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Wyoming Annual Conference
June 2-4, Scranton, Pa.
The 155th session of the Wyoming Annual Conference was held at the University of Scranton, in Scranton, Pa. Bishop Susan M. Morrison opened the session by sharing some of the reasons she has announced her retirement, effective Sept.1. She expressed gratitude for what the United Methodist Church has been in her life. She is grateful for the Wesleyan commitment to the Social Gospel; for the witness of United Methodists involved in mission throughout the world; and for the life giving and renewing ministries she sees so often in the local church.
The theme of this year’s gathering was “Ours the Journey.” Throughout the three days, lay members and pastors were equipped with a variety of tools to take back to their churches, to strengthen a sense of connection and to enhance their mission and ministry.
Conference members approved resolutions:
- Urging the President and Congress to act immediately to close the US Army Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation;
- Affirming the spirit of Igniting Ministry and its goals, resolving its implementation by all churches, and including a list of people to be invited to participate in our community and worship life;
- Supporting the Council of Bishops call for an end to the War in Iraq, withdrawal of troops and working toward peace and justice;
- Urging the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries to elevate programs, directed toward ending malaria, to a higher status and for the Church to work toward ending the scourge of malaria by the year 2020;
- Calling on state legislators to increase the minimum wage to $7.15/hour and automatically adjusting for inflation.
In worship, the conference celebrated 50 years of full clergy rights for women and offered an act of contrition for racism and acceptance of white privilege. Conference members also celebrated the lives and ministries of five retiring pastors and the new and growing ministries of three who were commissioned and three who were ordained as elders. Denman Evangelism Awards were presented to the Rev. Judith Wanck and Helen Herne. Other awards presented include the George Akers Award to the Rev. Alan Bill, the Blair Memorial Award to the Rev. Bob Kersten, the Sister Spirit Award to the Rev. Nancy Hale and the Guy Lienthall Award to Bishop Susan Murch Morrison.
A special conference session will be held Sept. 16.
Membership stands at 63,671, down 459 from 2004. Average worship attendance is 16,362, down 703.
–– Don Perry |
