By Annette Bender
The number-one complaint for opening day of 2004 Annual Conference? Not the long lines at registration, because the registration office was noticeably less congested this year. Not the heat, because the rain seemed to take care of that.
When 2,000 clergy and lay representatives of Holston churches arrived in western North Carolina yesterday, the southern-based members were likely to be tardy and preoccupied with orange cones. That's because one lane of Interstate 40 eastbound was closed for miles leading up to the Lake Junaluska exit, causing delays of one to two hours for church leaders arriving from Knoxville, Chattanooga and other southern districts. Ironically, the delays may have had a positive effect on the usual early rush to register, according to Sheila Knowles, conference staff member.
“It's much calmer than last year,” Knowles said. “I have a feeling it's the traffic jam.”
Most Holston members didn't let traffic, cumbersome luggage, sold-out soda machines or any of the usual challenges of the first day at conference dampen enthusiasm for the upcoming week, however.
Many church leaders spoke of their appreciation for decisions made at General Conference in Pittsburgh as well fellowship and worship opportunities offered each year at Annual Conference. “My very favorite thing is the worship services. They're so uplifting,” said the Rev. Kenneth Blevins as he registered in the Wytheville District line. Blevins, current pastor at Grant-Flatridge Circuit, is projected for appointment at Fries Circuit.
“I'm just looking forward to meeting old friends,” said Roger Redding as he set up an exhibit for the Holston Conference Foundation – shortly after weathering his own 90-minute traffic delay. “I think that's what Annual Conference ought to be all about.”
Near Redding's display, the Rev. Tony Nunley, pastor at Andover-Imboden Dunbar UMC in Big Stone Gap District, paused for a moment at a Reconciling Ministries Network exhibit.
The Reconciling Ministries exhibit offered free cookies and free water bottles. The water bottles were labeled with the message, “When the church says it has ‘open hearts, open minds, and open doors' but tells some people they are ‘incompatible with Christian teaching,' how can those people feel they are truly welcome?”
“I was just praying for the whole situation,” said Nunley, “and being thankful for the work of the church.
“We were certainly glad of the way the vote turned out, and proud of our delegates,” Nunley added, referring to General Conference's decision to retain current Book of Discipline language regarding homosexuality.
“It went the way we were hoping in our church,” said Tony Sizemore, lay delegate for Sulphur Springs UMC in Johnson City District.
At a packed-house worship service last night, participants delighted in music by the Africa University Choir and an appearance by Peter Pereira, missionary for “Hope for Today” in Hyderabad, India.
The Rev. Randy Frye, pastor at First Pulaski UMC, referred to several missions – including Hope for Today, Ishe Anesu, Wesley House, Jubilee Project and Project Crossroads – in his message, “A Place at the King's Table.”
“Look at the faces of these children ... and ask if grace has made a difference,” Frye said.
“My friends, God's grace, let loose in the lives of his people, is the most powerful change agent the world has ever known.”
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