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Kentucky Annual Conference
June 5-8, Bowling Green
The theme of this year’s annual conference was “Blessed to be a Blessing.”
Bishop James R. King Jr. opened the conference during the opening worship with
his inspiring message for all, titled “Blessed,” in which he reminded everyone
of the wonderful history of United Methodism in Kentucky.
Bishop King also reminded everyone to “give God the glory” and to fill their
hearts with thankfulness. All attending the conference were challenged by Bishop
King to let nothing hold them back in doing the work of the church.
The Kentucky Annual Conference celebrated 50 years of clergy rights for women
with a processional of clergywomen, diaconal ministers and deaconesses of the
during the opening worship service.
The Rev. Jean Hawxhurst and the Rev. Kathy Goodwin led the morning devotions;
a litany sharing the story of the motion at the 1956 General Conference for full
clergy rights (which was made by Zachary T. Johnson of the Kentucky Conference)
was read by the Rev. Alice Scott and the Rev. Mallonee Hubbard at the Service of
Commissioning and Ordination.
Bishop William Willimon from the Birmingham Area was a guest speaker for the
Ordination Service. He gave an encouraging message titled, “Sent.”
Bishop King ordained seven elders, one deacon and two associate members under
the 1992 Discipline. He also commissioned 14 on the elder track and four
on the deacon track.
A Service of Remembrance was held for five clergy and 14 spouses. Also, a
retirement celebration was held for nine elders and three local pastors.
During the business session, the conference thanked all the churches
throughout the connection that donated items and sent teams of volunteers to the
Hurricane Katrina-afflicted areas of the Gulf Coast. All churches were
encouraged to continue to help and to send more volunteer teams during the long
period of recovery along the gulf.
The Rev. David Bell from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship led the
Bible studies with a message on stewardship.
Youth delegates were also active this year at annual conference with members
participating in the plenary sessions. The youth also celebrated their own
experiences of worship and planning each evening as they developed their Youth
Network for the Conference.
Mission and Ministry Worship featured the Rev. Rhoda Peters as the speaker.
Awards were given celebrating ministries by individuals and congregations. Music
was shared by various groups representing the vast diversity of music from
Gospel, Hispanic, and Korean, as well as folk music and classic hymns.
The conference mission offering received $62,000 for the Kentucky East Africa
Initiative, the Russian United Methodist Seminary and Kentucky Urban Missions.
Membership in the Kentucky Annual Conference stands at 152,129, down 2 from
the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 61,588, up 588.
-- Kevin D. Evers |
