Theme for 2023: Faith Forward – The Year of Extraordinary Faith!
This weekend I will be at the Missouri Annual Conference (MOAC)! Here’s a snapshot of what Annual Conference is. “Each year an equal number of clergy members and lay members attend their conference's annual conference session for worship, fellowship, and to conduct the business of the conference, which may last 3-5 days. These sessions include reports of past and ongoing work; adoption of future goals, programs and budgets; ordination of clergy members as deacons and elders; recognition of local licensed pastors, and election of delegates to Jurisdictional and General Conferences (every 4 years). The bishop presides over these meetings.” (from umc.org)
The Annual Conference is also where the pastors hold their membership. Pastors are not members of the churches they serve. We are members of the Missouri Annual Conference. In fact, it is our coming together that makes the Annual Conference. It’s like going to church, board meetings, and fellowship celebrations all rolled into one!
A whirlwind weekend of worship, meetings, reports, ordinations, voting, retirements, memorials, basically everything that pertains to clergy happens at Annual Conference. In three days! There are also sessions for laity to gather for learning and networking. But most of our time is spent together, clergy and lay, working on the affairs of the Missouri Conference.
MOAC is also an opportunity to see old friends. To go to lunch together, have seminary reunions, and catch up on how others are doing in their ministries. And, this year we’ll be right here at home, at the St. Charles Convention Center, from June 9-11.
And remember when I announced that you could attend as a guest for free? Welllll, I got that wrong! The registration for guests is $50. But I was right about the FREE concert Friday night – Bebe Winans will be in concert at the Convention Center. It is open to the public and yes, it is FREE! The doors open at 6:30pm. For more information, including the agenda, click on this link: AGENDA — MOAC23 (moacinfo.com).
So, now you know where I’ll be on Sunday – what about you? I invite you to worship at Green Trails this Sunday as Rev. Rocky Marlowe brings a powerful message! You can worship in-person or you can also join us online at 10:00am. For online worship go to www.umcgt.org.
Assisted Listening Devices are available to anyone who needs an extra boost in hearing worship service. We have quite a few available. Just go to the sound booth and request one.
WOW (our weekly Bible study) will be on summer break until August. But don’t forget that we have RightNow Media and Growth Guide handouts! RightNow Media has thousands of Bible study videos for every age level. And the subscription is free to you! If you don’t have an account but would like to sign up, just drop me an email: drlinda@umcgt.org. And the Growth Guide is for the month of June, one per week. Pick them up at the Welcome Center and coffee station.
Many Voices, One God In the month of June you’ll have the opportunity to hear many voices expound on our great God! I’ll preach on the first Sunday, and here’s the rest of the lineup:
6/11 Rev. Rocky Marlowe
6/18 Scott Lambert (Father’s Day)
6/25 Rev. G-Gay Harris
What a blessing to hear what the Lord will say through His servants!
Zufan Hailemariam, our Business Manager, will be leaving her position in mid-June and starting a new chapter. We will have a celebration for her to honor her eleven years of dedicated service to GT and bless her as she goes forth! The celebration will be on June 18 after worship.
Stay in the Know! Don’t forget to pick up this month’s Memory Verse Card, the Growth Guide, and the newsletter at the Welcome Center or the Coffee Station. Just our way of helping you to stay in the know!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
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