What makes a church congregation "healthy"?  How do you measure or quantify that?

Like "Does it Blend?" Methodist style.

Did 81157 pass?  I'm reading blog entries like it did -- It appears it passed in committee.  Did it make it to the floor and did it pass?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Greetings all from the holy city of Jerusalem. While you have been agonizing over life in the UMC, I have been wandering along the Sea of Galilee connecting with God and nature, and generally having a good ole time.

I haven't been following the proceedings closely, but all indications suggest to me that perhaps the most important thing done at the General Conference was the election of a slate of Judicial Council members that slid the Judicial Council back to the center of our political spectrum. This, in my opinion, is where the Judicial Council should be, and I am excited for Susan Henry Crowe in her election as the first female chairperson.

What are your thoughts about the Judicial Council elections and what does this bode for the future?

By the way, I will not be changing things on the site until after I return next week, so don't freak out that we are keeping General Conference stuff on after the event is over.

Peace,

Jay

In the midst of the bidding wars for the Bishop's basketball, I'm afraid another matter is quietly slipping by our attention.  In 2004, the General Conference committed to raise $8 million for the Global AIDS Fund by the 2008 General Conference.  The numbers came from the idea that if every United Methodist in the US were to give $1 we'd have more than enough money.

Sadly, as of the beginning of General Conference, we have only raised a quarter ($2.5 million) of the total promised.  At the same time, just in the last week and a half, General Conference delegations have bid close to $400,000 for the Nothing But Nets Campaign (a campaign that has already raised $20 million since its creation in 2006).

I know there isn't much time left, but I sincerely hope that someone is going to take the time to point this out to the body.  As I watch GC, I hear lots of people talking about taking action, and working to bring the church together.  If we can't follow through on our promises, how will we ever be able to move forward?

The world is watching and it is time for us to fulfill our commitments! 

If you are interested in more information or giving towards the fund, check out their website at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/health/hivaids/aids-fund/.

* I'm not a delegate, but wrote a short speech about this issue because I'm a United Methodist Geek.  It can be read on my blog: www.dreamthesky.com/blog

we have a request for the standing rules for friday. we wish to make the rule that no person is allowed to make an amendment or ask a question unless they are wearing.. a bow tie.. .this is very methodist. any seconds out there?

Dear All,

Watching General Conference 2008 in community within the medium of Second LIfe has been such a blessing.  We have had jokes and laughter as well as excellent and thoughtful reflections on the actions of General Conference.

Tonight is the final working evening for GC2008; the closing worship service will start tomorrow, May 2 at 3:15 Central time.  Please join us in community tonight at 10:00 pm Eastern Time (9:00 Central, 7:00 Second Life time) to watch the final working hours of GC2008.

Tomorrow, we will gather together at 3:30 Eastern Time tomorrow for a short prayer session before the final Worship Service of GC2008 starts at 4:15 Eastern, 3:15 Central or 1:15 Second Life time.

To enter Second Life, you will need to register at www.Secondlife.com and download the client.  The orientation for Second Life will take anywhere between 15 minutes to 30 minutes -- when you are finished, IM myself (ReverendMommy Rabeni) or Gavin Richardson (Gavin Tellig) for a Teleport invitation to the build.  If you want to find it for yourself, the build is on Xenia Island and is just North of Koinonia Church.

Thanks and I hope to see you there!

we have sort of forgotten about "The Lobby" a chat room that Jay set up before heading out of town. it was mentioned that we do some scheduled times for chatting. so my proposal is this. click in "the Lobby" graphic to the right around 10pm central standard time. we can watch the closing hour or so of conference. then wrap up thoughts for the days work.

or if you are a wanting the geeky experience. join into second life. go to xenia island and behind koinonia church is the wesley retreat house. had a fun group of four of us there last night.

Funny that I came here to post something I found on teh interwebs and lo and behold, Gavin is posting a reference to teh same posting.
The portion of Steve Rankin's posting that spoke to me was:

I know that this is how politics works and I guess, most of the time,
I'm quite OK with it working this way. But when I see the emotion
permeating this particular vote; when I watch people weep after the
vote because, once again, they feel that the church has spurned them or
someone they love, I think to myself, "There has to be a better way to
deal with this issue."

Indeed, there has to be a better way.

i got to watch most of the afternoon session. this happened to hold one of the bigger anticipation parts for this conference. this is where the church and society 2 group brought to the floor petition 80449 which dealt with restructuring the social principles on human sexuality. steve rankin, a delegate at gc has a very nice perspective.