From Rev. Greg Shapley:
Early Wednesday afternoon, our Chancel Choir traveled to the Fort Worth Convention Center to rehearse for the opening worship service. We combined with the choirs from White's Chapel UMC and Mansfield UMC. I was so proud of our folks as we rehearsed for several hours in preparation of the worship service.
It was easy to see that this service was a monumental undertaking! There were huge forces to bring together -- dancers, liturgists, banner carriers, bishops, choirs, lights, sound, orchestra ... enormous! The service was multi-cultural, showing the broad diversity of our denomination. All combined to create a memorable expression of praise to our God. It's an experience that none of us will forget.
On Thursday, Four Heaven's Sake, a men's quartet from our church, sang a noontime concert. Members of the group are Rob Allibon, Stan Paschal, Danny Detrick, and Mike Teague. They did a GREAT job! Although they were introduced as four attorneys, which makes for a great story, there is in fact only one lawyer in the group. People loved hearing them sing, and they represented FUMC Hurst so well!
Friday, April 25, 2008
From Rev. Philip Rhodes:
Literally thousands of people attended the opening worship service for General Conference Wednesday evening. There were people from more than 50 countries celebrating the risen Christ at what was perhaps one of the most powerful conference-style worship experiences I have ever witnessed. The theme of the worship service was hope. The wooden altar and pulpit were fashioned out of debris from a Methodist church on the Mississippi Gulf Coast destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The message from Bishop Janice Huie invited us all to reclaim the power of the the deep meaning of what hope really is.
The music was fabulous. Particularly moving was the singing of a hymn sandwiched between a wonderful spiritual from Africa, complete with the power of African drums. Our choir, under the direction of Rev. Greg Shapley, performed prior to the service and also during worship in concert with several other choirs from the metroplex.
I have tried to process what was so moving about this experience. Was it the thousands of people gathered from all reaches of the earth? Was it the theme and message? Was it the music? Was it the image of redemption in the pulpit and altar? I can only surmise that "yes" is the answer to all of these questions.
My prayer for the General Conference is that the business of the church will be as uplifting and unified as its opening worship.
Literally thousands of people attended the opening worship service for General Conference Wednesday evening. There were people from more than 50 countries celebrating the risen Christ at what was perhaps one of the most powerful conference-style worship experiences I have ever witnessed. The theme of the worship service was hope. The wooden altar and pulpit were fashioned out of debris from a Methodist church on the Mississippi Gulf Coast destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The message from Bishop Janice Huie invited us all to reclaim the power of the the deep meaning of what hope really is.
"Hope has gotten a little flabby, like muscles without exercise," she said. "Hope has become a marshmallow word that sounds soft, looks sweet and appealing, but get it close to the fire, and hope melts off the stick and drips to the ground.
"[The Apostle] Paul was not describing that kind of hope.
"Resurrection hope transforms lives; transformed lives transform the world!"The music was fabulous. Particularly moving was the singing of a hymn sandwiched between a wonderful spiritual from Africa, complete with the power of African drums. Our choir, under the direction of Rev. Greg Shapley, performed prior to the service and also during worship in concert with several other choirs from the metroplex.
I have tried to process what was so moving about this experience. Was it the thousands of people gathered from all reaches of the earth? Was it the theme and message? Was it the music? Was it the image of redemption in the pulpit and altar? I can only surmise that "yes" is the answer to all of these questions.
My prayer for the General Conference is that the business of the church will be as uplifting and unified as its opening worship.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Many First United Methodist Church of Hurst members were volunteering yesterday in the Fort Worth Convention Center as registration for General Conference began. Lamar and Clara Milner registered me and gave me my delegate credentials. Also seen working the registration tables and other areas were Sandra Hill, Reverend Jacinto and Betty Alderete, Reverend Henry and Susan Radde, Dr. Joe Larson, Reverend Alice Logan, Reverend Steven Bell, Ruby Ann Crites, and Reverend Judy Sands. Other members will be volunteering throughout the 10 days of General Conference. Thank you for your radical hospitality.
Walking through the Exhibit Hall, volunteers and staff members were constructing and setting up the informational and display areas describing the ministry and mission of the United Methodist Church. If you choose to go to the Fort Worth Convention Center for General Conference, walk through the Exhibit Area to learn of the vast ministry of our church.
Tonight General Conference begins with opening worship at 6:00 p.m. Our Chancel Choir leaves the church at 1:00 p.m. to go to the Convention Center for a rehearsal with three other choirs leading worship this evening. Prior to the worship service, our Chancel Choir will give a concert at 5:15 p.m.
If you can come, I encourage you to arrive early – it will be a moving experience with Methodists from around the globe. In our 11:00 a.m. service last Sunday at First United Methodist Church, we had more than 25 United Methodist guests from conferences in Africa and Europe; it was a visible symbol of the global nature of the United Methodist Church. Tonight’s worship will reflect this in exciting and inspiring ways as we worship God together.
Each evening, I will be writing a brief blog of my experiences and thoughts regarding the day’s proceedings. Other clergy in our church will be invited to write of their experiences as well. I ask for your prayers for all the delegates, volunteers, and staff involved in General Conference.
For the complete schedule of General Conference go to www.ctcumc.org . Click on “General Conference Gateway” and then click on “Agenda.” Visitors and observers are welcome at General Conference events.
Walking through the Exhibit Hall, volunteers and staff members were constructing and setting up the informational and display areas describing the ministry and mission of the United Methodist Church. If you choose to go to the Fort Worth Convention Center for General Conference, walk through the Exhibit Area to learn of the vast ministry of our church.
Tonight General Conference begins with opening worship at 6:00 p.m. Our Chancel Choir leaves the church at 1:00 p.m. to go to the Convention Center for a rehearsal with three other choirs leading worship this evening. Prior to the worship service, our Chancel Choir will give a concert at 5:15 p.m.
