Well, we all know Methodists love to meet to eat and for fellowship. To this end, your representatives attended several special lunches during the conference.
United Methodist Men Ice Cream Social
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The United Methodist Men conduct this Ice Cream Social annually. There is no single message here, just good fellowship. Several flavors of ice cream are provided along with strawberries, toppings, and ban nanas. A good time for all, especially Bishop Keaton |
Methodist Children's Home Strawberry Shortcake Social
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Again, a good time with strawberry shortcake, fellowship, and information about the Methodist Children's Home. |
Other Activities
CCOM Ministry Fair
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The CCOM Ministry Fair, held in Merillat Sport & Fitness Center Gymnasium, consists of displays of the Ministry and Mission of the Detroit Annual Conference. These are activities supported by the Ministry Jubilee. Such projects as Hunger Action Coalition, N.O.A.H. Project, Children's Ministries, Bread for the World, and The Heifer Project, shown with our own Corleen Bloss. Corleen and Basil Bloss have been promoting this project for several years.
These are just a few examples of how our Ministry Jubilee gifts are used. |
Retiring Pastors
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One of the highlights each year is recognition of retiring pastors. These pastors have years of experience, and are so talented, and able to express them selves. Each pastor is invited to tell a story of their life and experience, and can demonstrate a special talent. Here a pastor Wayne Hawley plays his fiddle while his wife, Pam sings, an inspirational moment. |
Commissioning of New Ministers
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With the retirement of ministers, new ministers must be commissioned. Here the Candidates are presented and questioned during a business session.
Later they will be ordained in the chapel. |
Michigan Area Transition Team
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The Michigan Area Transition Team is charged with working out the merger of the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences. Here Reverend Benton Heisler and Paul Thomas discuss the status of the transition.
The result will be the Great Lakes Conference, which is scheduled to have the first combined conference in 2009, probably in Lansing. Comparisons are:
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The business sessions included many other presentations, including the following
- 2007 Budget by Anna Morford
- Dedication of the Container to Liberia by Bishop Keaton
- Lay Leader Report by Cathy Hazen
- Council on Ministries by Keith Radak
- Director of Connectional Ministries Report by John Huhtala
- The Episcopacy Committee by Laura Gotham
And many, many more. This is all the business of our church, and while sometimes things run long, it is enlightening and satisfying to know what our United Methodist Church is doing.
Page 5 is a No Words exhibit of miscellaneous photos of some of the activities.
We are proud to represent our church at the Detroit Annual Conference, and hope that we have done our job to the satisfaction or all our members.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn & Bruce Sdunek
