Conference Day 4 (Final Day)

Oh my gosh traffic was heinous! An accident early early in the morning at the HRBT caused back-ups all the way to Mercury Blvd. I should have learned a valuable lesson this morning but I betcha 100 bucks that I won't. You see myTed called me and told me how the bad the traffic was and suggested that I take the back roads to the final light on Mallory before crossing the interstate to get to the southbound I-64. I decided right then that I would not try to make the final Bible study. I left the house 40 minutes later and headed for I-664 (thinking that would be better). I called myTed while still on Power Plant Parkway and he still recommended back roads through to Mallory and taking I-64. Well all right then, I thought, and turned onto Queen Street headed to Settler's Landing knowing I could cut through HU around the VA and get to the same destination. The traffic at Settler's Landing was backed-up halfway to LaSalle. Fine, everybody has the same idea, I thought and made a 'U'y back to I-664. Well here is where I really should learn to trust the advice of other people - especially when I requested it. myTed is after all an authority on the tunnel traffic since he drives to and from Va Beach each and every work day. But no, I trust nothing and no one except my own judgement and counsel. Big BIG mistake. I was stopped for an hour taking I-664 to Route 164. I turned around and followed my husband's advice and got through the HRBT in no time. I was an hour and half late to conference because I thought I knew best. Lesson that SHOULD be learned - trust the authoritative advice and counsel of others.
Arriving at the conclusion of the report of the Statistician/Treasurer I arrived at least for the recommendation from the CF&A to transfer the real properties of VUMAC to their Board of Directors, forgiving their $86,000.00 debt. There was much debate over this recommendation (though it wasn't nearly as long nor as heated as the report of the Sites Committee) but it was finally approved with the addition of two restrictions: 1) the transfer of the title is done in compliance with the Book of Discipline and 2)  if VUMAC determines it can no longer maintain the property, all properties will revert to the Virginia Conference UMC.
Before the final worship service began we received a Mission Kit update (46,477 kits and $80,559.00) and and update of the Youth Service Fund (they collected $4,152.00). The Conference Offering remained at $180,500.00.
The final worship service, again led by Reverend Ross was titled Ministering On The Spot and the scripture passage was Acts 3:1-10. Reverend Ross urged us to be ministers, all of us not just the ordained (for after all Peter, James, John, and Paul never went to seminary and weren't ordained), and challenged us to find opportunities daily to minister to those around us.
The day ended with the administration of the Advocate to all the delegates and the District Superintendents declaring the appointments correct as printed in the Advocate.
It was a great Conference and I am privileged and honored to be able to represent St. Mark's United Methodist Church. Thank you.