If you can come, I encourage you to arrive early – it will be a moving experience with Methodists from around the globe. In our 11:00 a.m. service last Sunday at First United Methodist Church, we had more than 25 United Methodist guests from conferences in Africa and Europe; it was a visible symbol of the global nature of the United Methodist Church. Tonight’s worship will reflect this in exciting and inspiring ways as we worship God together.
Each evening, I will be writing a brief blog of my experiences and thoughts regarding the day’s proceedings. Other clergy in our church will be invited to write of their experiences as well. I ask for your prayers for all the delegates, volunteers, and staff involved in General Conference.
For the complete schedule of General Conference go to www.ctcumc.org . Click on “General Conference Gateway” and then click on “Agenda.” Visitors and observers are welcome at General Conference events.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
General Conference Event Highlights
Following are highlights of General Conference events. Visitors and observers are welcome:
Wednesday, April 23
5:15 p.m.: Pre-Worship Concert featuring FUMC Hurst Choir, Arena
Thursday, April 24
8:00 a.m.: Worship – Episcopal Address, Arena
11:35 a.m.: First Ever Young People’s Address: Many Voices, One Call, Arena
12:35 p.m.: Four Heaven’s Sake performs
2:30 p.m.: Laity Address, Arena
8:00–11:00 p.m.: Legislative Committees
Saturday, April 26
8:00 a.m.: Worship – FUMC Hurst Confirmands will participate, Arena
Friday, May 2
3:15 p.m.: Closing Worship, Arena
Daily Events
Worship begins at 8:00 a.m. on each day, Friday, April 25 – Friday, May 2.
Legislative Committees meet on April 25, 26, and 27 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 7:30 – 11:00 p.m.
Plenary Sessions meet daily, April 28–May 2.
All the events are at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Wednesday, April 23
5:15 p.m.: Pre-Worship Concert featuring FUMC Hurst Choir, Arena
Thursday, April 24
8:00 a.m.: Worship – Episcopal Address, Arena
11:35 a.m.: First Ever Young People’s Address: Many Voices, One Call, Arena
12:35 p.m.: Four Heaven’s Sake performs
2:30 p.m.: Laity Address, Arena
8:00–11:00 p.m.: Legislative Committees
Saturday, April 26
8:00 a.m.: Worship – FUMC Hurst Confirmands will participate, Arena
Friday, May 2
3:15 p.m.: Closing Worship, Arena
Daily Events
Worship begins at 8:00 a.m. on each day, Friday, April 25 – Friday, May 2.
Legislative Committees meet on April 25, 26, and 27 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 7:30 – 11:00 p.m.
Plenary Sessions meet daily, April 28–May 2.
All the events are at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Dr. Michael McKee and other clergy from FUMC Hurst will be posting reports from the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Nearly 1,000 delegates and other United Methodists from throughout the world will gather in Fort Worth April 23–May 2 for the once-every-four-years General Conference.
The General Conference is the policy-making body of the global United Methodist Church and is the only body that speaks for our denomination.
Meeting every four years, the General Conference is composed of 992 delegates elected by their annual conferences in the United States and from Europe, Africa, and Asia. During the gathering, these delegates will revise the Book of Discipline which directs how local churches, general agencies, and annual conference are organized.
Additionally, delegates decide on policies relating to new buildings, ordination of clergy, administration, property, and judicial procedures. Dr. Michael McKee is serving as a clergy delegate to General Conference.
The Central Texas Conference is hosting General Conference for the first time. During the past four years, our annual conference has been planning to host the General Conference. Many FUMC Hurst members have volunteered to help during the nine days of General Conference.
The opening Worship Service of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church begins at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, in the Fort Worth Convention Center. The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church of Hurst under the direction of Rev. Greg Shapley will sing a pre-service concert at 5:15 p.m. on April 23. Our choir joins two other choirs in providing musical leadership for the opening Worship Service. Dong-ill Shin is the organist for this service and also for the 8:15 a.m. worship on Saturday, April 26. Four Heaven’s Sake, the men’s quartet from our church, will be performing Thursday, April 24, 12:35–1:05pm.
Visitors and observers are welcome to General Conference. This is an excellent opportunity to witness the breadth and depth of the global United Methodist Church.
Nearly 1,000 delegates and other United Methodists from throughout the world will gather in Fort Worth April 23–May 2 for the once-every-four-years General Conference.
The General Conference is the policy-making body of the global United Methodist Church and is the only body that speaks for our denomination.
Meeting every four years, the General Conference is composed of 992 delegates elected by their annual conferences in the United States and from Europe, Africa, and Asia. During the gathering, these delegates will revise the Book of Discipline which directs how local churches, general agencies, and annual conference are organized.
Additionally, delegates decide on policies relating to new buildings, ordination of clergy, administration, property, and judicial procedures. Dr. Michael McKee is serving as a clergy delegate to General Conference.
The Central Texas Conference is hosting General Conference for the first time. During the past four years, our annual conference has been planning to host the General Conference. Many FUMC Hurst members have volunteered to help during the nine days of General Conference.
The opening Worship Service of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church begins at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, in the Fort Worth Convention Center. The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church of Hurst under the direction of Rev. Greg Shapley will sing a pre-service concert at 5:15 p.m. on April 23. Our choir joins two other choirs in providing musical leadership for the opening Worship Service. Dong-ill Shin is the organist for this service and also for the 8:15 a.m. worship on Saturday, April 26. Four Heaven’s Sake, the men’s quartet from our church, will be performing Thursday, April 24, 12:35–1:05pm.
Visitors and observers are welcome to General Conference. This is an excellent opportunity to witness the breadth and depth of the global United Methodist Church.
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