Annual Conference Connector

Construction Zone
The stage at Smith Auditorium has been turned into a construction zone. Workbenches, saws, hammers, power tools and bright yellow caution tape filled the brightly lighted stage. The words of “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” filled the air. With the Rev. David King on piano and the Rev. Jeff Lowry on guitar with instrumental backup, the place rocked. No one could sit still. The service was filled with music, some traditional, some new, some original compositions.

“God is at work,” began the call to worship. “Our world is under construction. God is at work making a way where there is no way. God is at work bringing freedom to the oppressed and hope to the hopeless. God is at work making all things new. God is at work. With God as the master builder, we are transforming the world.”

Bob the Builder Talks with Children
After a couple more songs came Children’s Time with a special appearance by Bob the Builder, who bore a striking resemblance to Bishop Bob. In fact, he declared himself, “Bob the Transformer.” As children and their parents sat on the floor around “Builder Bob,” he showed them what he had in his toolbox:

1.     A Bible to read the plans that God has for us.

2.     A stethoscope to listen to each other and help make each other well.

3.     “Band Aids” to care for others when they’re hurting.

4.     A flashlight to show us where we’re going and to help us shine in the darkness.

5.     A cross to remind us that Jesus is with us in whatever we are doing.

6.     An “energy bar” because it takes lots of energy to help God transform the world.

7.     A big red heart to share love with everyone.

8.     A smile to give to each one we meet.

9.     Faith to help us keep going even when we’re tired.

10.  Voice of prayer to use at all times.

And now for the adults: Clay in the Potter’s Hands
Speaking to adults, the bishop continued his theme of Boldly Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World. He mentioned that he had recently attended Phyllis Stelson’s funeral at Dillard-Winston United Methodist Church. At lunchtime, after the service, he noticed a bunch of leather-clad, tattoo-bearing “Bikers for Christ” sitting at a table by themselves. The church people were sitting around tables with their friends, the women with the women, the men with the men. “Even my Cabinet,” he frowned, “were sitting at a table together!”

He got a plate of food and walked up to the table where the bikers were eating and talking and asked if he might join them. “Yes, of course, come and join us,” they responded. As they chatted with the bishop, one of the bikers said, “You’d be surprised what kind of a reception we often get when we go into a church.” The bishop smiled and said he didn’t think he would, that he knew his churches quite well. He said he had an enjoyable lunch with these interesting people and learned a lot he wouldn’t have learned had he not reached out across the human-made barrier erected not by the bikers, but by our own church people.

“When I go into a church, I don’t expect to be treated any differently than anyone else,” said the bishop. “I don’t expect special treatment, a parking place with my name on it, a sign outside welcoming me, people sent out to greet me as I enter,” he said, “but I do want to see open arms of welcome for all who come—not just for myself because I am bishop. If we are to transform the world,” he repeated, “we must transform ourselves.”

Speaking of the passage from the Book of Jeremiah (Jer. 18:1-6), he said, “Jeremiah was speaking to a mean and difficult crowd.” He asked pastors if they had ever faced this situation. He asked them if they had faced what that was like. Many in our churches do not want to be transformed, they want to keep the traditions. “Jeremiah,” he said, “was receiving messages from God that he didn’t like all that well either.”

“Love, acceptance, grace for all, for ALL!” he said. “Sometimes we are called to lead people into a good and viable future as God’s people—God’s future.  That certainly is not always easy.”

The bishop asked if anyone had ever thrown pots or watched a master potter at work. It is not uncommon for excellent potters to ruin a piece, then wad it up, throw it in a pile (or on the wall or the floor!) and start over again to make a better pot.

As clay in the Potter’s hands, we may be flawed, wadded back up into a gob and thrown down so God can make something better of us. God is at the wheel. Sometimes we just don’t measure up, our pot fails, our clay does not respond in God’s way, we’ve put God second in our lives.

God is patient with us. God does not give up easily. We can be transformed. But we must allow ourselves to be the clay, to be molded by God’s hands, to humble ourselves to God’s wheel. We must keep going, working toward personal transformation—and for the transformation God has planned for the world.

