“Imagine: A Faithful Church – A Healthy World” is the theme of the 2014 Annual session of the Iowa Conference. This 172st gathering of laity and clergy will formally open on Saturday, June 7, at 9:30 am and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, June 9, at 4:00 pm. The Annual Conference session will be held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
The Annual Conference will feature an opening Bible study by Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble and the preaching of Rev. Brian Milford at the Memorial Service, Bishop Linda Lee at the Ordering of Ministry service, and Rev. Kathy Martin at the Retirement Celebration.
Jorge Lockward, Director of the Global Praise Program of the General Board of Global Ministries, will be the worship leader.
The Clergy Session convenes at First United Methodist Church, Des Moines, on Friday, June 6, at 4:00 pm. The Laity Session, led by Conference Lay Leader Dave Decker, will take place on Sunday afternoon, June 8.
Rev. Bill Poland, Assistant to the Bishop for Administration, believes “It’s always a good experience when we gather people together from across the Conference.” He’s looking forward “to putting the spotlight on the Strategic Priorities to emphasize what they’re really about” – creating world-transforming communities of faith and equipping lay and clergy as transformational leaders. He’s also “excited about telling the stories of congregations that are making a difference in their communities.”
Rev. Karen Dungan, Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional Ministries, is “looking forward to seeing people, to celebrating ministries, and having the chance to visit with folks from across the Conference.” She believes that the 2014 Annual session “is a hopeful opportunity.” She notes “all of us are connected together for the purpose of reaching out with the love of Christ into our communities and beyond our collective borders.”
The work of the 2014 Annual Conference session will once again be done in an “as paperless as possible” fashion. The Pre-Conference Manual, which be downloaded into members’ electronic devices before the Annual Conference, is available at: www.iaumc.org/2014PCM (support instructions are available at: http://www.iaumc.org/pages/detail/2268).
The Twitter hashtag is: #iaumc14
Five special offerings will be received: Justice for Our Neighbors, at the Ordering of Ministry service; Imagine No Malaria during the INM celebration; Nigeria Student Scholarships (Morningside and Simpson) during the Retirement Celebration; Diakonoi on Monday morning; and Bishop's Discretionary Fund following the Episcopal Committee Report on Monday afternoon.
“Everything you need to know about the 2014 Annual Conference” is available on the Conference website at: http://www.iaumc.org/pages/detail/2244
The entire Annual Conference session will be live streamed. The address for the live stream will be posted on the website by May 22.
Visitors are always welcome at the Annual Conference; no advance registration is needed. Please visit the registration Desk to receive a visitor badge and further directions.
Session Highlights:
Friday, June 6 – Clergy Session begins at 4:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, Des Moines.
Saturday, June 7 – Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble calls the 171st Annual Conference Session to order at 9:30 am. He will lead an opening Bible study. Terry Montgomery will be elected as Treasurer and present his report and the working budget will be presented. Following the Episcopal Address a report of the Implementation Team for Strategic Priorities will be presented. Rev. Brian Milford will preach at the Memorial service in the afternoon. Hundreds of youth and adults will attend the Iowa Cubs game at Principal Park for “Strike Out Malaria, including Bishop Trimble’s preaching at midnight from the top of the third base dugout.
Sunday, June 8 – 6:15 am, the Bishop’s Walk/Run; Bishop Linda Lee preaches at the Ordering of Ministry service; Imagine No Malaria efforts are celebrated; Laity session and the Lay Leader’s address in the afternoon; Retirement Celebration with Rev. Kathy Martin preaching at 4:00 pm; follow-up to the Prelude to Repentance with Dr. Eugene Fracek in the evening.
Monday, June 9 - Fixing of Appointments service in the morning followed by the Design Team Task Force Report; Diakonos offering; Episcopacy Committee Report in the afternoon; Iowa United Methodist Foundation annual meeting.