Every Praise is to Our God
Rev. Danita Waller Paige opened the second day of the 2024 annual conference with “Every Praise is to Our God.” Sing Hallelujah! Worship included music from the conference band of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock.
Bishop Laura Merrill welcomed District Superintendent Rev. Zach Roberts, who reported on retired Elder Larry Kelso, who was taken to the hospital yesterday. Today, we are still figuring out what is going on with his heart, and he appreciates our prayers.
Conference Attendees Show Support, Wear Black this Thursday
According to World Council of Churches, in every country, gender-based violence is a tragic reality. This violence is frequently hidden, and victims are often silent, fearing stigma and further violence. The Thursdays in Black campaign brings awareness to the goal of a world without rape and violence. Today, during the summer solstice (the longest day of the year), those attending this year’s annual conference wore black to show our support of this campaign.
We all have a responsibility to speak out against violence, to ensure that women and men, boys and girls, are safe from rape and violence in homes, schools, work, streets – in all places in our societies.
This campaign is simple but profound: wear black on Thursdays to declare you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. Show your respect for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence. Encourage others to join you.
Rejoice in Today’s Summer Solstice
According to the New York Times, today is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. We have Earth’s off-kilter tilt to thank for the summer solstice, as well as the different seasons.
On Thursday, everyone in the northern half of our planet will experience the summer solstice. It’ll be the longest day of the year north of the Equator, and it is the scientific start of summer.
Earth has a solstice every six months, in June and in December. Leading up to the summer solstice, the sun appears in a higher spot in the sky at the same time each day until it reaches its maximum point.
After the summer solstice, the days will get shorter. The sun will appear lower in the sky each day until the winter solstice, on Dec. 21.
According to the National Weather Service, the summer solstice will occur on Thursday at 4:51 p.m. Eastern time. This is the moment during the day when the sun reaches its most northern point in the sky during the year. The sun’s height in the sky each day changes because Earth spins on an axis that is tilted 23.5 degrees away from vertical. This means that depending on the time of year the hemispheres lean either toward or away from the sun.
This is what gives Earth its seasons: When the northern half of the planet leans toward the sun, it experiences summer; at the same time, the southern half of the planet leans away from the sun and is in winter. It is a mystery why Earth is angled this way, though some astronomers believe that its tilt paved the way for life to exist.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice happens when Earth’s tilt toward the sun is greatest. Despite this, the hottest temperatures of the year usually occur a few weeks later, in July or August, because it takes time for the sun’s rays to warm our planet.
Any planet that is tilted will have solstices. According to NASA, every planet in our solar system has an axial tilt, but some are more pronounced than others. Venus and Jupiter have only slight leans, around 3 degrees, while Mercury, at 0.03 degrees, is barely slanted at all. On the other hand, Uranus is oriented a whopping 97.8 degrees from vertical, causing one of its poles to point directly at the sun at times. That extreme tilt causes it to have some of the most dramatic seasons in our solar system. Saturn and Neptune both have tilts close to Earth’s. So does Mars, at 25.2 degrees, although the red planet’s tilt has shifted dramatically over millions of years.
Every year, people around the world ring in the June solstice with midsummer bonfires, festivals, and — for those living above the Arctic Circle — midnight sun celebrations. At the other end of the world, scientists living in Antarctica throw their annual midwinter feast to commemorate the longest, darkest night on the continent. Others travel to ancient ruins, like Stonehenge in England or the Temple of the Sun in Peru, to greet the solstice sun the way ancient peoples once did.
Katrina Miller is a science reporter for The Times based in Chicago. She earned a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Chicago. More about Katrina Miller
Youth Address Notes Need for Inclusivity, Neurodiversity
Meredith Pearson, chair of the Annual Conference ACCYM and a member of Conway First United Methodist Church, opened her address noting the significance of inclusivity. “We seek solace in fellowship,” she said. “Youth often feel most excluded in events and meetings, such as Annual Conference. We, too, have opinions that deserve to be heard.”
She continued, “You have young leaders in your church right now who want to come to the table. Their voices matter. When they see them reflected in their environment, it is powerful.”
Pearson also spoke on making church and church events more accessible to children and youth with Autism and other neurodiverse abilities. She challenges everyone to make a change to benefit your church, community, the conference, and this world. “I love you, God loves you, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it,” she finished.
