Dear Bishop

Altar calls? At conference? Do you have any idea how uncomfortable altar calls are for some people? For a person? For me?

Do you even care?

Altar calls are very "baptist" in my perceiving mind and thinking. We are United Methodists! My only experience with altar calls has been at my mammaw's southern baptist church in New Mexico; Temple Baptist Church specifically, where Reverend Penrod would reward members for inviting friends to church. Where Reverend Penrod would call the adults to come put their house in order all while his own house was fraudulent and unscrupulous. 

Sunday School was a joke. Rewards for bringing your friends. I didn't have friends I could, or would, ever invite to that church. I received no prizes. But some brought many friends. A few earned themselves a shiny new television set. That was what Sunday School was, a means of earned grace - favour in the eyes of the pastor. Works above faith, because as we all know "faith without works is dead". Right?

And church was no better. Fire and brimstone for the sinner spouted from a preacher who beat his wife, embezzled funds, and displaced deacons right and left. Then came the altar call. I heard the murmurs, the talk; I was 8 years old, why was I not going forward and "accepting Christ"? 2 reasons you old ladies: 1) Christ doesn't need my acceptance, and 2) I hear the words of judgement you spit out about everyone who goes to the altar for prayer, for confession, for a clean heart and a clean slate. Music playing Just As I Am does not drown out your whispered, critical words. So what if he had an affair, if she goes to the bar after dark, that they like to "swing". Let God judge the sinner, YOU tend to YOU!

I would never subject myself to that...gossip. Ever. And yet - 

and yet, 

i did. 

Before my 17th birthday, before my parents were to remarry, each other. Strange yes, I know. As soon as my mother announced her intentions I found my way into the little sanctuary of Hacienda Baptist Church. An there, before God and people I barely knew, I confessed my need for Jesus Christ. But it was a fluke thing that did not ever stick, or was never real...don't know which. I am never assured I have opened the door to the ever knocking Jesus. I lack the ability to trust. And because I trust nothing I feel no assurance, and that is terrifying. So I work. I “serve”. Because after all, 

"faith without works is dead".

I am not comfortable with altar calls. Church is very abusive to some people. To one person. To me.

Thank you for listening to my rant, Bishop. 

meMonica

Conference, Day Three

Annual Conference

Teaching Study

Welcome Rev. Cooler

The social embodiment of renewal; Trinitarian ecclesiology 

Wesley has a Trinitarian understanding of the faith

Wesley's Trinitarian vision of the church

Wesley's Trinitarian understanding of the church in his sermon, "Of the Church"

A deeper, profounder, more robust understanding of the church (Ephesians)

Who properly are the church of God and what is the meaning of the term (church)?

In Wesley's quote, notice how he defines the church in the same Trinitarian vision.

We become God's tabernacle of God here on earth. The church is not simply a means to another end. The church is an end in itself.

John 1 deals with the whole church, the happy and holy communion which the faithful has with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The life I live I live in the Son of God and then it is when happiness begins. God is love and whoever dwells in God dwells in love and love in Him.

The love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is as wide as an ocean.

Walk down the street of any city in our culture and look at their faces. Are they finding happiness and feeling fulfilled? The answer is because they do not dwell in the love of God.

The more Christians are filled with the triune life of God, the more tenderly they will be concerned with the life of the downcast and down trodden and seek to help them. 

Where are we most likely to encounter the triune God? In community! 

Do no harm. Do good. Live in grace.

(This study teacher is so over my head that my notes are incomplete and almost incomprehensible. I will not be able to retrieve the words that he is trying to teach let alone share them with others. He uses a LOT of Wesley quotes which are archaic and difficult to understand. I am giving up trying to take snippets of notes that make no sense and I am almost giving up on even listening to him! I'm not sure I understand how any of this is about renewal...)

 Need small group connections. In the NT there are two forms of gatherings, large group worship and small group. Jesus taught the crowds but he travelled with, communed with, ate with, prayed with the twelve. In Acts, the crowds gathered on the temple grounds but they broke bread together in small groups in homes. It is in small groups where we are loved, held accountable, uplifted.

We need a deeper, profounder, more radical understanding of renewal. We must have a Trinitarian understanding of God and we must have small group discipleship.

How much connexion do we really have in our churches? 

Morning Session

Welcome

Witness of two churches, Basic Church on Staunton District and Westover UMChurch in Charlottesville District w/Video

Westover had 8-10 persons when Rev. Norma Dean arrived 10 years ago. They began having Thursday prayer meetings with sometimes only two people but they prayer. They needed a wheel chair ramp which, through God, was poured that week for only $200. Begun a Wednesday service now that is outside when the weather is nice. Planning a 3,000 ft addition. Unbelievable things have been happening because of their love for Jesus and each other.

Basic UMChurch, Rev. Don Gibson describes Basic 10 years ago as a typical UMC and they began a Spanish Ministry. Bringing together of cultures. Bridge building events where both the Anglo and Latino congregations come together in joint community for meals, worship. (Sermonish language of all the things being done at Basic, which are many and amazing!)

Report of the minutes committee. Minutes of Saturday are in order. Two motions, one for minutes reviewed and one for minutes to be reviewed on July 7. Both motions approved.

Elect Mark Brown as Director of Connectional Ministries. Approved with standing ovation.

