Day two of Annual Conference 2022 began with music, prayer,
and Rev. Dr. Janet Wolf’s impactful Bible study.
Rev. Wolf opened with scripture from Mark 5, which she says is a
challenge and an invitation. She stated, “The world waits for the
church to be the body of Christ. To embody love, to practice
resurrection, to put flesh on a faith you can see. We are called to be
the church, the body of Christ in and for and with the world.” She
encouraged conference members “to get ready” because “change is going to come.”
Laura Dallas, NC Conference Media Center Director, shared
that churches can borrow resources for free from the Media
Center. She also highlighted services from Amplify Media, a
UM Publishing House streaming service, which has Wesleyan Bible
studies and devotionals. They are offering a discounted subscription for conference churches using promo code NC2022.
Rev. Laura Fine Ledford presented a report from the Board of
Ordained Ministry as images of candidates commissioned over the
past two years were displayed.
The Board of Ordained Ministry highlighted the ways they are
seeking greater self-awareness and working to better support
candidates throughout the ordination process.
Also during the morning session, Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, Director of the Clergy Health Initiative, shared findings from a recent
clergy stress study and the impact of stress management programs
on clergy health and spiritual well-being. Jaye White, Director of
Outreach Ministry, shared several health opportunities available
during the conference.