WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2008 - MORNING SESSION
Gathering music was led by Ken Medema.
The Bible Study was led by Grace Imathiu.
Bishop Duca, Roman Catholic Diocese Shreveport, opened with prayer.
Mrs. Barbara Wade, of the Committee on the Journal, reported that she had reviewed the minutes for Tuesday, June 3, 2008 and moved their adoption. The motion was seconded and it carried.
The Conference Ministry Team presented a video presentation on Extension Ministry.
Dr. Don Cottrill presented the Committee on Nominations report #2. The Conference was directed to turn to pages 142-150 of the Pre-Conference Report. He noted several changes. The second part of the report was the 2007 Nominations of Agencies and Institutions. There were several changes made and the report was approved.
Dr. Pat Day presented Report #2 of the Council on Finance and Administration. A video presentation from the General Council on Finance and Administration was made. He directed our attention to page 3 of the Pre-Conference Report. He noted several increases in the budget. Colene Conrad asked a question about decreases in the Ministerial Education Fund, Black College Fund, and Africa University funds. Dr. Day noted those amounts are set by the general church. Dr. Day moved for approval of the report. The report passed unanimously.
Rev. J. Roddy Taylor presented Report #2 of the Conference Board of Pensions. He noted the increase in the Past Service Rate to $586. He also noted the correction in service years for Rev. Maria J. Kennedy and the addition of part-time local pastors to the vacation policy on page 39. The Woolworth Fund gave $453,842 to the conference this past year. Rev. Taylor moved to approve the report. The report passed unanimously.
Rev. Gene Finnell presented the Conference Ministry Team report. Rev. Finnell addressed the Resolution on Safe Sanctuaries and the importance of its passing. A video was presented on the four areas of focus for the general church. Bishop Hutchinson addressed these four areas and thanked Rev. Finnell for his work on the committee. The report was adopted unanimously.
Rev. Carole Cotton Winn presented the Academy for Spiritual Leadership report. A group of spiritual leaders who have gone through the Academy stood with her. She invited the conference to send your people through the Academy. Ken Medema led the conference in a song.
Mrs. Betty Backstrom introduced us to Ms. Jackie Evon of Igniting Ministries. Ms. Evon brought greetings from UMCOM. She presented several gifts to the Bishop. She announced that the Louisiana Conference has been selected as one of six conferences to have a special relationship as test conferences with Igniting Ministries. Since 2005, over $300,000 in grants to our conference have helped increase first time visitors and attendance. We celebrated three congregations who have become certified welcoming congregations and Bishop Hutchinson challenged us to reach 200 congregations. A video on Igniting Ministries was presented. Mrs. Evon closed by encouraging our churches to work with Mrs. Backstrom to improve the media attention in our conference.
Rev. Darryl Tate presented the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Ministry report. Over $50,000,000 worth of volunteer hours has been reported. The ministry has consolidated their work force. Rev. Tate reminded the conference that the work in Southwest Louisiana will continue for at least seven more years and Southeast Louisiana, even longer.
Dr. Martha Orphe presented the Mission Zone report. A video was presented on the work of the churches in the Mission Zone. The pastors of the Mission Zone stood with Dr. Orphe and asked for continued support. She presented Bishop Hutchinson with a torn and battered American flag. She acknowledged the rededication of Hartzell UMC and Grand Chanier UMC and People’s UMC. We celebrate the mergers of Brooks and Shaw Temple, First UMC and Grace UMC, Williams UMC and Ross UMC. We celebrate the opening of Luke’s House, offering medical, mental, and spiritual services. She brought attention to Mount Zion UMC and Wakefield UMC, not being back in their churches yet. A timeline of the work in the Mission Zone was presented to the Bishop and the cabinet. An emotional Dr. Orphe and Bishop thanked the pastors of the Mission Zone for the impact they have made.
Dr. Don Cottrill made several announcements.
Rev. Terry Love thanked the media personnel. The people of: Claiborne Sharp Audio, J.M. Productions, Gumbeaux Productions, Betty and Steve Backstrom, Steve Murphy, and Tim Hebert. He then offered joys and concerns and led us in prayer.
Bishop Hutchinson thanked Ken Medema for his musical leadership at this Annual Conference.
Bishop Hutchinson fixed the appointments as listed in the Louisiana Right Now, Wednesday, June 4, 2008 edition.
The Service of Sending Forth and Deconsecration of Space adjourned the 2008 Louisiana Annual Conference.
