United Methodists Convene in Wildwood for Annual Conference

WILDWOOD – Bishop John Schol delivered his episcopal address in Wildwoods Convention Center to about 1,300 delegates at the Greater New Jersey Conference of The United Methodist Church’s annual gathering on May 30.
From May 30 – June 1 history will be in making because it was the first time in the conference’s recent history that it returned to New Jersey after several years of being hosted in Valley Forge, Pa.
Some delegates voiced their opinion that they were pleased to be back at the Jersey Shore for the spiritual and business meeting after many had suffered severely from Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.
The GNJUMC selected the Wildwoods as the host destination for its conference due to its appeal as a family resort; for the many Mom & Pop family-friendly hotels and motels; and for the space, service and location offered by the Convention Center.
While the opening day’s session was highlighted by Schol’s address concerning the outlook for the Garden State church, other activities, aside from business-type meetings and seminars, will include Communion on the adjoining beach at 7:45 a.m. on May 31 and June 1.
An ordination and commissioning service will take place May 31 in the evening. At that time, eight will receive the laying on of hands, seven will become elders and one will become a deacon. Those elders will serve as pastors in churches as directed by Schol.
On June 1, one of the highlights will be the Service of Passage and Reading of the Appointments, when all pastors are appointed to their church for the coming year.
The conference will also feature a special recognition of local people and churches that went beyond expectations in meeting the needs of the hurting after Hurricane Sandy. One of them St. Peter’s, Ocean City, which, although flooded, continued to reach out to the community to serve the needs of those in the area who suffered losses due to the storm.
A letter to attendees by Schol stated: “This annual conference we will pray and consider what is next for GNJUMC: What’s beyond 2013, beyond our challenges and beyond our present ministries.”
The Bible study teacher for the conference will be Dr. Karoline M. Lewis, the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Homiletics, Luther Seminary at St. Paul, Minn.
The preachers for annual conference will be Dr. Joy Moore, preacher and writer, associate dean for African American Church Studies and assistant professor of Preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. and Bishop Schol, a preacher and story teller, who will preach during the Ordination/Commissioning Service.
For more information about the Greater New Jersey Conference of The United Methodist Church visit http://www.gnjumc.org/.