During the Thursday afternoon session, we celebrated Laity and Connectional Ministries. Conference Lay Leader John Hall shared stories of thriving lay ministries that are making disciples throughout our Conference. Rev. Sunny Limm brought greetings from the Connectional Table and spoke a word of hope about our future and the birth of new ministries.
In the first Connectional Ministries report, Rev. Joseph Park spoke about ministries with Asian countries around the world through the sharing of resources and English tutoring. From the Creation Care Committee, Rev. Jarrod Davis shared about their work this year and his new role as Creation Ministries Coordinator for the North Carolina and Western North Carolina Conferences. Sara Cortes shared about the Hispanic-Latinx Ministries Committee’s work with Lay Missionaries, clergy in the ordination process, disaffiliating churches, and refugees from South and Central America.
Rev. Larry Bowden, Deaconess Brenda Brown, and Rev. Jaye White shared a report from the Mission Team and Board of Missions featuring missional giving through the Advance Specials and Rainbow Covenant, church loans they offer, and ministries that have received funds from The Gary Locklear Mission Endowment.
Rev. Kennedy Gray explained how the Strengthening the Black Church Committee reimagined the Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness and the birth of their mentoring and scholarship support of young Black clergy.
Rev. Lindsay Collins highlighted the many health offerings available at Annual Conference. Native American Ministries showed a video with pictures from their programs and outreach. Leah Wiebe-Smith announced changes to the Leadership Fellows program and a new opportunity for online small groups through the Center for Leadership Excellence.
Rev. Molly White, chair of the Board of Church & Society, shared about the grants and awards they give to support ministries for justice. She also announced the formation of the Bishop’s Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention as she shared the memory of how her husband, Patrick White, was the victim of workplace gun violence.
Safe Sanctuaries is vital to graceful hospitality in our churches. Rev. Mamie Alley reminded us why each church needs a Safe Sanctuaries policy and announced an upcoming class on best practices. As Al Miller reminded us, Disaster Ministries is the hands and feet of Jesus. He encouraged more involvement through ERT training and other opportunities.
The Commission on the Status and Role of Women has monitors at Annual Conference to assess the session. Rev. Laura Dunlap also introduced a video that gave thanks for eight women elected as bishops, including our own Bishop Shelton. Rev. Grayson Dye from the Commission for Christian Unity and Inter-Religious Relationships shared about their investment in the Methodist Tent at the Wild Goose Festival and Dr. Edgardo Colón-Emeric’s meeting with Pope Francis. They are also hosting ecumenical events to build relationships with other denominations.
Rev. Tom Greener shared how the Financial Discipleship team offers stewardship and donor development training. Rev. Ben Wolf of the new Evangelism & Discipleship Committee highlighted their Messy Church event and introduced a video showing the Denman Award recipients. The One Matters Award was given by Rev. David Kim of Discipleship Ministries to Rev. Terry Williams.
Rev. Ernesto Barriguete explained the Conference’s anti-racism strategy and our progress in meeting those goals.
David Rockefeller led us in celebrating ten years of Congregations for Children! He shared the history of this ministry and the focus areas going forward. A special offering was taken to support Congregations for Children.