General Conference 2008 is done! At 11:0? last night they voted on their last piece of legislation and then we were all sent out after a powerful sermon by Bishop Palmer on Hope for the Future. It felt like a unified body ready to transform the world, even in brokenness and with a need for healing.
Today is a traveling day. Just waiting for the supershuttle as I write this. We fly out at 6 pm Ft. Worth time.
Thanks for following along on my journey of GC '08. It was very meaningful to know that I was loved and supported from home.
Cya soon.
Love,
Jan
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Thursday
Another day done. This day was focused on legislation. After the controversy of yesterday this day was quite tame. Most of the discussion was about ministry issues and structural rules. The International body is still trying to figure out how to fairly represent the global membership on boards and agencies, and as delegates to General Conference.
I was positioned near the front of the room today – a messenger from the delegates to the platform and visa versa. I didn’t get much business and had a hard time staying awake. About the most interesting and challenging thing in my day was helping the crickets cross safely the pathway by where I was sitting as there was lots of traffic and they were vulnerable to the crowd. When I left tonight there were NO squished crickets near my seat – I will call that a productive and successful day.
The preacher this morning was Bishop Hee Soo Jung. He was wonderful. I wish you all could have heard them. I have really enjoyed the worship and preaching. I will make copies of the sermons for any of you who would like them – or you can download them from the General Conference website.
I look forward to coming home on Saturday,… sleeping in my own bed, loving up with Ginger Ale, and eating my own home cooked food – ok that may only be cereal or a peanut butter sandwich – but it is mine.
Hope all is well.
In peace,
Jan
The courage of conviction stands
suffice it to say... yesterday was a hard day. Again the church that I love and serve in, has voted to legislate who can be in and who can't, who can serve with full integrity and who cannot, ...
I spent an hour last night carefully crafting my thoughts... sorting through the tears and the anger only to have the computer fail to send it and lose it instead. I regret not being able to recreate it this morning for you to read.
In summary, the 'incompatibility' clause remains. The body here was unable to affirm a statement that would report that the denomination is divided. Even though the vote was 55% - 45% the majority was not able to see the minority as also living true and faithful lives. I am saddened by what feels like hard heartedness from the many I am working among.
I will continue to serve as God has called me but for now it will be tainted with sadness and grief. I hold out for the time when those on the margins and those who feel they can't join in, will find a welcome into the hospitality of God's family.
Until then I will sing, as the disenfranchised did last night around the parameter of the conference, "Jesus loves us, this we know."
Know that I love you and will continue to offer you the love of God as I am able.
Jan
I spent an hour last night carefully crafting my thoughts... sorting through the tears and the anger only to have the computer fail to send it and lose it instead. I regret not being able to recreate it this morning for you to read.
In summary, the 'incompatibility' clause remains. The body here was unable to affirm a statement that would report that the denomination is divided. Even though the vote was 55% - 45% the majority was not able to see the minority as also living true and faithful lives. I am saddened by what feels like hard heartedness from the many I am working among.
I will continue to serve as God has called me but for now it will be tainted with sadness and grief. I hold out for the time when those on the margins and those who feel they can't join in, will find a welcome into the hospitality of God's family.
Until then I will sing, as the disenfranchised did last night around the parameter of the conference, "Jesus loves us, this we know."
Know that I love you and will continue to offer you the love of God as I am able.
Jan
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
A visit from Her Highness
Have any of you tried live streaming from the General Conference website. You can actually sit and watch exactly what I am seeing. You may even see me! (google General Conference United Methodist - then find the live stream icon). Tomorrow afternoon I will be sitting at microphone 4 so each time a delegate speaks at that mic I will be right next to them.Text me and let me know you are watching. I'll remember to smile.
The President of Liberia spoke to us today. She is the first democratically elected woman President on the continent of Africa and a United Methodist. She was great. The African Children's Choir was here too - they were fun to watch. I was randomly standing along the aisle as they came in and each one shook my hand and said, "good morning." They were very sweet.
I worked today on the stage with the Bishops, running messages. I enjoyed it. The women bishops got flowers delivered to them so I got to put them at their seats during a break. They were pleased when they discovered them. Some of the male bishops were jealous. I put together some packets of "Manly Mints" with lifesavers but I guess it just wasn't the same.
The conference dealt with a lot of legislation regarding the distribution of Bishops. It is a tough one to deal with because the UM in the US is losing members and we don't want to give up any bishops while the church in Africa and some parts of Asia is growing and so should have more bishops. They are distributed according to membership numbers. They are funded by the General Conference. In true Methodist fashion most of the work ended in a decision to refer for a study.
