Monday Afternoon

Ron Hardman, conference lay leader.

Lay Leader
Conference Lay Leader Ron Hardman delivered the Laity Address Monday afternoon. "For the last six years I have dreamed about the ministry of the laity across Virginia," he said. "This address, my last to you, has been the toughest to prepare. Each day has brought a new theme."

Hardman told about a phone call in May about the unexpected death of Wade Hulon. "It was Wade and some other men who invited me into a struggling men's group nearly 30 years and it was there were I answered the call on my life."

Hardman continued, "My dream is that every lay person and every lay leader in every church would be awakened to lead in the way that Wade Hulon led. So I ask you, 'Will you, this moment, in this place, respond to God's call in  your life such that one day those around us will be able to say that we were a faithful child of God in a partner of ministry with our pastor. Deal or no deal?' "

He asked if we need a shot of adrenaline from time to time? Do we close the door to the Holy Spirit? Have we been caught snoozing when it comes to encouraging new leadership?

Hardman said his broad dream for the coming  year is, "Vital worship, prayer and learning. We must summon our Wesleyan tradition of disciplined, accountable living, and, finally, be of service to all of humanity, particularly among the least of these."

Hardman then called on specifics for the coming year asking, "Deal or No Deal?'" and being answered by affirmative, "Deals."

"We will experience something a little different in the laity report this year," Hardman explained. "All the lay leaders will take part in a brief service of consecration. They are being asked to build on the work that has preceded them." The leadership of the future is prepared to do great things for the Lord, Hardman said.

"One cannot retire from our calling, he said. "God's calling requires a lifetime response."

Shirley Cauffman, new conference lay leader.

Shirley Cauffman Elected as New Lay Leader
Frank Lasley of the Nominating Committee was introduced by Bishop Kammerer. She announced that the name of Shirley Cauffman was submitted as the name to be nominated as conference lay leader. She was elected and received with a standing ovation. "I want to say thank you for the trust you have placed in me to be your conference lay leader." She explained that she grew up in the Baptist Church in Henderson, Tenn., but with United Methodist influences. When she was away from home and had an opportunity to join a United Methodist Church she joined it in 1961. "With your prayers, I look forward to serving as your conference lay leader," she said.

United Methodist Women
Betty Whitehurst, conference president of United Methodist Women, shared ways in which UMW have served the Lord in the past year.

Larry Burian, UMMen president

United Methodist Men
Larry Burian, the newly-named president, gave the men's report. He talked about Brian Manwiller, who was the president, who has "been rewarded a heavenly place in the kingdom." The bishop asked for a moment of silent prayer for Brian who died of cancer April 17. Burian continued, "I can promise you we will hold fast to our overarching purpose of being a fellowship of men who seek Jesus Christ and to seek his daily will."

 

United Methodist Youth
The youth took a creative newscast approach with "on location" reporters spread throughout the conference floor. It including a weather forecast of "raining" YSF funds (which broke conference records again), a sportscast, talking about the "all-star" people who help out, interspersed with videos and music.

Church Treasurer
Dennis Scheer reported that more than $31 million was received in church receipts, an all-time high. He also reported the phenomenal amounts that were given to missions during the past year.

Prayer Cards
Cards were distributed as people entered the coliseum after lunch. The bishop instructed the members to put their information on the card and put it in a bucket when they leave. The cards will be given out to individuals to create prayer partners for the coming year.

Other Reports
The Equitable Compensation report was presented by Donald Yesukaitis and it was accepted by conference members. Jim Hewitt, dean of the Cabinet, presented the district superintendents' report and made corrections to minute questions pertaining to churches. They were adopted.

The Rev. Keith Boyette brought a motion to the conference to start 250 new churches in the next 30 years. A plan will be presented to the 2007 annual conference.

James Gresham presented the Site Selection report. Conference is slated to meet in Roanoke in 2007 and 2008; Norfolk in 2009 and 2010; and Roanoke in 2011 and 2012.

The Conferencing Facility Task Force, mandated two years ago, gave a report. They were told to study the future requirements of a conferencing facility for the conference and explore whether or not the assembly center in Blackstone could fulfill the needs. The task force's finding said that the assembly center will not be able to meet future needs. The Rev. Robert Friend brought an amendment for further investigation of what would be done with the assembly center if a new facility is built. The amendment prevailed. The recommendations from the task force will not be followed.