Annual Conference Celebration By Laura Allen, WVUM Editor

Transcription

1 The West Virginia United Methodist Non-profit org. U.S. Postage Paid Elkins, WV Permit No. 300 wvumc.org Summer 2009 Annual Conference Celebration By Laura Allen, WVUM Editor The Africa University Choir gave a rousing performance and testimony on the final night of the 2009 Annual Conference Session, held June at West Virginia Wesleyan College. The choir left the next morning on a 10 concert tour of West Virginia, stopping in each District of the Conference. The tour was also a fundraiser. A goal of $160,000 has been set, with funds raised going to endow a scholarship at Africa University and build faculty housing. Other highlights included the presentation of the Harry Denman Award for Evangelism on Saturday morning. Marieta Reel, a trained obstetric nurse from Peru, received the layperson s award because of her work at Asbury UMC in Moorefield, WV. She has been ministering to Hispanic workers and their children impacted by last April s Immigration Customs Enforcement raids of the Pilgrim s Pride poultry manufacturing plant in Moorefield. Those raids left several citizen children and their parents stranded in the U.S. without the ability to work under current federal law. I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me to minister to the children, she told the Conference floor in Spanish. Judith Feaster provided translation for her. Rev. Judy Vetter, pastor of Open Door Ministries, which includes the Asbury and Baker s Chapel United Methodist Churches, was the clergy Denman winner. Since the raids, she has worked hard to provide housing, food, and a sense of community for the people affected by them. To me this is all about the The Africa University Choir rocked the house at Wesley Chapel during Annual Conference this year. The choir toured all 9 Districts of Annual Conference. Over $61,000 was raised in support of the Africa University during an eight day 10 concert tour of West Virginia. More on pgs Best view in the house...claire Shanholtzer finds the perfect camera angle during Sunday morning worship. She was part of the volunteer AV team during Annual Conference. WVUMNS Photos by Adam Cunningham Gospel of Matthew 25:35, she said. When I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink, when I was a stranger, you welcomed me. Constitutional Amendments Members of the West Virginia Annual Conference voted on 32 proposed constitutional amendments while in session. Most of the discussion centered around amendment one, which addresses inclusiveness in the church. If passed by a two-thirds majority of individual voting members worldwide, the amendment would change the current language in the Book of Discipline under article IV to The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth and that we are in ministry to all. Justin Hull, Calvary & Simpson United Methodist Church in Moundsville, said his church knows he is a gay man and he is treated like See Conference, next page