Kathy Conley Gives Laity Address
Conference lay leader, Kathy Conley, began with a phrase: lead with peace. “How important these words are right now at this moment in history,” she said. “Peace conquers hate, destruction, and chaos. I encourage you to dream.”
She continued, “The witness of our lives is much more important than the words of our mouth.” Exhibiting this is the conference’s certified lay ministry, which gained momentum in 2023 and into 2024. In the past year, this ministry has hosted 24 classes in seven churches with 178 lay servants trained. There are five new certified lay ministers as a result, and they are:
- Amy Ezell
- James Sawyer
- Brenda Gullett
- Jim Silvi
- Teresa Bolin
Morning Business Session Discusses Clergy, Laity Votes, Safe Gatherings
Rev. Pam Estes offered the prayer for the session: “God of welcome and witness, hospitality, and harvest, we give you thanks that you have made your home among us. As we gather together as the people called United Methodists, seeking a home in you and one another, we pray that we may discover home not only in this place but wherever you send us.”
Bishop Merrill then read an apology to victims of sexual misconduct and assault, which also was given at General Conference and will be given at other annual conferences across the connection. “This apology alone is insufficient for healing,” Bishop Merrill acknowledged in the apology. “We have folks here today for anyone for whom this apology brings up difficult emotions.”
The session then turned to elections. There are two options to log into Wi-Fi in the convention center: ARUMC24 OR ARUMC24-2. Password for both is arumc2024.
The votes began with the clergy ballot. This is for three lay and one clergy to complete the reserve spots on jurisdictional delegates. There were 162 votes cast with 82 votes required. conference secretary Candace Barron moved that on the subsequent ballots only the clergy receiving five votes be read and that only the laity receiving 10 votes be read. The motion was approved. Those clergy on the ballot include:
- Rev. Jana Green
- Rev. Blake Bradford
- Rev. Melanie Tubbs
- Rev. Roger Crum
- Rev. Jacob Lynn
- Rev. Michael Bolin
- Rev. Geroge Odell
- Rev. Jaimie Alexander
The votes for laity ballot included 221 votes cast with 111 of the number of votes required. Laity includes:
- Evie Jones
- Lynn R. Baker
- Alison Huskey
- Harold Huges
- Grace E. Bloodworth
- Clint Johnson
- James Sawyer
- Samantha Menley
- Tyler Odell
- Shelley Lee
Rev. Bryan Diffee provided an update on the Safe Gatherings committee. This report can be found in 62-68 in the pre-conference journal. You can access this journal online here. The updated Safe Gatherings policy was approved unanimously.
Rev. Tony Griffin and Todd Burris presented the trustees’ report, which can be found on pages 41-43 in the pre-conference report. The report was approved unanimously.
Rev. Jim Polk addressed the reaffiliation of Methodist churches who have disaffiliated. This policy was presented and moved for adoption. An amendment to the main motion was brought to the floor, voted on, and passed. The reaffiliation policy with this amendment was voted on and passed.
Rev. Edna Morgan presented the report on equitable compensation. The report was approved unanimously.
Rev. Ronnie Miller-Yow, whose birthday is today, provided the report on the Committee on Ethnic & Language Concerns. Rev. Dan Read reported on the Committee on Native American Ministry, and Rev. Hammett Evans provided the report on the Board of Global Ministries. Missionaries David and Elizabeth McCormick also gave a presentation on listening and the need for continual change. Sherry Matthews introduced Roy Lee as her new co-chair of the disaster response team in Arkansas. Trisha Manns reported on the Church and Community Work, which can be found on Page 77 of the pre-conference journal, and Rev. Evans wrapped the report with the Five-Star Awards for the Board of Global Ministries.
A point of personal privilege was brought by Jeff Quick, lay delegate of First United Methodist Church of Mountain Home concerning tornado damage and disaster relief in several Arkansas counties. Renee Dillard brought a report from Methodist LeBonheur on its employee assistance program and counseling opportunities, and Samantha Menley and Mary Lewis Dassinger gave the report from 20,000 More Reasons, which can be found on page 69 of the pre-conference journal. The session wrapped with a five-minute break prior to the start of the morning’s learning session on One More Question.
Morning Learning Session Asks One More Question
Amy Ezell, Mary Lewis Dassinger, and Rev. Sarah Ellzey presented on One More Question, an initiative to support local churches in being better neighbors and partners in their communities. The goal is to teach, train, and resource congregations who want to design outreach ministries WITH their community. There is specific support for smaller churches (those who worship fewer than 200) so that all ARUMC congregations can step out in faith to ask One More Question.
