Today’s Annual Conference was full of moments of joy, heartache, hurting, healing, & growth. We tackled a lot of controversial & “hot-button” issues today, which left me with some tension & concern for our conversations yet to come. Overall, while I am glad the day is done, I feel as though I have more questions than answers.
Among other reports & legislation, one of the toughest issues today was around the ministry of camping. After much discernment & deliberation, the conference Committee on camping & retreat ministries presented a proposal to retire three of our campsites out of five which we currently operate. This decision came with heavy hearts, but was bathed in prayer & Holy conversation. Still, with the primary motion as well as items which were created in reaction to it, there were a few harsh statements & hurtful words being bandied about at one another. It was hard & disheartening to watch, hear, & be a part of at times. While no conclusion was reached today on the main motion, we did accomplish some related agenda & will be continuing the discussion tomorrow, where I pray cooler & calmer heads take hold.
As today was quite long & arduous, I don’t have the energy to recall all of the other events which unfolded. I did, however, have some wonderful conversations with our youth. We talked about camps, LGBT issues & concerns, the alleged “schism” which faces our denomination &, on a lighter note, what movies should be truer to their book counterparts. We laughed, showed passion, & had true & honest conversation, something which I do not often see in my own congregation. It was refreshing to see the youth sharing their voices & just being themselves, without the pressure to support certain opinions or ideas except their own.
Kimberly Woods 