Conference offering $145,000 collected yesterday. All this offering goes outside of the conference. Collected $11,000 for No More Malaria yesterday which will save 1,100 lives. 4 Cans 4 Conference is 8,500 pounds. 41,218 kits collected.

Report of the statistician, pg 112 and report of the treasurer, pg 113-116. Housekeeping matter - Shiloh sold by Staunton District. Motion to give monies to the district board of missions. Approved.

UM Foundation, pg. 95

CF&A Report, pg. 117-126 Motion to approve sections one through six. Approved Section seven requires no vote.

Resolutions: Motion that after resolution presentations that discussions be limited to two for, two against, two minutes each. Approved

Resolution 2. Motion to suspend rule because maker is not a member of conference. Approved. According to Parliamentarian Procedure, Conference Boards must speak first must speak first. BoCS: We understand the intent of the resolution but believe that the Board of Pensions should have a voice in this resolution and at the appropriate time will refer the resolution back to BoCS. BoP: refer this resolution to BoCS and BoP for refinement. Both BoCS and BoP recommends non-concurrence of this resolution at this time and hope that Miss Layton will be willing to work with both Boards to refine the resolution. 2 oppose and speak against the resolution. 2 support and speak for the resolution. Motion by BoCS to refer the resolution to BoCS and BoP. Motion approved

Resolution 3. The resolution committee votes concurrence. 2 support and speak for the resolution. 2 oppose this resolution and speak against this resolution. Amendment. Not carried. Resolution 3 carries.

Personal Privilege: 2,361,590 meals packaged over the last year by the Virginia Conference.

Recess before worship service

(I went out here to sit at the York River District table where cushions were being sold. I live steamed the worship service...kind of odd because it was almost five minutes behind what I could here going on in the ballroom. It was amazing to watch and Nancy Yarborough, York River District UMWomen President, was very grateful that I relieved her so she could go in and participate in worship.)

Conference, Day Two

Annual Conference 2014

Teaching Study

Singing our Faith led by the house band which is from Ebenezer UMC in Fredericksburg

Dr. Elmer Coyler

Renewal is not a program: the triune God of the gospel is the primary author of renewal

Basis of renewal

45 year struggle of decline

2011 loss of 72,000, 2012 lost over 80,000 and in 2013 over 90,000

Financial crisis

Cutting staff and programming

We are fairing better in Virginia

Malaise and fear

Conflict and dispensation into warring factions

Do we have real unity?

"Schism means an alien affection for our brother...it is a grievous breach of the law of love..the greater the love, the stricter the union...if you are a living member, take are how you care for the body of Christ by separating from your brother." John Wesley

The deeper issue of "connexion"

Connection alums in the UM Handbook

Connexion in Wesley and early Methodism

Koininea - in Christ we are adopted children of God

Crucial to the church...the essence of the church

The reality...the relationships; person constituting

The institutional forms were not the thing, they were where relationships were built and renewed

Renewal is NOT a program

A winsome fellowship of love connected through Christ Jesus

They will know you are disciples if you love one another

Not first and foremost something we do, it is something the triune God does and has been doing for a very long time

Connexion was not a program, it was a way of life

Found their being in union with God and one another

Acts of renewal

Pray - John 15:1-8

Spiritual renewal - how we behave, what we do

Theological renewal - how we envision God

Alternative was of being and doing church

Trinitarian God that undergirds and is not finished with us yet.

"The UMC is a sleeping giant, oh that God will awake her someday." Billy Graham

Morning Session

Song, Spirit of the Living God

Prayer

Minutes Committee - motion to accept yesterday's minutes. Approved

Laity address by Warren Harper

Lord, renew us with your spirit

At least 21 boards, committees, and task force that I attend on your behalf

Opportunity to use technology to connect with our conference churches

Construction ministries

Use VUMAC if your church has an activity

Connectional ministries

Healthy churches - healthy church initiative

Reflection on mission of the church where 1200 churches have their own vision and mission statement and of course the conference

From the book of discipline - the mission of the church is to "..." (Using the thesaurus to further define the mission) and further reading from paragraph 125; the mission of the church is to make disciples

What's good? What's going well? What's good about this? What can we do better?

Bishop Shinaesy's focus of the church; the goal is to have a focusing (fluid) congregation not a focused one (narrow)

Keep both eyes open for a fuller visual picture, if we close one eye we might just miss the most obvious moment/movement or we may just get tired and let somebody else worry about it

Prayer convocation, May 25th we were to pray for church revival and renewal

We expect of each other that our work is tri-centered, we work for Christ and that it leads to Christ

Lyrics quoted from the Gift of Love

Prayer, Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan tradition

Equitable Compensations Report, pg 47. All three recommendations approved

Initial CF&A report, pg 113-116. Relatively good financial year. 3 out of four churches paid 100%. Special shout-out to York and Arlington Districts (yay!) action will be taken tomorrow.

Board of pensions, pg. 101-112 w/video. 6 recommendations, all approved

All Things New, pg. 50. More than 90 people in 7 work teams on vital congregations; discipleship circles-must be willing to share our successes and failures...increased spiritual vitality is a number one priority yet we fail to pray out loud, fail to share our faith stories, fail to practice discipleship. Video on YouTube and web-site after conference. www.vaumc.org/discipleshipcircles Prayer

Introduction of Higher Education President of UM owned Colleges (6 of them) w/Video. Pray for our students.

