rules for the
purpose of voting all that is before us… the debate instantly
stops. Content means nothing and the debate is around the
ability to suspend the rules …
On
this particular day … that TABLE … no one really paid attention.
It
was as though it had vanished for the day!?!?
One
of our delegation members shared with me, “In the morning we are
inspired to ‘holy conferencing’ as we hear the bishop preach The Living
Gospel of Jesus Christ! Then when we enter into debate that
hard work of conferencing seems to disappear with political maneuvering
and manipulation of petitions and calendar items.”
The
delegates and the observers need your prayers.
Wednesday,
April 30, 2008
Observations
by:
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications, Walter
“Skip” Strickland, and social director for the newsroom.
Day 7
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Walter
“Skip” Strickland &
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Tuesday,
April 29, 2008
Remember
the table?
On
Tuesday the Eucharistic Table opened even more! Though the
moment may have quietly slipped underneath the legislative momentum,
the event was significant.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of
America (ELCA ) and the United Methodist Church now share Full
Communion. Those in local communities can now know
that the
neighboring Churches that are ELCA can share in Eucharistic / Lord’s
Table moments. This is history and a welcome opening of a
door!
The
General Conference experienced another historical moment in the
afternoon. Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, first female
head of state in Africa,  spoke as political
leader and as a faithful United Methodist church member. She
was boldly before us as a global leader educated by the United
Methodist church since her birth. After speaking she stepped
into the delegates and greeted many. A children’s choir,
Hope
for Africa Children’s Choir, were singing and dancing on the
floor. A beautiful moment in time as the President and
several of the bishops stepped into the midst of the choir and began
dancing and hugging. Yes … it was as though the “Table”
became even more global in a moment.
The
legislative work of the day was labor some as the conference was
discovering how to maneuver amendments / minority reports / amendments
to amendments… and so on and on and on…
Woven
in the legislative maneuvers, a
decision to reduce the number of
bishops was adopted. The ramification of such an
adoption
will mean that in the Western Jurisdiction there will be a reduction
from current 6 bishops to the number to 5 bishops. The
nuances of the motion, plus a petition yet to be considered, still may
have an additional impact on the number of Bishops in the Western
Jurisdiction. The initial explanation shared that the
reduction of would occur in 2012.
Yet
another full day in Fort Worth was completed deep into the
night. 7am to 11pm our delegates are working each day of the
General Conference.
Please
keep praying.
Tuesday,
April 29, 2008
Observations
by:
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications,
Walter “Skip” Strickland, Video-grapher and good guy.
Day 6
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Monday,
April 28, 2008
Four
reflections on this day:
First:
The
drums of Japanese tradition!
WOW!
The
conference worship was called to order with the majestic drums of
the Japanese tradition.
Taiko
Drum music shakes the pillars of heaven. Most certainly
the drums are unlike western orchestras or bells or voice choirs,  but the sounds of the
heavens were heard! The first spoken words after the
drums, “Listen to the rhythms of the voices of
God!” Sacred sounds.
Second:
The
Global Aids Fund.
Several
persons gathered in the pressroom for a glimpse of the work of
the Global Aids Fund. Donald Messer, the Retired
Bishop of
the Kansas area and the Current Bishop of Mozambique sat at a table
with several representatives of the United Methodist Boards and
Agencies. It was shared that 2.5 million Dollars has come to
the Global Aids project. There is still much to be
done. Don Messer shared that we in Rocky Mountain
generated the first petition 4 years ago. The petition
initiated the Global Aids FUND. The RMC pledged $1.00 per
member (one dollar). At the time that meant $100,000.00 would
be given to the FUND. Currently we have offered
48,000.00. Great work is being accomplished but there is so
much more work to be done. “The misery-go-round is a cycle
that is difficult to stop.” So said Don Messer as he was describing the
major issues that confront the work in Africa: HIV / AIDS,
tuberculosis, malaria, illiteracy, hunger. All of which are
stirred into the misery with the power of poverty. “We must
keep up the work!”
Third:
Our
own Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. was the presiding Bishop over the
conference throughout the afternoon and evening sessions. The
meticulous movement of Legislative debate requires the presiding Bishop
to guide the process. We in Rocky Mountain were proud of the
way the bishop guided with grace and dignity. He guided the
conference to the completion of all matters dealing with Budgetary
impact.
