[RMC News] [2008 General Conference News] April 30th Two Stepping in Texas Report

[Strickland, Skip]

[2008 General Conference News] April 30th Two Stepping in Texas Report
 
Two Stepping from Texas
General Conference 2008
Fort Worth, Texas
Walter “Skip” Strickland &
Olon Mulford Lindemood
 
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
 
The acceptance of the Social Creed
 I yield the first part of this report to the words of the new social creed:
 
God in the Spirit revealed in Jesus Christ,
calls us by grace
                to be renewed in the image of our Creator,
                that we may be one
                in divine love for the world
Today is the day
God cares for the integrity of creation,
                wills the healing and wholeness of all life,
                weeps at the plunder of earth’s goodness.
And so shall we.
Today is the day
God embraces all hues of humanity,
                delights in diversity and difference,
favors solidarity transforming strangers into friends.
And so shall we.
Today is the day
God cries with the masses of starving people,
                despises growing disparity between rich and poor,
                demands justice for workers in the marketplace.
And so shall we.
Today is the day
God deplores violence in our homes and streets,
                rebukes the world’s warring madness,
humbles the powerful and lifts up the lowly.
And so shall we.
Today is the day
God calls for nations and peoples to live in peace,
                celebrates where justice and mercy embrace.
                Exults when the wolf grazes with the lamb.
And so shall we.
Today is the day
God brings good news to the poor,
                proclaims release to the captives,
                gives sight to the blind, and
                sets the oppressed free.
And so shall we.
 
 
It was wonderful to see the conference be united with the acceptance of a new social creed.  The good news is that there will be musical settings for it too!  The goal is to help our social creed be available in worship more readily. It is awesome 
 give it a try!
 
One other observation of the day: 
 
The bulk of the day was in and out of the church conversations on Human Sexuality and ordination. There is a great deal of information on the UMC.org website regarding a day filled with presentations, minority reports, votes and protests.  Walking among delegates was a solemn experience.  Several have said that they did not know about the emotional energy that the debate demands.  They came prepared for the physical demand, but the emotions are draining in such a significant way also.  The emotions drain as there is a since that in debate there is the possibility for alternative ideas to emerge.  Then with a motion to suspend the rules for the purpose of voting all that is before us
 the debate instantly stops.  Content means nothing and the debate is around the ability to suspend the rules 

 
On this particular day 
 that TABLE 
 no one really paid attention. 
It was as though it had vanished for the day!?!?
 
One of our delegation members shared with me, “In the morning we are inspired to ‘holy conferencing’ as we hear the bishop preach The Living Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Then when we enter into debate that hard work of conferencing seems to disappear with political maneuvering and manipulation of petitions and calendar items.”
 
The delegates and the observers need your prayers.
 
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
 
Observations by:
 
 
Olon Mulford Lindemood
Assistant to the Rocky Mountain Conference Director of Communications, Walter “Skip” Strickland, and social director for the newsroom.
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