Global ministries recognizes our conference for the highest designated amount of giving, highest amount of missionary support 2013. $1,160,000 to UMCOR and $2.5 million to the Advance

Worship

Litany

Prayer

Song, For Everyone Born

Prayer of Illumination, responsively

Scripture, 2 Cor. 4:7-12

Message, Bishop Hayes Oklahoma Conference

Celebrate missions today and missionaries

We are trying to say more with less words, example is "really?" and "whatever..."

Phrase being used a lot that challenges our faith and undermines our God, "it is what it is"

Prayer

"It is what it is" has become one of the go to expressions of our day. It generally means resignation, hopelessness, and even surrender. Nothing more can be done.

Epidemic of despair and futility in our times and many people have given up or thrown in the towel of hope.

It is at precisely at that point that God is at His best; takes over and takes charge

Story of 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Wales who was mean, strict, "related to Atilla the Hun", "who could walk into an empty room and start a fight." But she taught me that life has margins and we have to stay within the margins.

God works best outside the margins, who gives hope to the hopeless, lifts up the downtrodden, affects the afflicted. Nothing is over with until God has the last word.

Paul Harvey, who is from Oklahoma, story of our limits and God's abilities. 138 years ago Swan's Quarter had no UMC and little hope of improved property prospects so they built on their property that was less than ideal. 1976 a celebration for the completion the church. The next day and fierce storm came in and most of the town had suffered tremendously. Swan's Quarter UMC had been lifted entirely and gently carried down Oyster Creek Road. The members tried to stop the church to no avail. Th church continued on and made it to the center of town and made a sharp right hand town. Members still tried to still it's movement. Then as suddenly as lifted, the church settled upon an empty piece of land in the center of town. The landowner found the minister the next day and presented him with the deed.

We will all face insurmountable odds and circumstances, God will pull out the impossible and make it probable for God will always have the last word.

Paul describes four situations where he could have said "it is what it is". But he never did. Afflicted but not crushed ... (see scripture)

Today we celebrate the UMC of the Virginia Conference, one of the most outstanding conferences (if not the most outstanding) that reaches out to people, making a difference.

Whatever happens to us in this ministry of ours, do not give up, do not surrender, do not throw in the towel; give in to the power of God

Story of communion with little children who had never par taken of communion before. He gave each a piece of the bread dipped in the wine and watched that surreal moment unfold as they, wide eyed, received the bread as he wondered if they understood what it meant to receive the body and the blood. Months later he received a letter from the children asking, "when are you coming back to feed us the food of the God?"

That is what wears to be in the world, Virginia Conference.

Song, Christ Has Broken Down the Wall

Commissioning of the Missionaries-Pat Watkins, Missionary to Caretakers of God's Creation

Prayer

Commissioning Ceremony

Deaconess Commissioning, Laarni BiBay and Anselma Samson both at Resurrection UMC

Definition of Deaconess

Commissioning Ceremony

Prayer

Litany

Offertory with Amazing Grace sung in Korean by Rev. Moon of the York River District, Ghana Rev. Nkrumah of the Alexandria District, Spanish by Rev. Colon of the Arlington District, ASL by Rev. Vaugn, and the conference band.

Prayer for offering, potatoes, 4 cans for Conference, and Kits

Thank you Holy Rollers

Song,Build Your Kingdom

Closing Litany

Retirement Ceremony

Litany

Prayer

Song, Joyful Joyful

Scripture Joel 2:25-32

NT John 15:1-5

Message, Jim Noland

"What a long strange trip it is"..."we're not dead yet"..."Lord, Renew Us in Your Spirit."

What were we like when we were new? When we had energy and enthusiasm and we began to change the world?

When we were new:

As human beings

Adam and Eve stopped listening to God and listened to another voice.

As Christians

Pentecost

Heard the apostles in their own language and assumed they were drunk but it was only 9:00 AM and 3,000 were added that day

Accountability in telling the story - blown out of our comfort zone, where the people were, speaking in their own language but something has happened...

Paul baptized disciples into the power of the Holy Spirit, the only time we hear of rebaptism in the NT

God becomes an idea, not a living vital powerful force that is quite dangerous; the Holy Spirit can be quite dangerous, it calls into places that we do not want to go

When the church is open to that power then something happens

When a God becomes an idea then God becomes what we want

John Wesley had no doubt that the people called Methodists would continue but he was fearful that they would become a dead sect

We're not dead yet, God is NOT through with the people called Methodists and will renew us with fresh spirit

Song, As We Go

Recognition of the retirees

Song, As We Go

Prayer

Song, Trees Of The Fields

Benediction

Teaching Study

Rev. Coyler

Character of each conference is very different, thank you for your hospitality

The triune God and Trinitarian Gospel: The heart of renewal

Renewal always begins with a vision, see new visions and dream new dreams.