Finally,
The
focus of the evening was on legislation that impacted the General
Conference Budget. The debate was about funding and
philosophy. It ranged from the impact of a global church to
the impact on a local congregation. The Global Church debate
surfaces as the members of Central Conferences offer their voice of a
growing church. One Delegate from the Congo stood and
reminded the Delegates, “the church in Africa is growing and the church
in the United States is declining. Please help the African
church keep growing.”
From
8 am to 11pm the delegates faithfully tended to the business of
the day. A long, long day for those listening and wanting to
be faithful.
“A
Future with Hope” continues to be the logo that surrounds the
conference. The delegates simply left swiftly hoping for
sleep. In a moment, the Table at the center of the huge arena was all
alone . . . .
Monday,
April 28, 2008
Observations
by:
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications,
Walter “Skip” Strickland.
The
Rocky Mountain Conference General Conference Communication Team
Day 5
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Walter
“Skip” Strickland &
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Sunday,
April 27, 2008
The
table of this day was sitting in the Media / Press room.
I was privileged to sit with Gheeta Smith who has come from the Rocky
Mountain Conference to attend the General Conference. Gheeta
was elected as a reserve to the general Conference. She comes
from Sandy, Utah Hill Top UMC. You may have read her thoughts
and reflections also.
Gheeta
Smith responded to the question, “What is the future of the UMC?”
“hummmm?….
You do not want to hear my gut reactions … if things do not
change … it will take sixty years.” That is just coming out
of the ‘down swing’ of working with young people.” Rocky
Mountain used to be a flagship but is not getting it done any
more. The church is behind the times on issues that young
people care about … or even ways to talk to young people. The
UMC is not taking firm stances on issues that young people care
about. Instead they are trying to be all things to all
people. The issues of the day include poverty, LGBT
issues, and justice
issues (human
rights issues in general). Young
people care
about justice issues but they are not growing up in the church and do
not understand the meaning of discipleship.
Effectiveness of clergy … is an issue.
When
I asked, “How would we recognize an effective clergy?”
If
they are burnt out and acting on it… focus on self-health as well as
the congregation. Truly welcoming of everyone… and
they value all members as peers. We all share the same walk…
We are all on the walk toward perfection. Issues of
accountability are critical too.
Young
people are trying to stay within the denomination. As
for Gheeta she is willing to stay and have voice from within.
“I am doing my best to stay at the table. Trying
to. It is not easy though.”
”What
do you hope for the UMC?” was the next question.
Gheeta
takes a long pause and says,” My hope for the UMC is that we as
a body become authentic followers of Jesus Christ.” I do not
necessarily hope that we just stay unified. After we own who
we are, then we can move on. The path will reveal itself.”
Today,
I sit in stunned silence after hearing Gheeta’s passion for our
church. My heart is silent as I hear her desire to
challenge and awaken this church that can do the right things but often
chooses not to do the right thing. She will continue to
believe.
In
silence I sit at the empty press table listening to the echo of the
young laywoman’s laments that her church is not more.
Observations
by:
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications,
Walter “Skip” Strickland. Skip is going to be a master
video-editor with CNN within a few days...(Don't you think he is doing
a great job?)
Day 4
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Walter
“Skip” Strickland &
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Saturday,
April 26, 2008
The
Announcements at the end of the morning Plenary session included …
“the
table.”
This
time the table announcement was on the lighter side of
information. The Secretary of the conference said, “the Table
at the center of the conference is a sacred table that will return to
the Mississippi Church that built it. We are asked to not
write checks on the top of the table. The wood is soft and
there will be a lasting imprint of your signature and the amount of
your check!” The body laughed heartily!
Earlier
in the morning two things took place that I would like to
acknowledge: First,
Bishop William Hutchinson
offered a sound
byte from the worship experiences of his own childhood. In
the moment of baptism at the end of a worship service what are your
thoughts? “My, my, my.” Or do you say, “Yes!
Indeed!” The spirit is challenged to work in the traditional
UMC as we know that there is a sacred moment when Church worship
service is to over! If there is a baptismal need at the end
of a worship service we can see ourselves and neighbors shaking our
heads and whispering, “My, my, my!” The reality of the new
day of transformation will bring a new spirit at the end of a worship
service that will stand and say, “Yes! Indeed!” We learned
those principles often in the Small and/or Rural congregations that
were and early backbone to the faith.
Second,
during the Rural Life Celebration at General Conference, Rev.
