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LAITY SESSION Dr. Sarah Kreutziger, conference lay leader, welcomed everyone and opened the meeting with Prayer. Mrs. Kay Hutchinson, first lady of the Louisiana Conference, graciously greeted the delegates and shared words from Isaiah “Here I am send me.” The Board of Laity membership was introduced by Carolyn Dove and the “cheerleaders”. Each District Superintendent threw Mardi Gras beads to their lay delegation as they stood to be recognized. Mr. George “Buzzy” Anding presented information on the 32 proposed amendments to be voted on in the Wednesday Session. Buzzy noted that all ballots will be written ballots. He stated that the results of the voting will be reported by the Council of Bishops at their Fall 2009 session. Mrs. Glennell Cottrill, Treasurer, gave the financial report as of May 31, 2009 reporting the following balances: Daughenbaugh Matheny balance - $79,500.83 Mr. Walter Weiss, 1000 Club Director, reported 1000 Club has not been as successful in the past months as we would like it to be. The call is for $150,000.00 to be collected each year and that has not happened for several years. Mr. Weiss reported that the money received from donations for the next two years will go to the new church start The Well in Hammond, LA. Mr. Weiss and Dr. Don Cottrill presented information on possible transfer of 1000 Club money from one church start to another church. They presented a proposed resolution from the Appropriations Committee of the Bob Lay Memorial 1000 Club regarding: the 1000 Club funds raised and held for the building of a new church in Grambling, LA. The resolution was presented as follows: Therefore, be it resolved that: The Louisiana 1000 Club and the Louisiana Conference Board of Laity approve the use of the funds raised for new church at Grambling, Louisiana to be invested in new church development through the lending of these funds as approved by the Appropriations Committee of the 1000 Club. The funds would be repaid to the Grambling account through a method of repayment approved by the 1000 Club Appropriations Committee at the time of the loan. Dr. Cottrill stated that this resolution has been approved by both the Monroe District 1000 Club and the Conference 1000 Club Appropriations Committee. It was noted that $129,000.00 is the amount of money presently in the Grambling Fund. Discussion pursued with many questions after which a vote was taken and the proposed resolution was unanimously passed. The Board of Laity Presented the skit, “New Faces, New Places and New Traces.” Mr. Tim Hebert gave a short report on the Certified Lay Speaker program and the Certified Lay Minister program. The Certified Lay Minister program has four modules. The first course was in April, 2009. There were 19 people attending this class to start the process to become a Certified Lay Minister. Dr. Anita Crump and Dr. Donald Cottrill presented information on the upcoming RETHINK: EVANGELISM dynamic gathering to energize and equip all for effective mission. The event will be on November 14, 2009 and held in Alexandria, LA at the Riverfont Center, with Dr. Tony Campolo who will be the presenter that will help us rethink evangelism. There are expected to be at least 1200 people in attendance of this event. The Sending Forth was led by Dr. Sarah Kreutziger and Marverne Terrell.
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2009 CLERGY SESSION The Clergy Session was held in the Pontchartrain Center, Kenner, LA. The Rev. Barbara Murray offered a prelude, and Bishop William Hutchinson called the Clergy Session to order. Worship began with the singing of “And Are We Yet Alive.” The Rev. Cheryl Nelson offered an opening prayer, and an offering was received benefiting the Central Conference Pension Initiative. The Rev. Mimi McDowell read Romans 10:11-17, and the Rev. Stephen Fife offered a sermon entitled “Remember Your Story.” Bishop Alfred Norris had intended to be present to offer greetings but was unable to attend. Bishop Hutchinson offered greetings on his behalf. Bishop Hutchinson informed the Session of the voting powers of various orders of clergy as it pertains to different matters that will be before the Clergy Session and the Annual Conference. Part II Pertaining to Ordained Ministers and Local Pastors of the Disciplinary Questions was presented by various members of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Bishop Hutchinson conducted elections and votes as necessary. Rev. John Edd Harper recorded election and voting results. (Note: On question 42, Brownyl Lance Eden has appealed the recommendation of the Board of Ordained Ministry, and this matter will be voted on at the 2010 Clergy Session.) The Clergy Session also considered the following parts of the Disciplinary Questions: Part III Certification in Specialized and Certified Lay Ministry, Part IV Diaconal Ministers, and Part V Appointments and Concluding Business. Votes were conducted as necessary. The Bishop called for a vote on the approval of the entire report of the Board of Ordained Ministry (Parts II, III, IV, and V of the Disciplinary Questions). The Clergy Session affirmed the entire report. Rev. Ed Boyd Chairperson of the Board of Ordained Ministry presented to the Clergy Session for consideration a document entitled “Our Life Together” pertaining to the ethical behavior of clergy in covenantal relationship. Rev. Boyd spoke of the nature of the document and moved for formal adoption. A voice vote was conducted, and the document was approved. Rev. Brady Whitton spoke on behalf of the Order of Elders, and Rev. Andy Goff gave information on the Order of Elders retreat scheduled for October, 2009. Rev. Bernadine Johnson spoke on behalf of the Order of Deacons and noted the Bishop’s Day Apart with the Deacons in October, 2009. Rev. Bill Strawbridge spoke on behalf of the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members and mentioned the possibility of hosting a national gathering of local church pastors and associate members in 2011 at the Wesley Center. Closing announcements and notes of concern and thanksgiving were shared. The business was concluded, and the Clergy Session closed with the singing of “Here I Am, Lord.”