I think tomorrow is the day that Bill Gates Sr. is coming to speak about the Gates Foundation Support of Nothing but Nets. There has been a lot of support for that campaign while we have been here. One of the best fund raising methods has been by the Bishop of Kansas - he is auctioning off the basketball from the college finals won by Kansas State. So far the bid is up to $2200.
Can't think of anything else tonight. Hope all is well with ya'all.
Jan
The President of Liberia spoke to us today. She is the first democratically elected woman President on the continent of Africa and a United Methodist. She was great. The African Children's Choir was here too - they were fun to watch. I was randomly standing along the aisle as they came in and each one shook my hand and said, "good morning." They were very sweet.
I worked today on the stage with the Bishops, running messages. I enjoyed it. The women bishops got flowers delivered to them so I got to put them at their seats during a break. They were pleased when they discovered them. Some of the male bishops were jealous. I put together some packets of "Manly Mints" with lifesavers but I guess it just wasn't the same.
The conference dealt with a lot of legislation regarding the distribution of Bishops. It is a tough one to deal with because the UM in the US is losing members and we don't want to give up any bishops while the church in Africa and some parts of Asia is growing and so should have more bishops. They are distributed according to membership numbers. They are funded by the General Conference. In true Methodist fashion most of the work ended in a decision to refer for a study.
I think tomorrow is the day that Bill Gates Sr. is coming to speak about the Gates Foundation Support of Nothing but Nets. There has been a lot of support for that campaign while we have been here. One of the best fund raising methods has been by the Bishop of Kansas - he is auctioning off the basketball from the college finals won by Kansas State. So far the bid is up to $2200.
Can't think of anything else tonight. Hope all is well with ya'all.
Jan
Sunday, April 27, 2008
In the weeee hours of Monday
Another long day. Yet I'm still having a great time.
The committee I am working with has now completed 96 of its 190 petitions. Only 4 committees are still working. The other 8 finished their work Sunday afternoon. I definitely got assigned the most difficult committee (read: the one with the most divisive materials) but the leadership team is working so well together that I will miss them when we finally finish.
Fred, the chair is an African American man, civil rights attorney, from NYC. He had a very calm, clear way about him and manages the work of the committee well. He has a great sense of humor, breaks into song at times, and is willing to admit it when he is wrong.
Marget, the vice-chair is a woman from N. Georgia. She likes to be very supportive of people and kind of acts like the cheerleader when people get bogged down.
Selena, the secretary is a woman from Memphis. She has a great sense of humor, laughs a lot, is a perfectionist about the work she is doing, and yet never hesitates to ask for help.
These three are delegates who were elected by the committee to serve as officers for this session of General conference. They got very little training - on the first day - and yet are doing a great job. Selena had never even been to a General conference before.
Amy, my recorder teammate, is from Philadelphia. We are both rookies. Selena, Amy, and I are quick to catch on - although there are times when it is good we have 3 brains working to problem solve a situation. Selena was so overstressed at one point today that she turned to me as she was adding numbers to report a vote count and asked, "what is 9 plus 8?" I, too, was on overload and quickly turned to Amy who came up with the answer. We laughed and went on... I'm am having a lot of fun - did I already say that?
Thought for the day: You know you are in Texas when the limo that delivers teens to prom is not only a very elongated Hummer but has a pick-up truck bed as its trailing end. (Last night was prom night so we actually witnessed such a site.)
Fall City folks - I thought of you this morning during your worship time. Hope all went well and that you enjoyed having Monica with you.
goodnight for now.
love to you all,
jan
The committee I am working with has now completed 96 of its 190 petitions. Only 4 committees are still working. The other 8 finished their work Sunday afternoon. I definitely got assigned the most difficult committee (read: the one with the most divisive materials) but the leadership team is working so well together that I will miss them when we finally finish.
Fred, the chair is an African American man, civil rights attorney, from NYC. He had a very calm, clear way about him and manages the work of the committee well. He has a great sense of humor, breaks into song at times, and is willing to admit it when he is wrong.
Marget, the vice-chair is a woman from N. Georgia. She likes to be very supportive of people and kind of acts like the cheerleader when people get bogged down.
Selena, the secretary is a woman from Memphis. She has a great sense of humor, laughs a lot, is a perfectionist about the work she is doing, and yet never hesitates to ask for help.
These three are delegates who were elected by the committee to serve as officers for this session of General conference. They got very little training - on the first day - and yet are doing a great job. Selena had never even been to a General conference before.
