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Louisiana Annual Conference Report
June 4-7, 2006, Shreveport, LA
More than 1,000 United Methodists from across the state gathered for the 2006 Louisiana Annual Conference, led by Bishop William W. Hutchinson. “Justifying Grace: Opening the door to a house not made with hands” served as the theme for this year’s event, held in the Gold Dome at Centenary College in Shreveport.
The image of this spiritual “house” was played out on the conference stage with a front porch façade topped with a blue tarp, symbolic of the thousands of blue tarps seen on rooftops after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Rev. Paul Dirdak, director of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, praised storm recovery efforts throughout Louisiana. Staff representing the Louisiana Storm Recovery Center and the six storm recovery stations, situated throughout the affected areas, reported that nearly 1 million volunteer hours have been recorded in the state through the efforts of mission teams that have come from all over the nation and from as far away as Mexico and South Africa.
Bishop Hutchinson reviewed the reorganization of ministry in New Orleans into a mission zone, which will use a cooperative parish structure. This system, under the direction of the Rev. Martha Orphe, will be implemented to rebuild the church in New Orleans and in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes.
Marvalene Hughes, president of Dillard University in New Orleans, reported that restoration efforts on campus are progressing well. She also reported that the graduating class of 2006 will hold commencement exercises “under the oaks” on Dillard’s campus July 1, with Bill Cosby serving as keynote speaker.
In his Episcopal Address, Bishop Hutchinson reported that plans to merge the Methodist Home for Children in New Orleans with the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston are near completion. A major financial gift will help fund the construction of a new facility in south Louisiana. Both St. Mark’s Community Center and Peoples Community Center in New Orleans will serve as housing centers for volunteer work teams as they work to rebuild their ministries for children.
Dulac Community Center, serving a largely Native American population, is rebuilding from Hurricane Rita. Additional dormitory facilities are currently under construction to house volunteers involved in a clean up and rebuilding of the southeastern coastal area.
Despite financial blows delivered by the dual hurricanes, the Louisiana Annual Conference celebrated that apportionments were paid out at 95.69 percent, and that two districts paid 100 percent. One of those districts, Lake Charles, was heavily impacted by Hurricane Rita.
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward brought greetings from the Mississippi Annual Conference, offering encouragement to Louisiana as it recovers alongside Mississippi from the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Office for Sustaining Pastoral Excellence lifted up the successes of the Discerner’s Academy, along with the Academy for Spiritual Formation and the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness.
Bishop William Oden, bishop in residence at Perkins School of Theology, developed the theme of justifying grace during morning Bible study June 7.
The Rev. Dorothy Watson Tatem of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference preached for the 50th anniversary celebration of full clergy rights for women, held on the morning of June 6 in the Gold Dome. A highlight of the service was a re-enactment — narrated by the Rev. Marva Mitchell — of excerpts of the actual discussion at the 1956 General Conference, where the decision to grant full rights was made.
The Rev. Odell Simmons led this year’s Memorial/Communion Service on Sunday evening, June 4, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier. The prayer shawl and quilting ministry for Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge presented knitted shawls to each of the families of the deceased. Thirteen clergy and 12 clergy spouses were memorialized.
Michael Reeves, chief executive officer and president of the Louisiana United Methodist Foundation, announced an upcoming conference-wide study, using both surveys and interviews, to assess services provided by the foundation. Also, creative new materials, including poster displays, informational brochures, ads and inserts, have been developed to promote planned giving. Local churches are encouraged to use the materials.
Other highlights included: a time of fellowship at a “Katrina/Rita” party on Monday night, June 5, at First United Methodist Church; a special offering during the June 5 Clergy and Laity Sessions for clergy, their spouses, and surviving spouses who have been displaced by the hurricanes of 2005; collection of an offering for Generation of Hope/AIDS Relief during the Memorial/Communion service; an awards luncheon, honoring the many people who have excelled in leadership on behalf of the ministry of Jesus Christ; and a celebration of the Bicentennial of Louisiana Methodism.
Nine elders and one deacon were ordained. Eight probationary elders and three probationary deacons were commissioned, as well as one courtesy probationary elder. Five elders, three local pastors and two deacons retired.
Membership stands at 126,834, down 225 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 48,259, up 227. Church school attendance stands at 19,303, down 1,510.
-- Betty Backstrom
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