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Arkansas Annual Conference
June 11-14, Hot Springs, Ark.
Nods to the milestone 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women filled the Arkansas Conference session. The publication of “Women Answering God’s Call,” a compilation of stories from clergywomen about their call to the ordained ministry, was a highlight. The nearly 1,500 attendees heard inspiring messages from guest preacher the Rev. Felicia Hopkins of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, El Paso, Texas, and morning devotional speakers missionary Shana Harrison of Santiago, Chile; lay speaker Katherine Keahey; and the Rev. Bonda Deere Moyer, who became the conference’s first female district superintendent in 1993. Clergy and lay women served as worship leaders throughout the gathering.
As a mission project, attendees brought craft supplies and other items for La Esperanza, a sheltered workshop for adults with disabilities in Santiago, Chile, directed by Harrison, an Arkansas native. Handmade prayer shawls were also donated and given to clergy families who lost a loved one in the past year.
In his episcopal address, Bishop Charles N. Crutchfield announced plans to form a task force that will examine how conference funds are allocated in light of strategic initiatives. And on the heels of last month’s firing of the conference treasurer, Joe Eason, who admitted misappropriating church funds for personal use, the bishop shared that the completed audit found that more than $254,000 was misdirected between 1999 and 2005. Just days prior to the start of the conference, Eason repaid the amount in full.
The conference added a seventh strategic initiative to its Vision Statement: “To emphasize the importance of self-care for clergy, staff and laity and to facilitate intentional health ministries for body, mind and spirit in and through our churches.”
Holy Healthy United Methodist Church — a three-year, faith-based health and wellness program for the conference — was introduced. In endorsing the program, Bishop Crutchfield pledged that he and the nine district superintendents would attempt to lose a combined 100 pounds by the next annual conference session.
The Rev. Gary Thompson, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Biloxi, Miss., gave an emotional update on Gulf Coast recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina and expressed appreciation for the dozens of Arkansas Volunteer in Mission teams that have partnered with his church to help storm survivors. Churches and individuals were lauded for their response to needs on the Gulf Coast and in the northeast Arkansas community of Marmaduke, which was devastated by an April 2 tornado.
Offerings were received for the Russia Initiative and conference partner Return to Christ United Methodist Church in Ekaterinburg, Russia, and the Catch the Vision Fund for new church development. The progress of the four newest congregations — located in Cabot, Bentonville, Van Buren and Fort Smith —and a new Hispanic mission church in Camden was applauded.
Through resolutions, the conference:
- Called for a plan to “equalize funding” to the conference’s two colleges, Hendrix and Philander Smith;
- Called for churches to encourage and promote adoption;
- Affirmed belief in a “regenerated membership” and “?the responsibility of pastors to nurture, lead and discern in matters of that membership”;
- Approved Safe Sanctuary risk management guidelines to be used and adapted by local churches;
- Affirmed the openness of the United Methodist Church and the Arkansas annual conference;
- Expressed support for the enactment of hate crime legislation in the state and called Christians to become better educated and make faithful responses to hate crimes;
- Opposed legalized gambling in the state; and
- Urged the state legislature to exempt from capital punishment persons with an intelligence quotient measured at 69 or lower, instead of the current 65.
Bishop Crutchfield was preacher for the ordination service. He was assisted by New Mexico/Northwest Texas Bishop D. Max Whitfield and retired Bishops Felton E. May and Kenneth W. Hicks. Five people were ordained elders in full connection and two were ordained deacons in full connection. Four people were received as associate members under provisions of the 2004 Discipline, 14 people were commissioned on the elder track and one in the deacon track.
A budget of $12.8 million, up 3 percent over last year, was approved.
Once again, proof copies of the 720-page Conference Journal were distributed in the final moments of the session, thanks to the diligence of Conference Secretary Bob Crossman and his staff.
Membership stands at 138,317, down 670 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 56,572, up 59. Church school attendance stands at 74,634, up 98.
-- Jane Dennis |
