Report on 2008 Annual Conference
Raye & Joe Lyndon
Aldersgate Delegates
Annual Conference was held once
again in Greenville. We visited with old friends and bring you
greetings from Ken Buckingham, Kelly Logue, Johnny & Susan Branch,
Cleve May and Michael & Jennifer Precht.
We gathered in Greenville for
what John Wesley called “holy Christian conferencing”.
Theme for this year was
“Witnessing … in the Light of God”. The theme highlighted the
Annual Conference’s efforts to make Jesus Christ known to the people
of North Carolina and around the world. Bishop Gwinn formally opened
the proceedings on Wednesday afternoon with his State of the Church
address. He began his remarks by reminding us that as the “Church, we
cannot afford to ever lose sight of WHY we exist” and that “our call
is to serve as Christ’s representatives in this world.”
We concluded the first session by
celebrating Holy Communion.
The “nuts & bolts” of
conferencing was interspersed during the four days of sessions. This
included reports (and more reports), presentations, motions,
resolutions, amendments and votes. If you would like details about
conference business, I invite you to visit the
Conference web site
for all the details.
Special Services:
Throughout the 4-day conference,
we experienced several special services:
(1) A
Service of Commissioning and Ordination – 26 clergy were accepted
to be either ordained or commissioned. Cleve May who was with us for
several years was presented as a candidate for commissioning as a
Probationary Member – Elder Track.
(2) All
Saints Celebration/Memorial Service – where we honored clergy and
spouses of clergy who have died since our last Annual Conference.
(3) A
Retirement Recognition Service – recognizing the 18 clergy
members retiring with this conference. Included in this group was the
Rev. William Simpson, Jr, pastor at Aldersgate from 1972 – 1975. He
will continue to serve our conference as Conference Historian.
(4) Recognition
of First-Time Local Pastors –Nathan Arledge was formally announced
during this presentation.
(5) Laity Leadership Event – The
Reverend Dr. Leonard Sweet, keynote speaker for this year’s
conference, presented a powerful and motivational message of hope as
the church weathers the “perfect storm” of threats and challenges in
the modern world.
Click Here to view a video of his sermon (and videos of
other Conference services).
Items of Interest:
Conference Offices are to be
moved to a new building. Acting on a recommendation from the Board of
Trustees, Annual Conference voted to sell present property ($7.5
million) and build new office on property located near intersection of
I40 and High-Way 70.
“The Advance” celebrated 60
years. Giving arm of the church that ensures 100% of each gift reaches
its intended mission or ministry. United Methodists have channeled
more than $1.2 billion through The Advance over the past 60 years!
The staff of the Methodist
Children’s Home presented a report that talked about the success of
the 1K-1Child program. The donation of $1000 supports the Home’s work
with a child for one year. Aldersgate UMC-Durham was listed as a
participant. Thanks to our
Missions Committee and you for supporting this ministry!
Our churches good friend the
Reverend Dr. Belton Joyner was elected at the 2008 General Conference
to the Judicial Council; the highest judicatory body in The United
Methodist Church. He also received the honor of becoming the Council
Secretary.
During our Executive Session for
Laity, it was announced that participants at the 2008 General
Conference had voted on April 30th to modify the wording of
the profession of membership that we, as Methodists, take when we join
the Church
We currently are asked, “will you
faithfully participate in the churches ministries by your prayers,
your presence, your gifts, and your service?” added to that will
be “. . .and your witness?” The new phrase highlights the mission
and evangelistic responsibility of church membership.
The speakers at Annual Conference
always seem to find a way to throw a few zingers at us to really get
us to start thinking. Here are a few we heard this year. . .
-
we cannot save the World by drive-by Christianity
-
we must love the World like God loves the World
-
believe God. . .NOT believe about God
-
God doesn’t call the qualified, God qualifies the called
Another thing learned this year
was a wonderful way to teach our children how to pray. It goes as
follows: (raise your hand as if in prayer)
Thumb – pray for yourself
Pointer finger - pray for family
Index finger – pray for all our leaders in high places
Ring finger – pray for others
Pinky finger – pray for the little things
It was wonderful to see so many
of our Aldersgate family. While talking one evening with the Prechts,
we learned that Jennifer has decided to go to seminary. She is not
yet decided which path she will follow, so please pray for her and
Michael as she prayerfully proceeds.
Final order of business for the annual conference on Saturday was the
announcement of appointments. The new appointments were announced and
sealed by Bishop Gwinn. These included several new District
Superintendents including Rev. E. Powell Osteen, Jr. son
of Alice and Ed Osteen, as the new D.S. for the Wilmington District.
Those appointments affecting
Aldersgate are:
Thomas G. Holtsclaw –
reappointed to Aldersgate as Pastor; Allison Brady Hocutt –
reappointed to Aldersgate as Associate Pastor; and Nathan Arledge
– appointed to Aldersgate as Assistant Pastor.
Once again it was our pleasure to represent Aldersgate at Annual
Conference.