God says you must be patient and never give up. God has given us the assurance that we are always loved, even when we fail. God is always there to help us try again and again and again.

“Are you willing to transform yourselves for the transformation of the world,” the bishop yelled at the crowd. “Yes, we can!” came the loud response. “Can we do it?” asked the bishop. “Yes, we can!” yelled the crowd. Amen and amen.

Sent Out in Jesus’ Name
The service ended with the benediction by Bishop Hoshibata and the closing hymn, “Sent Out in Jesus’ Name”:

Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now to make the earth the place in which the kingdom comes. The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain into a world of love, of justice and of peace. The task is ours to do, to set it really free. O help us to obey and carry out your will.

Ordination Service
Stirring, goosebump-producing “God of the Ages” played by the Capital Brass Quintet ushered clergy into the crowded theater-style Smith Auditorium at Willamette University for the 2009 Service of Ordination.

Clergy dressed in white or black robes, all with red stoles, processed down the center aisles preceded by the paschal candle and the Conference’s beautiful glass crucifer. Bishop Bob Hoshibata followed the procession carrying his crosier. When everyone had come in, the bishop knelt alone in prayer at the altar

The congregation was welcomed in the name of Jesus Christ. Bishop Hoshibata, standing at the front of the stage, said to the community of believers, “Ministry is the work of God, done by the people of God.” He reaffirmed the baptism of everyone and recognized the common ministry of laity and clergy alike, saying, “Through baptism all Christians are made a part of the priesthood of all believers, the church, Christ’s holy body, made visible in the world. We all share in Christ’s ministry of love and service for the redemption of the human family and the whole of creation.” He called upon all to remember their baptisms and be thankful.

Presentation of the ordinands
This year’s ordinands are:

• Roberta Jantzi Egli
• David Dean Mimier King
• Courtney Elizabeth McHill
• Elke Louise Sharma

Transforming the World
Bishop Hoshibata’s sermon centered on the theme of this year’s Annual Conference Session, “Boldly Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.”

“We’re supposed to be about the transformation of the world, but we can’t do that until we transform ourselves,” he began. “We are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices, willing to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, ready to be equipped to be about the business of transformation.”

He donned a pair of sunglasses, different from the ones he had worn earlier in a plenary session. He said they were the lenses of stewardship, not just the stewardship of money. We need to look at the world through the lenses of stewardship, to consider giving back to God some of the blessings and abundance God has given to us on the condition that we use them wisely, giving part to the world and returning part to God.

“It’s as though we hop into the offering plate ourselves every Sunday along with our checks,” he said.

“If you’ve ever been in a Baptist church, have you noticed that they use deep baskets to collect the offering? We United Methodists don’t expect enough of our people. We use shallow pie pans for our offerings instead of those deep baskets. We need those deep baskets. We need to offer ourselves every Sunday—and every day—until those baskets are filled and overflowing.

“John Wesley said to give ourselves wholly to God, the whole of who you are. I challenge you to place all of yourself into God’s deep basket whenever you give your money.

“We are the whole offering we should give to God. We are the leaders showing the way into vitality to our churches. Love fully, hate what is evil, lead with zeal and hope, bless those who persecute you.”

Our Signs Are Us
Then the bishop talked a bit about signs. He said that as he has visited churches around the Annual Conference, he has noticed the signs that hang in many churches.

“We have to be careful about the signs we post on our walls,” he said. “They tell people who we are.

“I have seen signs that say, ‘This cupboard is for United Methodist Women’s use only.’ And I have seen one that said, ‘Silverware is only to be used for formal occasions.’ And, ‘Do not use this dishwasher until you have been properly trained,’ even though some of those dishwashers required only putting in soap and pushing a button.

“What are we saying about ourselves? Remember that these signs tell visitors who we are. If all our signs spell out limitations, prohibit, exclude, say no, stay out, get out of here, don’t even think about it, who are we? What do we want to transform the world into?

“On the other hand, what does it say about us if our signs say, ‘you are welcome,’ ‘all come in,’ ‘use whatever you want in this cupboard, please,’ ‘we love you, God loves you,’ ‘please feel welcome and be one of us.’

