Many other issues were contested, but very little was changed. Guaranteed Appointments for pastors in full connection were done away with – but the Judicial Council will have to review that before it goes into effect. The Pension program was modified to accommodate harsher economic times. Not much change was made to the Social Principles and major contested issues around human sexuality were largely left unchanged.

The fact that very little was changed does not mean that delegates were happy with the state of the church. Most folks know that the church must change – primarily to adjust to two realities:

1. The global nature of the church – 41% of the delegates came from outside the U.S.: and
2. We are losing members in the U.S. as we fail to attract younger persons.

General Conference did not enact change because delegates could not reach agreement. It looks to me like there are several factions who each believe that they can enact legislation what will revive the church. I think all of them are wrong. I came away about ready to drop out of (dis)organized religion.

I am more hopeful since my return to Grand Island. Our local churches face the same need for change – because of the same realities. It is at this level that individual lives are changed. As a pastor, I have the honor is being part of God’s work in people’s lives. Our UM4GI congregations also seem willing and able to try new things without getting bogged down in power struggles. I have decided that our United Methodist Churches in Grand Island are worth investing in. I think I will continue to ‘tune in’ rather than ‘drop out’.

Jay

Thinking about all these new experiences, I am surprised by how much I’ve learned about myself, about others, and about the way things work in the world.  I am a different person, spouse, and pastor than I was.  Each experience has shaped and influenced who I am.  While new experiences have  often come with at least some anxiety and stress, I am thankful for them because of the things I’ve have learned through them.  And this makes me wonder, “What things have you learned about     yourself, the life of faith, and the ways of the world in recent weeks or months?

I suppose the relationship between new experiences and new learning is why I value things like camp and mission trips: this summer, I’m leading or helping with two camps and leading a youth    mission trip with Pastor Bob and interns Albert and Kathryn.  When we go to camp or participate in mission experiences, we are challenged by the new experiences they present.  And through these experiences, we have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons.

In light of this, I challenge you to seek out new experiences through which you too will learn new things: start a new hobby, join a Bible study, help with a volunteer agency in the community, offer your leadership through the church.  You choose.  Happy learning.  I’d love to hear about it.

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Albert Otshudi Longe comes to UM4GI as a recent graduate from Africa University, a United Methodist university in Mutare, Zimbabwe.  See the video of his presentation here:

We are looking for volunteers for August 25 and 26, the first weekend of the fair.  UM4GI is working toward having a Worship service at the fair on August 26; more information on that will be forthcoming.  Right now we want to get a good group of volunteers signed up.

You can click the button below to print and fill out an application to volunteer.  Turn that application in to your church office by the end of May and we will get them to the Fair volunteer coordinator.

Application

If you have already signed up to volunteer on one of these two days, send your name and times you said you could volunteer to Linda Sanders at lksander@charter.net or call and leave a message on my phone 308 391-1319.

If you have not volunteered before, know that it is a great time to run into people you know from all over the state, eat some interesting food (usually on a stick) and just have a good time while contributing to the success of the fair.  Volunteer shifts are four hours and the rest of the day you can view the fair without paying admission.  The fair will train us all the first week of August.  We might be able to work out using the church bus to get volunteers back and forth both days so don’t let parking hold you back from a great time!

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To read this edition of the Tidings on your computer now, see below:

We at UM4GI hold our sisters and brothers in prayer as they work toward the future of The United Methodist Church.  You can follow along with legislation and other news by clicking here.

You can also see Twitter feeds using the hashtag #gc2012 (and shown below).