Much of the training offered through One More Question will focus on asking churches questions about themselves, their neighborhood, neighbors, and their communities. As churches take action, relationships with their neighbors and community will strengthen, ultimately creating ministries and programs that make room for OTHERS to join with the congregation, and vice versa, in order to build stronger communities.
HOW TO JOIN US IN ONE MORE QUESTION
Where to Start: Stronger Community Outreach Ministries
1. Start Conversations Within
- Ask “Who are we now?”
- Commit to being a Stronger Community Partner
- Identify Gifts, Passions & Strengths of Members & the Church
2. Get to Know Your Neighbors
- Participate in the Good Neighbor Experiment
- Create opportunities to ask the community “Who are we to you?”
- Identify Gifts, Passions & Strengths of your Neighbors
3. Bring Everyone to the Table
- Create community discussions around neighborhood needs
- Do Asset Mapping – identify assets in your neighborhood and community
- Connect around common gifts, core values, passions, and strengths
4. Let the Spirit (and Partners) Be Your Guide
- Discern the answer to “What are we called to next?”
- Ask the community where it needs you to partner
- Start small yet focused on your common mission
5. Practice Radical Hospitality
- Believe that every neighbor you meet has gifts to give, strengths to share.
- Commit to the relationships you have formed; it’s a journey.
- Identify and break down barriers to being a strong community together.
Board of Ministry Report and Retirement Recognition Rounds Out Morning Business Session
Rev. Susan Ledbetter presented the Barnabas Awards, which is presented to a clergy member or a lay member who is an encourager. Mona Williams, who just retired last year and was a longtime member of the conference staff, received the laity award, and Rev. Michael Roberts was honored with the award for clergy. Supply, COM and Local pastors were then recognized as well as those persons who completed licensing school as well as those recommended for ordination. Rev. Pam Estes was honored with a gift of flowers, a stole and an award for appreciation for her service on the board of ordained ministry. This year’s retirees were also recognized, with a total of 412 years of service in the church.
Afternoon Business Session Opens with Special Recognition, Clergy and Laity Votes
The afternoon business session began with the Annual Conference prayer, offered by Rev. Roy Smith. Bishop Merrill gave special recognition to Carole Teague, our conference archivist, who is retiring.
The second ballot for jurisdictional conference was brought forth, the lay vote following the clergy vote. The clergy up for vote included the Revs. Michael Bolin, Blake Bradford. Roger Crum, Jana Green, Jacob Lynn, George Odel, and Melanie Tubbs. The secretary read the results, which includes Revs. Jana Green, 50 votes; Blake Bradford, 23; Roger Crum, 12; Jacob Lynn 11; Melanie Tubbs, 11; Michael Bolin, 9; and George Odell, 8.
The next ballot was for laity, which included: Lynn Baker, Grace Bloodworth, Harold Hughes, Alison Huskey, Clint Johnson, Evie Jones, Shelley Lee, Samantha Menley, Kimberly Mullins, Tyler Odell, Barbara Reynolds, James Rice, James Sawyer, Blake Schrepfer, Brenda Purifoy and Melanie Scott. The secretary read the results, which includes Evie Jones, 100 votes; Lynn Baker, 87; Harold Hughes, 69; Grace Bloodworth, 62; Alison Huskey, 62, Samantha Menley, 56; Clint Johnson, 48; James Sawyer, 41; Shelley Lee, 37; Tyler Odell, 32; Melanie Scott, 32; Brenda Purifoy, 31; Blake Schrepfer, 28; Kimberly Mullins, 18; Barbara Reynolds, 14; and James Rice, 12.
Bishop Merrill opened clergy ballot number three. Revs. Roger Crum and Melanie Tubbs withdrew from the ballot. Bishop Merrill then opened laity ballot number three. The secretary read the results, which noted Evie Jones receiving 54.1 percent of the vote (139 votes). Number of votes cast is 255 with 128 votes required (super majority).
Bishop Merrill then welcomed the chair of the Board of Pensions & Health Benefits, Stark Liggon. He said this is his last year on the board, and Roy Smith will take his place as chair. Due to staffing changes and reorganization, Mona Williams retired, and Wendy Brunson Daniels will now be the retirement benefits officer, answering to Todd Burris. Each of the plans for which our clergy have a stake are in good shape as far as the funding percentage. There was discussion on the report, and the vote to accept was unanimous.
