Monday, June 7
Monday morning began with the Laity and Clergy Sessions at 8:30 a.m. The Laity Session was held in the Auditorium, and the Clergy Session was held in the Ballroom.
LAITY SESSION
At the Laity Session, Nancy Bearden Hudson led the laity in singing as people gathered. Roy Blackwood, conference lay leader, called the meeting to order. Following the opening prayer by Jimmy Outlaw, Americus District Lay Leader, Jim Wingate, Valdosta District Lay Leader, gave the greetings, welcoming lay members to Tifton and the Valdosta District for the 2010 Annual Conference.
Roy Blackwood encouraged every laity to go back to their local church and ask individuals to subscribe to the South Georgia Advocate.
Jim Simmons, Thomasville District Lay Leader, offered a devotional.
Allison Eastin, chair of the Conference Nurture Team, highlighted the Pathways to a Healthy Church event, a one day leadership training conference, set for August 14 in Warner Robins. She also shared about the Nurture Café, an opportunity for local churches to have workshops delivered directly to the local church.
After the introductions of each of the district lay leaders, Randel Bryan, Dublin District Lay Leader, gave a brief orientation to Annual Conference. He presented information on lay members' responsibilities.
Laity then heard a report from the United Methodist Women by Sara Bankhead, UMW President, and a report from the United Methodist Men by Chuck Cowart, UMM President.
James Crosse, Columbus District Lay Leader, gave the closing prayer.
CLERGY SESSION
Bishop James R. King, Jr. convened the clergy session. Rev. Annette Brooks opened with a word of prayer.
Bishop King welcomed all clergy and lay members of the Board of Ordained Ministry and clarified who could attend, speak and vote at this clergy session.
Bishop King asked the Historic Question regarding the character of all clergy. The Bishop reported on the character of the District Superintendents. The District Superintendents reported on the clergy under their supervision. The character of all clergy was approved, except for one clergy from the Dublin District, whose ministry is under review.
Dr. Ben Martin gave the Board of Ministry Report, reporting on several initiatives being undertaken by the Board to enhance support for candidates seeking clergy status. A new mentoring program for local pastors was also announced. Dr. Jay Harris then gave the Report of the Registrars. All questions requiring action were approved.
Dr. John Stephens, Chair of the Order, reported on the S3: Sabbath, Study, Service project that has been funded and will be implemented this Fall.
Rev. Jose Velasquez offered the closing prayer.
OPENING WORSHIP SERVICE
The morning opened with lay and clergy joining together for the Opening Worship Service of the 2010 Annual Conference.
Bishop James R. King, Jr. was the preacher for this service. Bishop King began his message with an Episcopal Address as he stated goals that have emerged from his time of listening to laity and clergy in South Georgia. He stated that we need better health, clearer goals, and more disciples. He summarized some of the next steps that will be undertaken in the coming year to help position us to achieve the goals.
In his sermon, “soWhat?” Bishop King proclaimed that we are to sow the Word of God to a world that is aching to hear the words of Life.
During the service, an offering was received to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Each church in the South Georgia Conference was asked to take a Special Offering prior to conference. All of these individual congregational gifts were brought together in a single offering this morning, and together members now have the privilege of making a significant difference in the lives of those affected by a disaster.
BUSINESS SESSION
The Business Session of the 2010 Annual Conference opened with the historic hymn, And Are We Yet Alive. Bishop King called the session to order. This is Bishop King’s second Annual Conference to preside over since becoming the resident bishop of the South Georgia Area.
Dr. Glenn Martin, Tifton Local Arrangements Chair, welcomed South Georgia United Methodists to Tifton. Mr. Jamie Carter, Tifton City Mayor, extended a welcome to the Tifton.
COMMISSIONING OF PROBATIONARY CLERGY
At 2:00 p.m. this afternoon, the Conference participated in a worship service to commission Probationary Clergy Members. Bishop James R. King, Jr. led in this commissioning and recognition service.
Probationary Members Commissioned for Ordination as Elders
Carrie H. Austin
Thomas W. Carruth
Tony Gary Crosby
R. Jason Dillard
John Arthur Fugh, Jr.
Daniel Underwood
Probationary Members Commissioned for Ordination of Deacons
Recognized as Associate Member of the Annual Conference
Whit Kirkland
BUSINESS SESSION
In the Business Session Monday afternoon, the conference:
- heard the Lay Leader's Addresses by Mr. Roy Blackwood, conference lay leader. Mr. Blackwood challenged the laity to be soldiers for Christ, with missions and goals to reach.
- were reminded by Rev. Dave Hanson in a John Wesley moment that if John Wesley were speaking to us his primary concern would be our souls.
- celebrated through “commercials” the following: The South Georgia Advocate, Conference Confirmation Retreat, Magnolia Manor, Epworth By The Sea, The Methodist Home for Children and Youth, Wesley Glen, Moore Methodist Museum, and Healthy Living Initiative.
- heard the Board of Ordained Ministry report given by Dr. Ben Martin, chair, as he updated the conference on several initiatives of the Board of Ordained Ministry.
- recognized those clergy who faithfully serve beyond the local church in an extension ministry appointment.
- received 6 clergy into full conference memberships and one clergy had his elders orders restored. Bishop King asked the clergy the historic questions asked of all clergy since the days of John Wesley. The conference welcomed these clergy into their new relationship.
- adopted the items on the consent calendar.
- elected persons presented by the nominations committee.
- heard the report of the Conference Personnel Committee and recognized the 21 years of service of Mrs. Sandy Scaggs, who served in the Episcopal office.
- adopted the equitable compensation scale and amended policies.
- heard the report of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation where they reporting the joining of the North Georgia and South Georgia Foundations into the newly formed Georgia United Methodist Foundation and talked about the services they can provide. The Foundation presented Bishop King a check for $15,000 for the new conference center.
- received the report of the Conference Trustees.
- heard a presentation from the Conference Office Task Force about a new conference center to be built on the campus of Wesleyan College when funds are secured.
The afternoon ended with a focus on “Sowing the Word.” Rev. Meg Procopio shared with the conference her experiences with two Sunday School teachers, one when she was in elementary school and one when she was in high school, who both made an impact in her life by sowing the Word of God into her. Conference members were asked to share with each other around two questions: Who sowed the Word in your life? How are you sowing the Word in the lives of others?
ORDINATION SERVICE
To close the day, the Conference gathered for the service of The Order of Ordination. Bishop Richard Looney, retired episcopal leader who served the South Georgia Conference, was the preacher for this service.
Bishop Looney challenge the six clergy being ordained to “nourish yourself, train yourself to be spiritually disciplined, set an example, and cultivate the gift that is within you.”
“Live where you preach, train while you encourage others, and live for the moment,” said Bishop Looney.
Bishop James R. King, Jr. presided over the ordinal rites and was assisted by Bishop Looney and Mr. Roy Blackwood, Conference Lay Leader, representing the laity, and Dr. Ben Martin, Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, observed the ordinal rites.
The following individuals were ordained:
Full Conference Members/Elders
Barry Shane Giddens
Thad Gregory Harvey
Matthew J. Hearn
Billy Lee Kimbrel
Jonathan Daniel Smith
David Ray Wood
The Board of Ordained Ministry processed with the ordinands as a sign of the covenant community into which these newly ordained persons are entering. Dr. Ben Martin and Reverend Karen Kilhefner represented the Orders of Elders and Deacon.
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