June 2009 - Pray, Come to Annual Conference 2009
Pray, Come to AC2009
By Jackie Campbell, WPAUMC News
Among Western PA United Methodists, June is a big month, with celebrations, fellowship and the sometimes hard work of discerning God’s will for our connected congregations in Western PA. From June 11-14, about 1,000 clergy and an equal number of laity will gather at Grove City College for the 2009 Western PA Annual Conference session. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton will ordain and commission 31 new clergy, officially appoint pastors and other ministers for the coming year, and preside as members worship together and conduct official business. Your prayers, support and presence are encouraged.
Consider attending AC2009 to worship, sing in the choir, hear dynamic preachers, see presentations or check out the displays.Whether you atend or not, be a part of our annual gathering of kits for UMCOR. Recipes are at www.umcor.org. Bring them to Grove City or the Mission Barn in Eastbrook or send them with your pastor or lay member.
Worship at annual conference sessions is always inspiring, but this year promises to be especially memorable. Guest preacher on Saturday night and Sunday morning will be Bishop William Willimon of Alabama, an acclaimed theologian, author and speaker named as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world. Bishop Willimon was a pastor and visiting professor at Duke Divinity School when Bishop Bickerton was a student there.
The Rev. Lisa Grant, Conference director of connectional ministries, will share her spiritual insight and teaching gifts in leading Bible Study sessions at AC2009.
Justin Muchoney, music and worship arts director at Ingomar UMC, and Ingomar’s praise team will provide music during AC2009. Muchoney has issued a call for volunteers to sing in a massive Annual Conference Choir at three special services: a Memorial Service on Thursday at 7 pm; Ministry Night, Saturday at 7:30 pm; and the Ordination service on Sunday at 9 am. Church choirs and individual volunteers can sing during any or all of the services.
Practice is on the Grove City College campus on June 10 at 7 pm and 45 minutes before each of the three services. For details, write jmuchoney@ingomarumc.org.
Visit the Annual Conference section of www.wpaumc.org to learn more or watch live sessions.