2 2 The West Virginia United Methodist Summer 2009 Conference, from page 1 family. I know the love of Jesus, and would hate to see anyone denied membership because of who they are, he said. Mark Flynn, Superintendent in the Greenbrier District, said voting for amendment one would be like writing a blank check as the Judicial Council and later General Conference would have to interpret its Conference Music Director David Donathan leads the congregation in singing during opening worship. A WVUMNS photo by Adam Cunningham. meaning. Before the vote Bishop The West Virginia Lyght called for prayer. Help us to know your will, in order that we might do it, he said. Complete vote results are on this page. Other Business Conference also passed a resolution prepared by the Justice and Advocacy team calling for comprehensive Immigration Reform. Immigration is a difficult issue, but the church should speak on behalf of those affected by these policies, said Justice and Advocacy Chair Rev. Jay Parkins. Board of Pensions and Health Benefits chair, Rev. Joe Kenaston, said the economy has impacted conference investments, pensions, and health benefits. The pre retirement account has gone from being 121% funded in the beginning of 2008 to an estimated 85% funding level by The shortfall is projected despite doubling the Conference s United Methodist contribution to the pre- 82 plan from $500,000 to $1,000,000 per year. It s our hope that the economy will turn around and help with the situation some, said Rev. Kenastion. In 2008 and 2009 we have endured what many economists have called the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. Local churches will also see an increase from 15% to 17% in their contribution in the Defined Benefit (DP) to the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP). Conference approved a budget of $11,984,041 for 2010, an increase of 4.45% over Apportionment payouts are up 5% over the past five years, according to Finance chair Rev. Ellis Conley Conference communications utilized New Media Technology throughout Conference, including live streaming through UStreamTV. The site had over 600 unique visitors throughout Annual Conference, and sessions are archived online at: Audio and video of all sessions are also available by calling Mary Mayes, Conference AV Librarian at , extension 21. Constitutional Amendment Voting Results Voting results follow below for the 32 proposed Constitutional Amendments of the United Methodist Church. West Virginia Conference yes and no votes on each amendment will be combined with the votes of all other conferences worldwide. They must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the total number of voting members. The Council of Bishops is expected to announce the results during its 2010 spring meeting. Please note that ballots were re-counted, what follows are the certified totals: Amendment one, Inclusion: 281 yes; 411 no. Amendment two, Ethics and Conflict of Interest: 439 yes; 248 no. Worldwide Nature of the UMC (Amendments 3-5): Amendment three: 294, yes; 379, no. Amendment four: 291, yes; 381, no. Amendment five: 291, yes; 379, no. Amendment six: Paragraph 15, Representation of New Conferences at General Conference: 289 yes; 392 no. Amendment seven, Worldwide Nature of the UMC: 249 yes; 418, no. Amendment eight, paragraph 16, Gender: 424 yes; 261, no. Minimum membership for Jurisdictional Conference (Amendment nine): 404 yes; 257, no. Worldwide Nature of the UMC (Amendments 10-14). Amendment ten: 257 yes; 443, no. Eleven: 260 yes; 440, no. Twelve: 258 yes; 442 no. Thirteen: 258 yes; 442, no. Fourteen: 262 yes: 435, no. Amendment 15, Definition of Annual Conference Membership determined by General Conference: 189 yes; 498 no. Amendment 16, Worldwide Nature of the UMC: 259 yes; 439 no. Amendment 17, paragraph 33, Lay Members of Committee on Investigation Voting Privileges: 362 yes; 322 no. Amendment 18, Worldwide Nature of the UMC: 264, yes; 434, no. Amendment 19, paragraph 35, election of delegates: 475 yes; 206, no. Worldwide Nature of UMC (Amendments 20-21): Amendment 20, 234 yes; 397 no. Amendment 21, 229 yes; 400 no. Amendment 22, Bermuda: 402 yes; 287 no. Worldwide Nature of UMC (Amendments 23-32): Amendment 23, 232 yes; 397 no. Amendment 24, 235 yes; 397 no. Amendment 25, 233 yes; 399 no. Amendment 26, 233 yes; 399 no. Amendment 27, 233 yes; 396 no. Amendment 28, 236 yes; 398 no. Amendment 29, 233 yes; 396 no. Amendment 30, 235 yes; 395 no. Amendment 31, 232 yes; 398 no. Amendment 32, 235 yes; 395 no. Ernest S. Lyght Laura Harbert Allen Adam Cunningham Resident Bishop Editor Assistant Editor Covenant Council Dr. William H. Wilson Dr. J.F. Lacaria Rev. Don Keller Rev. Thomasina Stewart Rev. Amy Shanholtzer Director of Connectional Ministries Director of Leadership Formation and Ministry Support Director of Conference Camps and Educational Center Director of Ethnic Ministries Director of Evangelism and Congregational Development The West Virginia United Methodist, serving most of West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland, is published January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December by the Communications Ministry Team of the WV Annual Conference Covenant Council, P.O. Box 2313, Charleston, WV Telephone: Address: lallen@wvumc.org. Internet Address: wvumc.org. Non-profit postage paid at Elkins, WV. Submission of stories for publication is encouraged. Unless otherwise noted the deadline is the fifteenth of the month preceding publication. Subscription rate $5.00 per year. Signed letters to the editor and opinion articles reflect the views of the authors and not necessarily the opinions of the West Virginia United Methodist or The United Methodist Church. USPS 300 Conference Secretary Judi Kenaston and Bishop Ernest S. Lyght during the Conference Vote on 32 Constitutional Amendments Saturday morning. The West Virginia Annual Conference s votes will be added with other Conferences worldwide, and require a 2/3 majority of all votes cast to pass. The Council of Bishops plan on announcing the results during their spring 2010 meeting. A WVUMNS Photo by Adam Cunningham.

