Monday Afternoon
MINUTES: MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2007 AFTERNOON SESSION
Gathering Music was led by Cynthia Wilson.
Consecrating of the RiverCenter was offered by Ellen Montigudo.
Bishop William Hutchinson convened the thirty-seventh session of the Louisiana Annual Conference at 1:45 p.m. The Bishop said that it was an honor to be hosting everyone in Baton Rouge. Prayer was offered by Dr. Doug Ezell.
Bishop William Hutchinson asked Fred Loy to make the introduction of Lt. Governor, the Honorable Mitch Landrieu. Mr. Landrieu welcomed everyone to the capital city and spoke on “higher common ground”. Mayor Kip Holden was introduced by Rev. Chris Andrews. He spoke on maintaining your faith and continuing to pray. The Bishop asked Rev. Darryl Tate to recognize Mrs. Carolyn Marshall. She was asked to join them on the stage. The Bishop introduced and thanked the Conference musician, Cynthia Wilson and her accompanist.
Dr. Carl Rhoads led the Roll Call.
Rev. Roger Lathan, moved that the RiverCenter Exhibition Hall West be designated as the Bar of the Conference for the Laity Session, Monday, June 4, 2007 and that the House Chambers of the Old State Capital Building be designated as the Bar of the Conference for the Clergy Session, Monday, June 4, 2007 and that beginning Monday afternoon, June 4, 2007 the cordoned section of the RiverCenter Exhibition Hall West be designated as the Bar of the Conference.
He moved that after the first ballots for delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences, only those individuals receiving five or more votes should have their names read to the Annual Conference. He also moved that the Conference elect two reserve clergy delegates and two reserve lay delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference for both clergy and laity have their expenses paid by the Annual Conference and that such funds be made available by the Conference Council on Finance and Administration.
He also moved that Tuesday’s order of the day be set at 10:30 a.m. for the retirees to address the Conference and that the printed program be the agenda for the Annual Conference Session and that the Bishop be empowered to make changes in the agenda necessary to complete the business of the Conference. I move that the printed material that is to be distributed to the Annual Conference session be cleared through the secretary prior to distribution. The motion was seconded and approved.
Dr. Carl Rhoads nominated Ms. Judy Gross, Rev. Bernadine Johnson, Ms. Patti Perkins, Ms. Joyce Robinson, Mr. Brian Shoup, and Rev. Darryl Tate as Assistant Secretaries of the Annual Conference Session. I further nominate Ms. Joyce Robinson and Rev. Darryl Tate as Head Tellers. He also directed the attention of the conference to six matters:
- All materials for conference members are to be approved by and distributed through the Conference Secretary. These materials are to be given to Ms. Joyce Robinson and are to be marked with the time of distribution.
- Forms for writing amendments and motions that are presented to the Conference should be picked up at the Secretary’s desk.
- Similar forms are available for persons requesting courtesy letters to be sent from the Conference. Forms for special guests to be presented to the Conference are also available.
- Any changes or corrections that need to be made regarding Pre-Conference Reports should be completed and given to Ms. Patti Perkins.
- Special sound equipment for the hearing impaired is available through Mr. Claiborne Sharp for plenary sessions.
- Please be aware of petitions placed on the tables for review. They will be voted on Tuesday and Wednesday Afternoon.
Adoption of the Agenda by Bishop Hutchinson was by common consent.
Mimi McDowell introduced the theme “Means of Grace: Becoming a Greac-full people”. The previous themes were “Prevenient Grace and “Justifying Grace”. She offered a special thank you to Kevin Martin who designed the logo for this year’s theme. Also a special thank you to Kathy Moore, the Bishop’s assistant, who designed and created the beautiful banners. Both Kevin and Kathy donated their services free of charge. A final word of thanks to the entire Worsorship Committee who worked tirelessly to create meaningful worship that glorifies God and celebrates God’s amazing grace.
