| The Minutes for today's sessions can be found at the bottom of the page.
The View from the Podium
View Grace Note #3
Evening Worship Service
Morning Session, Tuesday June 7, 2005
Opening Music was led by Clay Eaves – Music Leader
Bishop Hutchinson welcomed everyone and introduced Bishop Ken Carder who led the Bible Study. He preached on Grace and emphasized that John Wesley was preoccupied with Grace. He said Grace is God's Bounty. My sins have been forgiven. I am pardoned. God is love and is not passive but active. In grace, God gives God's self. Salvation is the house, prevenient grace is the porch. Today we focus on the porch – prevenient grace. Prevenient grace is when the son came home – God welcoming us – wooing and welcoming us to come back home. Freedom is prevenient grace.
Prayer was led by Rev. Erica Jenkins to open the Business Session.
Rev. Jan Holloway, Chair of the Committee on the Journal, reported that she had reviewed the minutes for Sunday evening, June 5 th , 2005 and Monday, June 6 th , 2005 , and moved their adoption. The motion was seconded and it carried.
Bishop Hutchinson introduced Ned Randolph, Conference Lay Leader and Mayor of Alexandria, who presented the Lay Address.
See Laity Address
Sarah Kreutziger, Chair of the Daughenbaugh-Matheny Scholarship Committee, announced that $25,000 was given this year and all students either from Centenary or Dillard were recipients to scholarship funds.
Joanne White, Chair of the Lay Speaking Program, thanked all who worked with her on this committee.
Paul White, 1000 Club Leader, spoke regarding the by laws have been changed for the 1000 Club. The by laws were only for new churches in Louisiana but now will be for relocations and will look at capital improvements for existing churches that need improvements. He expressed that when the Conference went from 9 districts to 7 districts, the 1000 Club has not been able to catch up to raise money. Only $45,000 was raised for a new church to be built in Slidell .
Joe Kelley asked if anybody told you that they love you today and asked for all churches to get involved in United Methodist Men's Groups. Go on the Website and see what is available to get involved with the United Methodist Men's Groups.
Lueburda Myers, United Methodist Women, encouraged more women to become a part of this group. This is her last year at this post and she thanked everyone for their support.
Trey Stephens, Youth President, spoke regarding the Youth Group and thanked all the
leaders of the group and announced the new leaders. President is Dick Belanger, Vice President, Eddie Higgenbotham, our returning Secretary is Whitney Harris, YSF Chairpersons are Amelia Bodin and Lauren Gross, YSF Adult is Josh Tibbs, and our Adult Executive Committee is Christie Hodges and Michael Caffery. He praised all the leaders for their hard work and commitment.
Anita Crump thanked three individuals working on the Conference Board of Laity. Those individuals are our Conference Lay Leader, Mr. Edward “Ned Randolph,” who has served and tendered his resignation as our Lay leader and will now will be serving as Mayor of Alexandria. Dr. Crump wanted him to know the Conference appreciated his work as Laity Leader and wished the best for him and for us to continue to bless him with his work for the Lord. She also thanked Jim Anderson who served as the Associate Lay Leader who also tendered his resignation and thanked him for his assistance to raise money with the Laity Breakfast for the Daughenbaugh-Matheny Scholarship Fund. She also thanked Joanne White who also tendered her resignation and thanked her for her work on the Board of Laity. Anita Crump said all these people would be receiving plaques at a later date for their efforts on this committee.
The 2005 – 2006 Board of Laity Officers. The Lay Leader will be George “Buzz” Anding, Associate Lay Leader, Sarah Kreutziger, Secretary, Carolyn Dove, Treasurer, Joyce Robinson, Daughenbaugh-Matheny Chair, Joe Page, Lay Speaking Chair, Jane Blackwell, 1000 Club, Fred Banks, United Methodist Men's Chair, Joe Kelley, United Methodist Women's Chair, Lueburda Myers, United Methodist Youth Chair, Nick Belanger, and our immediate past Lay Leader, Anita Crump. This is the 2005-2006 Board of Laity Officers.
Report of the Conference Ministry Team was given by Don Cottrill and Gene Finnell.
