Tuesday Afternoon - Kits, Retirement Service, Connectional MinistryTuesday afternoon started with a dramatic musical presentation by youth, followed by a Bible study by Bishop Pennel. The Rev. Thomas Lee was introduced for the Kits for Conference dedication. The members celebrated the fact that monetary donations of $74,920.61 was collected along with:
The total monetary value placed on kits and donations comes to $598,820.61 Listen to Susan Garrett's sermon
"As I reach the end of my 29 years of active ministry," she said, "life for us is still very good. One of the things about which I remain most clear is that God loves me and Jesus Christ died for my sins." She said, "Sometimes the church has lagged far behind when I wanted it to lead. When I was ordained in 1979 by Bishop Goodson, the banner had the theme, 'Committed to Christ: Called to Change.' On the stage, with the bishop's hands on my head, I believed in a church committed to Christ and called to change. I still do, and perhaps now more than ever. I sense a stirring in the church. The descendants of John Wesley want to share the Good News of Jesus Christ." She continued, "We have begun to realize we must hear the urgency of Go, Teach, Baptize. The message of Jesus to his disciples we hear it read, 'Stay within the church walls and the nations will come to you and then you can teach.' Jesus' command and Jesus' promise is, 'Go, and I will be with you.'"
Statements were read from each of the retirees as they were greeted by the bishop. Their names and pictures from their lives were shown on side screens. Dr. Stephen Mansfield led the Historical Society Meeting and expressed gratitude for Mrs. Patti Russell and the 30 years she has served as conference archivist. He encouraged persons to subscribe to Heritage. He also stressed the importance of local churches to keep their histories. The trustees were confirmed for the coming year. The annual conference offering that will benefit Brazil, Mozambique, the Global AIDS Fund, and Mississippi, was taken up. The Holy Rollers, a group of bicyclists who pedal to conference to raise money for the offering, were introduced, cycling into the civic center. There were 23 this year. Bill Purdy, who is confined to a wheelchair, rode over 150 miles on his therapeutic bicycle. The Rev. Barry Penn Hollar, a professor at Shenandoah University, addressed the conference on behalf of the Holy Rollers. Their theme this year has been "It's for the children. It's for the children who won't lose their parents to AIDS, the children who have an orphanage in Mozambique, the children who will have their homes rebuilt on the Gulf Coast." A video was shown that showed the staggering statistics of the current spread of HIV/AIDS around the globe, the post-traumatic effects of Hurricane Katrina on children, the poverty of children in Brazil. A General Conference report from the Virginia Conference delegation in the form of a video. More than 1,500 pieces of legislation were considered. They raised $15,000 at the conference to add to the more than $2 million that has been raised for Nothing But Nets. Each delegate was assigned to committees. The changes will be reflected in the Book of Discipline. Dr. Susan Garrett presented the report of the Common Table. The reports and nominations were accepted. The pastors of the new faith communities and mission churches that will be formed following conference were introduced to members of conference. The winners of this year's Denman Awards for Evangelism were introduced by the Rev. Will White. They are named after Harry Denman, a commited lay person in the church who related to all persons equally, and gave away what he didn't need. He shared his passion for Jesus Christ with everyone he met. This year two clergy and one lay person were recognized. A country and western service is now reaching persons at Chester UMC under the leadership of the Rev. Marg Kutz. She thanked the people of her church who nominated her. Another clergy recipient this year is the Rev. B. Failes, pastor of Calvary UMC, Stuarts Draft. They have 1,200 members in a 10,000-member community. He thanked his church and the Cabinet for being appointed to churches that have always grown. The lay award recipient this year is Earl Simpson of the Lynchburg District. He is 73 and is concerned about the "aging" of the church. He has turned outward. He is concerned about the legacy he will leave. He has shown devotion to the entire scope of evangelism. He makes Saturday afternoon visits to new members. He participants in Centenary's juniors program.
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