THE
MOUNTAINCIRCUIT 2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE EDITION, JUNE 12
Published by the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church
VOL 47 / NUMBER 1
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett preaches during opening worship on Thursday afternoon. Photo by ADAM CUNNINGHAM
Be Good Soil
by Laura Allen
Good soil bears fruit.
This is something every gardener knows, said Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett in a sermon preached during yesterday’s opening worship service in Wesley Chapel. Bishop Wallace Padgett is the episcopal leader of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. The parable of the sower from the Gospel of Matthew was the text on which the bishop based her sermon. She admitted, though that she was not much of a gardener until she became a bishop. “Then I realized I was a gardener of the spiritual variety,” she said. “And you are too. This is our work.” The bishop chose to focus on the end of Matthew’s passage:
“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Cultivating good soil takes patience. Gardeners must provide the right balance of acid and alkaline. Plants must be watered properly; they have to get enough sun and the proper nutrients in order to flourish. The bishop wove the cultivation of good soil with the theme for Conference, which is “Develop.” The spiritual development of a disciple takes a lifetime, she noted. “But you know the fruit that good soil produces,” said the bishop. Everyday Christians are the good soil - the place where the renewal of the church will take place. - Continued on next page
MOUNTAINCIRCUIT JUNE 12, 2015
Be Good Soil
by Laura Allen
(Continued from front page)
THE SCHEDULE Friday
The bishop shared a story about a recent flight where she struck up a conversation with the young woman in the seat next to her. “Normally, on a flight, I catch up on email or read my Kindle,” said Bishop Wallace-Padgett. “But this young woman and I struck up a conversation.” The young woman, whom the bishop referred to as Nancy, was on her way to Birmingham to apply for an internship. As they talked, the bishop learned that Nancy had grown up in a nonChristian faith community. By the time she was 12, she decided she did not believe in God. But lately, about every 4 - 6 weeks, this young woman has been attending a United Methodist Church.
8:15am 9:30am 12:30pm 2:00pm 3:30pm 5:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm
Teaming Time with George Howard Business Session Lunch Memorial Service Business Session Dinner Business Global AIDS Awareness & Healing Service TBD: Evening Ice Cream Social
THANK YOU DD!
Nancy shared that she was struck by the theology of grace in the UMC. “But, she told me she had questions about Jesus,” said the bishop. The bishop suggested that Nancy begin reading the Gospels, suggesting that people often encounter Jesus there. As the two women prepared to deplane, the bishop asked Nancy if she could pray for her. “Pray I get this job, I really need it,” Nancy said. “And pray that God doesn’t give up on me.” The bishop said she would honor the request. “But I also told her that God doesn’t give up on anyone,” said the bishop. She also asked Nancy if she would let her know when she encountered Jesus. Nancy’s answer stunned her. “I will,” she replied. “I feel obligated to - because this is the first time I’ve ever talked with anyone about Jesus.” “How many times has a Nancy sat next to me while I read the Bible on my Kindle or worked on a sermon,” said the bishop. “Now I will be open to the possibility of a faith conversation.” “That’s what we are after in the United Methodist Church, changed lives, changed communities, a changed world,” said the bishop.
Photo: Courtesy Times West Virginian Thanks to the Rev. DD Meighn for his work traveling the Conference this spring to interview retiring clergy. The nearly 80-hour project represents 17 retirees, and almost 1,000 road trip miles.
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Resident Bishop: Sandra Steiner Ball Editor: Laura Harbert Allen Associate Editor: Adam Cunningham Production: Shawn Withrow, The WVUMC Communications Team
MOUNTAINCIRCUIT JUNE 12, 2015
Photo: Laura Allen
Ragghi Rain Calentine shares an interpretive story about the Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Cherokee people that took place in 1838 and 1839. Ragghi and boe harris-nakakakena are sharing their storytelling and music gifts with the Conference this week. The United Methodist Church is engaged in a formal Act of Repentance Service for the Healing of Relationships with Indigenous Persons. The work continues years of effort by the denomination to overcome centuries of mistreatment of native people in the United States and elsewhere. There will be a service of Repentance and Reconciliation during next year’s Annual Conference session.
MOUNTAINCIRCUIT JUNE 12, 2015
THE DAY IN PHOTOS
@masterpark This is our heading to Annual Conference selfie. #wvac15 @hpfanfics9876 Still can’t believe you let Louisa drive
@mu2drew: #wvac15 John Wesley wants all young adults to join in fellowship in Chambers Lounge after evening session!
Randy MItchell uses clothespins to display Just Save One paper children at yesterday’s ministry fair. Each one represents $10 raised for the United Methodist Global AIDs fund.
@wheelsrevd: More happy travellers on the way to Annual Conference #WVAC2015