Gene Finnell told everyone to refer to page 55 of the Pre-Conference Report. Also found are the full reports of the various Boards, Commissions, Committees and Teams. The Vision Team was formed and reports to the CMT. The Vision team met 4 times this year and the consensus for this quadrennium was to reclaim our passion as United Methodists rather than on developing new programs – The theme “Remembering Who We Are” – Evaluate our Ministries – Regain our Wesleyan roots. Please give the Vision Team any ideas you have through Don Cottrell or through the Bishop's office.
Don Cottrill gave results of the survey for healthy church questionnaire given out the first day of the Conference. He expressed that the CMT is here to help you. At this time a video regarding how healthy is your church. This video also showed some of the work that is being done by the Conference Staff.
The Conference Office staff introduced themselves and a description of their duties.
Tim Hebert, our Website Leader, explained that their will be changes that will make it more user friendly. We will have a District box and you can find out what is happening in your District. The Calendar will be done differently. Blog is an online journal – the churches can put on their thoughts for others to see.
Dulac Preschool Program will be able to have churches donate to this program. A motion was moved and approved by the Conference.
Carl Rhoads made some announcements.
Van Stinson, Chair of the Committee of Conference Relations, offered a prayer and introduced the retirees. The retirees are Frank Brunson Akin, Harold Bond Babin, Oscar L. Brown, John Calvin Coker, Sr., Abraham Eric Davis, Harry Arthur Harrington, Jr., Sandra Sue Huber, William K. McDonald, William Spiller Milton, William Douglas Peeples, Samuel Dwain Reeves, John Richard Scott-Welsh, Ray Rolon Spiller, Hurvey Sweazie, Jr., Emily R. Winbery, and William Lamar Youngblood.
The Service of the Passing of the Mantle. The mantle was passed from Rev. William Douglas Peeples presenting the retiring class to --------representing the ordinands.
The Conference adjourned for lunch.
Tuesday Afternoon Session, June 7, 2005
Opening Prayer by Joseph Page, Alexandria District Lay Leader.
Grace Note #2 – Rev. Karl Klaus. Sang “Grace Greater Than Our Sin.” Remember who we are. Sometimes the great storms of life are the vessels of grace.
Report of Board of Ordained Ministry #2 – John Williams. The Board of Ordained Ministry consists of three divisions: Division of Elders, Division of Deacons, and the Fellowship of Local Pastors. Burton Blair presented those who have completed the License to Preach School: Amanda Carpenter*, Joy Comeaux, John Kavanaugh, Lucie Krestensen*, Dean Register*, Craig Uffman, and Marquerite Walker. Those receiving their first appointment are marked with an asterisk. Joining them in their first appointment are those who completed License to Preach at an earlier date: Anita Dinwiddie, Jacqueline Ellen Collins, Milton Edward Bourque, Jr., and Issac Jerone Belonga. Local Pastors completing Course of Study are: Frances I. Guy, Clinton P. Lovell, Sr., Constance R. Saizon and Bill E. Strawbridge. Bishop Hutchinson offered a special prayer on the behalf of those receiving their first appointment.
The following are to be commissioned as Probationary Members for the Order of Permanent Deacon: Nathan Eugene Firmin, Sarah Williams Shoup, Ann Mangham Trousdale, and Dawn Buchanan Young.
To be commissioned as Probationary Members for the Order of Elder: Bruce Lenal Brown, Sr., Elaine Melissa Burleigh, Shannon Trina Casey, Eunice Chigumira, Simon Chigumira, Lysbeth Bond Cockrell, Susan Lacy Crouch, Brownyl Lance Eden, Juan Carlos Huertas, Mollie Ann McGee, Anice Nichols Moses, Jimmy Lee Owens, Raymon Lafayette Owens, Jr., William Norman Sheffield, III, and Germaine Anise Tropez.
Rev. Regina Wren offered words of what it means to be a Permanent Deacon. We viewed a brief video about Ordained Deacons and the various ways they live out their calling.
One candidate has been elected as a Deacon in full connection: Chris tine Amacker Roberts. Those elected to the Order of Elder are: John Allison Cannon, Joseph Michael Donakey, Peggy Barrious Foreman, Lamar Clay Oliver, Sione H. Tu'uta, and Donald Lamar Wilkinson.