“Depending on the help of God, with the support of those who love and care for us, we must transform ourselves into newness, remake ourselves every single day, approach every day as a new gift from God, transform ourselves every day.

“Ask yourselves, ‘What have I done today or this week or this month that I have never done before? Where are new places I can witness to the gospel? What new thing am I willing to risk for the transformation of the world?

“And remember, to transform the world, we must first transform ourselves.”

The Laying on of Hands
Next came the actual ceremony of ordination. The bishop asked the ordinands the traditional questions. The bishop, church leaders and family members laid hands on those being ordained and prayed together. A friend or church official placed the stole representing the ordained ministry around the neck of each candidate and that person was then presented to the assembly.

Recommitment to God’s Service
In a new feature of the ordination service, Bishop Hoshibata asked anyone in the congregation who had felt the tug of Christ in their lives but had allowed Christ to take second place, or those who were hearing the still, small voice calling them to transform themselves, to come forward toward the stage where district superintendents and others were waiting to pray with them. Many asked for prayer in this way.

The assembled family of God was then dismissed in prayer and sent forth to serve God and neighbor. The stirring recessional, “Six Marches for Brass Quintet,” was played by the Capital Brass Quintet: Gary Wallmark, Jim Langford, Scott Mischke, Penny Bidwell and Richard Sorenson.

A Beginning and an Ending
In the darkness of Smith Auditorium on a beautiful early summer evening, the voices of Breve, a small ensemble of Jubilate!, the women’s choir of Corvallis, Oregon, were raised in sweet harmony. They sang quietly and sweetly “Kyrie” and “Sanctus” from “Mass” by Gyorgy Orban. This was a moving beginning for a moving service.

After the entire assemblage had sung “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” Southern District Superintendent Donna Pritchard opened the service, “Tonight we remember the lives and voices that have helped shape our callings. Tonight may we find our own voices and continue to use them in your service. Tonight may we lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving.”

Never Think Lightly of Great Good
Those who were retiring from active service in the church were honored by Bishop Bob Hoshibata and all the members of Annual Conference.

Retirees this year are:
• William Apel
• Linda Baker
• Barbara Eicher Shumar
• James Monroe
• Sue Owen
• Rhoda Pittman Markus

Bishop Hoshibata said to the retirees present, “Never think lightly of the great good that God has wrought through you. Continue to be true to your calling. May God’s love and power be with you always. This is where your life has arrived after years and years of great and quiet achievements.”

He finished, “Go into the world and respond to the love of Christ in all you do. Live out the vision God has given you. May God’s mercy, grace, and peace be with you. May you be channels for God’s mercy wherever you may be.”

Ministries of God’s Love
Next Bishop Hoshibata moved to commissioning those in short-term Christian service such as mission trips, community ministries, etc. The bishop said, “All those who take upon themselves the name of Christ are called into ministries of love and service by the example of Christ. As these members of Annual Conference work among people of our communities, states and world, we pray the blessings of this community of believers upon their endeavors.”

Missionaries were blessed, licenses were presented to local pastors, provisional members were commissioned, and prayer was spoken for all in ministry in our Conference.

Bishop Jung Preaches
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Northern Illinois Annual Conference and the Chicago Episcopal Area, preached a “Call to Transforming Leadership.” He began declaring in a loud voice, “In a wonderful mystery of faith, God raises up leaders who transform themselves, then uses them to transform us. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

“The power of the gospel can change everything—you, us, the whole world. We are not the ones doing the work, however, it is God who is at work in us.

“God does not recognize borders or boundaries. We do—and not just in America. God does not recognize borders, Jesus does not recognize social or class boundaries. One day, in God’s kingdom, we will all be gathered together. How dare we divide people one from another.

“Christianity is about following Jesus, about crossing borders to work with the blind, the prisoners, the unwashed, the poor, those of every nation and group—even the crude and uncultured. How simple this is, and how very complicated. We must go where people are and minister to them there. If our faith is not strong, contagious, a free gift of grace, if we don’t do this in the name of Christ, it all comes to nothing.

“Imagine God’s future. Practice radical belief in God’s abundance. If love and grace is in your heart—and in my heart—let us join hands. This is what Jesus would be doing. This can no longer be an idea in our minds, but must be a way of life. Who will be our leaders? Who will take us where we have not yet been?

