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New Mexico Annual Conference
May 31-June 3, Glorieta
The 131st session of the New Mexico Annual Conference met at LifeWay Conference Center, Glorieta, with Bishop Max Whitfield presiding. The conference’s theme was “Jesus Christ–Hope of the World.”
In observance of the anniversary of 50 years of full clergy rights for women, Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, resident bishop of the Mississippi Area, was guest preacher. In addition, delegates sang hymns written, arranged or translated by women; an all-conference women’s choir sang; and video clips on the history of women in clergy in the New Mexico Conference were shown intermittently throughout the gathering.
Members celebrated:
- An increase of professions of faith at 35 conference churches.
- Membership gains by 48 congregations.
- The development and utilization of local shared ministry teams and certified lay ministers who serve where needed without financial compensation.
- A generous response to natural disasters and mission and ministry by conference congregations, whose giving during the past year included $333,694 for Hurricanes 2005, $190,247 for the South Asia Emergency, and $29,956 for Louisiana Pastors and Churches.
- The contribution of nearly $7,000 by Northwest Texas/New Mexico Area pastors’ spouses during the past six months for the clergy spouses’ Congo School Project.
The annual conference voted in favor of a recommendation from the conference’s council on finance and administration that within the New Mexico Conference, “apportionments” be replaced with “shared ministries,” to more accurately indicate that through fulfillment of these financial obligations, congregations participate in a variety of essential ministries both within and beyond the New Mexico Conference.
Conference members also approved a motion recommending that pastors and laity who wished to do so celebrate and proclaim their connectedness by giving $10 per month until the next conference session to Louisiana pastors and churches. They also supported a resolution urging congregations to observe the Children’s Sabbath and offering suggestions for this observance. Members passed a resolution urging congregations to take specific action to conserve energy and to use renewable energy.
Bishop Max Whitfield, leader of the New Mexico and Northwest Texas Area, commended conference laity and clergy for their willingness to embrace change as they seek to fulfill Jesus’ command to be disciple-makers.
“Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of the world,” he reminded delegates. “We must change. We don’t like it. ... But when God calls us, change has to follow. The good news is that many clergy and laity already are on the road to deep change — personally, corporately and institutionally. We are no longer doing business as usual. A new culture and a new environment are being formed,” he said. “Individuals are stepping up and taking leadership. Leaders are listening to God and are willing to build bridges as they walk on them. Pastors and congregations are developing Ministry Action Plans. We are moving forward with compelling vision. We must celebrate because of what God is doing in and through United Methodists in the New Mexico Annual Conference.”
The annual conference celebrated the ordination of three people as elders in full connection, and one person as deacon in full connection; commissioned two people as probationary elders, and presented licenses to three local pastors. Ten pastors retired.
Membership stands at 39,218, down 647 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 17,100, down 481. Church school attendance stands at 6,653, down 755.
--Julianne McAchran
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