A Second Line Processional
Board of Ordained Ministry
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2009 Processional - Second Line - was led by Rev. Monica Monk to convene the thirty-ninth session of the Louisiana Annual Conference. The Conference stood and joined in the singing of the hymns and the reading of the scripture with the band, led by Aaron Neiquist. Bishop William W. Hutchinson declared the thirty-ninth session of the Louisiana Annual Conference officially convened. Bishop Hutchinson asked that any chaplain in the Armed Services stand to be honored. The Conference joined him in honoring them. Rev. Tim Neustifter, Pastor of Henning Memorial Methodist Church in Sulpher, began the Conference with a prayer. Larry Miller led the Roll Call. He then submitted the following motion to the Conference for approval: “I nominate Ms. Belinda Denicola, Rev. Bernadine Johnson, Ms. Patti Perkins, Ms. Joyce Robinson, and Rev. Darryl Tate as assistant secretaries of the Annual Conference Session. I further nominate Ms. Joyce Robinson and Rev. Darryl Tate as Head Tellers. I also direct the attention of the conference to six matters: 1. All materials for conference members are to be approved by and distributed through the Conference secretary. These materials are to be given to Ms. Joyce Robinson and are to be marked with the time of distribution. I move that any reports not presented, but before the Annual Conference as a part of the Pre-Conference Report, be received by the Annual Conference and published in the 2009 Louisiana Annual Conference Journal.” The motion is approved by the Conference. Bob Burgess presented the following motion to the Conference for approval: “I move that the main floor of Halls A & B of the Pontchartrain Center of Kenner be designated as the Bar of the Conference. I also move that Tuesday’s order of the day be set at 10:45 A.M. for the retirees to address the Conference and that the printed program be the agenda for the Annual Conference Session and that the Bishop be empowered to make changes in the agenda necessary to complete the business of the Conference. I move that the printed material that is to be distributed to the Annual Conference session be cleared through the secretary prior to distribution.” The motion is unanimously approved by the Conference. Dr. David Rowe, the new President of Centenary College, offers greetings to the Conference from the college. He stated that we are here to do the work of the Kingdom of God and stand in the way of the past trends of poverty and death among God’s people, and stated that Centenary will be a partner in that effort. He thanks the Conference for its support of the Centenary as they endeavor to educate moral leaders to face the challenges of the 21st century. With over 8 billion children of God filling the planet, this will prove to be a daunting task. He asked the Conference declare in one voice that Centenary College be the gathering place of the next Annual Conference. Bishop Hutchinson welcomes a special participant, Ms. Mary O. Fisher, to the Louisiana Annual Conference for her faithful service. She is here in her 106th year and is still a voting member of the Louisiana conference. Standing ovation by the Conference. Bishop Hutchinson leads the Conference in prayer. Bishop Hutchinson presented his Episcopal Address. The Conference gives a standing ovation to Bishop Hutchinson. Closing lunch prayer was presented by Dr. Trickett. Bishop Hutchinson dismissed the Conference for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION Gathering music was led by Aaron Neiquist. Announcements were made by Rev. Cottrill. Bishop Hutchinson explained the significance of the doors on the alter. One from a house in the Ninth Ward, one from a flooded home in Slidell, one from Dulac, and the final one from a home in New Orleans. They were representative of the last four years in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. The report of the Episcopacy Committee was given by Mr. George Anding. He welcomed the Bishop and Mrs. Hutchinson to Louisiana for another four years of service. Mrs. Hutchinson was escorted to the stage for the presentation of two gifts. The report #1 of the Board of Ordained Ministry was given by Rev. Ed Boyd. He referenced to page 121 of the Pre-Conference Report. He explained that the Board consists of three divisions: the Division of Elders, the Division of Deacons, and the Division of Associate members and Local Pastors. Gary Willis and Derrick Hills then presented the people who have completed the License to Preach School: Mary Ann Carlson, Clark Clark, Margaret L. Clark, Jason Lee Harris, Kenneth Holt, John ****, Dalton Rushing and Gladys Miller. Mr. Derrick Hills presented the people who have completed the License to Preach School: Kenneth Holt, Anna Morris-Jackson, Katina Lane, Samuel Neal, and Gwendolyn Streams. Mr. Derrick Hills presented the people who have completed the Course of Study School: Thomas Duncan, William F. Foster, Pattye Hewitt, Elva Jacobs, Cheryl Nelson, and Glorious Wright. Mr. Derrick Hills