This weekend I will be at the Missouri Annual Conference (MOAC). Here’s a snapshot of what Annual Conference is. “In the United States, an annual conference may cover an entire state, only part of the state, or even parts of two or more states. There are also three missionary conferences in the United States, which rely upon the denomination as a whole for funding… Each year an equal number of clergy members and lay members attend their conference's annual conference session for worship, fellowship, and to conduct the business of the conference, which may last 3-5 days. These sessions include reports of past and ongoing work; adoption of future goals, programs and budgets; ordination of clergy members as deacons and elders; and election of delegates to Jurisdictional and General Conferences (every 4 years). The bishop presides over these meetings.” (from umc.org)
The Annual Conference is also where the pastors hold their membership. Pastors are not members of the churches they serve. We are members of the Annual Conference. In fact, it is our coming together that makes the Annual Conference. It’s like going to church, board meetings, and fellowship celebrations all rolled into one! A whirlwind weekend of worship, meetings, reports, voting, ordinations, retirements, everything that pertains to clergy happens at Annual Conference. There are also sessions for laity to gather for learning and networking. But most of our time is spent together, clergy and lay, working on the affairs of the Missouri Conference. And this year, the Annual Conference has been whittled down to 2 days! Sounds great from the outside, but boy, is it exhausting.
But it’s also an opportunity to see old friends. To go to lunch together, have seminary reunions, and catch up on how others are doing in their ministries. This conference will be held in Branson, and it will be the first in-person MOAC since the pandemic, so we do ask for your prayers for patience and safety. But gather we will. I know, it’s tough having to go to Branson, but go I must!
And you will be able to attend with me! The conference will be livestreamed at MOAC22 (moacinfo.com). I am honored to be one of the liturgists for the Memorial Service that honors churches who have closed, and clergy and spouses who have died over the past year. That service will be on Saturday, June 11, at 1:30 pm.
Join us this Sunday as Pastor Rocky Marlowe brings a powerful message of love and hope. You can worship in-house at 10:00am (masks optional), or you can also join us online. For online worship go to www.umcgt.org.
Honor Thy Father (Exodus 20:12) Join us on June 18, Father’s Day, as we celebrate our fathers. Help us to honor the special men in our lives!
Trauma Healing. A safe and sacred space to just be. This group is open to all, in-house at 6:30 pm, on Thursdays. I encourage the entire church to come out and let the Lord minister healing to your soul! We have all experienced trauma of some sort in our lives. And God wants to heal you everywhere you hurt. Our book is: Healing Waters and you can pick up a copy in the church office, at no cost. Or you can just come and be.
Breakthrough Prayer is moving forward! Do you have a prayer card? If you can’t come to the church, contact the church office and we’ll send you one. Or better yet – here’s the prayer:
Holy Lord, God and Savior, we come to You and ask that by Your Spirit You will speak to us Your clear vision for the future path of Green Trails Church. Breakthrough and show us where we can be used to serve Your people and spread Your Word.
In His Holy Name, Amen.
Key Scriptures:
Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you
great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3
Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer,
believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24
Suggested time for praying: 11:24am (for Mark 11:24)
We also have prayer request cards for personal prayers. Our goal - bombard the church and our lives, with prayer. Keep praying, church, and watch the power of the Holy Spirit do the miraculous!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda