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School for Pastoral Ministrycontinued from home pageThis year’s speakers will stimulate and challenge us spiritually and intellectually using our theme as a springboard for lively discussion. Dr. Kenneth Carter will be joining us from North Carolina. He is the pastor of Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte. Dr. Carter is known for his strong preaching and commitment to reaching “GenXer’s” and Postmoderns with the gospel message in ways that are real and relevant. This year’s teacher, Rita Nakashima Brock, has author several books including Proverbs of Ashes: Violence, Redemptive Suffering, and The Search for What Saves Us. She will present a provocative examination of restoration, and redemption from another angle. These are two very different presenters, with uniquely different perspectives. Carter is an amazing preacher, and Brock is a well-respected scholar; both will challenge, encourage and inspire us. Whether you are liberal or conservative, serve in a rural or urban setting, are from West Michigan or Detroit – though we are many, together as brothers and sisters in Christ we form a whole. This year’s school will provide good preaching and quality teaching, and there’s more. Restoration is for the body, mind and soul. We will have opportunities for relaxation, Christian meditation and lively presentations on how to meet the needs of your churches in effective and creative ways. There will be new opportunities for the entire family, including your children. Along with childcare for infants and toddlers this year, for the first time, we will offer a children’s ministry program! Holey, Wholly, Holy, together let’s explore all three. Being holy, like our Lord, is our ultimate goal. Living lives of purity, integrity and encouraging one other in Christ is our focus this year. Together as the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences we aim to have a wonderful, meaningful and memorable time. This year’s school is at the Sheraton in Lansing. Faith Green Timmons is the Co-Dean of the Michigan Area School for Pastoral Ministry A Time for Renewalcontinued from home pageJohn foresaw a new day—a day when Caesar worship ceased to hold on sway on the people of God—a day when the church would rise up and make a public witness with recrimination from the state—a day when he could go home again and walk the streets of Ephesus. By the time John composed the 21st chapter of Revelation, his soul got happy as the old folks used to say. The "now" gave way to the "not yet," in his mind. Anticipation jumped off the page and seemingly infused him with unspeakable joy captured in the following words, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the Holy City, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying "Behold, the dwelling of God is with humankind. He/God will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them." Then, a statement of promise emboldened John even further in 21:5 "And God who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Clearly, John foresaw a time of Renewal-renewal akin to the following: "Every valley shall be exalted, every mountain and hill would be laid, and the rough places smoothed and the crooked ways, and all flesh shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Let’s reflect briefly on A Time for Renewal using points like something has to change, the time is now, and the new age is here. SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE To be the best that the church of Jesus Christ can be in the first century, the author of Revelation decides that something has to change. Like other religious groups, Christians were allowing Caesar worship and the power of Rome to determine the ministry of the church. To worship Caesar, Christians were breaking the first and foremost commandment to the Covenant People: "I am the Lord thy God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, thou shalt have no other gods before me." Though banished to the Isle of Patmos, John knew that the church had strayed and he had a role to play. Something had to change in the seven churches in Asia. For example, Ephesus "had abandoned its first love", i.e. Jesus Christ for something else. Smyrna was immobilized and intimidated by the death threats of Caesar. The church of Pergamum followed the teachings of Balaam, sacrificed to idols and practiced immorality. Like Pergamum, the church at Thyatira embraced and immorality. At the same time, she loved Jezebel. Something had to change. Sardis had a reputation for being alive but she was dead. Whenever you took the temperature of Laodicea, she was lukewarm about everything, neither hot nor cold. John was right; something’s got to change. Six churches had to get their act together. The seventh, namely Philadelphia had to keep on keeping on. Unlike the others, she had managed to hold on to God’s unchanging hand. For a number of years, the Michigan Area has toyed with the notion of change with respect to collaboration. During Bishop Craig’s tenure in the eighties, an effort to consolidate both conference offices failed. Had the