Most seminarians have two visions of the church-

Shepherd/sheep method

Pastor as CEO model

Connection, where we come to know the love of God, is not really the ethos of either of these methods of the church. Connection happens inspite of

American Vision of the church, Ministry and God which is not really Trinitarian but instead a doctrine of the ONE God and has played a far more pivotal role.a giant misguided puzzle 

Trinitarian vision of god and salvation in Wesley and early Methodism

Revisionist a different vision of the church, of God, of renewal

Part of the vibrant and transformative movement is rooted in its Trinitarian perspective

The trinity takes us to the very heart of vital Christian faith and life

Til God the Holy Ghost witnesses to God the Father even as He witnesses through God the Son through the Spirit of God.

Gospel and salvation are Trinitarian 

Come to know God the Father through the grace God the Son, Jesus Christ, by way of the Holy Spirit

The living triune God has loved us always and forever

What is renewal anyway? 

Wesley always understands the gospel, he knows the gospel, he reads the gospel in Trinitarian terms

The love of god is shed apart in the Holy Spirit 

God is continually breathing upon her soul

Christian Perfection is also defined in the Trinitarian vision

Afternoon Session

Witness of two churches, Norfolk UMC in Elizabeth River District and The Vine in the Arlington District. Video. 

Pastor Sherry of Norfolk UMC and two lay persons-only God has allowed us to come this far through faith, be the church that God called us to be and be the church God meant us to be. Blessed Assurance. Increase in stewardship around 60% each month; building phase 2; increase in membership about 75%; we never gave up; increase in ministries where some were discontinued, some reworked, and some new. Our story is about leaders and people in the pews willing to take the risk.

Pastor Todd of The Vine UMC planted in a location where a church was closed. That church began looking at renewal and determined that closing to make way for a church planter was the way to go. Desperate situations is sometimes the best time for renewal. 9 people who voted to close their church one week and came the. Next week to see what God would do. People are there from many countries.

Common Table Report, pg. 51-54, 57-58. Video. Holy conferencing related to human sexuality are not in the book but are charged with the conferencing of it,and will keep you informed. Imagine No Malaria. 1 recommendation approved. 1 motion to raise funds to save 100,000 lives with every church taking part. Passes. Video. Bishop's happy dance that spurred spontaneous giving. Text Malaria Va 27722.  Bishop donates $3,000.

60 children enrolled in childcare at Wesley UMC

Election of Officers, pg 54-56. Approved

Shirley Kaufman talks about the fly swatter and Birthday Card for No Malaria. Every minute one life is snuffed out because of Malaria

Recognitions:

Henry Denman Evangelism Award winners, Rev. David M. Birch at Vision of Hope UMC and Mr. David W. Bailey at Trinity UMC James River District and Miss Casey Marie Heinlein at Burke UMC

Site Selection, Doug Geeting,  pg. 87Resolutions, pg 127-135

Prayer

Resolution #1 - the resolution committee does not make a recommendation to this resolution. Makers of the resolution are not delegates of the Conference. Motion to postpone indefinitely due to the fact that the Virginia Conference is beginning conference wide holy conferencing on human sexuality. Discussion. Motion prevails.

Adjournment

 

Renew A Fresh Spirit, Lord

Annual Conference 2014

Laity Session

Cross Purposes kicks off the session!

Three songs the last being from Mercy Me called Shake

Lay Leader Warren Harper welcomes us to this celebratory time

Song, Draw Me Close To You

Scripture, Ephesians 4:1-16 NIV

The scripture in Spanish (very poor Spanish by a NON Spanish speaking person! This is both very sad and very embarrassing...everyone sits uncomfortably wanting to just pull the correct pronunciations from her throat as she stumbles, staggers, and falls over each word spoken. Some believe this is very insulting. Why didn't the Lay Leader ask a lay member who speaks Spanish to read the scripture? Why didn't she consult a Spanish speaking person) NIV

The scripture read yet again by a young person (seems like stereotyping) The Message 

Liturgical Dance performed by Gabby Burge, age 12, from Wellspring 

Lay Leader Warren Harper speaks of Pastor Shinaesy's Book on worship

GBD path one section - creative, vital worship 

     Sacrament - weekly communion; center us

     liturgical - the word of the people 

     indigenous - faithful to the relevant matter called church; worship is about offering our best to our      place and to our people

     connected - important that we are one in Christ, one in ministry, one in mission

     embodied - gifts are entrusted to each of us; we use our bodies to express our love for our Lord and savior Jesus Christ

To give our best to God

Song, Breathe

Prayer

Presentation by three youth about the Fusion Retreat at Eagle Eire which is a Tri-District retreat (Danville, Farmville, Lynchburg) with 350 youth

Video

    Description of small group discussions

    Missions in four stations: education, Teddy Bear Brigade (to war torn nations), Stop Hunger Now (over 21,000 meals packaged) and prayer station (clean water facts, poverty and injustices in the world)

   VWorship message was Illuminate - taking the light of God out to show and share with others.  

Brian Bateer, Danville District youth coordinator

National Gathering of youth in Orlando at the World Marriott Center,  June 24-28 2015

Video about Youth 2015, Y15

Reverend Lynn Litchfield, Women's Prison Chaplain Services

Drama about an incarcerated woman, Hope, praying to God (awesomeness, as usual...love this gal!). 

