2010 North Carolina Annual Conference Blog

Conference Statistician, the Rev. George Speake, reminded members yesterday that there were 145 fewer first-time professions of faith in 2009 than there were in 2008.  Our total full membership at the end of 2009 was 237,495.

This year, the Annual Conference determined the location for its 2011 and 2012 gatherings.  The Greenville Convention Center will not be available for 2011.  Other locations considered were the Expo Center in Fayetteville, the Raleigh Convention Center, and the Wilmington Convention Center.

The Committee on Resolutions, led by the Rev. Alan Swartz, presented the Resolutions yesterday.  However, Bishop Gwinn ruled Resolutions 1, 2, 3 and 7 to be out of order because they would change the policy of the Annual Conference.

Jesus invited his disciples to “follow him.”  Think of the worshippers in your church.  Are they comprised of persons more like the demographic makeup here at our annual conference, or more like the demographics reported in the USA Today.  The Friday edition reported that our nation’s demographics are changing dramatically and rapidly right before our [...]

Burlington District: Orange UMC “Prison Ministry” Durham District: Carr UMC “Firefighter Ministry” Elizabeth City District: Mt. Olivet UMC “Joy Store Ministry”

2010 Annual Conference Registration: 1,605

Saturday’s Agenda Highlights: 9:30AM – Closing Worship, Service of Ordination, Fixing of the Appointments

Stamp Out Malaria/Nothing But Nets ™ Total Raised Thursday Evening: $7,933.15

Annual Conference 2010 began, as it always does, with worship.  The Rev. Kelli Sorg set the tone for authentic and passionate worship this year with her singing.  This was soon followed by the deeply thoughtful preaching of the Rev. Dr. Richard Hays, professor and interim dean of Duke Divinity School.

The United Methodist Foundation awarded the Saints of God award for faithful stewardship to Lynn Smith Crumpler of Garris Chapel UMC. The Foundation for Evangelism presented the Harry Denman award to the Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Jackson of Bellemont UMC.  A youth person from Bellemont UMC, Stephanie Patterson, also received the award as did Mr. [...]

Bishop Al Gwinn presented a State of the Church address after the Evening of Celebration last night.  The bishop’s remarks were centered around three questions:  (1) Who are we?  (2) Where are we (at this moment in time)? and (3) What is our calling?