[RMC News] [2008 General Conference News] April 28th Two Stepping in Texas Report

[Strickland, Skip]

[2008 General Conference News] April 28th Two Stepping in Texas Report
 
Two Stepping from Texas
General Conference 2008
Fort Worth, Texas
Olon Mulford Lindemood 
Monday, April 28, 2008
 
Four reflections on this day:
 
First:
The drums of Japanese tradition! 
WOW!
The conference worship was called to order with the majestic drums of the Japanese tradition.
Taiko Drum music shakes the pillars of heaven.  Most certainly the drums are unlike western orchestras or bells or voice choirs, but the sounds of the heavens were heard!  The first spoken words after the drums,  “Listen to the rhythms of the voices of God!”  Sacred sounds.
 
Second:
The Global Aids Fund.
Several persons gathered in the pressroom for a glimpse of the work of the Global Aids Fund.  Donald Messer, the Retired Bishop of the Kansas area and the Current Bishop of Mozambique sat at a table with several representatives of the United Methodist Boards and Agencies.  It was shared that 2.5 million Dollars has come to the Global Aids project.  There is still much to be done.   Don Messer shared that we in Rocky Mountain generated the first petition 4 years ago.  The petition initiated the Global Aids FUND.  The RMC pledged $1.00 per member (one dollar).  At the time that meant $100,000.00 would be given to the FUND.  Currently we have offered 48,000.00.  Great work is being accomplished but there is so much more work to be done.  “The misery-go-round is a cycle that is difficult to stop.” So said Don Messer as he was describing the major issues that confront the work in Africa: HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, illiteracy, hunger.  All of which are stirred into the misery with the power of poverty.  “We must keep up the work!”
 
Third:
Our own Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. was the presiding Bishop over the conference throughout the afternoon and evening sessions.  The meticulous movement of Legislative debate requires the presiding Bishop to guide the process.  We in Rocky Mountain were proud of the way the bishop guided with grace and dignity.  He guided the conference to the completion of all matters dealing with Budgetary impact.
 
Finally,
The focus of the evening was on legislation that impacted the General Conference Budget.  The debate was about funding and philosophy.  It ranged from the impact of a global church to the impact on a local congregation.  The Global Church debate surfaces as the members of Central Conferences offer their voice of a growing church.  One Delegate from the Congo stood and reminded the Delegates, “the church in Africa is growing and the church in the United States is declining.  Please help the African church keep growing.”
 
>From 8 am to 11pm the delegates faithfully tended to the business of the day.  A long, long day for those listening and wanting to be faithful.
 
“A Future with Hope” continues to be the logo that surrounds the conference.  The delegates simply left swiftly hoping for sleep. In a moment, the Table at the center of the huge arena was all alone . . . .
 
 
 
 
Monday, April 28, 2008
 
Observations by:
 
 
Olon Mulford Lindemood
Assistant to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications, Walter “Skip” Strickland.
The Rocky Mountain Conference General Conference Communication Team

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