I'm currently at the annual meeting of West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
So far, the meetings have gone well and the worship services have been exceptional.
Last evening, we considered resolutions and overwhelmingly adopted a resolution opposing the expansion of casino style and other forms of gambling in WV. The timing was particularly important since local elections are being held beginning in 2 counties this Saturday to permit casino style table games to operate at the state's dog and horse racing tracks.
There was also an emotional debate over a proposed resolution regarding the turmoil and bloodshed between Israel and Palestinians. Ultimately, the resolution was rejected and, much to my chagrin, the WV Annual Conference continues to reject calls for peace when they are presented.
I will readily admit that I need to learn more about this issue, but I think that a resolution that calls for people to pray and study in an effort to support peace is worthy of consideration.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wabi-Sabi is happy that her report as Chair of the Conference Nominating Committee was finally distributed, so she won't have to request suspension of the rules when her report is considered tomorrow.
Fellow Metho-blogger and friend Sandpiper is here for her first Annual Conference and as usual is blogging better than I am about the experience.
I will be offering the Children's Sermon during Saturday morning's worship service, and I am looking forward to that experience most of all.
In the meantime, we will continue considering resolutions and actions on issues affecting the future of our church, and prayerfully consider what God wants us to do.
And hopefully, I will continue to resist the urge to make sarcastic remarks and keep my usual snarky comments to myself.
So far, the meetings have gone well and the worship services have been exceptional.
Last evening, we considered resolutions and overwhelmingly adopted a resolution opposing the expansion of casino style and other forms of gambling in WV. The timing was particularly important since local elections are being held beginning in 2 counties this Saturday to permit casino style table games to operate at the state's dog and horse racing tracks.
There was also an emotional debate over a proposed resolution regarding the turmoil and bloodshed between Israel and Palestinians. Ultimately, the resolution was rejected and, much to my chagrin, the WV Annual Conference continues to reject calls for peace when they are presented.
I will readily admit that I need to learn more about this issue, but I think that a resolution that calls for people to pray and study in an effort to support peace is worthy of consideration.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wabi-Sabi is happy that her report as Chair of the Conference Nominating Committee was finally distributed, so she won't have to request suspension of the rules when her report is considered tomorrow.
Fellow Metho-blogger and friend Sandpiper is here for her first Annual Conference and as usual is blogging better than I am about the experience.
I will be offering the Children's Sermon during Saturday morning's worship service, and I am looking forward to that experience most of all.
In the meantime, we will continue considering resolutions and actions on issues affecting the future of our church, and prayerfully consider what God wants us to do.
And hopefully, I will continue to resist the urge to make sarcastic remarks and keep my usual snarky comments to myself.
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