Annual Gathering Day Three, Part 2

This morning's legislative session was an interesting time of debate and celebration. We heard reports from various Ohio Conference agencies. We considered the Conference Financial statement and passed the 2011 budget.

A new way of understanding ministry was discussed. The 2005 General Synod in Atlanta had asked that each conference consider the changes to the UCC constitution that were proposed in regards to the ministry pronouncement.

There was debate on both sides of issue. Some feared a relaxing in the requirement for a seminary education while others feared being required to do so much seminary would preclude them serving the church. We decided to end debate and move to a vote. The votes are still being tabulated and will be brought back to this meeting.

After a time of remembering those who have died since the last Annual Gathering (including Mark Friedley - member of Trinity Church and 30 year Trustee of Heidelberg University) Bob Molsberry is now speaking about the new paradigm that is the Annual Gathering.

More later!

Blessings,

Dan


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH

Annual Gathering Day Three

Well here we are at Day Three!

Today is the "business meeting" day. We have election of folks to conference boards and offices. We will also consider changes to the Constitution of the United Church of Christ. In our national setting we are trying a new thing. We are changing the way we consider people for ordained ministry through alternate paths. I myself have not seen and/or digested all the changes - so it will be nice to see the presentation and see what changes are being considered.

The Powerpoint shows have been going well. Last night we had a slight problem when some names were out of sync from the actual presentation on the stage. All in all it went well. I was able to hand out the Tom Paton Awards with the assistance of our moderator and all the churches were represented!

I am now back at Seiberling for the plenary. Here's hoping things go well!

Chat at you later!!!!

Blessings,

Dan


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH

Annual Gathering Day Two

Friday Morning

It has been a busy morning so far. The planning committee met for breakfast at 8:00 at the refectory. We went over last minute details and made sure we knew where we were to be today.

I went over some last minute details on the Powerpoint shows and have been making updates throughout the day as changes come up. I am sure there will be some thing that will be wrong tonight but it will be what it will be!

I was the room host for the Annual Gathering Orientation workshop theism morning. I introduced Rich Plant (my Associate Association Minister) and stayed to help with any questions throughout the workshop.

It is always nice to meet new people and talk to them about our Conference. We are trying to do a new thing. The structure is not intended to be hierarchical so much as a hub where ministry programs can connect. This can be a hard concept to wrap your mind around. Usually the conference is held to discuss legislation and resolution that come from the staff or member churches as we seek to run ministry through a denominational structure. The new paradigm is one of shared vision.

We try to gather like minded folks around ministries that they are passionate about. If you want to be involved with SARA there is a meeting for that. If you are involved in or interested in Rural Ministry there is a meeting for that. We are trying to delineate ministry groupings that can hold "network" meetings for the purpose of sharing resources and ideas to make each ministry stronger. The conference does not direct ministry so much as provide a hub where people can dialogue and exchange ideas to help strengthen the church.

Again it will take us some time to live into this new model. We are all feeling our way along and it is an exciting time to be a part of the Ohio Conference!

Well the audio/visual man needs to see me so that I can get connected to the system so these slide shows will show up!

Will post more soon!

Blessings,

Dan

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH

Annual Gathering Day One

Well here it is day one of Annual Gathering 2010! Day one begins for me a day before most folks who attend the gathering. I serve on the planning committee so that means I arrive a day earlier to help set up. While the planning committee meets almost year round things do heat up during the week of the gathering.

Last year the person who had traditionally composed the Powerpoint slide shows for the plenary session was not able to be there so I volunteered to do the show last year. Note to self - don't do things so well that they want you to continue to do them! (It is kind of like serving on a church committee - I will probably do it "until the good Lord calls me home!")So here I am again doing the Powerpoint show for the plenary session. I really don't mind it helps nurture my creative side and it is nice to be involved with the plenary in such an intimate way.

We met tonight for a really nice dinner in the side dinning room of the refectory (we had real silverware and cloth napkins!) The committee met to catch some details and to have a social time together. It was nice getting to know some on the committee better.

It was helpful to me because I was able to go through the slide shows with other committee members who could catch typos and could correct those things I didn't have right in the first place.

I came back to my room to make those changes. I have also been playing around with the new web-site (adding pictures, etc.) It is now 11:15 and I am tired. I need to be up early and to breakfast with the committee in order to solidify any last minute details.

Check back in for more news from the Annual Gathering 2010!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH

Slowing Down

I just signed up for a new blog by my favorite writer/speaker Terry Hershey. He said he is blogging because it makes him "slow down." I like that! I was just wondering if I had enough time to download the morning paper and read it - when information on his blog came through. It nearly hit me in the face! Do I have enough time to download the paper? It is my time - yes I should have enough time - I will make time. Not in some manufacturing sense - but I will prioritize. I will get the necessary done and I will push off the unnecessary and slow down.

Today it should be easy. I am taking my son to a doctor (in another city 2 hours a way) to get a second opinion on his knee injury. Part of the process of making a decision to have surgery or not calls us to think long term. Rather than make a hasty decision that will satisfy today - we need to vision a future and what is best for the long haul. This will help me slow down. I will contemplate the choices and not be forced to make a snap decision.

Maybe thinking about other decisions in this way will help me slow down. I will try this - I will!

Okay - I am new to this blogging thing. Not sure about it - but as I just got a Facebook account it seemed the next step. So I will have to collect some Random Thoughts to post.

Soli deo gloria