Amy, my recorder teammate, is from Philadelphia. We are both rookies. Selena, Amy, and I are quick to catch on - although there are times when it is good we have 3 brains working to problem solve a situation. Selena was so overstressed at one point today that she turned to me as she was adding numbers to report a vote count and asked, "what is 9 plus 8?" I, too, was on overload and quickly turned to Amy who came up with the answer. We laughed and went on... I'm am having a lot of fun - did I already say that?
Thought for the day: You know you are in Texas when the limo that delivers teens to prom is not only a very elongated Hummer but has a pick-up truck bed as its trailing end. (Last night was prom night so we actually witnessed such a site.)
Fall City folks - I thought of you this morning during your worship time. Hope all went well and that you enjoyed having Monica with you.
goodnight for now.
love to you all,
jan
Saturday, April 26, 2008
are we there yet?
Well after working for 4 1/2 hours without a break tonight (after working prior to dinner since lunch) we finally stopped a little after midnight. After the room had cleared of delegates and observers, the other leaders and I got the giggles. We had focused for so long on petition numbers, vote counts, amendment wording, paper shuffling - that when we stopped our minds went numb and all we could do was laugh. Trouble was - none of us had visited the bathroom during those 4 1/2 hours either - you can imagine the difficulty. Then of course we had to laugh at our laughing...
My recorder teammate and I are doing really well together. We have learned the task quickly and found our working rhythm. She is very quick with the keyboard and I'm good at gathering the info to feed to her - and then I organize the output. In her "regular" life she is the Bishop's assistant from Philadelphia. I also enjoy sharing side comments with her about the legislation before our committee. We share a common passion for justice and an inclusive church.
Spent some time today chatting with a delegate from Nigeria. We were both looking at the Cokesbury jackets - to ward off the chill of the convention center. We decided on the same jackets so now we are twins. Then I got to help him figure out how to order a laptop computer to help track the petitions before him.
In my committee there are 2 languages being translated - French for some of the African delegates. And Swahili for others. I think I heard that there are 9 languages being translated across this conference. I can't imagine how hard it would be to keep up when English is not your language.
It is so good to see all the international diversity among the UMC. Although it feels uncomfortable to realize the the US will no longer be the dominant majority, due to the growing membership around the world and the shrinking numbers in the US. We are having trouble learning that, as most of the legislation being dealt with is still US centered. I do hear some discussion about how silly it is to ask the delegates of General Conference to vote on issues such as health care in the US. It must be hard for those who are either dealing with a lack of health care or are living in countries with full health care for all citizens. Our petitions don't affect their situations and yet they are asked to vote on them. Very strange.
My eyes continue to be opened to the joys and challenges in the world around us. The rainbow of colors of people working together is wonderful. What sometimes seems to be intolerance to difference also exists. I have hope though that we are making progress. This General Conference so far has been congenial and kind. Maybe it will continue that way.
I'm still having a great time. Wish you were here enjoying it too.
Until tomorrow, take care.
Jan
My recorder teammate and I are doing really well together. We have learned the task quickly and found our working rhythm. She is very quick with the keyboard and I'm good at gathering the info to feed to her - and then I organize the output. In her "regular" life she is the Bishop's assistant from Philadelphia. I also enjoy sharing side comments with her about the legislation before our committee. We share a common passion for justice and an inclusive church.
Spent some time today chatting with a delegate from Nigeria. We were both looking at the Cokesbury jackets - to ward off the chill of the convention center. We decided on the same jackets so now we are twins. Then I got to help him figure out how to order a laptop computer to help track the petitions before him.
In my committee there are 2 languages being translated - French for some of the African delegates. And Swahili for others. I think I heard that there are 9 languages being translated across this conference. I can't imagine how hard it would be to keep up when English is not your language.
It is so good to see all the international diversity among the UMC. Although it feels uncomfortable to realize the the US will no longer be the dominant majority, due to the growing membership around the world and the shrinking numbers in the US. We are having trouble learning that, as most of the legislation being dealt with is still US centered. I do hear some discussion about how silly it is to ask the delegates of General Conference to vote on issues such as health care in the US. It must be hard for those who are either dealing with a lack of health care or are living in countries with full health care for all citizens. Our petitions don't affect their situations and yet they are asked to vote on them. Very strange.
My eyes continue to be opened to the joys and challenges in the world around us. The rainbow of colors of people working together is wonderful. What sometimes seems to be intolerance to difference also exists. I have hope though that we are making progress. This General Conference so far has been congenial and kind. Maybe it will continue that way.
