The 50th session of the Red Bird Missionary Annual Conference was convened by Bishop Leonard Fairley on May 12 at the Hope United Methodist Church and Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky.
The session opened with the Memorial and Communion Service at Hope United Methodist Church, where clergy, mission institution employees and volunteers, and conference laity who died this past year were remembered. Bishop Fairley preached the message, and Lawanna Blevins and Donna Henderson provided the special music for the service.
With the tap of the gavel at 10:45 a.m., Bishop Fairley opened the business session of the conference as the conference reconvened in the Conference Room at Henderson Settlement.
The roll was called by conference secretary, the Rev. Robert Amundsen, followed by greetings and announcements shared by conference superintendent, the Rev. Karen Stigall.
This year, the conference had some voting that needed to take place. Due to an error found by United Methodist Communications, it was found that Constitutional Amendment #1 was to be re-voted on.
The Red Bird Missionary Annual Conference was the first conference to get to vote on the corrected amendment. Due to reappointments, retirements and requests to withdraw, the conference needed to vote for two reserve clergy delegates and one reserve lay delegate for the 2019 Special Called General Conference. The Rev. Jim Savage was elected first clergy reserve, and the Rev. Dan Griffiths was elected second clergy reserve. Cynthia Stamper, conference lay leader, was elected the second lay reserve.
The conference statistician, Shirley Walker, came forward and shared conference statistics celebrating the increases in baptisms, average worship attendance, children in small groups and vacation Bible school.
Following lunch, the clergy and laity sessions convened, and both meetings went well.
The business of the clergy session included a farewell to the Rev. Steven Riddle, as he and his family moved to the North Georgia Annual Conference in June. Bishop Fairley also encouraged the clergy to continue to keep "Making Disciples."
During the laity session, the laity looked at Wesley's Three Simple Rules and how to use them for their goal and work of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Once again, the tradition of recognizing the clergy spouses took place, and the spouses (or clergy for spouses not present) received a beautiful hanging basket of flowers from the Henderson Settlement Greenhouse.
During the report from the conference's Council on Finance and Administration, a vote on the budget recommendations for 2019 was approved. This marked the sixth consecutive year for a positive budget.
Also during this report, Bishop Fairley recognized all of the conference churches for paying their 100 percent apportionments.
Bishop Fairley opened the floor to receive invitations to host the 2019 annual conference. Annville United Methodist Church offered to host next year's annual conference with help from other churches. The invitation was voted and accepted to have the 51st session of annual conference at Annville United Methodist Church next year on May 11. The annual conference business session concluded at 2:30 p.m.
Dr. Matthew Sleeth, a physician and author of "24/6," preached at the mission night service where over $2,800.00 was collected for Africa University and conference camping ministries.
This year's Harry Denman Award for Evangelism recipients were the Rev. Reed Brock (clergy) and the late Charles Dooley (laity). Dooley's award was accepted by his wife, as he passed away shortly before the annual conference session.
Fourteen of our conference churches and outreach centers were recognized for their giving to the six Special Sundays, and 12 of our churches and outreach centers were recognized for their second mile 5-Star Giving. The appointments were read at the end of the service as we welcomed the Rev. David Bardin, and his family, as the incoming pastor to Booneville and Clifty United Methodist Churches.
This year, we concluded by celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Red Bird Missionary Conference and The United Methodist Church with a special made cake by one of the clergy spouses.
— The Rev. Robert Amundsen, conference secretary
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