2009 Annual Conference

Charles Wesley was represented by the Pastor and two of its' Laity (Dale Thompson and Dick Lowry) at the recent Annual Conference. Several old friends of CWC were also seen attending: Mary Jordan, Dave Wade, Bob Friend, Steve Wells, Stan & Joann Maughlin, Nancy Balavage, Patti Money, Judy & Jim Hall, Gretchen Miller & Gene Larkin.

A Conference report generated by Dale is posted below.

**********************************************************************************************************************************

This is my report from the Virginia Conference, June 14-17, 2009, which I attended with Dick Lowry at the Norfolk (VA) SCOPE indoor coliseum. I very much appreciated the companionship of Dick who was of great help to me in understanding the workings of this large conference.



The following are several items that came to my attention during the conference that I believe would be of interest to CWUMC:

The theme of the 2009 Annual Conference was "Let's Get Growing: More Diverse People"

1. Key Messages from Bishop Charlene Kammerer and other Virginia Conference leaders

"There is a place at God's table for everyone." We, Methodists, want to extend the table of fellowship to more diverse people, more young people, more people in general whether or not they are like us. The Bible's story of the conversion of Saul and Peter's conversion of non-Jews (e.g., Cornelius) underscore our calling to be an inclusive church and even invite in people from whom we recoil. We should focus more on recruitment and less on retention.

We, Christians, "are people of hope", but hope is active, not passive.  Churches have the choice of making "deep change or slow death". We will need the courage "to lead without knowing the way" and to try changes. We should "be offended by what offends Christ." "Jesus is offended by poverty and injustice." "People matter to Christ." We should "care about what Jesus cares about" and use our resources accordingly.

We, church leaders (clergy and lay leaders) should remember that "we get what we pay attention to." Conference particpants shoud go home with a good question(s), such as, "what has CWUMC successfully paid attention to and what should it pay attention to going forward?"

"Do good, love God."

2. Impact of economy

The poor economy has impacted the church. For example, Cokesbury sales hve been very slow and consequently the Cokesbury financial contribution to the church did not occur. (I believe this is the first time.)

The lack of church funding has resulted in a sharp reduction in scholarships to UMC colleges (35%), significant unfunded pension liability, staff reductions, salary roll backs, decline in unrestricted funds, etc.  Yet, the Virginia Conference will move forward and plans to start 250 new congregations over the next fifteen years.  In the McLean area, this initiative has started: With the closing of the Dunn Loring church in the Fall 2009, a new congregation is forming with a new pastor and new membership.

In response to the pension crisis annoucement, a quiet miracle occurred while the Conference was going on with its agenda of speakers and music. Without prompting, hundreds of conference participants got out of their seats and streamed down to the the altar in the center of the coliseum to donate checks and cash to help with pension funding.

3. Ordination - An especially joyous moment

Thirteen people were ordained elder; two were ordained deacon; 28 commisssioned as provisional members, including Melody Tannner; 26 were licensed as local pastors. The commisioning of Melody was a joyous moment for the Charles Wesley UMC delegation. (Rev Candee Martin, Tylee Smith, Dick Spann, Dick Lowry, and Dale were present.)

4. Important Constitutional Amendments and Resolutions

Thirty-two proposed church constitutional amendments were reviewed. Two amendments were passed: Energy Conservation (# 3) which calls on the church to conserve energy and take a wide range of measures to curb pollution and preserve the environment. Chesapeake Bay (# 4) which calls on the church to take actions to heal the Bay and help watermen.  The resolution (# 6) to continue to support a moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia was defeated.

The Board of Church and Society was asked to make recommendations regarding two resolutions (1 & 2) regarding economic justice in international loans and trade and the punishment for nonviolent crimes (given that the US confines more people to prison than any other country).

5. Membership Exciting News

The new Conference Statistician, David Dommisse, made the membership happy when he made the surprise announcement about the growth of membership in 2008.  The Virginia Conference increased by 968 local church members, This bucks the trend of many years.

6. A Sample of Other Conference Highlights

The 2009 retirees from the Virginia Conference represented 477 combined years of ministry. The importance of campus ministry was emphasiszed because new pastors originate from their campus ministry experience.

Conference members and clergy from 65 churches turned in commitment cards for the Talent Academy, a Virgina facility where church members can receive trainng and conduct meetings.

38,070 kits were received and dedicated by the Conference including birthing, baby/layette, school, health, and sewing kits plus flood buckets and $76,804 in donations (which includes the donation from CWUMC).

The Conference food drive yielded 9,800 pounds of food for local fod pantries.

The Annual Conference Offering totaled more than $200,000, more is coming in. This year these funds will will support (1) the UM Theological Seminary in Mozambique which supports hundreds of new UM churches throughout this southeastern African nation, (2) the Shade and Fresh Water Project in Brazil which keeps children off the streets and away from gangs and drugs, and (3) the Pathways Ministries in Petersburg, VA, which builds affordable housing, provides free medical and dental clinics, and provides at-risk youth trainng to enter the workforce.

