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"The 34th Annual Session of Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church "
By Darrell Richmond

This year's conference was held at Adrian College from May 17-20. "The purpose of the Annual Conference is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing ministry beyond the local church: all to the glory of God." And how, you might ask does the conference go about doing this?

Through Daily Worship Together. Worship is generally the highlight of the day and this year was no exception. The beatitudes provided the focus for each day's worship this year. A brass ensemble called us to Friday's opening worship.

The focus for opening worship was Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled". Note that Jesus did not say "Blessed are those who achieve righteousness". Those who hunger and thirst after what is right and good constantly search for ways to express God's grace and love in their disciple-ship. Yet while we yearn to do what is right, we often fail. Often our ntentions exceed our capacity to reach our goals. Often there is a wide gap between intention and attainment. But our God, who knows us so well, understands this and blesses us.

The opening hymn was "Are We Yet Alive?". The church was full and our voices filled the air with it. Bishop Linda Lee welcomed us to the conference and brought us Matthews message. She's a remarkable lady, and an awe inspiring leader.

The magnificent 200 voice choir sang the opening day's anthem "Blessed Are They" and as they sang, four young women, with long flowing blue-green skirts and white long sleeved blouses joyfully danced in the chancel during verses. The dancers joined in a circle of celebration each time the chorus rang with these words:

Rejoice and be glad!!!
Blessed are you, Holy are you.
Rejoice and be glad!!!
Yours is the kingdom of heaven!!!

I've said this before, that I enjoy visual expressions of worship, so you know the dancing did it for me. One of the dancers by the way, was Reverend Kristi Sigal. I talked briefly to her after worship the following day.

The Bishop then lead us in holy communion and as we came forward by rows, we brought the special offering that we raised the previous Sunday for the Haiti Hot Lunch Program and Liberian Judith Craig School. Over $49,000 was raised by Conference churches.

Then opening worship was over. But subsequent services continued to highlight the conference.

By way of the Reports and Stories told during the Business Sessions, Conference youth, Methodist women and men, and laity leaders celebrated the last year's accomplishments and presented challenges to us for the upcoming year.

I enjoy hearing these reports. They that are usually upbeat and presented with many neat and comical visual aids.

The Detroit Conference received three special awards this year. Per capita giving to missions in the conference increased by 105%, total giving to Advance Specials was $1.4 million dollars. Giving to missionaries increased by 88% and this increase lead all churches in the denomination.

The small group legislative session, where we discuss and vote on two or three conference resolutions before they are submitted to the full Conference business session, started with a time for reflection this year. The reflection

centered on "Being God's Presence in the World".

In small groups we had to answer the following questions: What does this mean to me, personally? Where is my world? Who is in my world? In light of these questions, what does this have to do with our being here at the Detroit Annual Conference?

Although I momentarily dreaded this reflection initially, it was well worth the trepidation as our discussion ensued. For example: Presence to me means that we are seen. How do I react to life? What sort of an example to others am I? Often I wish I were a better example. Our world starts with each person we meet. Prayer takes us everywhere in the world.

A moving portion of Annual Conference is the session dedicated to Retiring Ministers. Through their stories the Retiring Ministers show us themselves as people who have given their lives to inspire and challenge us. And the retirees do have many heartwarming stories to tell.

They are usually quite humble and appreciative of their wives and families. Tears came to my eyes often, they always do, during this part of the conference.

During the Resolution Discussion and Voting Process, I don't always agree with the positions that the conference takes on things happening in our political and secular world. I will admit that sometimes I get quite angry with the arguments people put forth to back or attack these various resolutions. But I can understand where people are coming from and that they have good intentions. And usually, but not always, I can accept the final decision that the conference makes.

Resolutions passed this year included:
-Opposition to Oil Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve.
-Improved Guidelines for Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. (To be available in 2005)
-Urging our country's leaders to demand Israel withdraw to pre-1967 boundaries and to pressure both parties to participate in peace talks
-Revised minimum base salaries and pensions for ministers.
-Urging our country's leaders to repeal anti-terrorism measures passed in the recent Patriot Act that entail profiling.
-Urging our country's leaders to lift our embargo against Cuba.
-Urging our churches to speak out in favor of non-violent responses to ter-rorism.
-Supporting our cities efforts to increase home ownership for low and moderate income families.
-Urging more church participation in Crop Walks, and Bread for the World next year.
-Urging filling a container again for a worthy cause again next year
-Urging all churches to study homosexuality before the next General Conference (2004)
-Challenging our ministers to support financially the ministers in Liberia.
-Recognising Spotlight Churches and Churches who are Global Mission Partners for 2001 (Annual Conference, cont.)
-Set a goal for churches of $2.00 per member for One Hour of Sharing next year.

Reverend Mike Clemmer was again appointed to be our minister for next year. That's the good news. Unfortunately there are several 200 members churches, including Dundee UMC that do not as yet have pastors. So some juggling is forthcoming in June.

It was again a great privilege and a blessing for me to attend the conference again this year. The worship services were awesome!!! And I enjoyed the fellowship with other United Methodists and the small group legislative section, and yes, even the conference business sessions.

It's an amaging experience. If you are asked to represent our Charge and accept the challenge, you won't regret it!!!