1,250 women incarcerated in Virginia's prison in Fluvanna

Today at Fluvanna, Hope will find Chaplain Perry inside the prison where chaplains have been serving for more than 100 years; not state employees, but our employees - missionaries that are so often "out of sight, out of mind"

Toiletry kits at Christmas time are always welcome

Our chaplains at our state prisons are currently part time and the juvenile system has no chaplain at all; we are seeking full time chaplains at each major prison and part time at the smaller jail systems

With God's help, 27,000 men and women can return to society a better person, better parents, better workers; God needs our help, without us where will Hope be?

For more information? Fill out the orange card (I did)

Virginia Conference Wellness Ministries, Charles Reynolds

Begun when Bishop Kammerer was here

Bishop Cho says no spiritual growth, no vital congregations; true with physical health

Human beings are created by God as body, mind, and spirit which are totally interwoven

Pastors, who are charged with the care of the congregation, often neglect their personal care and the care of their families; we, as laity, need to be the ones to check the pulse of the pastor

Personal care is extremely personal; do not assume responsibility for your Pastors health decisions

    Pray fervently for your pastor and family

    Make a mental note of how much time the pastor is spending in ministry

    Is the pastor available 24/7 to the congregation? Suggest a day of sabbath; suggest a vacation - four weeks per year including Sundays

    Encourage SPRC to arrange pastor supply to fill the pulpit

    Encourage the pastor to participate in a pastor support group and/or covenant groups

    Encourage continuing education

    Jesus provided the model for personal care; ensure your Pastor follows that model

Thank you for the time and God bless you

Recognition of Lay Servant Academy, David and Johnnie - directors

Video of the Lay Servant Academy which is held in February at VUMAC

The past five years have been very rewarding; Virginia will be the host of the 2015 Lay Servants Academy of the SE Jursdiction in Williamsburg

Prayer

Afternoon Session

Called to order by Bishop Cho, the 232nd Annual Conference

Song, And Are We Yet Alive (accapela)

Opening Prayer, Raymond Wrenn's 74th Assembly, and Noell Schoeman's 1st.

Appreciation expressed to planning committee and the York River District

Greetings by Joe Carson, York River District Superintendent

Greetings by Booker Brown, York River District Lay Leader

Introductions of guests and recognition of previous bishops

Motion that bar of conference be set by Joe Carson. Motion carries

Motion that agenda be approved by Joe Carson. Approved

Motion of Susan Reeves be elected as secretary by Joe Carson. Approved

Motion of assistant secretaries and editor of the journal by Joe Carson. Approved

Motion to appoint Committees with Tim Tate as clergy teller from Roanoke by Joe Carson. Approved

Announcements by Susan Reeves including time for addendums to agenda as well as removal of consent agenda items

Recognize the Rules Committee Chair, Stephen Bray

And Here We Go Again, Bishop Cho's Episcopal Address

My prayer for conference is Lord, You Do It. Lord, you please do it. 

We are making progresses

    All Things New has moved from maintenance to fruitfulness in making vital congregations

    Clergy Leadership Program has had 18 clergy complete

    39 clergy joined in the spiritual renewal to Korea

    Strengthening the foundation to save our denomination through All Things New

No spiritual vitality, No vital congregation

Prayer convocation team developed the spiritual disciplines covenant; more that 200 churches, 40%, have signed to be a prayer covenant congregation

May 25th was set as a conference wide day of prayer

My focus has been:

    New faith communities, 28 since I became  Bishop.

    120 pastors received training

    Restructuring of the common table

    Long term financial strategy

We have a long way to go:

    Vital congregation statistics and data

    Discipleship circle

    Imagine No Malaria

        Spiritual discipline, act of mercy

        Vital balance between acts of mercy and and acts of piety

        Hope to touch more than 100,000 lives

        Hope every church participate

        Ask the youth and young adult to lead this initiative

    Starting 3 new faith communities

2016 General Conference will be faced with many issues involving human sexuality; conference wide conversation of this issue and pray for the future of the UMC

We desperately need revival

God, renew me first

Song, Spirit of the Living God

Recognize Shan Sixby, COSROW, pg. 81

    Galatians 6:10

    37% reports by female and 86% were white

    Reference to MLK's I Have A Dream and an alter his speech slightly

Report of the Cabinet, pg. 40

Historical Society Meeting

Announcements by Bishop

Song, Alleluia

Adjourned (early!)

World Cup Tension!

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ Let's go U S let's go ❤¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ Let's go U S let's go ❤¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ Let's go U S let's go ❤¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ ♪♫•*¨*• .¸¸❤¸¸. •*¨*•♫♪ U S A!! U S A !! U S A !!

OMG, what an amazing set of group games today. U S against Algeria - what a nail biter. The U S has had so many chances to score but just haven't been able to place it IN the goal!! England is up by one over Slovenia but  Slovenia has really been putting the pressure on. Both games are tense. The U S REALLY wants Slovenia to win so that we do NOT have to play England for the group final game. However, I'm not sure that Slovenia can pull it off. We'll see. but there is less than 5 minutes left in the game (not including stoppage time). Oh wait, I got my information wrong - Slovenia HAS to win so that the U S can advance at all!!! Oh my gosh! This is a nerve-wracking group!!


UPDATE: Slovenia lost against England and the U S beat Algeria by one in the 91st minute of the game. Slovenia is officially out. We have taken the group because of goal differential. "We're alive." -- Donovan

Made Witness To

Tuesday night at conference the Reverend James Gulley spoke with the assembly about Haiti, the earthquake that devastated that nation and his experiences being trapped beneath a pile of rubble for 55 hours. Here I make you a witness to his story through the re-telling.