Bishop Joaquina Nhanala spoke at the Conference. She is the first woman elected Unhited Methodist bishop in Africa. The UMC is growing in Mozambique, the Bishop's home country. She indicates, "We are about preaching the gospel through deeds."

----------------------------------------------------------

Below are the main agenda items that were addressed at Annual Conference:

Rules Committee Report

Statistician Report

Retired Clergy Housing

Trustees Report

Board of Ordained Ministry

Common Table Report

Laity

LUMAC Report

Equitable Comp[ensation

United Methodist Foundation

Bishop's Book Recommendations

Cokesbury Presentation

Wellness Initiative

Historical Society

Ordering of Ministry

Potato Drop Mission

Church Developement

New Church Planters

Five Talent Adcademy

Educational Institutions

Kits Dedication

Retiree Recognition

Constitutional Amendments

All Things New Funding

Information Management and Technology Plan

Board of Pensions Report

Council on Finance and Administration Report

Much more was included in the agenda:  several worship services, teaching plenary sessions, bible study, much hymn singing, special breakfast/dinner meetings, etc. plus a training and resources Expo and a vendor exhibit was availbale next to the main meeting hall.

More details of the 2009 Virginia Conference Session will be available on the Virginia Conference Web site (www.vaumc.org).

The Conference was a rich and rewarding experience.

It was an honor to be the representative from Charles Wesley United Methodist Church.

Dale

##################

Report from the 226^th Session

Virginia Annual Conference

Roanoke, VA

June 15-18, 2008

As your delegate to the 2008 Session, the following are some brief highlights, in no particular order, of the reports and events at this Annual Conference.

On Monday morning at the Laity Session, Bishop Joe Pennel, former Virginia Conference bishop, shared his thoughts on means of grace for the Church today. The first is “worship”; the second “searching the Scriptures”; the third “spiritual reading”; the fourth “sacramental life”; the fifth “deeds of mercy and kindness”.

Outside the Civic Center, there was an “Eyes Wide Open” exhibit that contained 116 pairs of combat boots and the names of the soldiers from Virginia who have died in the Iraq war. It also had shoes representing the thousands of Iraqi civilians who have lost their lives.

After the Laity Session, Bishop Charlene Kammerer called on two persons to lead in the opening prayer. Dr. George Lightner who is 99 years of age and attending his 74^th consecutive Conference, and Rachel Smith, attending her first, gave the prayer.

The focus of Conference this year was on youth and young adults. Throughout Conference, they shared their enthusiastic ministry with voices and music.

There was a “Let’s Get Growing – Ministries with Young People” expo. “Deech” Kirk, executive director of the Center for Youth Ministry Training in Nashville, led a discussion on “Beginning an Effective Youth Ministry” and “Beginning an Effective Young Adult Ministry”.

Report and dedication of the Kits for Conference resulted in a total 38,291 kits and monetary donations of $74,920 making a total monetary value placed on kits and donations at $598,820.61. These kits will go to Mississippi and the Midwest.

The Society of St. Andrew (Potato Project) is observing its 25^th anniversary this year. The report stated that 392 million pounds – 1.2 billion servings – have resulted from salvaging normally wasted food from gleaning areas. Outside on the parking lot during Conference, volunteers bagged 40,300 lbs. of sweet potatoes – 121,000 servings – that was being distributed to nine regional service agencies.

The All Things New, Fruitful and Multiplying report, a plan to open and revitalize churches throughout the conference was presented by the 250 Task Force. The multi page report was adopted.

The Bishop reported that the amount collected thus far towards the goal of $300,000 for the conference offering totaled $222,626. This offering will go for projects in Brazil, Mozambique, Global HIV/AIDS Fund, and Rebuilding of Seashore United Methodist Assembly Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Rev. Bob Friend, Chair of the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) Board of Directors gave a report and DVD presentation on the Capital Campaign to raise nine million dollars for renovation and additions to the Center in Blackstone, VA.

This is the 40^th anniversary of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church uniting to form the United Methodist Church.

The site of the 2009 and 2010 Annual Conference will be in Norfolk.

Seeing and hearing what we, as United Methodists in a connectional system, are doing across our conference and over the world is very humbling. Charles Wesley Church is a part of this system.

In addition to the business of the Conference, Elaine and I, along with Dick Lowry, attended worship services, Bible studies, and the Laity Banquet.

Conference is also a time for visiting with others who have been connected with Charles Wesley Church. Also attending were Joanne & Stan Maughlin, Jim & Judy Hall, Allen & Shirley Minter, Steve Wells, Patti Sufficool Money & Susannah, Mary Jordan, and Shirley Cauffman.

Dick, Elaine, and I had the opportunity to break bread at dinner with Bobby & Debbie Friend. We were also fortunate enough to catch up with Dave Wade for lunch at the close of Conference.

Thank you for allowing me to be your delegate this year.

Bob Schneider

***********************************************************************************************************************************

Should you wish current detailed information, it is suggested for you to surf to http://www.vaumc.org/index.cfm/fa/content.view/menuID/4114.htm, which takes you to "2008 Annual Conference Session" and the options for you to choose the information you wish.

The VAUMC.org web site is full of useful information - spend some time there and get some of your " like to know" questions answered . . .