Praying For The Bishop

At the end of Conference today members prayed corporately for the Bishop and for the Annual Conference.

Friday Retiree Recognition Service

Leonard Sweet Motivates Conference

Leonard gave an inspiring motivational sermon last night. This is one of the definite highlights of Conference. Highly recommended!

Where Will Conference Be Held Next Year?

Answer: Greenville, NC
Dates: June 10-13, 2009

Behind the Scenes: IT Office

There is obviously some overlapping of people in the various areas of working behind the scenes. The Conference IT Office under the direction of Douglas Ward is one of those areas. The IT Office works with Communications, the Conference Secretary's Office, and the Treasurer's Office. Douglas is one of the people who begins making planning trips to Greenville months in advance of our Annual Conference session to review the technical aspects of the previous year's session and to work with the staff at the convention center to make things even better for the next. Networking has to be set up to enable constant communication between the Conference Secretary's staff on the stage and the folks hard at work in the Minutes Room documenting every action and decision being made.

Instant Messenging often goes on from one area of operation to another. Email stations are set up for people to check their email. This year we set up an extra wireless access point and left it open for people to use since we were having problems with the convention center's wireless network.

The IT Office is an important part of supporting the work of the Communications Office: video and audio streams, on-demand video clips, and this blog site. Douglas is among the first people (with some of his team) to arrive two days before the business session begins and one of the last to leave, to provide much of the technical work that needs to be done.

Motion to Change Rules Defeated

Today the Annual Conference defeated a motion from Ken Ripley that would change the conference rules to treat a conference board or agency’s resolution as a report. Also defeated was a substitute motion that would have given every author of a resolution the same rights. While the intent was to allow people the right of the last word before a vote was taken, I believe that the motion used rather ambiguous language that could have been interpreted to mean that agencies could present the resolutions as a part of their report. I believe that the Annual Conference was wise to vote this down, at least in this form.

While committees feel a certain sense of ownership of the resolutions they have worked and prayed over, the fact is that once presented they belong to the Annual Conference and not to the original committee, any more than those presented by churches, Sunday School classes, or individuals.

While we do already make a distinction between those resolutions submitted by Conference agencies from others, there is wisdom in having one committee responsible for scheduling and presenting all of them to the conference.

Committees serve many purposes and do many things that go beyond any resolutions they may present to the Annual Conference. When a committee reports to the Conference it reports on all of the work it has been doing beyond the issue or issues represented by a particular resolution.

I believe the process we have in place is working. It is a process that has evolved and improved over the years. Some of you may remember how chaotic things could get 20 and 30 years ago. I don’t believe it would serve us to go back on that process. Let’s keep what is working.

EDIT: The actual motion was, “Any resolutions submitted by a conference agency shall, for the purpose of debate or descussion, be considered as a report of that agency.”

Video From Love Feast

Members rise together in unity during the Love Feast.

Love Feast

Dr. Marcia McFee, worship leader for Annual Conference 2008, guided the morning congregation through a new worship experience called The Feast of Love. The Conference has traditionally observed a Love Feast on the morning of the last day of conferencing. This year’s experience included the testimony and sharing of past Love Feasts, but added a time when attendees passed fresh grapes from one to another. In addition, a musical ensemble made up of clergy and laity of the Conference led the people in stirring praise songs and choruses. (Written by: Taylor Mills)

Resolution on the Treatment of Undocumented Young People as Passed

Resolution on the Treatment of Undocumented Young People

Presented by the Committee of Hispanic/Latino Ministries of the North Carolina Conference, 2008 Annual Conference

WHEREAS the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church is greatly troubled by the confusing recent releases from our leaders in North Carolina regarding the acceptance of undocumented young people who are residents in our state, have graduated from a North Carolina High School; and

WHEREAS these young people have graduated from a North Carolina High School, and meet the criteria required for acceptance to our community colleges and state funded universities, and paying out-of-state tuition; and

WHEREAS it is projected that by the year 2050 the larger percentage of our U.S. population will be comprised of ethnic groups and white will no longer be the dominant culture; and

