This is an exciting week in the life of the United Methodist Church. This week Annual Conference is being held in Athens, Georgia, for the North Georgia Conference. All conferences around the world hold their meetings around this time. It is a time where pastors are appointed and reappointed, where the business of the church is conducted, and where the church celebrates what it is doing for the kingdom of God. Also, during the conference, new pastors will be ordained, those who will be retiring will be recognized, and there will be a very special service for those pastors who have passed away this year. There will be Bible studies, early morning Communion services, a community work day, and special worship services in the evening. It is truly a time to celebrate the United Methodist Church in keeping with a Wesley tradition.
This is a long tradition which started on December 24, 1784. About sixty preachers gathered at the Christmas Conference in Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore and organized the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.
Because of doctor’s orders, I will not be attending this year, but our church will be well represented. I ask you all to be in prayer this week for we are electing our representatives to the General Conference, both laity and clergy who will be our voice. I am proud to be a part of this great denomination called Methodists and for the great work that we do for God. If you would like to see and hear what goes on at the conference, you can log on to http://www.ngumc.org/ and click on annual conference to see a live streaming of the events. It is just like being there.
And on a personal note, I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, cards, and phone calls during my recovery. I have felt loved. Tina and I thank you from the bottom, of our hearts and we are blessed to be a part of this family at Dallas 1st UMC.
In Christ,
Pastor Michael