3 Great Outdoors Centers Youth s Call Holy Communion at a campfire, with trees and stars as a sanctuary this is life at Spring Heights, said Mark Evans, a 16-year-old member of Lewisburg United Methodist Church. Out of all the voices God has used in my life, none have been as constant and recurring as the outdoors. Evans gave the annual laity address in the Chapel at West Virginia Wesleyan College during the Friday morning session. He spoke of the power of three communities that have impacted his life beginning with his school Seneca Trail Christian Academy. It was here I learned my first bible verses and accepted Christ into my heart, he said. About two years later, he heard his youth minister talking about total commitment to God, and took another step in his faith Above: Mark Evans with Rev. Don Keller, Director of Camping Ministries. A WVUMNS Photo by Laura Allen. journey. But, it s the experience at Spring Heights that has centered his calling to ministry. What camping ministry offers is not just a time of fun and fellowship outdoors, but also a guaranteed opportunity to experience God and have a lifechanging moment, he said. The three building blocks of camping ministry make those moments happen, says Evans: Through Christian community, faith formation and biblical grounding, campers and staff build life-long relationships. Evans concluded his address by saying that he wasn t sure where his call would lead him. But I follow in Christ s light knowing God is with me, he said. The West Virginia United Methodist Summer West Virginia Annual Conference Summary 2009 The West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church met June at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.Va. This year s theme at Annual Conference was I will be your witness, with an emphasis on the power of the Holy Spirit to make the WV Annual Conference a witness for Christ. The Conference theme reinforced the quadrennial emphasis on Evangelism through the following elements: Rethink Church, the new campaign from Igniting Ministries and United Methodist Communications, underscores and supports the evangelism emphasis. The goal of the campaign is to reach year-olds by thinking of church as a verb, not just a noun. The Harry Denman award for Evangelism was presented to an outstanding lay and clergy worker in Evangelism. Marieta Reel, a trained obstetric nurse from Peru was the lay award winner. Rev. Judy Vetter was the clergy recipient. Both received the award because of their work in the Hispanic community around Moorefield, W. Va. Last April, an Immigration Customs Enforcement raid on a Pilgrim s Pride poultry processing plant left several citizen children and their families stranded in the U.S. with Rev. Dr. Ken Ramsey. A WVUMNS photo by Adam Cunningham. no ability to work under current federal law. A session on faith sharing by Rev. Dr. Ken Ramsey (Superintendent, Wesleyan District) reminded attendees who the church is for. The church exists for the unchurched, said Dr. Ramsey. It s something we must remember. Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, resident Bishop of Zimbabwe, was the guest preacher during the gathering. His sermons called for the church to answer the question Jesus posed in the Gospel of Matthew, ch. 16 to his disciples: Who do you say that I am? and to then go tell that message of love to their communities. Ms. Harriet Olson, deputy general secretary of the Women s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries, led a two-day Bible study concentrating on the evangelism tools found in Luke and Acts. She taught the Annual Conference to believe in the power of their witness, in order to live out the parts of the Bible they understand. The Bishop s Cabinet presentation emphasized the need for the church to build bridges, not towers in their communities. The presentation used over 100 pictures showing ministry in action throughout the Conference. Other Highlights The Africa University (A.U.) Choir were special guests of the Annual Conference this year; giving a powerful concert and testimonies from members in Saturday night s worship service. The choir embarked June 14 on a 10 concert tour of the Conference, with performances scheduled in all nine districts. The tour is also a fundraiser for the school. The Conference s goal for 2009 is $160,000 which will be used to endow a scholarship and to build faculty housing at A.U. Conference also highlighted the health of its members throughout the weekend, with a health fair in the Rockefeller Gymnasium on campus. All people with Conference Health Insurance were encouraged to attend. Jeannie Malick, chair of the Health Initiative task force at Conference presented the Walk to Bethlehem, Walk to Jerusalem program to encourage exercise for those at Conference. Business Approved a budget of $11, 984,041 for 2010, a 4.45% increase over Most of the increase comes from the addition of $500,000 to the pre-1982 pension plan. Despite this addition, current projections indicate that plan will only be 85% funded by 2011, down from a 121% funded position at the beginning of The current economic recession is the reason for this pension position. Voted on 32 Constitutional Amendments; three amendments received majority yes votes. XVII, XIX, XXII. West Virginia Conference yes and no votes on each amendment will be combined with the votes of all other conferences worldwide. They must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the total number of voting members. The Council of Bishops is expected to announce the results during its 2010 spring meeting. Passed a resolution presented by the Justice and Advocacy Team calling for comprehensive Immigration Reform. Welcomed eight Elders into Full Membership and two Associate Members. 14 Pastors retired. Left: Cyclists on the 2009 Bishop s Bike Ride, which raised over $10,000 for those in need throughout the Conference. 26 riders participated, the most in the event s history, according to Dr. J.F. Lacaria, who coordinates the ride. A WVUMNS Photo by Adam Cunningham.

