Report from Annual Conference, Day 3

Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center, Oxon Hill, MD

May 24, 2008

Good morning from the shores of the Potomac River. We finished business this morning, resolving two leftovers from Friday and two potentially controversial issues all in the spirit of holy conferencing. The conference wrap-up is available on the conference website.

First, Bishop Schol presented a compromise on the BOOM nominations issue (see entry from day 2), which was accepted by the body. The BOOM executive committee and the cabinet agreed to add four more members.

Once that was settled balloting for endorsing a candidate for bishop commenced (see entry for day 2 on issues opened that day). Using the process agreed to on Friday, four nominations were made from the floor. Members of the conference voted for either the delegation-endorsed candidate, four candidates nominated from the floor, and “no nominee.” With 66 percent required for endorsement, a candidate was selected on the third ballot. The Rev. Peggy Johnson of Christ UMC of the Deaf in Baltimore (the delegation’s choice) will be the candidate for bishop from our annual conference when the jurisdictional conference convenes in Harrisburg, PA in July.

What remained were three petitions: a motion to change the pension system, one to encourage support of pregnancy centers, and another to support the continuation of dialog teams on sexual orientation and gender identity (see the pre-conference journal pages 58-60). The pension resolution failed and the other two passed with small amendments.

That afternoon, 18 women and men were ordained as Elders (like Andy and John) and one woman was ordained a full member Deacon (like Al and Ruth). There were also 15 provisional members who were commissioned (people working toward ordination).

The next session of annual conference will be held June 4-6, 2009 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore.

By and large, this was one of the better annual conferences. It was a good moment for holy conferencing. The bishop set the tone from the start of the conference that gave the Spirit priority over agendas. That became evident this morning when all the controversial issues came to a head. Tomorrow I might have some reflections to share.

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