Rev. Betsy Singleton-Snyder gave the report on the board of church and society, which is on page 72 of the pre-conference journal. Rev. Sara Bayles Charlton, chair of the Commission on the Status and Roll of Women (COSROW), gave the report on safe gatherings and the work of COSROW. Dr. Sarah Argue is the incoming chair of COSROW.
Rev. Angie Gage with Harrison Cooperative Parish spoke as part of a point of privilege on the apology to sexual assault victims read by Bishop Merrill yesterday. Rev. James Kjorlaug with First United Methodist Church of Rogers spoke as part of a point of privilege on the same apology to sexual assault victims. Michelle Moore, director of discipleship and leadership, gave a report on youth and children ministries. Rev. Lauren DeLano, chair of the conference council on young adults, provided the report, which can be found on pages 83 and 84 of the pre-conference journal. Doni Martin, chair of the conference committee with disability concerns, gave the report on ways the committee is making Arkansas’s churches more accessible, including both physical and psychiatric issues. The Arkansas Conference is one of only a few with an active committee on disability concerns. Rev. Blake Bradford, dean of the cabinet, provided the report on the work of the cabinet. He notes the mission of the local church is always most important.
Rev. Bradford made a motion from the cabinet, which states: on behalf of the Arkansas Conference Cabinet, I move that the Arkansas Conference change the number of districts from five to four, effective July 1, 2024. The body voted unanimously to approve the motion.
Rev. Katie Pearce presented the second nomination report. There were three nominations from the floor yesterday, including Amanda Smith with South District of COSROW; Patti Butler with GBHEM conference advocate for the poor; and Danny Rainwater with UMM northeast representative. There was no discussion. The slate of nominees to serve in Conference leadership was approved.
Rev. Brittany Richardson Watson gave her second report from the conference on finance and administration. The report, with one editorial correction, was approved. The body voted unanimously to accept the report.
The conference then showed a video by Trisha Manns, church and community worker.
The fourth and final clergy ballot came up for vote. Rev. Jana Green was elected as clergy delegate.
The laity delegate ballot was brought back to the floor. Evie Jones was elected during a previous vote. For this vote, the secretary read the results, which were Lynn Baker with 94 votes, Harold Hughes with 82 votes, Grace Bloodworth with 74, Alison Huskey with 55, Samantha Menley with 37, Clint Johnson with 28, Shelley Lee with 21, Tyler Odell with 19, James Sawyer with 16, and Blake Schrepher with 14. The business session ended with a five-minute break and then resumed with the afternoon learning session.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Mary Lewis Dassinger opened the afternoon learning session with a word on neighboring. One More Question initiative will hold regional meetings this fall and next winter on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. This afternoon’s exercise, “Gifts Garden,” is a technique of asset mapping. The body performed this exercise to determine what their gifts are. These include gifts of the head: things you know something about and would enjoy talking about with others or teaching someone else. Examples include art history, theology, line dancing, multiplication tables, job interviewing, movies, birds, etc.
Gifts of the hands are things or skills I know how to do and would like to share or teach with others, such as carpentry, sports, gardening, cooking, playing guitar, acting, repairing bikes, chess, etc.
Gifts of the heart are things that you care deeply about or passionately about. These may include protecting the environment, healthy living, civic life, children, addressing hunger, etc.
Gifts of the spirit are gained through experience and the wisdom to share with others. This can be grief, divorce, addiction, suicide, parenting struggles, doubt, caring for parents, disability, etc.
There was a time of gathering to share the gifts with one another. The body was encouraged to gather their gifts and see the abundance.
Ordination at Hot Springs First United Methodist Church
The Arkansas Conference Ordination worship service was held at Hot Springs First United Methodist Church. Rev. Brittany Watson offered the sermon on “Home,” and there were two new elders ordained, Rev. Ryan Baccuss and Rev. Tim Rushing; one new associate member, Rev. Toby Austin; and six new provisional, including Rev. Sara Andrews, Rev. Tony Elkins, Rev. Tonya Hancock, Rev. Regena Mason, Rev. Aaron Miller, and Rev. Laura Todd.
The link to the full service may be found here.
News to Know and Share
– Convention Center Wi-Fi is ARUMC24 OR ARUMC24-2, password for both is arumc2024.