First I want to thank you for your support to Haiti through the Haiti Emergency Advance [#418325], for donation of kits, and for volunteering to physically go to Haiti. The Virginia Conference donated $1,513,220.72 in aide to Haiti after the earthquake. Thank you. I am here because of Haiti and experienced something few of us ever experience - an earthquake. And we ask ourselves 'why?'. Some of the first questions I am asked is 'What were you doing in Haiti?', "Why should I be concerned with Haiti?', and 'What good news can come from Haiti?'

I arrived in Haiti on June 12th, at the behest of Sam Dixon, and went to the Montana Hotel just before 5:00 pm. We had gathered in the lobby. In only a few minutes, as we were going to get something to eat, the rumbling began. In the very next second I fell and all the building fell around us. The lattice steel roof fell and three of us were safe but two of us were not. Sam and Clint had the weight of 5 stories of building on their feet.

For 55 hours we were agonizing in the pain of Clint and Sam. There were moments of hope and despair. Moments of laughter and moments of anger. We sang songs. We prayed. We had times of levity and times of brevity. At a point the pain became unbearable for Sam and Clint and they believed they would not make it and their thoughts turned to their families and they asked us to remember their families. They began to list all the names of those in their families but I did not pay much attention believing even in that 55th hour that we would all be found and they would be alright.

In the end we prayed, 'Lord, whether we are rescued or not, let us only trust in you.' I was reminded that there are times and there are circumstances that are beyond God. I know that I am alive, while Sam and Clint and 230,000 Haitians could not escape the natural order of the earthquake and lost their lives, is through grace only. Our loving God is present with us in all circumstances. Scripture teaches us that God cares for every creature, for all of creation. The rain falls on the just and the unjust; Jesus calls us equally to repent. We all need to repent because of Haiti.

(... here he gave the history of Haiti which I did not write out ...)

Our history as Americans is tied to Haiti, and our future can also be tied to Haiti with hope for the resurrection of that nation to be better than before the earthquake. 

My personal story is only important as it is the story of the condition of the people in Haiti. Tonight let us commit to take Haiti out of the rubble into a resurrected people.

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.

Conference Day 3

An extremely early day today - woke at 4:45 am to make it through the tunnel for the UMW Prayer Breakfast by 6:30. The breakfast was quite nice and the company at my table was delightful. I heard a couple of horror stories of hotels that were overbooked and shuttles that were delayed or lacking as well as concerns over the CF&A Blackstone Recommendation. Then I was off to the Scope for days festivities.
The title of the opening Bible study was Does Your Church Have a Prayer and the opening theme was from the famous story of the Prodigal Son with the emphasis on transformation which was defined by the three speakers as "a movement of hope into a future that is different from the past." The focus of the story was not on the relationship between the father and the younger son (though the transformation of both was mentioned) ... no, the focus was on the relationship between the father and the disgruntled older son who could not rejoice and respond to the present joy of his father because he was lingering in the past. The real test of transformation is not when we are comfortable (as the older son) but when there is risk (as the younger). Then the three speakers spoke of leadership - transformation leaders who shape present and future conditions in alignment with a desired outcome; leaders who respond to present conditions; and Christian transformational leaders who shape present and future conditions in alignment with Jesus' call to follow Him. By accepting Christ's invitation to follow we are agreeing to participate in God's faithful remembering through the means of grace; it is about knowing where we are going and what we are doing, living and leading toward the vision that God has already cast through Jesus Christ.
By the time the business session ended we had already packaged 100,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now (I ducked out during the recognitions of the retirees to package more meals and got back just in time for the worship service).
The worship service, with the Reverend Ross, included The Voices of Youth who were celebrating 25 years of mission and included singers past and present. The  Biblical text was Acts 2:43-47 and Reverend Ross focused on the fact that after that first sermon by the disciples, 3,000 people were filled with awe and joined the church and they gathered together, they were all there together - they ALL built a movement. He continued by asking, When was it that we have been to church and have been filled with awe? It seems there is too little awe any more, it seems that we no longer tip toe into church filled with awe.
We have forgotten how we (as a church) started. It began with a sermon and the people were filled with awe. That's what happened with John Wesley - he was filled with awe and began a movement of social justice. We started out building, building up! There was a nurturing effect that built community. 
Reverend Ross then segued by quoting Robert F. Kennedy who quoted George Bernard Shaw saying 

"some men see things as they are and ask why? I dream things that never are and ask why not?" 

