Annual Conference

Yesterday we began Annual Conference. Rev. Robyn Miller and the praise team from Church of the Shepherd in St. Charles led in worship and it was a great time. Church of the Shepherd is similiar in size to us at Platte Woods UMC. Really encouraging time.

We began conducting some business but it is mainly preliminary reports that will be acted on later in the conference.

In my role as chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry I led a lunch for people who are taking a first step at this conference. We call it "commissioning." I shared some things with them about their continuing in the process and helped give them a gift from the conference.

From there we went into the "clergy session" where the pastors do some specific business. Actually this is a time led by the Board of Ordained Ministry so I introduced people who do all the work! (The bishop did ask at the end if there was anything I'd like to say and I said, "nope.")
Following that meeting (the laity had their own gathering at the same time) the whole conference came together. Once again I had a report to make and did so in a timely fashion. We introduced all the people who will be ordained or commissioned.

A little more business and then the bishop spoke and did a great job. He was followed by Bob Farr who leads our "congregational excellence" office. He always brings great energy and enthusiasm to the work of the church.

One part of his report included the new church that will begin in the Northland (somewhere along the 152 corridor.) We (Platte Woods UMC) are the "mother church." This means we offer encouragement and help the new pastor (Curtis Hoffman) along the way of developing a new faith community.

In the evening we had a "Mozambique Mingle." Food - conversation - a number of booths communicating the mission in Mozambique. The bishop from Mozambique spoke. Good gathering. We (Missiouri Methodists) are doing some pretty amazing things in this very poor country. (Be sure to pray for our team from the church that just left for two weeks there!)

It was a good first day of conference - a bit tiring - but inspiring.

You are being represented by myself, Curtis and Angie, Ginger, Alan Herndon, Brian and Evelyn Evans, and Mike Cole.

Today (Saturday) we start at 8:00.