Keep Steady!

Early in ministry I remember Bishop John Wesley Hardt attempting control of plenary sessions at Annual Conference saying "let's just hold steady now!" I'd rather not remember other things he said, but I do not mind remembering that one! We are in the mode of need those wise words! As the clouds rolled in on our morning, and I heard one North Georgia delegate say to a friend, "of course I have on a suit, it's Sunday!" I paused to remember the wonderful people who will be worshiping this morning at Christ Church in Denver, and the thousands across the RMC.......... It is good to be here. It is frustrating to be here. It is connecting to be here. It is frightening to be here. A text message went out yesterday from Reconciling Ministries to boycott the local Bennigans Restaurant because of an African American brother from NY being refused service! Is this 2008 or 1958? But we keep moving on. We keep trying and praying and talking and mingling. I'm choosing not to wear my multi-colored stole that hundreds are wearing. I am intentionally talking to people that usually won't talk to me when I have that stole on. I hope that by talking, and the wonderful witness of those who are wearing the stoles, we will begin to treat one another as children of God, rather than enemies. On the other hand, there are beautiful people doing beautiful things in the place. And your delegation is well among them! Carolyn WAters

Enjoying an internet connection from the Press Room!

Greetings, everyone.

I'm enjoying a few minutes in the Press Room as Olon Lindemood sits for me on the floor of the General Conference. Skip helped me with some legislative amendments for my afternoon session in the "Study of the Episcopacy". And I am able to keep on ear on the activity on the plenary floor through big screen monitors.

The mood in Fort Worth is wonderfully surprising! The Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table, the General Agencies, the Young People Address, and the Lay Address all were woven so beautifully to both "speak the truth in love" about the current reality of our denomination and to cast a rich vision of our hearts and God's call to faithfulness. We are, I pray, I pray, I pray, practicing a new holy conferencing. May it shape us in new ways.

I am so proud of the witness of the Rocky Mountain Conference. Again and again, our name appears on the huge screens as leaders in all arenas of our life together speak to transforming ministries over which they give leadership!!

Our people are pages and marshalls, witnesses to inclusive-ness, leaders in committees, and more!

Keep praying for us! After day three...we are running on about 9-12 hours of sleep, total, since last Tuesday.

Pray for stamina, patience, listening hearts, and bold voices.

Janet

Legislative Work

Wendy Moffatt and I have been observing Social Concerns 2 sub committee on Human Sexuality most of the day and now into the evening. Some very positive action has been taken related to removing restrictive language that excludes many of our brothers and sisters. At the same time, language is being crafted to say we have dissagrement around the issue of homosexuality and will continue to dialogue and listen as the Holy Spirit works with us. This is some of the most promising conversation we have ever heard related to this struggle. But we are also sensitive that while there are some of us that feel encouraged by this, others feel defeated. So we have much work to do before we truly embrace one another in the spirit of love in Christ. Know also, that at this point this is only legislative action. This action has to be taken to the full body of the General Conference. That comes next week. Again, keep us in your thoughts and prayers. May All Be Well. Carolyn Waters

Familuar Faces!!!

First Full Day!

We heard the phrase "set aside our differences" a number of times this morning. It's interesting to wonder if that is suppose to be "let's not argue about anything" or "let's not talk about anything we don't agree on!" It may be an attempt of leadership (??? and one wonders sometimes who that is!) to avoid discussion about hot topic issues. Of course, we don't name the hot topic issues. The bottom line is that a lot of people are using a lot of energy to keep us from fighting. That's good thing! But in that attempt, it's starting to feel like not fighting will translate to not even talking about the things we have fought about in the past. For those of you who know anything about family systems, you know how unhealthy it is to have an elephant in the living room and only talk about the weather, rather than what the elephant is doing in the living room. It's going to be very difficult to guess how all of this is going to turn out. The spirit in the "arena" feels good. The attitude seems to be one of grace. I think the desire to "set aside our differences" and get on with the mission and ministry of the church is good. But in doing the setting aside, we need to give voice to our differences, and grace to each other in having those differences. But in order to set aside differences, for me we must first remove language that divides and excludes a very dear and precious group of our membership, the LGBT community. I wanted to laugh out loud as delegates and visitors were singing together and dancing in the isles as we returned from lunch, "We Are Family" was the song! Maybe you remember the catchy tune from the 70's! It has become a signature song of the LGBT community. The irony of singing it at General Conference has to be credited to the Holy Spirit! And Mark Miller! We all continue to feel the presence of the RMC! The way you have been here today is amazing. Skip and Olon will represent that in their report. Be sure to watch the "Young People's Address" from this morning. Parts of it brought tears to my eyes. Be Well! Caorlyn Waters

Travel Day

Three of us are sitting at DIA waiting for our journey to begin south. I am aware of having an anxious spirit, but also excited to think about seeing many friends and participating in a very important ritual of our tradition. I've been moved by the words of support that have come from members of our conference and my own local church. The feeling of being a voice for one another, a voice for those who have no voice, and using with our voices the ears God gave us with which to listen. I hope that I am able to do both! And when those feelings of wanting to screem or yell come over me.........Lord, teach me how to pray! Send us your energy! Carolyn Waters

Last Countdown

By Josh Davies, 1st Lay Delegate: As impossible as it seems, tomorrow is the beginning of the 2008 General Conference. Months of preparation, reading, study, connection, and prayer come down to 10 intense days in Ft. Worth. Over the past two weeks, you have heard reports from different members of our delegation about their thoughts, opinions, and hopes for this important event. Some of the voices are anxious, some concerned, and all are hopeful. I am hopeful as well, and know that we will accomplish great things  even if some of the work isnt as quantifiable and easily measured as we would like. Our delegation is too inspired, too wise, and too focused. I know we will have a positive impact on the event and the church as a whole. I have gotten the unique opportunity as first elected lay delegate to assist Rev. Janet Forbes in not only helping to lead our delegation, but also to help provide leadership to the entire Western Jurisdiction. This unique perspective has allowed me to get a better understanding of the bigger picture and how by working together we can achieve greater results than as individuals. A reminder of the power of our church working collectively was given to me this Sunday by the Rev. Paul Dirdak. Rev. Dirdak is an ordained minister and served in California for a number of years, but most recently served as CEO for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), where he helped more than double their resources in helping needy people around the world. He delivered the message at Trinity UMC in Denver this past week for Mission Sunday. The theme of his sermon revolved around Henry David Thoreaus words, Be not simply good. Be good for something. One of the ways I plan on doing this is by helping us focus around the four Mission Initiatives. The initiatives will radically change the general church budget, and channel it to be good for something. Those four areas are: Leadership development; Building new congregations and revitalizing existing ones; Ministry with the poor, particularly children; and Combating the preventable diseases of poverty, such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. In order to help move our denomination back to prominence, we need to focus on John Wesleys vision of doing good, and focusing on how the church can make society a better place. These four Mission Initiatives will help us be drive home that vision, both here at home and around the world. And as the world comes to Forth Worth tomorrow, please keep us in your prayers, and know that as a delegation we are going to be good for something.