Louisiana Annual Conference 2006

Theme

The 2006 Conference Session will continue our understanding of the Wesleyan theology of Grace by using the theme: “Justifying Grace: Opening the Doors to a House not made with Hands.”

Locations

We are pleased to return to Centenary College and First United Methodist Church , Shreveport for most of our Conference meetings and worship. In addition, we will begin our Annual Conference with the Memorial and Communion Service at Asbury UMC in Bossier City . Please note that there are directions included in this booklet to these locations.

Registration will be available on Sunday, June 4, at Asbury Church . Those staying on The Centenary campus will register for the Conference as they receive their rooms at Centenary. Additional registration will take place on Monday and Tuesday at the Gold Dome on Centenary's campus.

Due to the renovation of the Centenary Cafeteria, only the retired clergy and spouses and surviving spouses will have meals at the College (if they have registered ahead). Other members of Conference will need to make arrangements to eat in local restaurants. Group meals related to the Conference will be hosted in local restaurants or in local United Methodist Churches. We are grateful for the hospitality of the Shreveport churches.

Special Events

Among the many special activities of this session will be:

Monday Evening: Katrina/Rita Party…First UMC, Bain Hall
This will be a time to visit with one another informally and share that, despite the hurricanes, We are Yet Alive, by Gods' grace. There will be special entertainment, with plenty of time to enjoy visiting with one another.

Tuesday Morning: Worship Service In Celebration Of The 50th Anniversary Of Full Clergy Rights For Women…Gold Dome, Centenary College
This will indeed by a celebration of those in our Conference and throughout the connection who have blessed us and continue to bless us with their ministry.

Tuesday Afternoon: Recognition of Response to Katrina/Rita and UMCOR Report Gold Dome, Centenary College
We will recognize those in the Conference and beyond who have led the way in our relief and rebuilding efforts.

Tuesday Evening: Ordination and Commissioning Service, First UMC, Shreveport

Wednesday (During Business):
Celebration of the bicentennial of Methodism in Louisiana . We rejoice in the faithfulness of those who forged the way for us in the wilderness of their time.

Wednesday Noon : Awards Luncheon - Broadmoor UMC, Shreveport
We gather to show our appreciation for those honored by various Conference groups for significant contributions in ministry.

Speakers and Musician:

Our guest preacher for the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Full Clergy Rights for Women will be Dr. Dorothy Watson-Tatem . Dr. Watson-Tatem is on the staff of the Pennsylvania Conference, and is a sought after preacher throughout the connection. She spoke at the Strengthening the Black Church Seminar for the Louisiana Conference in 2004.

Bishop William Oden is returning to Louisiana to lead our Bible Study on Wednesday morning. Bishop and Mrs. Oden (Marilyn) retired in 2004 after providing episcopal leadership in the Louisiana Conference and the North Texas Conference. He is presently on the staff of Perkins School of Theology as Bishop in Residence. Bishop Oden will also assist in the Ordination and Commissioning service. We welcome the Odens back to their Louisiana home and friends.


The Guest Musician for the 2006 session will be Mr. Paul Saik. A talented pianist and soloist, Mr. Saik has led worship throughout the United Methodist Church , most recently at the United Methodist Men's Congress and the Congress on Evangelism. He is a dynamic voice for Christ.


	Mr. Asa Whitaker, Conference President of Annual Conference Lay Leaders of The United Methodist Church, will be guest speaker for the Laity session on Monday afternoon. Mr. Whitaker resides in Batesville , Arkansas .

Offerings

There will be three opportunities for offerings during this year's session. The offering on Sunday evening will assist in the response to Global Aids, a quadrennial project of The United Methodist Church. An offering for assistance to the clergy and spouses who were displaced by the hurricanes will be collected during the Clergy and Laity sessions on Monday afternoon. Each congregation is asked to collect an offering on Easter Sunday to assist in the Louisiana Bishop's Appeal for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As you know, this offering assists in pastoral support and expenses related to our clergy and local church needs in the New Orleans , Lake Charles , and Acadiana Districts.