A new program that will help identify the call to ministry in a new generation was introduced. PLSE (pronounced “pulse”) - Pastoral Leadership Search Effort. We have the opportunity to introduce and engage young people in areas of ministry. It is an intentional call to youth to consider the call to full time ordained ministry. Programs already in place are “Discerning the Call” and the Discerning Academy. This year, we have 75 young men and women who have begun the process toward ministry.
Galinda Burton , General Secretary, brought greetings to the Conference from the General Board on the Role and Status of Women.
Bishop Hutchinson called for the consecration of the health kits presented by those attending Annual Conference. Sara Schoeffler and Kathleen Conrad thanked the Conference for the many, many health kits collected. Bishop Hutchinson led us in a Prayer of Consecration for the kits.
Rev. Bobby Potter, Executive Director of the Retired Ministers' Home Board , presented their report, page 159. There are homes available in several districts for retired ministers to occupy. The Board requests that the Retired Ministers' Home Offering be taken in every local church on Sunday, September 11, 2005, so that we can continue to provide this vital service to our retired ministers.
Bishop Hutchinson relayed a message from Rev. Curtis Carroll giving thanks for all of the help given to the Olla church and community following the tornado damage in November.
Celebration of Centenary College School of Church Careers – 30th Anniversary – Betsy Eaves- Celebration this past school year of 30 years of The Church Careers Institute at Centenary College, which has reached throughout the world through its graduates. Rev. Don Meeks, transferred to Louisiana Conference this year, will lead the new Center for Theological Studies, offering graduate level courses in Theology and an Ecumenical Theological Research Center. They will partner with Garrett Theological Seminary and St. Paul Theological Seminary. Matching funds are needed to complete plans for the Center.
The session took a short break.
Gathering Music led by Mrs. Bishop, Kay Hutchinson, Jan Cooke on the piano. Kay sang “The Holy City” for us and blessed our hearts.
Grace Note #3 – Dr. Anita Crump – All sang “Grace Greater Than Our Sin.” Dr. Crump reminded us that Jesus Chris t is the single answer to every need in our life. John Wesley referred to himself as “A Man of One Book” – the Bible. Let us Louisiana United Methodists be a “People of One Book.”
Representing Candler School of Theology , Dean Russ Richey thanked the Louisiana Conference for their support of the Ministerial Education Fund. Candler is grateful for the connection with the Louisiana Conference.
Report of the Special Ministries Task Force - Van Stinson, Bruce Brown, and Henry Stamper. Page 204. The present reality is that 38-40% of the population of our state is African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American. The Task Force presented the following recommendations for Special Ministries. First recommendation is to change the name to “Multicultural Ministries” to more accurately reflect the reality of our state population. Second recommendation is to create an Office of Multicultural Ministries and third recommendation is the establishment of a position of full-time Director of Multicultural Ministries. The budget for this division is currently $12,000; estimated cost of proposed program is $100,000. This cost includes all costs for support staff and director.
Discussion followed.
• The question was raised as to whether this meant separate ministries for the different ethnic groups or whether one ministry to all ethnic groups. The current plan is for separate ministries.
• Chris Andrews asked that there be some way in place to measure the success of the ministry.
• Jeff Conner asked what the cost would be if we do not support this ministry. The answer was that the cost would be in lives that were not impacted as they should be. Another result would be a continuation of the decline in the percentage of ethnic churches and members in the Louisiana Conference.
• Bill Rowell asked for assurance that all ethnic minorities would be served.
• Jayne Trammell-Kelley asked how this would impact the apportionment of the local church. Carl Rhoads answered that the greatest increase would be approximately $3000 to the church with the largest apportionment and a few dollars for the churches with the smallest apportionments.
• Fred Wideman questions that a Conference Director might not be the best way to accomplish the goals of reaching the individuals in the local areas. Response was that a central person to oversee and drive the goals for the needed ministries is the historical perspective for how it works most effectively.
• Bill Willis noted that in the budget is a line item of $102,000 for this ministry. Passage of this motion will increase that line item by $100,000, to a total of $202,000.
• Danny Gleason asks what will happen when the Lilly Grant runs out and the Conference will have to cover the entire cost itself. Carl Rhoads responded that 2007 will be the first year without Lilly money; that year we could expect that $100,000 will be added to budget.
• Kathleen Conrad reminded us that several years ago we faced this same type of decision over creating and funding a full-time VIM staff position. That has proved to be a very wise decision as evidenced by the tremendous increase in the mission work of our Conference under the leadership of a full-time VIM Director.