legislation succeeded, a new Annual Conference might have been achieved. Under Bishop Ott’s tutelage, legislation to merge the two conferences was not adopted. Change was averted. But question of union wouldn’t die. In 2004, the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conference adopted legislation requesting Bishop Lee to "appoint a task force to explore all ways that the two conferences could cooperate in ministry, both to be more effective in ministry and to be good stewards of financial resources." They did that. And the group concluded that "merging together was the best way for the two conferences to cooperate." An intention to unite came out of their work two years ago. Detroit passed it by 87%; and West Michigan said yes to the tune of 78%. Somewhere in the heart, mind and spirit of the people called Methodists in the state of Michigan, you keep playing that tune like John "something has to change." The question is when, now or later. THE TIME IS NOW March 28-30, 2008, I attended the Quadrennial meeting of the United Methodist Women in Bloomington, Minnesota (a suburb of Minneapolis). The primary purpose of the meeting was to elect Directors for Women’s Division. Women’s Division is a significant mission arm of the General Board of Global Ministries in New York City. Linda Schramm and Julia Deemer finished their terms. Nichea Guy and Jackie Euper were elected from the Michigan Area. Congratulations. According to leadership of the Women’s Division, this was the last meeting of its kind. Women’s Division decided to change the format for electing Directors to Women’s Division. The time has come to do it differently. One source informed me that future Directors for Women’s Division will be elected at the Regional Schools of Christian Mission, four years from now. Something had to change with respect to the quadrennial Meeting of United Methodist Women; and Women’s Division changed. Quite frankly, John the Revelator felt the urgency of the Now. Like other Christians who were regarded as criminals by the Roman Emperor Domitian, John was banished to the Isle of Patmos. Forced to do hard time in the mines and quarries of the island, John felt a call that was undeniable. If somebody didn’t do something about the inroads Caesar worship had made on the church in Asia, the church faced an uncertain future. But what could John do out on that desolate island of Patmos? How could he tell them to be faithful unto death thereby earning a crown of life without presence? He couldn’t wait for his sentence to end. Death might catch up with him in Patmos. He couldn’t wait for Domitian to die? Domitian might outlive him. If that were not the case, nothing guaranteed John that a successor to Domitian would be any different. John had one of those moments like Jesus in Luke 4:17-19, i.e. the Spirit got hold of him. John said, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying write in a book and send it to the seven churches" of the Revelation."(Rev. 1:10-11) Because John responded to the urgency of "Now," the church stood firm for Christ against temptations, against trials, against persecutions, and promised rewards to those would be faithful unto death without denying Christ. They read and followed the book though unable to hear him speak. As a bishop, I’ve learned that what we write has longevity beyond the printing date. Something printed today, 50 years ago, a card, a note or a book has the capacity to influence us. In essence, words in print can change lives, shift out thinking and speak to our current dilemmas as is the 2000 year old book called Revelation. The legislation before us, which you have read, poses the question anew for Detroit and West Michigan Conferences. What time is it? Is it tomorrow? Or is now the time? If now, some may wonder why now? Both conferences are doing relatively well. Programming in boards and agencies seems alright. In 2007, both conferences paid 100% of their Ministry Shares or apportionments. No sentiment or sense of accomplishment warms the heart of Michigan Methodists like a quote I read about the West Michigan Conference. ’’We are by far the top mission-giving conference in the nation." And yet, the legislation suggests that we can do a better job at our multiple ministries. The time is now for better alignment of our resources, a common vision, reduction of duplication, and a more intentional focus on the local church. And while we must congratulate ourselves for maintaining the highest standard for mission giving in the connection, our membership loss equals the denominational pattern of membership slide during the past 40 years. Now is the time to raise our worship attendance and membership. Now is the time to strengthen our Sunday School Attendance. In 2005, out of eleven conferences in the North Central Jurisdiction, Detroit and West Michigan ranked 8th and 9th respectively in Sunday School Attendance. Now is the time to raise that bar. Surely, now is the time to stop the forty year slide in church membership. Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world ought be another passion of ours. Why; because Christ meant it to be this way? We must open the door to the living bread for which the world hungers. Revelation does. THE NEW AGE IS HERE Cell phones and pod casts, you tube and blackberrys, emergent worship and permanent dress down Sundays in church tell us that that a new age is here. And when this antiquated bishop works with the medium called DVD’s to broaden communication around the area, I know it’s a new age. Folks have jumped on me for not using a teleprompter for the past two years. Instead of my head going down, they want it up. I won’t make another DVD unless I have a teleprompter. The new age is here. Yesterday, I learned that the merger of my seminary with Evanston with ETS in Naperville happened in a new old way thirty years ago. On the G-ETS web-site appeared a speech by the Rev. Tom Babler. In that 2004 speech, Tom Babler called the 1974 merger between Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston and Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville, an arranged marriage. "It was the idea of the parents…and encouraged by the extended families on both sides. When the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist denominations merged in 1968, General Conference adopted a recommendation to reduce the number of seminaries," he said. By God’s grace, hard work and staying at the table, the merger happened. G-ETS has continued to live into the values of both traditions. Tom Babler raised another important point. Quoting Will Willimon, now Bishop, in an October 1990 Christian Century article, Babler shared the following excerpts: "We are conditioned to think that only what we decide for ourselves is right for us…I think we should be more open about the arranged, unchosen aspects of our marriage because it enables us to think clearly about the peculiar ethical demands placed upon us." Furthermore, "Willimon contends that love is the result of marriage rather than its cause. The title of his article: "The People We’re Stuck With." The seven churches of the Revelation were stuck with the strange language, images, terrors and meanderings of a man of God who knew the sting of persecution on the one hand and keeping the faith on the other. They knew John as an uncompromising, unyielding advocate for Jesus Christ. They knew the faith that John expressed was the kind of faith that would see them through the darkness of persecution to the light of liberation and a new day. And the church was preserved. In one of the most trying circumstances of life, John saw a new heaven and a new earth. For better or for worse, for richer and poorer, we are stuck with one another in the Michigan Area. Quite frankly, I saw the future of the Michigan Area in 2020 and 2030, as I sat in Northville UMC on Bishop’s Day. Over 100 young people filled the sanctuary with the songs of the church. I saw them grown up serving the church with their giftedness, transforming and growing the church long after my episcopacy has been consigned to history. The new age is here. Do you not perceive it? Whether this house is composed of two annual conferences or ultimately one makes its decision about the future of Methodism in Michigan, remember these are the people you’re stuck with. Apart or together, we have to collaborate and serve one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. In all these things, am I telling you how to vote? Not really, that is up to you and God. Ask God what to do. Then do it. This is the advice I give my superintendents when making appointments. Act based on how God leads you not me. That is the faithfulness Michigan needs whatever you decide. However, should the body decide that Detroit and West Michigan Conferences will be no more, then unite. See the dying of both conferences as a precursor to a new heaven and a new earth. In the memory of her husband who died of cancer, Natalie Sleeth saw renewal not extinction in his death. Natalie labeled her vision in lyrics as "The Hymn of Promise". "In a bulb, there is a flower, in a seed an apple tree; in cocoons a hidden promise; butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter, there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. In our end is our beginning; in our time infinity; in our doubt there is believing in our life eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see." Vote on Great Lakes Conference... update and analysiscontinued from home pageAccording to the United Methodist Book of Discipline and rules for the special session, each conference, voting separately, had to adopt the same Plan of Organization for the merger to take effect. Before debate began on the Plan of Organization for the new conference, there were efforts to require a two-thirds vote for passage. Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton ruled the motions out of order. In his sermon during opening worship, Keaton said the legislation before the two conferences poses the question: “What time is it?” The time is now, the bishop said, for God to “make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) Like John, the author of Revelation, we need to respond to “the urgency of the now,” Keaton said. “It’s time to stop a 40-year membership decline.... It’s time to do better with our resources, a common vision, and an intentional focus on the local church.... We are the best mission givers [in United Methodism] but our membership still drops. “As long as I’m here,” Keaton said, “you’ll know the bishop said we are not going to stop making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” That promise was greeted with applause. Better, fruitful Introducing the Plan of Organization, Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) co-chairs Paul Thomas and the Rev. Benton Heisler reminded the body that in 2006 82.5 percent of Michigan United Methodists voted on their “intention to create a new conference...” United Methodists all over Michigan share the same economic, political and social issues as well as the same spiritual issues, they observed. Our churches need to “renew and commit themselves to create and nurture healthy congregations.... “The Plan of Organization is a process to be lived into and offers some significantly better things.” Details Each conference debated Reso-lution 2, the Plan of Organization, separately. Speakers from each conference, by-and-large, said they favored union and expressed appreciation for the hard work of MATT members. Differences of opinion were evident, with some Detroit speakers urging “living into” a new conference organization. Most West Michigan speakers spoke against aspects of the Plan of Organization they opposed. Opposition from West Michigan appeared to center around portions of the Plan of Organization, not resistance to becoming one conference. Three major sticking points for those who spoke against the plan, both at the special session, and a “holy conferencing” session the night before the vote at East Lansing: University UMC, were lack of inclusive representation on boards and agencies in favor of so called “functional” agencies; decreased financial support for camping, campus ministry and missions in general; and loss of staff ministry consultants who work directly with local churches. The Rev. John Ross Thompson, pastor of East Lansing: University UMC and former West Michigan Conference director, hosted the forum prior to the April 5 vote. After the vote, he told the Advocate, “I do not believe the vote on April 5 was a rejection of the people of Detroit Conference, nor of the goal of uniting our conferences.... The problem was the top-down take-it-or-leave-it style of the proposed plan. If we had been permitted to make amendments or substitute motions to the plan, I am convinced we would be uniting this year. I look forward to increased cooperation in ministry between the two conferences, and a plan soon that retains conference staff, increases representation in decision making, and guarantees funding for the young and the needy, through camps, campus ministry and young adults.” Hope for the future T he Rev. John Huhtala, Detroit Conference Director of Connectional Ministries, has hope for a future with the West Michigan Conference: “I think, as an annual conference, we need to feel uplifted even in the defeat of the union by our brothers and sisters of the West Michigan Conference. Uplifted, because we moved forward in trust, with confidence in the understanding that once the union was formed, we (brother and sisters of both annual conferences) could move in unity at the first meeting of the Great Lakes Conference in 2009 to begin molding and shifting whatever structures, policies, format needed to be addressed. Believing so, we as members of the DAC voted overwhelmingly to unite. That opportunity, for now, has been taken away from us. “I firmly believe that we shall be one United Methodist conference in the State of Michigan someday,” Huhtala continued. “Three attempts with failure do not preclude another approach. I await the opportunity. It may not be in my day as an active elder in the DAC, yet, there are Disciplinary possibilities that an approach could be attempted in the near future given the will of both annual conferences. Only the will of our God shall prevail in our midst of trust, mis-trust, confidence, lack of confidence, and courage to move forward. I pray that we continue to remain open and responsive as God’s will prevails.” Huhtala’s counterpart in the West Michigan Conference, the Rev. Aaron Gray, told the Advocate: “I am not sure what those who opposed the plan are looking for. It is certainly their right to oppose, but this was the request of the whole body and there was ample time and opportunity to bring forth other ideas.... Since the vote in Detroit Conference was so overwhelming, I would support the feeling that I have heard since the vote that West Michigan must take some initiative and a proposed plan must reflect some theological, historical, data-filled and perhaps, most of all now, a Spirit-led vision to address the changing needs of the 21st century. Certainly a process of healing is a need but I would not wait too long as the suffering, war, poverty and conditions of this world are not waiting on us.” Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) co-chair Paul Thomas, told the Advocate on April 5, “We were asked to serve and put a plan together to bring to this special session and we did just that. I hope the conferences will realize that change is upon us and realize we need to move forward.” He said MATT’s work is done and that team has been disbanded. Bishop's agenda... disciple-makingcontinued from home pageRight now, I can answer only for myself. In the February Michigan Christian Advocate article entitled ‘I Thought you ought to know,’ I offered a response. Here’s an excerpt.... ‘Be assured of this one thing. Whether you decide to get married or stay single as annual conferences, I will be with you, should God and the Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee will it. Nothing we are going to do, want to do, want to try; no complaint, theological squabble, or new creation will lead this bishop away from laying the burden of disciple-making upon new or old wineskins. Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world remains uttermost on my agenda. This is the faith and focus that claims me. This is the choice I made before you chose. I just thought you should know. Shalom’.”? Editorial... Still time for a new beginning?continued from home pageAs I reflect on the April 5 vote, a number of words and phrases come to mind... some positive, some negative. I list them here not because I have answers but as an attempt to help frame ongoing conversation about United Methodist ministry and mission in Michigan.... This last word needs some expansion. Speakers in the West Michigan Conference debate on April 5 repeatedly challenged the process of developing the Plan of Organization. As an ex officio member of the Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) to facilitate communication about the team’s work, I must speak to those who claimed to be uninformed or shut out of the dialogue on the plan proposed by MATT. I attended every MATT meeting since the team’s inception. I reported within 24 hours on the MCA web site about MATT’s work. I provided those same reports to both the Detroit and West Michigan Conference web sites. I printed those reports in the Advocate. People who chose not to follow those reports will have a hard time making a convincing case that they were not informed. The MATT co-chairs devoted untold hours to two Listening Tours to share MATT’s work and listen to comments, affirmations, and critiques. Two major events brought together program leaders from both conferences for dialogue. And MATT presented a progress report at each annual conference session in 2007 with (apparently) positive reactions. At every MATT meeting, the team’s values were repeated and affirmed. They were committed to openness, transparency, listening, and caring for current staff in both conferences. Why were the values MATT embraced not apparent to those who voted “no” on April 5? This is a question that calls us to prayer and soul-searching and conversation as we look to the future of Michigan United Methodism. UMCOR supplies Are Lowcontinued from home pageUMCOR's relief supply warehouse, the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, La., needs your support to provide much-needed bedding, sewing and layette kits for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Sager Brown has received fewer kits over the last year and stocks are becoming alarmingly low. Sager Brown is especially requesting donations for 33,000 layette kits, 64,000 sewing kits and approximately 1,000 bedding kits to meet upcoming needs. Donations for all kits are needed to prepare for uncertain times and future relief efforts. The Sager Brown Depot is accepting complete kits as well as items in bulk. In places like Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, people who are sick, elderly, women, children, refugees and other vulnerable groups are being cared for through the distribution of these material resources. The kits are delivered to primary healthcare facilities and the institutions that serve the people in need. Whether they are school supplies to help a child return to school, fabric and thread to help make a dress or a baby blankets to help a mother care for her child, these kits are meeting personal everyday needs. Help replenish needed kit supplies today. You can also give financial gifts towards purchasing supplies. By doing so, you make a tangible difference in the lives of others. How you can help Please visit UMCOR’s Relief Supplies web page – http://gbgm-umc/umcor/ – to learn about the specific kit contents, the estimated value, the cost for processing and shipping, as well as shipping instructions. Please give generously to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440. WMC delegation endorses Haller for episcopacycontinued from home pageLinda Burson  The Rev. Laurie Haller was endorsed for the episcopacy by the West Michigan Conference delegations to the 2008 United Methodist General and Jurisdictional conferences. Haller currently serves as district superinten- dent in Grand Rapids, the host district to the July 2008 North Central Jurisdictional Conference.