Don Ford (Local Pastor and Associate Member of the Rocky Mountain
Conference), of Pagosa Springs, Colorado had a time at the
microphone. His voice was strong and crisp as he offered
witness and testimony to the power of faith communities when
leading. Pagosa Springs, UMC has assisted the community in
forming Restorative Justice forums to assist the community in becoming
more. As a Rocky Mountain Conference we can be so proud of
the ways we individually and communally offer witness to the vitality
of the United Methodist Church.
NOW
… ARE YOU READY FOR CONTROVERSY?
As
the reports of Legislative committees began to be shared in the
gathering of the Western Jurisdictional morning meetings, potential
paranoia began! ONE EXAMPLE of an impact filled piece of
legislation would be: “Each Jurisdiction would be responsible for
funding their own bishops.” The ramifications of such a choice would
mean that currently the Western Jurisdiction could afford 3.2 bishops
instead of the current 6 that we have. “ What will happen this summer?”
becomes the whisper. Do we have to shift to 3 Bishops immediately
instead of our plan for 2012 that would be back to 5 Bishops? The
sub-committee on Superintendency has already offered an initial
recommendation for no decrease in the number of Bishops. Now
… If you have read closely, there is no way just yet to understand the
recommendations apart from each other at this stage of the
conference. We do not know yet… so we keep listening / voting
/ assisting with the legislation to keep Episcopal Leadership in the
west.
ANOTHER
EXAMPLE centers on the language for Human Sexuality.
Legislation options begin to offer three options. First, no
change in the language, “Gay, Lesbian, and Transgendered lifestyles are
incompatible with Christian Teaching.” Second, eliminate all
references to this statement. Third, a legislative compromise
to move the church that says, “We agree to disagree in these matters.”
Again, it is to early in the to tell what will happen.
Thus,
when Skip and I are asking each of you to know that the
inspirational time at General Conference is absolutely knee bending
awesome!
But
as the legislative moments continue it is time to pray.
NOW
PRAY, PLEASE!
Observations
by:
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications,
Walter “Skip” Strickland.
Day
3
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Walter
“Skip” Strickland &
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Friday,
April 25, 2008
REMEMBER
THE CENTER OF THE ROOM… a table.
On
the third day, the end of the morning sessions were completed with most
of the Delegates filing by the center of the room… Yes, The
TABLE
was turning green with the green of
$10.00
bills! Bishop Thomas Bickerton had just completed an
invitation
to the delegates stating that ten dollars is the cost of a net that can
prevent a Mosquito from infecting children with Malaria!
mos·qui·to
Pronunciation [muh-skee-toh]
–noun,
1.
any of numerous dipterous insects of the family Culicidae,
the
females of which suck the blood of animals and humans, some species
transmitting certain diseases, as malaria and yellow fever.
BUZZ
KILL tee shirts could be seen all around the arena where the
delegates were hanging out!
Bishop
Bickerton once shared with leaders, “we need to LIGHTEN – UP, LOOSEN –
UP, and HAVE A LITTLE FUN!” The Bishop stands 6 feet 6inches
above the crowd and is a presence. He is the spokes person
for
the movement. Yes, A MOVEMENT! The Nothing But Nets movement
has
continued to grow!
On
this World Malaria Day The United
Methodist Church announced that it will receive $5 million grant from
the United Nations Foundation, with the support of the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation, to help eliminate malaria and other diseases of
poverty.
The
Bishop remembered his first trip to the poverty of
Africa. As he was on the plane returning home he reflected:
“The
people in the midst of poverty have joy! We in the U.S. in our abundant
culture are stripped of our joy.”
In
contrast to the tall
Bishop, the day before was a child. Katherine
Commale
at age
6
became aware that children like her could die if they were bit by a
mosquito. So she built a panorama with her Barbie bed and a
tiny
net and a toy bug… she has raised thousands of dollars.
In
the
midst of this global health initiative there is the innocence of one
small child making a difference in the life of other
children.
Each person at the General Conference and each United Methodist
throughout the globe can participate in saving the life of one small
child.
You
to can save a life today. Just go to
nothingbutnets.org and check out the partners. Send $10.00.
Or
the next time you are in worship at your local United Methodist Church,
simply put one ten dollar bill in an envelop and mark it, “nothing but
nets.” You see give ten dollars and you save one life!
The
table was covered with green bills at General Conference ... we are
still waiting for the count?
Observations
by:
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications, Walter
“Skip” Strickland. Skip's getting better with that video
stuff!?!?