WHEREAS North Carolina has increased in Hispanic migration by 394% between 1990 and 2000 and that the “rapid growth in the Hispanic population occurred not in isolation but in the context of strong population growth among blacks (21%) and whites (11%) in the new South states, of which North Carolina is a part (Source: Pew Hispanic Center REPORT: The New Latino South: The Context and Consequences of Rapid Population Growth); and

WHEREAS Bishop Al Gwinn and the North Carolina Conference agree with the previous president of the North Carolina Conference College system, Martin Lancaster, that “everyone residing in our state who will become a part of our work force, should be educated”; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the sentiments and beliefs of Bishop Al Gwinn and the North Carolina Conference are strongly in line with our social principles of our United Methodist Church, which states that “we support the basic rights of all persons to equal housing, education, employment, medical care, legal redress for grievances, and physical protection;” and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the North Carolina Conference shall do all in its power to support and encourage these young people in their attempt to seek continuing education through our state college system; and

FINALLY, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the position of the North Carolina Conference strongly requests and expects that these young persons should be granted admission to North Carolina Community Colleges and state funded universities.

As Passed by the 2008 North Carolina Annual Conference

Musings from Behind the Stage

Servants … those back stage folks, most of them working as volunteers making things happen, getting there early, staying late, fixing problems (mostly before anyone in front of the stage even realize that there are problems.) I am always amazed and deeply moved as these wondrous servants go about their business bringing to reality to this thing called Annual Conference 2008. I imagine they are like those folks of old who provided support to a strange small band of followers, zealots and tax-collectors, a motley crew of fisher-folk who seemed to generate a bit of righteous chaos at each stop along their road – support that never really gets much mention by the drafters of this living-word, yet nevertheless was willingly offered, lovingly wrought, and generously given -- all in the name of a message from the One who made them all one.

So, I want to simply raise a hand for my back-stage fellow sojourners. You are all the BEST! Servants and lovers of God, holding us with your love, your hands, and your hard work.

Take it from the proper source...

IS IT ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE? Well, keep that in mind and extend grace to me as you read this opinion.

Do you want to know how an active duty military service member feels about it? Tonight, my husband and two youngest daughters were able to come to Greenville and join me at Annual Conference for the afternoon. As we ate our dinner, I told him that a resolution calling an end to the war in Iraq was not passed yesterday afternoon. "Are you kidding?" He was quiet for a few seconds and then he spoke with a tone of resentful boldness in his voice. He had this to say:

"I wish I had been here. I would have told them that if they want to support us, they should get us all out and bring us home. We're not making a bit of difference over there."

Then he paused for a moment and the resentful boldness turned to sad and slow speech as he informed me that , "another one of our guys committed suicide this week. It's an epidemic."

I wondered out loud, "couldn't you get in trouble for saying that in public?" He responded, "it's just my personal opinion."

So, how exactly do we support that?

I don't pretend to believe that President Bush is going to pick up the telephone and call an end to war just because the North Carolina Conference passes a resolution. I do, however, believe that the resolutions we pass or fail are a reflection of our Christian character and what is in our heart. This is not about politics! It is not even likely that we are going to change the secular mind when it comes to the war.

However, it might change the secular mind about the church if we began to show a witness that reflects that character and mindset of Jesus Christ. I can't help but feel that Steve Taylor stood before us and shared a dose of pure and holy scripture and the majority vote stood in opposition to the challenge that we have the mind of Christ.

Just my thoughts - from a raw place in my own heart.

Peace. (no... REALLY and PLEASE... PEACE!)

Conference Changes Committee Recommendation on Salaries

The Committee on Equitable Compensation recommended to the Conference an increase in the minimum salary for pastors in 2009 to $39,082 and a utility allowance of $2,200. This would have been a 0.7% ($247) increase from 2008. But the Conference body approved a substitute motion to make the salary increase 3.9% ($1,513) and the utility allowance $2,200. The new minimum salary will be $40,319. Minimum salary for student pastors is 65% that of full-time pastors.

The Committee also recommended a 33% increase in the travel reimbursement from $1,000 to $4,000 because of economic factors and the rise in the price of gasoline and this was approved by the Conference.

Get All the Saddlebag Newsletters Online

Check the Annual Conference website for a wrap-up edition of The Saddlebag newsletter that will recap today’s activities and yesterday’s events that could not fit in this issue.