4 The West Virginia United Methodist Summer 2009 Above: Conference prays for the unchurched during worship Friday afternoon. Above, Right: Harriett Olson leads Bible Study Friday morning. Right: A dove hangs in the foreground as people worship. A white dove was the primary image used during Conference. Below: The 2009 class of ordinands on Sunday morning of Conference. (Front Row, Left to Right) Douglas Smailes, Lynn Cartwright, Larry Buckland, Carolyn Nettles, David Lancaster (Back Row) Gerald Roberts, Cynthia Eakle, Earnest Watkins, Michael Ludle. WVUMNS Photos by Adam Cunningham. Annual Conference 2009

5 The West Virginia United Methodist Summer Above: Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa (Zimbabwe) preaching on Friday night of Conference. WVUMNS: Adam Cunningham You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. And the award goes to... Rev. Judy Vetter (above) and Marieta Reel (below, left) were the 2009 Harry Denman Evangelism award winners. The award honors a lay and clergy person each year for work in Evangelism. Rev. Vetter and Mrs. Reel work together at Open Door Ministries in Moorefield, WV, ministering to the Hispanic community, including citizen children and their families. Judith Feaster (below right) translates for Mrs. Reel, who is originally from Peru. WVUMNS Photos by Laura Allen Acts 1:8

6 The West Virginia United Methodist Summer 2009 Africa University Choir a Blessing for WV Annual Conference The Africa University Choir Tour blessed the West Virginia Annual Conference with 9 days of great music in 10 performances all over the state. More than $61,000 has been raised so far to support an endowed scholarship and faculty housing at the school. The goal for the WV Conference by the end of the year is to raise $160,000. A June 18 Clay Center Performance in Charleston drew The Africa University Choir with Bishop Lyght after their June 18 performance at the Clay Center in Charleston. About 1000 people came out to the concert. Overall to date, the tour has raised over $61,000 for Africa University. A WVUMNS Photo by Adam Cunningham approximately 1000 people; crowds of several hundred were reported throughout the tour. The concerts at Johnson Memorial and Beckley Temple ended with folks singing along with the choir s rendition of Country Roads, said United Methodist Foundation Associate Director Kim Matthews. On West Virginia Day (June 20), that was pretty special. Both churches had attendance of around 500 people. The United Methodist Foundation provided a generous grant to help fund the tour. The money they gave enabled the rental of the Clay Center on June 18, and provided the bus used by the choir to travel throughout Conference. We were pleased the Foundation could help in a significant way with the tour, said UM Foundation President, Jeff Taylor, who attended five of the performances. Seeing and hearing the choir, whether in a church or in a hall like the Clay Center, was a blessing. There are many stories from the tour that happened outside performance venues. One took place at a rest stop in Garrett County Maryland. Before we knew it, the choir made friends with a couple and their two small children, said Dallas Forren, Superintendent of the Potomac Highlands District and coordinator of the tour. The choir held the children and started singing to them it was a special moment. They (the choir) were loved everywhere they went. CD s featuring highligts from the Clay Center performance are available for purchase. Please fill out, detach, and return the form below. CD s are $20 and will be mailed in 4-6 weeks. Detach Here Africa