Dr. Bob Burgess, Chair of the Episcopacy Committee, spoke that the Committee would be working with the delegation that will be electing this Annual Conference toward the assignment of a Bishop for 2008. Fred Loy, Vice Chair, escorted Mrs. Kay Hutchinson to the podium. Carolyn Dove was asked to present Mrs. Hutchinson with a corsage as a token of appreciation. Mrs. Hutchinson spoke on how proud and humble she was to represent Louisiana Methodism. Fred Loy asked the Bishop to come forward so that he could present as a gift, a prayer for the Bishop and Kay Hutchinson for all that they have done.
Bob Duncan was asked to come forward to give an address on Educational Opportunities. He spoke on going to the Holy Land and how your life would be changed.
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Rev. Tom Dolph explained the process of voting with a power point presentation before the First Ballot was taken.
Rev. John Deschner reviewed the six petitions that will be voted on the following day: Petition #1 concerning the window of opportunity for early retirement for pastors; Petition #2 that the Annual Conference 2008, be scheduled for June 8-11 in Orleans Parish and the City of New Orleans; Petition #3 A Call for Integrity in Financial Stewardship; Petition #4 having to do with qualifications for Church membership in the United Methodist Church; Petition #5 to set minimum requirements for Executive Director of Administrative Services Job Requirements; and Petition #6 to take a stand not to buy, sell or use cypress mulch and its derivatives in order to conserve cypress forests.
Report of Board of Ordained Ministry #1 was given by John Williams. He explained that the Board consists of three divisions: Division of Elders, Division of Deacons, and the Division of Local Pastors.
Rev. Burton Blair presented eight people who have completed the License to Preach School: Joseph Dong-Seok, Lawrence Peter Gaines*, Isaac Leon Hammons, Jr., Willis Laws*, Marla Coon Munn*, Kaseem Nabajia Short, Charles Edward Washington and John Henry Whaley*. Those receiving their first appointment are designated with an asterisk.
Local Pastors completing the Course of Study were: Barbara Jewel Beaumont, Darrel Wayne Briggs, Sr., Robert H. Chance, Jr., Jo Ann Cooper, Ross Conrad Ford, Jr., Terry Alan Lindsey, William Kevin McDonald, Truman Prescott Stagg and Betty Lee Swanson.
Recognized as an Associate Member of the Conference: Clinton Powers Lovell, Sr.
A brief word was given about certification and specialized ministry. All members who had been certified in any area of the United Methodist Church was invited to stand and be recognized. Margaret Clark was recognized for her certification in Spiritual Formation.
Rev. Bernadine Johnson recognized the following to be commissioned as Probationary Deacons: Rita Milton Chiasson, Carol Ann Civils and Coney Lewis DeHart.
The following to be commissioned as Probationary Elders: Stephen Dale Berger, John Robert Black, Clifton Clement Conrad, LaMarylis Smith Cotton, Gerald Richard Crise, Kathy Charlene Fitzhugh, Steven Wade Fowler, Eugene James Anthony Hebert, Daniel McLain Hixon, Jeremy Stewart Jones, Kathryn Leigh McKay, Matthew Burke Rawle and LeKisha LaShawn Reed.
Cathy Joy Arends was recognized as ordained Deacon in full connection.
Seven were presented as ordained Elders in full connection: Lysbeth Bond Cockrell, Beverly Ann Connelly, Katherine Grant Howell, Heather Haussler Leyland, James Bryant Moore, Cory Lewis Sparks and Maximilian Oscar Zehner.
It was celebrated that there are 17 new certified candidates for either ordained or licensed ministry that have been approved for ministry this year. The Churches of the Louisiana Annual Conference were thanked for raising up new clergy. The Louisiana Conference was reminded to continue “Discerning the Call”.
John Williams spoke about the Minister Education Fund. A short video was shown. The Louisiana Methodist Foundation was thanked for making scholarships available for seminary education.
Bishop Brian Jennings, of South Africa, greeted the Conference.
Dr. David Trickett, Dean of Iliff School of Theology, brought greetings on behalf of its staff and Board of Trustees.
Bishop Hutchinson announced Clergy Ballot #1. There was no election. Ballot #2 was called for.
Announcements were made by Dr. Carl Rhoads.
Bishop Hutchinson adjourned the business meeting.
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