Sunday, June 13United Methodists from around the state converged on an "under construction" Hampton, Va., June 13, for the 222nd session of the Virginia Annual Conference. Travelers encountered road construction on I-64, then were met with more construction on the Hampton Coliseum, which led the city of Hampton to invest in shuttle services for confereees. The Laity Session was held at 5 p.m. at the Hampton Coliseum, which was opened with worship by Peninsula District Lay Leader Wayne Hunley. The Rev. Wes Astin led the singing. Ron Hardman, conference lay leader, gave a cursory overview of the "conferencing process" and introduced key lay people in the conference. Darlene Amon, Portsmouth District Lay Leader, announced the Joe E. Pennel Jr. Wesleyan Heritage Foundation will be unveiled during Tuesday's Council on Ministries meeting. Three prints are available for a $25 suggested donation for all three, or $10 each. Amon offered an invitation to conference members to attend a Service of Farewell for Bishop Pennel and his wife, Janene, Aug. 1, 4 p.m., at Reveille Church in Richmond. Hardman mentioned that the Society of St. Andrew is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The society helps feed hungry people everywhere. A representative of the society, Mike Waldmann, announced that a potato drop will be held during this conference. He explained the society's gleaning ministry and said it only costs about a penny per serving. The Norfolk District United Methodist Men's chorus presented special music during the session. The clergy session was taking place at a local high school during the same hour at a nearby high school. Clergy voted to receive those to be ordained, commissioned, and licensed at the Tuesday evening session of annual conference.
Blinn told the story of a couple, Charles and Lois, who asked a church to be executors of their estate because they had no family or friends. Charles said he didn't want a service when he died. His wife died first. When Charles died, a funeral was held. "The New Testament tells us when two or three are gathered, there is God right in the midst," Blinn said. "Sometimes we think we are in charge of the gathering in God shows up. Instead, God is the one who gathers us. "There are many things that separate us from God and each other if we left them. The irony of all of this, and surely the grace, is that the church is still the best opportunity we have to preach and practice the truth of Romans: God says, 'Nothing can separate you from my love, unless, of course, that's what you prefer.' But that is not what we prefer," Blinn continued. God is on our side and death does not have the last word, she said. "When resurrection people gather we have hope. It is the church at its best. God in us -- making us as one." Blinn then referred to guests from Mozambique who are visiting the Virginia Conference for three weeks and are attending this session. "For them, a statement of faith, no matter how eloquent, is meaningless unless is it lived out. They are a resurrection people. " Susie Wolf, Farmville District lay leader, led the Litany of the Saints, after which the conference secretary, the Rev. Robert Blinn, read the memorial roll. As each name was read, a candle was lighted by the Rev. Edward H. Wright and the Rev. Libby Wright. The list included the names of clergy, clergy spouses, and lay members of the conference who had died since the 2003 conference.
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Annual Conference Session Opens in Hampton, June 13 |
Monday evening, A Service in Celebration of the Resurrection took place. The preacher was the Rev. Mary Beth Blinn, superintendent of the Danville District.
The worship service then turned to a celebration of Holy Communion. Bishop Pennel led the sacramental service. The annual conference choir, under the direction of the Rev. Roger Dowdy, brought the music offering, "Circle the Table."