Western North Carolina Conference 2010

Report of Lay Delagate

     Thanks Cokesbury for the opportunity to attend our 2010 Methodist Conference at Lake Junaluska.
     When we entered Stuart Auditorium on Friday morning, we were greeted with pictures of our UMAR friends flashed on two huge screens.  Yes, there were pictures of all of them, plus others we know from other group homes.
     Our days were filled with inspiring and meaningful worship, beginning with communion and renewal of our baptism, celebrating missions, highlighting Impact Community, Native American tradition, recognition of retirees, Celebration of Life-Memoirs Clergy and Diaconal Ministers, Ordination Service and Closing Worship, including the fixing of appointments.
     Four business sessions were held when a number of reports were given, including the Budget (pages 9 & 10) of the Supplement.  The Task Force on the Annual Conference Meeting researched and presented to the Conference for their approval to move the Conference to the Kouri Conference Center in Greensboro.  This was presented due to the limited space in Stuart.  Obviously, that was the topic of lots of discussions throughout the three days.  When the vote was taken very late Saturday afternoon, the majority voted to keep the conference at Lake Junaluska.  Plans are being discussed to make space available to accommodate the conference.
     It was like a “reunion” for us beginning with greeting a former minister from my home church, who is 92 years old and still serving a church – congratulating Ken and Linda Roth on their retirement – visiting with Emily Beaty following the memorial service – getting big hugs from Dale Sneed and Virginia Herron – seeing David Christy and getting an update on the Christy family, meeting his handsome son Luke, who was an usher – spending time with John and Patricia – chatting with Angela Rogers Marlow – plus greeting Sarah and Nancy in the crowd – and a surprise – to see my niece from High Point and spending time with her.
     Materials from the conference are on the table in the narthex – Services of Worship, Program and Reports, plus Supplement, Daily digest and Appointments.

                                             – Submitted by Kay Dumas