Haller, 53, is highly regarded in the Michigan Area and beyond as a leader of deep spiritual integrity. Her weekly column, "Leading from the Heart," has become a regular source of encouragement and strength for laity and clergy alike."Laurie leads others to walk more closely with Christ through a deep humility and a passion for engaging in the journey herself. Her outstanding administrative skill, energy and personal grace help bring people and organizations to a better place," said Laurie Dahlman, West Michigan Lay Leader and chair of the delegation. Clergy delegate Russell McReynolds cited Haller’s ability to "help create a climate where people can participate fully," referring especially to her leadership of the Board of Ordained Ministry. "Laurie is truly an exceptional leader who helps us transcend our differences, our fears, and our disillusionment," said Dale Hotelling, convener for the West Michigan John Wesley Association of local pastors, who also endorsed Haller. "I cannot think of a better person to help lead the denomination into the future." Haller, who has a broad range of local, regional, and global experience in a variety of settings, believes that leadership in the church involves the "risky business" of surrendering to God’s intentions. "I am humbled by the many opportunities that God has given us to help shape a future of hope. My prayer for The United Methodist Church is that we would be passionate leaders, working together to shape a world where all can experience the discipleship journey as one of grace and shalom." In addition to her church and community leadership, she is an avid marathoner and triathlete and an accomplished musician. She and her husband, the Rev. Gary Haller, have three young adult children. Burson is West Michigan Conference Director of Communications. De Vine endorsed by Native American groupcontinued from home page The members of the North Central Jurisdiction Committee on Native
American Ministries announce their endorsement of the Rev. Dr. Jerome (Jerry) DeVine as an episcopal candidate for the 2008 North Central
Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church.DeVine has been instrumental in raising awareness of Native American Indian concerns in society and in The United Methodist Church. He has encouraged us to share the gifts that we bring to the church from our cultures. He has cast a vision of inclusiveness that has led to the development of needed programs for Native American people. He has been a servant leader among our people, working diligently to provide for the educational and spiritual needs of our Indian churches. Although he is not Native American Indian himself, we recognize that his heart and faith are one with us. DeVine is a spiritual man, who has remained faithful to the covenants that he has formed for accountability and discernment. His receptive spirit embodies the open hearts and open minds of The United Methodist Church. His work for restorative and redemptive justice among American Indian people embodies the open doors of our denomination and its local churches. He clearly is a person called by God and led by God for this purpose of leading the Church through the ministry and office of the episcopacy. Jerry DeVine is a visionary. He honestly assesses the shortcomings in our church and envisions a better way for all. He brings a sensitivity that is necessary in an increasingly multi-cultural community, as is evidenced in his work on the board of the General Commission on Religion & Race as well as with our North Central Jurisdiction Committee on Native American Ministries (NCJ CONAM). He has demonstrated sound administrative skills in his roles as pastor, Conference staff member, and district superintendent. Those skills have been extremely effective in the development of the North Central Jurisdiction Native American Indian Lay Speaking School and Native American Course of Study for local pastors. We highly recommend this compassionate individual to the church. He is the bridge-builder we need in this critical time, not only in the church, but also in human history. Our prayers are with all the delegates and candidates as we pray with you for the leadership necessary in these days. Walking in the footsteps of Jesus, The Rev. Fred Shaw, West Ohio Conference The Rev. Dan Lybarger, Illinois Great Rivers Conference The Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin , Illinois Great Rivers Conference The Rev. Dr. Michelle Oberwise Lacock , Northern Illinois Conference Mrs. Carmen Misner,Detroit Conference The Rev. Tom John, West Michigan Conference Mrs. Singing Bird Ballard, Illinois Great Rivers Conference MATT completes workcontinued from home page"Bishop Keaton appointed this team and gave it a specific responsibility – to help him design a new annual conference – the Great Lakes Conference," said Rev. Benton Heisler and Paul Thomas, co-chairs of the Transition Team. "We have finished the design and now await the vote of affirmation on April 5 from the two annual conferences." "We have experienced a great deal of input from the leadership of both conferences during this design process, for which we are extremely thankful," the co-chairs said. "Along the way, we also encountered those who believed