“It is you who are the leaders! If that doesn’t scare you, you aren’t paying attention, you are not seeing the need! The more I grow in the Spirit, the more I see how much there is still to be done.

“It is in the healing of the world that we are healed; it is in salvation that we are saved.”

Run and Not Be Weary
Next Bishop Hoshibata called forward those to be commissioned and examined. Those commissioned were:

• Carol Brown
• Janine DeLauney
• Robin Franklin
• John Go
• Jeffery Gordon
• Gary Langenwalter
• Karen Shimer

The congregation prayed, “Almighty God, may the grace of ministry rest upon these your servants and may the opportunity to serve lead them into the fullness of your calling. Clothe them with your righteousness, and grant that they may glorify you by giving themselves to others through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

The service ended with the congregation singing “May You Run and Not Be Weary.”

Laity Workshop – Reaching More People to Become Like Christ in the World
Presented by Peggy Kessinger

This is a review of just one of the 13 laity workshop presented on the first day of Annual Conference Session.

Most of us grew up in the church, so it’s hard for us to visualize or remember what it was like to walk into a church cold. Because of that, there is often what is referred to as an “entrance barrier.”

A church is a scary place for people who have never opened that door before. Step into a church. You may step into a crowd of people talking and laughing, formed in circles with no openings. You are the outsider. Church members may not appear friendly, may not notice you, may leave you standing in the doorway. They may stare at you, which may leave you feeling judged–or they may all descend on you at once (especially on someone who is younger than 50). They may introduce you to 25 people and then shove several pieces of paper into your hands and hurry you into the sanctuary where someone may or may not sit with you.

Close your eyes and think about what difference your faith journey has made in your own life. What would your life be like without a growing relationship with God?

Jesus gave us the Great Commission, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

If your faith journey is important to you, if you can’t imagine life without your spiritual journey, if the spark of the Holy Spirit has touched you, then go and share your faith. And remember you don’t have to carry the load by yourself. God will be with you and help you. Faith sharing changes the lives of those hear, but more, it will change your own life.

Somewhere along the way, United Methodists have lost sight of Christianity’s mystical base. While we can all hold different beliefs and values, we can all be in unity in the Holy Spirit. We also need to remember our history.

Circuit riders were Christ’s special messengers who opened the west to Methodism. Circuit riders were alive in the Spirit of Christ and could not restrain themselves from preaching the gospel. The circuit riders had a vivid faith, they loved God and believed other lives would be better if they knew God. That spirit is still alive today. Think about it. Is it alive in you?

Now, some interesting news. Most churches grow fastest during their first 20 years. Most of our United Methodist churches in Oregon and Idaho are more than 90 years old and most members were raised in the church! When an older church receives members, they are usually transfers.

The population of new churches that are 15 years old or younger, on the other hand, is 60-80% unchurched. New churches attract more people, more diverse people and younger people. New churches benefit from laity’s more entrepreneurial attitudes; laity are qualified to begin new churches. This effort doesn’t have to be led by clergy. To find out more, contact Beth Estock at bethestock@yahoo.com.

For related information, check out www.path1.org and www.masterplanninggroup.com.

Unofficial voting Tally of the constitutional amendments*

* Official voting tallies will be reported by the conference secretary to the general conference sectretary

Constitutional Amendments
Greg Nelson introduced members of the Oregon-Idaho delegation to the 2008 General Conference Karen Bolen and Jan Nelson. Among the three of them they gave a brief explanation of the 62 amendments sent by General Conference to all annual conferences for ratification. To see amendments, click here. During the next year, votes will be collected from all conferences worldwide. The final tally will be an aggregate of all votes of all members of all annual conferences everywhere. Amendments must receive a two-thirds affirmative vote to pass.

This is a review of just one of the 13 laity workshop presented on the first day of Annual Conference Session.

Laity Workshop–What Non-Profits Can Teach the Church about Fundraising
presented by Cesie Delve Scheuermann

Would you be surprised to find that the church’s attitude about money is that it’s just not to be discussed; that it is offensive, dirty, and distasteful? According to workshop leader Cesie DelveSheuermann, it’s true.