Day 2
Two
Stepping from Texas
General
Conference 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
Walter
“Skip” Strickland &
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Thursday,
April 24, 2008
After
Janet Forbes skillfully led the Western Jurisdiction Delegation
meeting, day two started in the place that was the center of the night
before, the Table of the Lord.
Bishop
Sharon Brown Christopher
offered the Episcopal address offering a witness to the Global and
Local power of the United Methodist Church. The whole of her
address
was woven through the Eucharistic Prayer of Great
Thanksgiving. As she
sent forth the elements to be shared she said,
“Remember
the General Rules of Wesley:
‘do
no harm,
do
good, and
stay
in love with God.’”
During
the Episcopal Address, Bishop Christopher made note of our Rocky
Mountain Conference Ministries. Rev. Yong Hui V. McDonald’s
ministry
within the Colorado Prisons that has expanded so significantly with the
publications of her editing of the inmates testimonies. Also
we
watched Rev. Kay Palmer Marsh being interviewed. It was a
proud moment
for the Rocky Mountain Conference.
Bishop
Bruce Ough continued to share the vision of the Pathways from
the Council of Bishops:
The
Seven Vision Pathways of the Church continue to bring focus to the
Bishops’ message of leadership:
1.
Teaching the Wesleyan model of reaching and forming
disciples of Jesus Christ.
2.
Strengthening clergy and lay leadership.
3.
Developing new congregations.
4.
Transforming existing congregations
5.
End Racism
6.
Teaching and inviting new generations.
7.
Eliminate Poverty
Then
The Four Areas of Focus were articulated:
1. Develop principled Christian leaders for the
church and the world;
2. Creating new places for new people by starting
new congregations and revitalizing existing ones;
3. Engaging in ministry with the poor; and
4. Stamping out killer diseases by improving
health globally.
(the
four areas of focus were presented by Bishop
Felton May, Rev.
Karen
Greenwaldt, Rev. Jerome King Del Pino, Rec. Larry Hollon)
We
were again reminded that 40 years ago … the United Methodist Church was
formed in near by Dallas. Yes, 40 Years ago on April 23,
1968, The
Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren Church United for form
our current UMC.
Bishop
Christopher stands tall before the
conference as she continues all morning guiding the leadership reports
of the General Church leadership. The Connectional Table
report
centers on the goal of a child to eliminate malaria in
Africa. She
raised $40,000.00 so far. The conference delegates CHEERED!
Wow … from
a child we shall be lead. She started raising money when she
was six
with a diorama that included a bed with a net and a toy bug.
Yes a
little girl by the name of Katherine Commale. She knew that
she could
save another child’s life.
Then
came Bishop Mary Ann Swenson.
She took the front stage during the presentation from the General
Council on Finance and Administration. She preached in
revival voice
that the GCFA presents a budget than can offer witness to the
transformation of the world. On the big screens were the
words:
“Strangely warmed”
“Hearts
Fired!”
And
Bishop Swenson’s gentle
grounded voice saying, “entering the waters of transformation that will
birth the future…” Yes an unlikely Episcopal glance at the
work of the
GCFA.
The
Young Peoples address… first ever! Skip is on the
floor … Literally. He is there to find the best photos of our
own
Young People … He is there in the center of the activity that brings a
message of a future. The first presenter, Kira, is from
Russia. She
speaks in Russian and the text is on the screen in English.
The report
of the Global Young peoples gathering in South Africa was a testimony
to movement from Legislation toward a conversation for “holy
conferencing.” They gave witness to listening … “We started
to stand
next to each other as we listened instead of Talking over each other!”
Andrew
Craig began with a quote from Mahatma Ghandi “There are people in the
world so hungry that God can only appear to them in the form of bread.”
Andrew
was not large in statue … but he was majestic in voice of advocacy for
the poor…What will you do the next time you walk / drive by a homeless
person? And then Andrew confidently concluded his remarks by returning
to the words of Ghandi:
“There
are people in the world so hungry that God can only appear to
them in the form of bread.”
“The
church yearns for young people … Young
people yearn for a place to
belong!”
So began Annie Rigo Arnoldy.
Church does
not appear to be
the place that identity can be formed. They are in cafés and
coffee
shops and bars and living rooms … These are the places where young
people are looking for fulfilling the desire to belong!
And
after Lunch the Laity address. Lyn Powell challenges all
laity, “The invitation is up to us.”
WOW …
WHAT A DAY!
