Tuesday Morning

Dr. Bruce C. Birch, dean and professor  from Wesley Theological Seminary, is this year's Bible study leader. He gave his first lesson Tuesday morning.

The Board of Pension report was presented by Mr. Bobby Thompson. The report was adopted by the conference.

Conference members took time out of busy schedules to donate blood to the Red Cross.

Susie Wolf, representing Cokesbury, gave a report from that company. She mentioned new resources and services available from Cokesbury. She mentioned www.Cokesbury.com to point and click to order resources. She gave a check in the amount of $20,689.91 for the pension fund. It was moved that this money be donated to the Central Conference pensions fund and to continue donating this fund until the Central Conference is no longer in need of assistance. The motion was approved.

The Rev. Jeff Mickle and Bishop Kammerer led a "Recognition of Professional Certification for Local Church Ministry." Kristen Mills Bloodworth and Anthony Shawn Kiger have both been approved by the Board of Ordained Ministry to be certified in youth ministry. Ron Hardman, conference lay leader, also participated in the service.

Discussion was brought back up around the issue presented by the Rev. Keith Boyette on Monday about helping those churches that have not brought in any new members on profession of faith. A substitute motion presented by Regina Anderson-Cloud was voted on and accepted. A copy of the motion will be distributed later in the conference.

The Task Force on Peace and Global Security report was presented by Dr. Lee B. Sheaffer. A moving powerpoint of terrorist attacks, disease, natural disasters and atrocities against each other was shown. The bishop asked for a moment of silence followed by prayer for what was just viewed. The Rev. Rodney Hunter told the gathering about a document "In Search of Security" that had been devel0ped under Bishop Timothy Whitaker. The conference task force has examined terrorism, looked at biblical concepts that look at global secuity, had small group discussions. Congregations were polled and more than 500 individuals responded. They discovered conversations about peace and global security are already happening around the conference. Another powerpoint was shown of ministries with chaplains, volunteers in mission, and outreach ministries that are already addressing issues of peace and security. Dr. Sheaffer summarized by saying we must step out of fears and step into this with faith. The task force has completed its work. "We have given you tools to carry out this task." Materials were passed out in conference members' packets to assist with this task.

The Rev. Ray Edmonds led the Recognition of Presidents of Educational Insitutions. "Historically, United Methodists have placed a high value on educated clergy," Edmonds said. "Today, we have several representatives with us." The seminaries represented included Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Iliff School of Theology. The presidents of the related colleges and academy were introduced. Virginia Wesleyan College Billy Greer presented a plaque to Ray Edmonds upon his retirement.

Bishop Peter Storey from South Africa who is currently at Duke was present and brought greetings.

Bishop Palmer

Worship with Bishop Gregory Palmer from the Iowa Conference began at 11 a.m. 
Basing his sermon on Genesis 45:1-15, he began by saying, "We have differing visions about our future of the United Methodist Church."

He continued, "There are places where we see anomosity and resentment. We have places where we don't speak peacably. I'm sure that never happens in the Virginia Conference but we should be cautious if our resentments get us to the point where we can't speak peaceably. When conversations shut down and our sense of rightness becomes the greater priority we are closing off our future together and closing down the possibilities of God's Holy Spirit being in our midst. When I value my position more than our relationship I am closing down a future of a relationship for us together."

In the midst of all the politics, there is this unfinished business of relationships. "What are we willing to risk of ourselves in order that healing and redemptions and salvation may flood the room for us?" Palmer asked. "Perhaps God is waiting for the followers of the risen Messiah to stand in a place of brokeness in order that new life might burst forth. Someone in our world, someone in our church, someone in all of the churches must say 'Stop the madness.' Break the cycle of reactivity and revenge. God needs us to join God in the healing of the church so we may join God, more able to assist God in the healing of this world that has too many scripts of revenge and violence."

In 1963 as the Vatican was talking about its possible role in the Holocaust, Jews were invited. Pope John Paul 23rd got down off his throne and made his way through the 130 Jewish leaders to take his hand and press it to their cheeks and told them, "I am your brother, Joseph." It's time for us to say our relationship is not what it should be.