– Prayer stations, which the Annual Conference Worship Team provides, are available in the Concourse area near the registration tables throughout Annual Conference. Take time during the conference to stop by and pray.
– Order 2024 Annual Conference t-shirts here.
– Join Arkansas’s United Women in Faith at Mission U on July 17-20 at Hendrix College. Register at: ARMissionU.Weebly.com.
– Young Adult Book Club This Fall! Email Rev. Lauren Delano at Lauren.DeLano@ARUMC.org to sign up and receive a free copy of the book, “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World” by Katharine Hayhoe.
– Join the Summer Reading Club on Mondays, July 15, 22 and 29 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. via Zoom with host Amy Ezell and Mary Lewis Dassinger. More information is available here.
– Join Small Church Gathering: A Big Event for Resourcing Small Churches on September 21, 2024, at Branson United Methodist Church. This event is designed with the small church in mind, and presenters include Charity Goodwin, Teresa Stewart, Kay Kotan and Blake Bradford. Visit SmallChurchGathering.org for information.
– Submit locations for photography of stained glass to support The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas and Ozark Mission Project.
– Fall Boundaries Training will be on Friday, October 18, OR Saturday, October 19. Registration will open July 2. First United Methodist Churches in North Little Rock, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Magnolia, and Monticello will discuss boundaries in ministry and the importance of self-care.
– Since its founding in 1789, Cokesbury has been in the business of providing Christian resources for churches, pastors and those they serve. For over 200 years, it has been a trusted source of thousands of unique products including Bibles, books, and church studies, as well as church resources and church supplies. It serves Methodists worldwide as well as a broad ecumenical audience representing numerous denominations and independent churches. Visit Cokesbury.com to order or for more information.
– The Central District of ARUMC is moving in August! New location is with the Conference offices at Philander Smith University, 800 W. Daisy Bates Dr., Little Rock, AR 72202.
– Find out how your church can be more accessible to all. Visit ARUMC.org/Our-Ministries/Disability-Ministries.
– Follow ARUMC on social media! Facebook.com/ArkansasUMC and Instagram.com/ArkansasUMC.
– Mount Eagle Retreat Center is in the middle of nature, yet close to everything you need. Visit MountEagle.org for more information and to register your group.
– BeADisciple.com has provided quality online educational experiences with roots in Wesleyan theology since 2006. It offers online studies, workshops, and courses on a variety of ministry, formation, and leadership topics. All courses offer CEU credits, and BeADisciple’s goal is to make rich learning experiences accessible to church leaders and laity, no matter their location or life situation.
– The BeADisciple Study App is your digital home for small-group Christian study. It is now seeking small-group leaders to launch Disciple Fast Track 24-week Bible studies. Additional six-week studies are coming this fall. Visit BeADiscipleApp.com for more information.
– Disciple is the beloved Bible study that has transformed millions of lives. Now revised, updated and reimagined for the way we live our lives, all Disciple curriculum is accessible on any digital device with 24/7 connectivity wherever you are. Visit Cokesbury.com for resources.
– Keep Up with What’s Happening at the 2024 Annual Conference at ARUMC.org
– 200K More Reasons asks churches to add poverty alleviation strategies to their ministries with hungry children. Specifically, it focuses on literacy and promoting healthy, stable families as a means of hope, assistance, and the opportunity for families to move out of poverty. The mission remains the same: 100% of Arkansas United Methodist churches will participate in an initiative to significantly reduce childhood hunger through feeding ministries, public witness, and education for long-term stability. 200,000 MORE Reasons expands the understanding of education and long-term stability, believing that in working to alleviate poverty, we have the best opportunity for ending childhood hunger in Arkansas.
– Purchase an Arkansas United Methodist pin at the conference registration table. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for age-level camps and events.
– The Arkansas Annual Conference is a supporter of Africa University Fund, which brings hope, nurtures healers, makes disciples, and transforms lives. More information is available here.
– ResourceUMC.org offers church leaders a central online destination for comprehensive information from across the United Methodist Church’s worldwide connection: timely content, practical ministry tools, agency updates, and more.
– United Methodist Communications (UMCom) is available to help you build vital ministries with the power to transform the world. Access communication best practices, customizable outreach tools, denominational FAQs, online training course, local church marketing services, and more. Visit ResourceUMC.org/Market/MyChurch for more information.