All editions of The Saddlebags newsletter can be found in PDF format on the website too.

www.nccumc.org/AC2008/sbags.htm

Acts 2 Church Photos

Here are so pics from churches who won the Acts 2 Church Award...

Leonard Sweet Motivates Conference

The Reverend Dr. Leonard Sweet, theologian and author, motivated the Annual Conference during the Laity Leadership Event last night. He drew a distinction between what he called the Church of Gutenberg and the Church of Google, calling attention to the advances of our time.

Yet the church shouldn’t be afraid of these advances, Dr. Sweet said. These advances often seem to church people like the “perfect storm” of threats and challenges. But Jesus is the Lord of the storm and God has chosen “you to lead the church through its first perfect storm,” he told the audience.

A jazz ensemble, “In His Name,” brought excellent music for the evening including “When the Saints Go Marching In.” The group’s director, Ron Heckman, is a member of Millbrook UMC in Raleigh.

Acts 2 Churches Recognized

Emily Innes, Conference Lay Leader, presented the names and pictures of the Acts 2 Churches that exhibited four characteristics: (1) Radical Hospitality, (2) Passionate Worship, (3) Intentional Spiritual Formation, and (4) Risk Taking Mission and Ministry. Each church will receive a certificate that they can display.

At the 2006 Annual Conference, Bishop Al Gwinn challenged the Conference to be able to identify 200 Acts 2 Churches by the 2008 Annual Conference. Yesterday he said, “These are wonderful visual representations of vitality!”

Pastors Retire

The Reverend Glenn Bates Everett was the preacher for the Retirement Recognition Service in which he reminded retirees and worshipers that they are not called by people, they are called by God. The retirees shared their memories of past service through video messages viewed by the congregation.

During the reading of the names of the retirees, they each received a candle. Later, a representative from the retiring class and a representative from this year’s class of ordinands came together for the passing of the mantle, or stole.

Behind the Scenes: Conference Secretary's Office

Work on the Annual Conference Session continues year round. The bulk of this is handled by the Conference Secretary's Office. Jerry Bryan (our Conference Secretary) and Shannon Medlin (his secretary) work with a dedicated staff that handle the so many aspects of preparing for the four days we sit in session. Jerry oversees and works with committees that make things run: the Minutes Committee, the Rules Committee, the Committee on Resolutions and Reference, as well as an assembled staff of people who arrive early to get things set up and going.

I would like to name all of the people on the Conference Secretary’s staff, but I fear leaving out a name or two. You will see them working at the entrance, registering people, working in the Minutes Room, working on the stage behind and beside the bishop, and moving around on the floor getting copies of motions being made. Look out for them and thank them for the time they volunteer for this work.

Behind the Scenes: Communications Office

Another group of people hard at work behind the scenes is the Communications Team under the leadership of Bill Norton. We have already mentioned Dennis Peay and Ray Pearce who make the overhead displays work for us.

Taylor Mills can always be found sitting at his computer writing articles for this web site and for the SaddleBag. He also does the layout for the SaddleBag.

Bill is assisted by Leeann Thornton, who handles the orders for DVDs of special services, Laura Bailey, George Speake (our Conference Statistician), Steve Taylor (Missions).

You will also see Bill and some of the others running around to get pictures for the web site, the SaddleBag and for a special edition of the Advocate. Bill also handles phone calls, faxes, and emails from reporters looking for information on the Annual Conference.

Retirement

Retirement seems so far away to someone under appointment for the first year! What an amazing thing to have served the Church 20, 25, 30, or even 45 years! Can you imagine all the potato salad these eighteen clergymen and clergywomen have eaten over the years? Can you imagine all the hands these servants have shaken at the close of worship? Can you imagine the impact they have had on lives all over this Conference?

Thinking about that moment that is 29 years from now, I wonder what God will have done through me in that time. I wonder what the babies I baptize will grow up to be. I wonder whose pecan pie will be my favorite. I wonder what God will teach me through the people I serve. I wonder how many times that 2x4 of Jesus will have to smack me in the head in order to get my attention.

I pray God's blessings and peace on those who are officially retired and those of us who but dream of such things. Let God use all of us, clergy and laity; retired or not, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this special part of the United Methodist Connection called the North Carolina Conference.