University Choir Tour CD Order Form This professionally recorded and produced CD contains selections from the Choir s June 18 performance at the Clay Center in Charleston. COST: $20 Includes a donation toward the Conference goal of $160,000 for an endowed scholarship and faculty housing at Africa University. CDs will be mailed in 4-6 weeks. Ship to: Name: Address: (city, state, zip) Amount included: $ MEMORIALS If ordering by mail, send order form and check to: WV Annual Conference Africa University Choir Please make checks payable to: PO Box 2313 Conference Treasurer Charleston, WV 25328

7 The West Virginia United Methodist Summer The Africa U. Choir Journey - Clockwise from top left: Choir members sing to children at rest stop in Garrett County, Maryland. The choir praising God through song during their Saturday night Annual Conference performance. Claudine Leary, an A.U. choir alumnus now living in Fairmont, responds to the choir s music. Above: Singing at the Ministry Fair. Below: A view from the front row pew at Wesley Chapel. Photos: Adam Cunningham and Dallas Forren. Have an Africa University Choir tour story from the road you would like to share? Drop a note to: Laura Allen, editor The WV United Methodist 900 Washington St. East Charleston, WV or by lallen@wvumc.org

8 8 The West Virginia United Methodist Summer 2009 Music Should Fit Context, Says Conference Music Director David Donathan brought different styles and approaches to music over the course of Annual Conference. Attendees were treated to a variety of styles - from the highly liturgical full choir and organ setting to a contemporary praise band. For Donathan, it s all about what fits the situation. I m a classically trained musician, and that is my first love, but over the past few years I have come to enjoy praise music styles, he said. For me, it s not so much about categorizing music David Donathan works with Africa Universtiy Choir Student at Kresge Lounge in Wesley Chapel during Annual Conference as it is about using what fits the situation. My goal as a Music Director is to make music relevant to the worship context. Donathan also believes part of his calling is to teach. Most music schools in the country don t teach a broad spectrum of music they focus largely on classical training, but in today s church, musicians have to know and accomplish many styles of music. A classical background, he says though, is still important. There are principals and techniques taught in the classical tradition that translate and help in other musical styles, he said. A good example of that is an impromptu master class Donathan led with the Africa University Choir. I really enjoyed teaching the elements of blend and pitch color during that session, he said. They are a great choir - they can blow the roof off anywhere, and I think showing them a couple of things from the classical tradition will only increase their musical gifts. He also admits a philosophical shift over the past year or so. I went to a worship workshop where the presenter kept talking about how it didn t matter what kind of music is used in worship it s about what works, he said. That s the philosophy I carry with me now. Music in Pictures... Top: Rene Wilt plays the piano during worship Saturday afternoon. Middle: The Conference Choir rehearses at Kresge Lounge in Wesley Chapel. Bottom right: Eleanor Lyght plays This Little Light of Mine ; Sharletta Green and Elizabeth Baker sing along. Left: Ordination service is a time for more traditional, classical music for David Donathan. These pictures highlight the various styles of music heard at Conference.