I'm still having a great time. Wish you were here enjoying it too.
Until tomorrow, take care.
Jan
Friday, April 25, 2008
Friday already?
I hear it must have been prom night in Ft Worth tonight. At the dinner break the restaurants were full with teenagers in formal wear and limousines lining the streets. I guess it is true. My dinner happened in exhibition hall of the convention center as I grabbed a snack between tasks.
The committee I am tracking and recording the legislation for worked long and hard today. They even got some stuff done. It is such hard work for them - figuring out how to work together, who to listen to, who has good ideas, and who just nit picks to show how smart they are.
I was assigned the most controversial committee - the one that gets to deal with the petitions regarding the social principals paragraphs involving abortion, family, and the language about human sexuality (homosexuality). The debate has been civil (for the most part). Much of the day today was attempting to perfect a document that reflects the notion that the people of the UMC are not of one mind and continue to struggle in discerning where the Spirit is leading us.
We started work on this today at 11 am and ended at 11 pm. Amazing capacity for focus and faithful witness.
Hoping to get some "fast" sleep so I can be back at 7 am to start again.
Hope all is well where you are.
The committee I am tracking and recording the legislation for worked long and hard today. They even got some stuff done. It is such hard work for them - figuring out how to work together, who to listen to, who has good ideas, and who just nit picks to show how smart they are.
I was assigned the most controversial committee - the one that gets to deal with the petitions regarding the social principals paragraphs involving abortion, family, and the language about human sexuality (homosexuality). The debate has been civil (for the most part). Much of the day today was attempting to perfect a document that reflects the notion that the people of the UMC are not of one mind and continue to struggle in discerning where the Spirit is leading us.
We started work on this today at 11 am and ended at 11 pm. Amazing capacity for focus and faithful witness.
Hoping to get some "fast" sleep so I can be back at 7 am to start again.
Hope all is well where you are.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
back to my hotel at 11:15 tonight. I'm pooped and yet can't wait to do it again tomorrow.
Highlights:
1) The worship and plenary this morning. I can't wait to tell you about it. Bishop Sharon Brown-Christopher lead us through a reflection on the state of the world in relation to the UMC vision for mission and ministry. It was great.
2) working as a page all morning - running messages, helping people find whatever they were looking for (pop machine, Bishop's spouse, water fountain,...), passing out materials, and chatting with delegates, workers and bishops.
3) More recorder training and then the first session at work this evening. My learning curve was very steep. We had 3 rookies working together and a whole committee marking time as we got everything ready for them. We sure received lots of appreciation for our work - felt good.
4) Getting horizontal on my hotel bed after a long day on my feet.
Time for sleep - the alarm is set for 5:45.
Thanks for reading.
Jan
Highlights:
1) The worship and plenary this morning. I can't wait to tell you about it. Bishop Sharon Brown-Christopher lead us through a reflection on the state of the world in relation to the UMC vision for mission and ministry. It was great.
2) working as a page all morning - running messages, helping people find whatever they were looking for (pop machine, Bishop's spouse, water fountain,...), passing out materials, and chatting with delegates, workers and bishops.
3) More recorder training and then the first session at work this evening. My learning curve was very steep. We had 3 rookies working together and a whole committee marking time as we got everything ready for them. We sure received lots of appreciation for our work - felt good.
4) Getting horizontal on my hotel bed after a long day on my feet.
Time for sleep - the alarm is set for 5:45.
Thanks for reading.
Jan
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Where did Wednesday go?
Wow - off and running at 7 this morning.... tucked into bed at 11:43. Worked every minute in between. I'm having so much fun!
The day started in the best way possible - over a plate of biscuits and gravy. This hotel has a nice free breakfast. I did tell myself that I can't have B & G everyday though.
My page training session ran from 9 - 2:30. It was a rerun for me but still interesting. My recorder training started at 2 so made a quick dash - leaving off a little of time from each. That training went until 5 but my next event started at 4:30 so again I dashed early from one to be late to the other.
I got to be a communion steward at the opening worship service. That meant I got to "manage" a couple of bishops who did the serving. I got them into place, gave them the bread and juice and then cleaned up after them. It was a great worship service with all the bishops in procession - about 80 of them - and rich preaching about HOPE.
After worship, plenary began. The delegates learned how to use their voting machines, received and voted on proposed rule changes, and did other beginning legislation stuff. I gotta admit that I left at 11:15 even though the session wasn't over yet. I have to be back tomorrow morning at 7.