Do we dare to see some signs and wonders, asked Reverend Ross. Let's stop acting like God aint movin'! Share the goodness of God and celebrate the wonders of God with another.
The consecration of the kits followed the message - there were a total of 43,443 kits and $75,520.00 collected for a total value of $600,465.00. Then the Holy Rollers rolled into the Scope and the conference offering was collected. Our church donated $347.00 this year, a marked increase over last year (thank you everyone!). Saw Jeff and snapped some shots of him. The number of meals packaged for Stop Hunger Now was updated (102,000) and then we broke for lunch.
After lunch we had a plenary teaching session which was a continuation of the morning Bible study. The theme was Leading Through Relationship and taught us how to ask a question the correct way to promote dialogue. The three leaders answered one difficult question for the assembly, how do we promote involvement in our church? Relationships come first followed by the task which leads to transformation; asking someone to do the task before building a relationship with the person only leads to a temporary change however merely focusing on  relationship without involvement in a task leads to wandering and being task oriented without relationships created irrelevance.
As we moved into the business of the afternoon we were introduced to Uni who is from the GBGM Advance who presented the conference with two awards: greatest amount of designated giving in the Southeast Jurisdiction and greatest amount of mission support in the whole of the United Methodist Church. Then she talked about becoming a covenant relation church -- basically the church enters a covenant relationship with a missionary by providing $5.00 per church member to the support of one missionary. Denise Honeycutt was honored for her work over the past 10 years on the board of missions.
The assembly approved the recommendation to reduce the number of districts from 18 to 16 which went relatively smoothly. The big surprise of the afternoon came from a big debate that ensued over the report of the sites selection committee and in fact we had to continue the discussions after dinner! The committee wanted to have the conference permanently hosted in Hampton and the Roanoke District Superintendent (as well as others) objected rather firmly over that recommendation. Both resolutions three and four passed without much discussion.  As we adjourned the business we were told that the conference offering was tallied at $180,500.00.
I stayed for the evening program which was the Reverend James Gulley from UMCOR. Before beginning his survival story he thanked the Virginia Conference for their extreme generosity toward Haiti - $1, 513, 220.72 given to emergency relief. United Methodists world wide gave over $37.2 million dollars and sent over 700,000 relief kits as of a few weeks ago. I wrote out his entire telling of the events the day of the earthquake but I won't include them here - I'll make that a different blog. I'll only say here that the lesson Reverend Gulley learned was that 

"God cares for every creature, for all of creation. The rain falls on the just and the unjust and Jesus calls us all equally to repent. We all need to repent because of Haiti. My personal story is only important as it is the story of the condition of the people in Haiti. Tonight let us commit to take Haiti out of the rubble into a resurrected people."

Conference Day 2

Well, yesterday's report was only from 4:00 pm on and remember how long that was? Today is 8:40 am until 7:00 pm so imagine how long this one will be!
Arrived late to the laity address where Conference Lay Leader Shirley Cauffman was busy with the welcomes, introductions, and business of the laity. She mentioned the laity newsletter at http://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=545 as well as Laity Sunday which this year will be on October 17th with the theme of Disciples Transforming the World Through Presence. For our scout masters there is an amazing Conference Scouting Fellowship that involves all the scouts sponsored by the UMC's in the Virginia Conference (it's at VUMAC November 5-7th which is the same weekend as the UMM's retreat at VUMAC). 
Then there was skit by Darlene Ammon and Janet Bracey entitled Our Call. To sum it up --
     --Christ calls us to be his disciples, be his hands and feet, be his ambassadors in the world.
Darlene then shared her witness which included this pretty awesome quote from her: 

"Have you ever noticed how God takes, what seems to us, the very worst thing and turns it into the very best thing?" 

From that she has learned to pray this simple prayer, "God put me where you need me and use me as you will." God calls each of us and he calls us by name. Remember Isaiah 43 and hold to the knowledge that God knows each and every one of us by name.
Then the laity address moved into the Re-think call series --
-- what if we ... re-think call? not in terms of what is, but what could be -
     - what if call wasn't just clergy? would you answer?
-- what if call wasn't just for one or two hours on Sunday? Imagine the impact on our communities and our world.
-- what if call is a verb? Re-think call.
-- what if we ... re-think the Virginia Conference? re-think church? re-think religion?
Finally the laity address ended with an update from the All Things New Committee. If you remember, in 2006 the Virginia Conference committed to creating 250 new faith communities in 30 years. In 2008 the Conference delegates overwhelming approved the recommendations that came out of the 250 Task Force committee. So now, here in 2010, was presented the All Things New - Keeping the Story Right. 
All Things New is ... 
            ... a vision for spiritual renewal
            ... our conference response to the great commission (go and make disciples)
            ... a reclaiming of our Wesleyan heritage (the world is our parish)
            ... a proclaiming of faith (shaped and transformed)
            ... a moving from ... to ...
                from protecting the Virginia Conference to transforming the culture of the Conference
All Things New is a vision to plant - to take members of a living thriving community and plant them in a new location.
All Things New is an invitation to harvest - to shift our focus from our own world to God's world.
The church often forgets the Easter Story; Jesus Christ is alive, Jesus Christ is risen, Jesus Christ is here with us right now. We need to turn from the empty tomb and see the living Lord calling us by name.
After a brief pause the business of the 228th session of the Virginia Conference began. There were a few prayers, a few welcomes, and a few recommendations to be approved. Everything went very smoothly - so smoothly in fact that Bishop Kammerer stated that we were to have an extended lunch because we finished early. Kewl!
During lunch I had the opportunity to go help with Stop Hunger Now filling bags with soy protein, dehydrated vegetables, vitamin powder, and rice. The conference goal is 100,000. The Bishop and her cabinet made 10,000 in an hour and half earlier in the week. In the hour and a half that I was there we made just over 26,000 bags. By the time conference business reconvened there were over 33,000 bags. It was a blast working with other Methodists, doing good for others. It was also humbling to realize that somewhere in the world a family of four will be immensely grateful to receive this little bag of food while I just threw away the remains of my lunch (meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy and peas). We waste more than many people in the world ever dream of eating! Wow.
When we reconvened we had a worship service which was led by the Reverend Vance P. Ross who is the Baltimore/Washington Conference Bishop. There was a skit (remember that I mentioned the skit rehearsal during my day one blog?) called The Tree Guys written by Laurie Simmons. The scripture passage was Mark 1: 16-20. Reverend Ross began his message by stating that every moment is a Gift of God that we should savor and kiss for we may not have it. His message is entitled Authority Calling and he quoted the refrain of a song by KEM called Love Calls, "There's no where to hide when love calls your name." True with authority calling - "there is no where to hide when authority calls your name." The God we serve is inviting us to an authority calling. Then he quoted Vincent Van Gogh ... "If you hear a voice within you that says 'you cannot paint' by all means paint. That voice will be silenced!" What Reverend Ross was telling us is that if we hear a voice telling us we're not capable of fulfilling that authority calling, just do it. That voice will be silenced. He was really an amazing speaker and I was enthralled and inspired by what he had to say.
After worship we once again returned to reports, recommendations, and resolutions. During the dinner break I went back to the Stop Hunger Now tables and continued bagging. By the time I left to go to the Service of Ordination we had 70,000 bags filled. I think we'll make that 100,000 goal before lunch tomorrow!

