Preparing for Holy Conferencing
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:11-15
Members of the New York Annual Conference, before we know it, June 10 will be here and we will gather again at Hofstra University to celebrate God’s grace and presence among us. We will thankfully reflect and strategically plan. We will renew old acquaintances and make new ones. We will share the concerns of our brothers and sisters locally and globally, weeping with those who weep and being the voice of those who need one. We will learn and we will grow. If we heed the words of Paul to the Colossians above and make them our own, we will experience holy conferencing.
By now, all lay speakers should have received a gracious invitation from Bishop Park to attend annual conference on Saturday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m. for a special session with him. (10:30 is the ‘be in your seat’ time!) The invitation also includes a special luncheon with the Bishop and a chance to attend the ordination service at 2 p.m.
For those who can, you are urged to take advantage of an overnight deal. On Friday, June 12, beginning at 1:30 p.m., Rev, Dr. Kwasi Kena, the Evangelism Chair on the General Board of Discipleship, will lead a workshop on Evangelism. He is a dynamic preacher/ teacher who will make faith-sharing come alive. He will address lay speakers again that night at 8 in a service of praise, which will feature the Glorification Singers. It will be more than worth your while to attend, so make whatever arrangements you need in order to be there.
Certified lay speakers who attend both Friday sessions, as well as the Saturday planned activities (including the ordination service) can receive advance credit to meet their recertification requirements. Some of you have already registered. Why not take a moment to register today, if you have not already done so. When you have registered, why not call five other lay speakers and urge them to register, too? Contact your district director of lay speaking for further information.
As the countdown to Annual Conference gets lower, there is something we can and should all do. Pray! Lift up the New York Annual Conference in prayer daily. Pray for the Bishop and the members of the Cabinet that they will discern God’s leading as they engage in the appointment process. Pray for the Conference Sessions Team as it attends to all the details relating to such matters as housing, hospitality, worship, communications and registration. Remember those who will be our visiting preachers and teachers and those who will take care of the technical and artistic and organizational details. Pray for those who will face transitions due to retirement or relocation. Pray that in all things, God’s will may be done in and through us!
Peace!
Renata
Conference Lay Leader