How might the church view money? With joy, joy and more joy! After all Jesus was the first fundraiser for the “church.” Giving can be a life-changing experience.

Cesie explained “The Seven Faces of Philanthropy” from the book, The Seven Faces of Philanthropy: A New Approach to Cultivating Major Donors by Prince and File, 1994:

• The Communitarian—Doing Good Makes Sense (26% of people)
• The Devout – Doing Good is God’s Will (21%)
• The Investor – Doing Good is Good Business (15%)
• The Socialite — Doing Good is Fun (11%)
• The Repayer – Doing Good in Return (10%)
• The Altruist – Doing Good Feels Right (9%)
• The Dynast – Doing Good Is a Family Tradition (8%)

By understanding these donor types, churches may more easily raise money.

The two biggest mistakes churches make:

1. Not communicating how people’s gifts make a difference.
2. Not thanking the giver.

Saying thank you is a huge way to build relationship, to help people understand the impact of giving and to let people know that they, not just their money, are appreciated.

Effective ways to say thank you:

• Personally addressed letters; e.g., Dear friend vs. Dear Mary
• Handwritten letters
• Make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors (proofread; SpellCheck doesn’t catch everything)
• Personally signed letters (very important!)
  Even more effective when signed by those at the highest level within the organization
• Specific references about how the gift will be used
• Include signer’s name, address, phone number or email address name and email address or phone number of someone to contact
• DO NOT ask for another gift
• Keep letters upbeat, can-do
• Be concise, don’t ramble
• Send thank you promptly (late is better than never, but not as good as timely)
• Include thank you letter from pastor in giving statements

More ideas about how to recognize givers:

• Item in newsletter
• Email “Blast” about what money is doing
• Facebook page
• Special Sundays—play up importance, use UMC materials
• Say something during worship
• Create bulletin board
• Have dedication during worship for special gifts
• Have a dedication service once a year for all gifts to the church

New Way for Opening Day—Laity Session
In years past, Annual Conference Sessions have opened with a Plenary Session. But this year arriving members went immediately into Laity and Clergy Sessions.

Bishop Hoshibata greeted laity gathered in Smith Auditorium in his usual enthusiastic way. He seems to come to life as Annual Conference Session opens each year. He asked if everyone were OK. When the crowd roared, “yes!” he said, “I hope you are still OK in two days!”

The bishop explained the new legislative process including the recent Legislative Assembly. Find more here. He then briefly talked about the importance of Discipleship Groups.

Then he described what lies ahead: eating together around tables of discussion, sitting in prayer together, working with friends and fellow members. The youth program called REJUVENATE, he said, would help all of us think young as the youth led us in visioning and dreaming dreams.

“Even in these times of economic hardship and scarcity,” he said. “Here in this place during our days together, we will have great moments of worship, celebration, discernment and joy. Let us give thanks for God’s rich abundance.”

Bishop Hoshibata introduced Bishop Hee-Soo Jung who will be our guest speaker at the Commissioning/Licensing/Retirement. The bishop said he and Bishop Jung have become friends by being on the Council of Bishops. Though they share the same stature and people get them mixed up he said, we could recognize them because Bishop Jung had no facial hair and he had, umm, a bit less head hair.”

Bishop Jung said hello, tactfully mentioning nothing about hair.

The bishops bid adieu to the gathering wishing us surprises on our soul journeys this week as we go about making disciples for Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.

As the legislative assembly continued its work on Sunday they were able to move quickly through the remaining items. In part this was made easier because the several of the items ahd been touched on earlier in the weekend when the presenters or sponsors had shared information about the action requests and answered questions from assembly members.

A tally sheet of all votes is posted on the conference website and can be viewed there. Any action request that was amended will also be posted once the editorial work has been finished on these items. An amended action request will be renumber to indicate that it is an amendment. For instance if action request # 23 is amended. The amended version will be identitifed as AR # 26 and holes will be punched on the right side so it can be inserted opposite the original motion in a notebook.

In the next few days, as material is verified. The vote tally and revisions to the acton requests will be posted to the conference website. This will also include the minutes of the legislative assembly.