Conference Day 1

Arrived into the parking lot a bit after 4 pm and checked in the kits (totally forgetting the total # of each type of kit and having to guess on the form that I filled out - hope I guessed right but I believe I short changed the # of health kits!). After unloading all the kit boxes (a wonderfully dear lady with a cart helped me after noticing my 3rd trip thought the parking lot to the trailer!) and depositing the food into the food bank barrels I headed to the Scope (pausing briefly for the traffic signal and chatting with a couple from Suffolk - he wore the funniest golf pants that were the oddest colors and adored what I was wearing. Egad!).
Getting through the registration line, I browsed various exhibits (picking up helps and aides for youth ministry) and shopped at Cokesbury (and yes Crystal, I bought a Bible!). Ran into Hatsy who is selling UMW shirts and bought a pink one. Then ... 

[pause for dramatic effect]

... I heard the faint ringing of treble bells - it drew me to the floor of the Scope where a 12 member, all women (not especially young either) group of bell ringers from Trinity UMC in Petersburg were practicing a piece with seven octives of bells! Wow! I so wanted to jump onto the stage and play with them. I snapped some pics and thought of recording the rehearsal when I noted how little juice was left in the battery. Darn.
Now I'm journaling and waiting for the start of the Service of Remembrance and Holy Communion.
Hmm ... it's rather cool in here, guess no shorts and short sleeves tomorrow!

Ooh, a drama presentation at some point ... can't hear them because they don't have mics, they are just rehearsing but there are two guys, a little red wagon and boxes getting tossed all over the stage.

Oh and the worship team leader who is leading the music is the same lady who led the music at the Spiritual Life Retreat last year with her significant other (the s.o. is on the left and the worship leader is the fourth in from the left).



The message during the Service of Remembrance is given by Reverend J.P. Hong and is from Mark the end of 13 and jumps to the end of chapter 14.
 These are the highlights I pulled from his sermon:


When dealing with the death there is this fearfulness -
     - will we be united again?
     - will we be healed again?
     - will we be whole again?
And so we occupy ourselves by building walls, rarely communicating with one another.

I believe -
     - in a resurrection
     - in life
     - in an empty tomb
help my unbelief -
     - when the room is silent
     - when the one who mentored me is no longer there

I need to remember that remembering is not just remembering
     it is the power to cry and laugh,
     to hold another's hand and to walk,
     where we begin to experience the truthfulness that death is not the end.

I believe in the power of the cross
in the empty tomb ...
Jesus has gone ahead and is waiting for me!

The reading of the names of the deceased were read allowed followed by the ringing of two bells and the lighting of a candle for each. I recognized two names, Lee Roy Brown (who was once a pastor at St. Mark's) and Rex Wolfe (who was the director of VUMAC for many years).
Communion followed and the evening ended with a song that was absolutely magnificent. You Are Mine written by David Haas found in The Faith We Sing.

You Are Mine

by David Haas

I will come to you in the silence

I will lift you from all your fear

You will hear my voice, I claim my choice,

be still and know I am here.

I am hope for all who are hopeless,

I am eyes for all who long to see.

In the shadows of the night, I will be your light,

come and rest in me.

Do not be afraid, I am with you.

I have called you each by name.

Come and follow me, I will bring you home,

I love you and you are mine.

I am strength for all the despairing,

healing for the ones who dwell in shame.

All the blind will see, the lame will all run free,

and all will know my name.

Do not be afraid, I am with you.

I have called you each by name.

Come and follow me, I will bring you home,

I love you and you are mine.

I am the Word that leads all to freedom,

I am the peace the world cannot give.

I will call your name, embracing all your pain,

stand up, now walk, and live!

Do not be afraid, I am with you.

I have called you each by name.

Come and follow me, I will bring you home,

I love you and you are mine.