As you might be able to guess from the schedule there wasn't much time for meals. We did get a box lunch but no time after that to eat. A spoonful of peanut butter and some licorice will hold until breakfast.
Although I didn't get outside all day I was well aware of the weather. They warned us that storms blow threw here at this time of year. We learned first hand as we heard the sirens outside warning people to get inside and stay away from windows. We heard a lot of rain and thunder/lightening. It seemed to have mostly passed by when we finally got outside.
One other fun discovery - Texas crickets... they are all over in the convention center... about 1 1/2 - 2 inches each. I overheard some folks worried about them crawling up the pant legs. I guess we will know when we see people jump out of their chairs.
enough for now. thanks for reading. gnite.
Jan
The day started in the best way possible - over a plate of biscuits and gravy. This hotel has a nice free breakfast. I did tell myself that I can't have B & G everyday though.
My page training session ran from 9 - 2:30. It was a rerun for me but still interesting. My recorder training started at 2 so made a quick dash - leaving off a little of time from each. That training went until 5 but my next event started at 4:30 so again I dashed early from one to be late to the other.
I got to be a communion steward at the opening worship service. That meant I got to "manage" a couple of bishops who did the serving. I got them into place, gave them the bread and juice and then cleaned up after them. It was a great worship service with all the bishops in procession - about 80 of them - and rich preaching about HOPE.
After worship, plenary began. The delegates learned how to use their voting machines, received and voted on proposed rule changes, and did other beginning legislation stuff. I gotta admit that I left at 11:15 even though the session wasn't over yet. I have to be back tomorrow morning at 7.
As you might be able to guess from the schedule there wasn't much time for meals. We did get a box lunch but no time after that to eat. A spoonful of peanut butter and some licorice will hold until breakfast.
Although I didn't get outside all day I was well aware of the weather. They warned us that storms blow threw here at this time of year. We learned first hand as we heard the sirens outside warning people to get inside and stay away from windows. We heard a lot of rain and thunder/lightening. It seemed to have mostly passed by when we finally got outside.
One other fun discovery - Texas crickets... they are all over in the convention center... about 1 1/2 - 2 inches each. I overheard some folks worried about them crawling up the pant legs. I guess we will know when we see people jump out of their chairs.
enough for now. thanks for reading. gnite.
Jan
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Arrived!
Howdy from beautiful downtown Ft. Worth. The trip was uneventful, take off, flight, and landing just as one would hope. We are staying in a hotel about 1 1/2 miles away from the convention center. Elaine has a car so we took a tour of the vacinity to see if it was walkable. When we saw the sign that reported the air temp as 94 degrees I decided I will use the hotel shuttle as much as possible. While the delegates have to sit all day long and may need a walk in the morning and evening - my job keeps me on my feet all day - my little puppies are going to be tired enough.
The delegation and others from the PNW met tonight. We are so lucky that 6 out of our 18 delegates are young adults. Good job Shannie for voting these folks in last year. They add a lot of enthusiasm and new ideas. It is fun to be around them.
Tomorrow morning my training starts at 9 and goes all day. The actual conference starts tomorrow evening. After that each day will go from 7:30 am - 11 pm.
I am very excited to be here and look forward to being a part of what the UMC is going to set as it's task, hope, and method for the next 4 years. Please hold the whole conference - delegates, staff, bishops, volunteers - and the wider church in your prayers.
Take care and now that I'm thinking of you while I'm here.
Jan
The delegation and others from the PNW met tonight. We are so lucky that 6 out of our 18 delegates are young adults. Good job Shannie for voting these folks in last year. They add a lot of enthusiasm and new ideas. It is fun to be around them.
Tomorrow morning my training starts at 9 and goes all day. The actual conference starts tomorrow evening. After that each day will go from 7:30 am - 11 pm.
I am very excited to be here and look forward to being a part of what the UMC is going to set as it's task, hope, and method for the next 4 years. Please hold the whole conference - delegates, staff, bishops, volunteers - and the wider church in your prayers.
Take care and now that I'm thinking of you while I'm here.
Jan
Monday, April 21, 2008
Getting ready to fly to Ft Worth
The time has come to head to General Conference '08. This year I am not only an official volunteer page but also a paid recorder for the legislative sessions. Since I've never done this before I am a little anxious but since we all know I'm pretty smart, we know I'll catch on quickly. My training will be on Wednesday. The conference actually starts Wednesday evening. Oh boy!!!
Stay tuned for more info as we go along. Thanks for reading.
Stay tuned for more info as we go along. Thanks for reading.
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