• Dale Hensarling asked if this will be an appointed position or not. How will person be found? Bishop and CMT will have that responsibility as with all Conference staff.
The vote was called on the motion. Carried.
Report of the Conference Center Board of Trustees – Margaret Johnson- We reviewed the mission and vision of the Conference Center. We have celebrated the burning of the mortgage, as the Conference Center is now debt free. Nature trails are now available with benches provided by Boy Scouts. Land Development, Lakeside Pavilion, and a new lodge are part of the future development plans. Proposals will be presented at 2006 Annual Conference for the new lodge, based on the work of the Feasibility Task Force now in place.
Strengthening the Black Church Task Force – Alonzo Campbell – The Louisiana Conference has supplied many bags of fabric to the Senegal church for the women there to make clothing for themselves and their families. On the recent mission trip there, the Senegal church requested that the mission team purchase African garments, so those on the platform are wearing some of them today. One of the main missions of the United Methodist Senegal church is to upgrade the status of women. Monica Monk purchased a Senegal drum and the Missionary from Senegal, Sebastian Ujereh, came with his Senegalese drums so that we could hear them today.
As part of this report, Bishop Hutchinson has requested that we recognize all persons who participated in former Gammon Satellite Center at Dillard University. All CPTS students and graduates of were recognized. Also recognized Sherry Zehner and Janet Davis who were the first Anglo persons in the Louisiana Conference to matriculate from Gammon Theological Seminary. The following persons are the largest group of African Americans to graduate from seminary in one year and Bishop Hutchinson will appoint them this Annual Conference: Lance Eden, 2005 Gammon graduate; Lakesha Reed, Candler School of Theology graduate; and Eugene Hebert, Duke Theological Seminary graduate. Also a large group of persons graduated from Gammon this year. Even though the satellite center closed, they did not stop their seminary education. Some of them commuted to Atlanta and held an appointment at the same time. They are: Anise Moses, Bruce Brown, Germaine Tropez, and Ms. Elsie Cyrus, a very youthful lady of over 70 years of age.
Laura Ujereh, daughter of Karen Sebastian Ujereh, has been selected as an intern with the General Board of Church and Society. Byron Minor will serve as the first United Methodist Communications Intern selected from the Louisiana Conference, in part thanks to the help of Betty Backstrom. Cindy Scott, the Administrative Assistant of Special Ministries, has been selected to attend the Certification Class of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS,) held each summer at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.
The VIM mission team from the Louisiana Conference at was the first multi-racial team to ever visit Senegal in the United Methodist Church. Broadmoor UMC, Baton Rouge, contributed the communion ware presented in Senegal. A youth team will go to Senegal in December 2006- January 2007; the desire is for the team to be multiracial. Jeanne Green extended an invitation to W. T. Handy Convocation November 11-12, 2005. Emphasis has changed to youth and young adults, because of the great response by youth last year.
All are invited to attend the Summit for Pastors and Leaders of African American Churches, September 8-10, 2005 at The Wesley Foundation at Southern University in Baton Rouge. “Champion for Chris t Awards” will be given to churches next year for those churches who help strengthen African American churches. The criteria for receiving this award are in the report on page 100 of the Pre-Conference Report. This is not just for African American churches. Other churches are encouraged to partner with an African American congregation to help strengthen both churches.
Bishop Hutchinson is to be lauded for being the first non-African American Bishop to attend the General Board of Discipleship's Convocation for Pastors of African American Churches.
Greetings from Sager-Brown/UMCOR Depot – Gwen Redding – Requests for health kits this year show a 50% increase over last year; 250,000 kits were requested. Thanks to the Annual Conference for bringing hundreds of health kits. Tsunami response has been tremendous. Because of Methodist support, UMCOR has saved lives and rebuilt communities in over 100 countries in the world. Together we CAN make a difference.
Doug Cain, speaking for James Gillespie, who was called to California and is driving back. Louisiana takes leadership in the Russian Initiative . We have established a seminary in Moscow. 4 will graduate this year. There is a great need for funds to help with a desperate need for the Russian Initiative at this time. Please be generous in your gifts tonight at the Ordination Service. The offering will go to the Russian Initiative.
Announcements.
Dismissal of the session. |