that our task as a transition team was to be a fact-finding body. Our responsibility, as defined by the approved legislation, was to design a new annual conference for Michigan. The Detroit and West Michigan Conferences pledged their intention to unite in 2006, and we have been spending the time since then working out the details to make unification a reality." The Leadership Team of the Michigan Area Transition Team will address any related issues that arise prior to the vote of affirmation. The Leadership Team consists of Heisler, Thomas, the Rev. Eugene Blair, Cathy Hazen, Jay Hook, the Rev. Dr. Robert Hundley, the Rev. Carol Johns, David Lundquist, Ed McRee, and the Rev. Dr. Little Eagle Sayles. Voting members of the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences will be receiving materials for the April 5 special session beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 5. The materials include a 120-page voting items booklet as well as registration materials. The materials will also be posted on the web sites of the Detroit Conference (www.umc-detconf.org), West Michigan Conference (www.westmichiganconference.org), and Michigan Christian Advocate (www.mcadvocate.org) on Feb. 5. &nb sp; The voting materials booklet is the latest communication piece during the design process. In addition to the booklet, the other pieces of information that have been distributed are: 2006 Report of the Michigan Area Cooperation Task Force; Fall 2006 Progress Report; Spring 2007 Listening Tour Handout; 2007 Annual Conference Written Progress Report; 2007 Annual Conference Verbal Report; 2007 Annual Conference Verbal Report Power Point; Fall 2007 Listening Tour Handout; Fall 2007 Clergy Session & Listening Tour Health Care Handout; and preliminary maps of the proposed 11 districts. Each of these items is available on the websites of the Detroit Conference, West Michigan Conference, and Michigan Christian Advocate. "We have done our best to make this process transparent and have regularly communicated our progress and ideas to the clergy and lay members of both conferences," Thomas said. "Besides monthly reports by the Michigan Christian Advocate after each of our meetings, we have consistently updated the members on what the transition team was doing and released portions of the design for feedback. If there are members of local congregations who feel uninformed about the upcoming special session, we encourage them to visit one of the web sites, talk with their pastor, or speak to their lay member to annual conference or Church Council Chair, all of whom have received various updates." On April 5, 2008 conference members in attendance will be asked to approve the creation of the Great Lakes Conference, which will take effect on January 1, 2009. In the event the members approve the creation of the Great Lakes Conference, the special session of the annual conference will be asked to consider several enabling resolutions in order to allow the new conference to begin to operate. The materials in the voting items booklet will be presented to the special session without opportunity for amendment. "The proposed Rules of Order for the special conference require the resolutions that will be voted upon on April 5 be considered without amendment because The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church requires both conferences (Detroit and West Michigan) to adopt identical legislation," Heisler said. "Future annual conferences will have the opportunity and ability to modify the policies, structure and budget of the Great Lakes Conference as they desire." The vote of affirmation on April 5, 2008 is the next step in the process outlined by the 2006 legislation, which stated: "… that the Detroit/West Michigan Annual Conference declares its intention to unite with the West Michigan/Detroit Annual Conference to create a new annual conference in the Michigan Area. We believe this strategic change will allow the Michigan area to better fulfill its mission of strengthening the local church for the purpose of ‘making disciples of Jesus Christ’ for the transformation of the world. Further, we request that the Bishop of the Michigan Area appoint a transition team who will assist the Bishop in designing the new Michigan Area Annual Conference. The transition team will report at the 2007 sessions of the Detroit Annual Conference/West Michigan Annual Conference, with a final vote of affirmation by June 15, 2008." In the Detroit Annual Conference, this motion was approved by an 87 percent margin. The motion passed by a 78 percent margin in the West Michigan Annual Conference. "This strong affirmation of the vision cast for a new united conference has been an inspiration to the Transition Team and we look forward to the response of the special session on April 5," Heisler said.
Dyck, of Minneapolis, spoke about the need for holy conferencing during the Oct. 5-8 annual meeting of the Women’s Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. "While The United Methodist Church has not been a historic peace church, it’s had the emphasis for many, many years," she told directors of the division. |