introduced Bill Strawbridge as an associate member for service. Pam Crews presented the Christian Education Certification to Becky Pour*. Marie Williams presented the clergy that were being commissioned in this session of the Annual Conference. Pam Crews presented the Probationary Deacons: Lauren Frazier-McGuin, Hebert Willard McGuin III, C. Shannon Sandifer and Dianne Wooden. Pam Crews presented the Probationary Elders: William Bradley Franklin, Cheri Lee Godwin, Derek Raymond Joyce, Todd William Mallory, Ashley Jalyn McGuire, William Brian Mercer, Lewis Malcolm Morris, Jr., Le’Sheena S. S. Simmons, Susie Hiss Thomas, and Jared Roland Williams. Pam Crews presented the following candidates to be ordained Deacon and brought into full connection: Patricia Teel Bates, Martha Janet Davis, Mary Margaret McDowell. Each gave speeches. Pam Crews then introduced the candidates to be ordained Elder: Virginia Phillips Allen, Andrew Douglas Durbin, Brownyl Lance Eden, Susan Marie Mack Ferguson, Stephen Newell Fife, Jacqueline E. C. King, Mollie Ann McGee, Raymon LaFayette Owens, Jr., William Norman Sheffield, III, Ray Lamar Varnado, Deborah Bernice Williams. Each gave speeches. Rev. Ed Boyd talked about the fund for the Ordained Ministry and then lead the Conference in prayer. Gail Bomen, Chaplain of Dillard University, greets the conference on behalf of the University. She spoke of the Methodist churches all over the state of Louisiana and the way God worked to allow some of the Dillard University Students to lead them. Bishop Hutchinson made announcements Mr. Henry Stamper, the chair of the Council on Finance and Administration presented the CFA report #1. He addressed pages 1 and 2 of the pre-conference report. He noted a correction of the amount of reimbursement for moving expenses from $4,000 to $6,000, and moved for its adoption. It is adopted Rev. Roger Templeton presented the three petitions to be voted on Wednesday. Mr. Gordan Dillahunty offered greetings from the Cokesbury Publishing House. He presented the report of the publishing house. He invited everyone to visit their displays. He expressed his gratitude for the lack of funds to make a donation this year because of the economic situation. He also presents Bishop Hutchinson with a baseball cap. Mr. Kenny Beauvais presented the report of the Board of Pensions as printed on pages 13-15 of the Pre-Conference Report. One change to Report #3, item #2. He made two changes to the report to include Paul Wesley’s leave of absence to include appointment years as years of service. Also, add one year of service to attend school from June, 1993 to June, 1994 for Richard J. Weighing. The report is unanimously adopted. Mrs. Betty Blackman presented the Conference Ministry Team report. Appreciation was shown to the members of the Conference Ministry Team. Four areas of Focus presented by Donald Cottrill: Mrs. Betty Backstrom recognized the 39 churches that were certified to become more intentional in welcoming all people. She then introduced Greg Cox, UMCom, to discuss Rethink Church. He showed a video. Donald Cottrill presented Rethink Evangelism. He shared a video with the Conference. Betty Blackman recommends the reports of the Conference Ministry be accepted. They are adopted. Betty Blackman recommends the Housing Policy be adopted by the Conference. She recognized all the people who helped to write the policy. It is unanimously adopted (print changes in journal). Fred Loy made courtesy announcements and prayer concerns. Larry Miller made announcements. Bishop Hutchinson asked Hadley Edwards to lead in the closing prayer. Hadley Edwards led the closing prayer. Ordination Service - Read the sermon
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2009 The Gretna United Methodist Church Worship Praise Group performed the pre-service music. The processional hymn was “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” and Bishop William Hutchinson opened with a greeting and prayer. The Recognition of Common Ministry and Reaffirmation of Baptism was led by Bishop Hutchinson, followed by the Presentation of Candidates. The anthem, “I Have Chosen You” was performed by the New Orleans Combined Choir, which was directed by Dr. Meg Hulley Frazier. The scripture lesson was delivered by Reverend Anice Moses from Acts 16:25-40. Bishop Hutchinson’s sermon was entitled, “Held Captive by Sleeping Jailers.” The offertory anthem, “How Beautiful” was performed by the New Orleans District Combined Choir. The General Examination of Candidates for Probationary Deacons, Probationary Elders, Associate Members, Deacons and Elders was led by Bishop Hutchinson. The congregational hymn was “The Summons.” Bishop Hutchinson led in prayer. The hymn of Commitment, Call and Renewal was “As a Fire Is Meant for Burning.” Bishop Hutchinson dismissed the service with a blessing. The Recessional hymn was “Grace Alone.” The postlude, “The People Respond, “Amen” by Dan Locklair, was performed by organist, Mr. Joel Bevington, to conclude the service. |
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