New bishop, new agenda
Annual Conference focuses on
visioning & fellowship
By Annette Bender
Every year at Annual Conference, there exists a temptation to chat with old friends under the shade trees - sometimes, while the sessions are ongoing in Stuart Auditorium.
Recognizing the temptation (and understanding it), organizers have added designated "Fellowship Time" to this year's Annual Conference schedule. These five morning and afternoon social sessions - along with visioning Bible studies and workshops - are hallmarks of this year's annual meeting of church leaders in Lake Junaluska, N.C.
Under the theme, "Be Thou Our Vision," Bishop James Swanson will preside at his first Holston Annual Conference, to be held June 12-15 at Lake Junaluska Assembly. Representing 915 churches in east Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and north Georgia, 1,080 clergy and 867 lay members will worship, hear reports, and make decisions for the future of the Annual Conference.
During Fellowship Time, participants will be treated to coffee, soda, water, or ice cream outside of Stuart Auditorium. During visioning Bible studies and workshops, clergy and laity will participate in a Scripture-based process to discern Holston Conference's mission under Swanson's leadership.
Bishop Michael Watson, resident bishop of Swanson's former home, the South Georgia Conference, will preach at Sunday night's opening worship and communion service. Watson will also lead the visioning Bible studies on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
Other preachers include the Rev. Paul Marchbanks, leading the Service of Remembrance on Monday night, and the Rev. Ann Blair, leading the Retirement Celebration on Tuesday afternoon. Bishop Swanson will preach at Tuesday night's Ordination and Commissioning Service and at Wednesday's Sending Forth Service.
Musical groups include the Men of Praise from Lennon-Seney UMC (Knoxville District), the Highlands Youth Ensemble (Abingdon District), the Bluff City UMC Choir (Johnson City District), and the Sulphur Springs UMC Band (Johnson City District). A Clergy Choir will sing at the Ordination Service. Absent this year are the Lake Junaluska Singers, who have been replaced at the Sending Forth Service with the Mis-Fits Choir of St. Elmo UMC (Chattanooga District).
In his first Annual Conference as president of the Council on Finance and Administration, the Rev. Andy Ferguson will present a $15.3 million budget for 2006. The figure represents a 2.9 increase over the 2005 budget. Ferguson is senior pastor at Broad Street UMC (Cleveland District).
Also appearing for the first time as Discipleship Team chair, Larry Martin will lead the conference through presentations by several ministry teams, including the Prisoner and Family Advocacy Group and the Older Adult Ministry Team. Martin is a member of Broadway UMC (Maryville District).
On Tuesday, participants will be encouraged to "Walk for Change." Sponsored by the Children's Ministries Team, Walk for Change is an effort to promote good health while raising funds for Change for Children. Participants may walk any time between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. along the Rose Walk (1/2 mile) or around the lake (2.6 miles). Individuals and groups are also encouraged to collect sponsorship money to benefit needy children in Africa and in Holston. For more information, visit www.holstonkids.com (click on "Calendar") or call (865) 690-4080.
Last year, some Annual Conference participants were delayed by construction on Interstate 40. This year, organizers point out that all I-40 lanes are open on weekends, and the Sunday session doesn't begin until 7 p.m., allowing participants more time to arrive safely.
What to take to the lake
The short list for clergy
and lay representatives:
A completed registration card
The card was recently mailed to members along with the "Book of Reports" and will be necessary during registration in Harrell Center on Sunday afternoon, June 12.
"Book of Reports" & your Bible
Take these books to all Annual Conference sessions.
Missions offering for Latvia
A special envelope was recently mailed to church treasurers. Place your church's offering in the envelope and take it to Stuart Auditorium on Monday afternoon, June 13.
Change for Children offering
Special envelopes also were mailed for this offering. Take your Change for Children gifts to the tent outside Stuart Auditorium any time between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14.
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