5.31.2006
I'm sitting in the back in my yellow vest at Annual Conference. I'm volunteering as a page for my church's state wide convention. We're at the St. Cloud Civic Center and I'm using the lovely wireless.
They just mentioned Bemidji as a church that is experimenting (EPIC) in a state of churches that are declining in attendance and membership. Bemidji is being proactive in some ways.
Last night, at the opening worship service, I remembered why I love worshiping with this group. I've never heard more joyous hymns sung. They aren't mourning, they're joyful. Suddenly hymns are fun and actually sound good!
The conference is a mixture of worshiping 3 times a day and church legislating. We have proposals for full inclusion of gay people (finally!). We'll see how the "holy conferencing" goes. I don't get a vote, but I get to count the votes:)
We are also celebrating 50 years of full clergy rights for women so there is a nice overly feminine overtone for the event today.
They just mentioned Bemidji as a church that is experimenting (EPIC) in a state of churches that are declining in attendance and membership. Bemidji is being proactive in some ways.
Last night, at the opening worship service, I remembered why I love worshiping with this group. I've never heard more joyous hymns sung. They aren't mourning, they're joyful. Suddenly hymns are fun and actually sound good!
The conference is a mixture of worshiping 3 times a day and church legislating. We have proposals for full inclusion of gay people (finally!). We'll see how the "holy conferencing" goes. I don't get a vote, but I get to count the votes:)
We are also celebrating 50 years of full clergy rights for women so there is a nice overly feminine overtone for the event today.