Then
the delegates were off to start the Legislative committee
work. And
into the night they went … into the night … ‘till 11pm many, others
even longer… into the night!
On
behalf of Skip, we feel
privileged to be here sharing with you all some of our reflections and
our observations of a huge event. Please know that our intent
is not
to have comprehensive coverage of the activities of the General
Conference. Our desire is to watch the events being proud
that we are
from the Rocky Mountain Conference! If you want complete or
specific
coverage, go to the UMC.org site and click on the menu bar for General
Conference.
Today’s
observations by:
April
24, 2008
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications, Walter
“Skip” Strickland.(Skip's trying to figure out the Video Camera)
For
more on the Young
People's Address
from UMC.org
Day 1
General
Conference 2008
Wednesday,
April 23, 2008
Fort
Worth, Texas
The
center of the evening’s schedule was the Eucharistic Table.
The
center of the Auditorium was the Eucharistic Table.
Time
and Space was all about beginning the General Conference
surrounding the Lord’s Table for the One Loaf and the Common Cup!
Visualize
the rectangular indoor sports arena transformed into rows and rows of
delegate seating. All of the delegates and guests are facing
the
platform with the Bishops and a font and altar and pulpit.
Majestic stretched bands of cloth stream over the heads of the Bishops
on the platform and the worship area is a blast of color and
light. The floor of the conference is four rectangular
sections
with isles that form a cross. And there in the center of the
intersection of the isles, a round table crafted from wood from the
debris of the Mississippi gulf coast storm, Katrina. So too
are
the pulpit, baptismal font and altar all crafted from the gulf coast
wood. 6500 people all in what has become a circle surrounding
the
center round ‘Lord’s Table.’
Into
the center of the
worship whirlwind is the voice of Bishop Janice Huie. The
Bishop
who is completing her year of being President of the Council of the
Bishops offered a message calling the Conference to a place of
faithfulness. She offers an expression that brings the first
round of applause, “We come to this place and with fear that the church
will want to discuss the relevant social issues of the day.
Others come fearing that the church will discuss the relevant issues of
the day. And in truth, we arrive knowing that all sin and
fall
short of the glory of God.” She Spoke of how our church often
offers a hope that can be likened to “marsh mellow” hope, sweet and
appealing, soft and inviting, but when put to the fire … it is up in
smoke. “Resurrection” hope is more of what the church is
about. She offered a powerful word:
“Resurrection
hope transforms lives and changes futures.” [More on
"Resurrection Hope" at
UMC.org]
That
felt like the core of the message as she then pointed us toward the
table. Bishop Huie is the joined at the table with the
President
of the Council elect, Bishop Palmer. His large frame and
bigger
voice calls all in the room to focus at the center of the
room.
All are invited to stand and face the table and celebrate the loaf and
cup! As the mass of people move toward the stations with
bread
and cup, singing fills the room. During the singing of “let
us
break bread together,” when we begin to sing, “Lord have
mercy on
me…” all in the room could hear the voice of one lone infant crying.
The
General Conference opening worship closes with the rousing singing of
“Glory, glory, hallelujah! Since I laid my burdens down.”
Mark
Miller a song leader and composer of The Faith We Sing, “Communion
Setting” music leads the singing that rocks the house in the tradition
of African American folk singing.
There
at the center was the Eucharistic Table.
Then
Bishop Huie says, Please have a standing break for five
minutes.
Eventually she calls the Conference to Order for the General Conference
of 2008. There is applause and some
cheers. She says
there is no time for adjournment on the agenda. “We have nine
items, let’s get started.” So the worship spirit is quickly replaced
with the matters of business. The list:
Organization of the
General Conference – Setting the Bar of the Conference, Testing the
Voting System, Rules Report & Adoption, Commission on the
General
Conference Report, Election of Coordinator of the Calendar, Report of
the Committee on Agenda (AND THE REV. Dr. YOUNGSOOK KANG IS THE CHAIR
OF THE COMMITTEE!!), Sensitivity Training, Emergency Procedures, Other
Matters, Announcements.
Into
the night and into the tail
end of a Texas rainstorm all the delegates file out of the General
Conference Convention Center. Each desiring to be in bed
prior to
11pm and each planning to be at a morning gathering at 7am!
So it
was that the first official day of General Conference began with
an evening centered with the Eucharistic Table. For more on
this worship service visit
UMC.org
April
23, 2008
Observations
by:
Olon
Mulford Lindemood
Assistant
to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications.
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