[RMC News] [Delegate report day two April 24th 2008 General Conference Judy Hill]

[Strickland, Skip]

Skip Strickland wrote:

Enjoy the Delegate Reflection by Judy Hill.  She is working hard.

Olon and I are still working on using the technology available to us here at the Conference.  Thank you for your patience.

Blessings.  

Skip

April 24,, 2008 General Conference Report, Forth Worth, Texas
Judy Hill, lay delegate, Rocky Mountain Conference

After reading the comprehensive reports from Olon, Skip and Chuck, I give our two steppers the right to edit and even combine my thoughts with theirs. 


Getting into the rhythm of General Conference 2008 the Western Jurisdiction began the morning by meeting to get acquainted and to identify areas for our focus on significant legislation.
 Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, representing the Council of Bishops, gathered us around the General Conference theme “The Future with Hope” for our opening worship. She led us through the development of the Council of Bishop’s Seven Vision Pathways to the Connectional Table’s Four Focus Areas 
 
>From there we heard a collaborative report of General Secretaries from Four General Agencies: General Board of Global Ministries, Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Board of Discipleship and United Methodist Communications around how they will work to accomplish the Four Focus Areas giving a clear picture of how we as a church can work together to accomplish our mission.. Maybe someone does know what time it is.
 
  Bishop Mary Ann Swenson challenged us with the report from General Council of Finance and Administration....”let us be the cup overflowing in a thirsty world.” I would say she put her heart and soul into this report and challenged us to not “ live from a paradigm of scarcity” 

Witnessing the first young people’s address was met with great joy especially by our delegation as   Andrew Craig and Rev. Annie Rigo Arnoldy contributed to this historic event. The entire body welcomed the challenging remarks only young people can convey...They are  not  the church of the future, but they are the church of today

I attended the laity lunch where we affirmed  Lyn Powell,, presenter of the Laity Address with prayer and best wishes. She then opened the afternoon session speaking on “ Disciples Transforming the World,”reminding  and challenging the laity to “Invite, Invite, Invite” , “Share Jesus wherever you go” and “Choose one special ministry.” She reminded us of our Wesley heritage and the important  ministry of the laity

This afternoon the  thirteen Legislative Committees  met to organize and elect legislative officers in an upbeat two step fashion. We then had our dinner break only to return and begin working at 8 pm on our legislative work. This work continued until 10:30 p.m., and finally we ended our first full day of General Conference 2008.


Now that is some of the nitty gritty . Many of you have heard me say if we could just sing all the time at the General Conference the Church would be better off. This morning we again experienced a rousing meaningful worship  experience....dancers, visual effects, well chosen 
music from the old favorites to new compositions along with the beat of the African drums.  The rhythm continued with a future with hope.  “ Do no harm, do good and stay in with love God” became the chorus for the day..With this as a rhythm in our daily lives, what a difference United Methodists can make toward making disciples and transforming the world


Yes I am physically tired, but I will continue to be refreshed and filled as this 2008 General Conference worships, sings and learns new dances. A little child shall lead us---- a special child of God was introduced to us — she has raised $40,000 to purchase malaria nets and wants us to provide a net for every child who needs one..She believes we can do that .She is a disciple we can follow, and she is doing her part to transform the world.  				
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