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What is the purpose of this annual conference?
Each year, for the past 224 years, an equal number of clergy and lay people gather to determine how to best "call, equip, send and support spiritual leaders to make and engage disciples for the transformation of the world."
This year's theme, Serve like Christ, is the fourth element of the Discipleship Adventure.
The Discipleship Adventure is a holistic inward faith journey of celebration (worship), fellowship that builds the body of Christ (connection) and study of the Bible and spiritual disciplines (develop); and an outward faith movement of justice and mercy ministries (service) and evangelism that makes new disciples (faith-sharing).
Bishop Schol will discuss how well our churches are doing on the Adventure in his State of the Church address today.
Q: Is there a shuttle from the Metro to the hotel?
A: There is a bus that runs from the Southern Avenue Station on the Green Line to the National Harbor. The NH-1 bus runs 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. It arrives every 20-22 minutes during morning and evening rush hour (Monday-Friday), and every 30 minutes at all other times. The NH-1 route begins at the Southern Avenue Metro station and concludes at National Harbor, with four additional stops along the way. Current pricing for the trip is $1.35 each way, or $1.25 each way with a Metro SmarTrip card. The bus stop is located at the corner of Waterfront Street and St. George Boulevard, across the street from the main Gaylord National entrance (adjacent to the Hampton Inn).
Q: There is no deaf person on key conference committees (e.g. CFA) The deaf community feels it has not voice and feels excluded form the BWC family. They ask that a deaf person be appointed to CFA and other key conference groups.
A: The Committee on Nominations is working with the Deaf communities to identify people to serve on various committees. The nominations report will be available at Annual Conference.
Q :Has the rodent problem reported in the Washington Post been cared for at the Gaylord Hotel Resort?
A: Hotel officials have sent a statement to the conference, assuring them that they have addressed the situation in which several mice were spotted at the hotel shortly after its opening in April. According to hotel officials, they have implemented an immediate and aggresive pest control program, working around the clock with a team of experts. The hotel is now certain it is in complicance with, and even exceeds, health department regulations.
Q: What personnel constitute a regional team?
A: Currently, regional teams are made up of two district superintendents (three in the Baltimore Region); two additional Guides (three in the Baltimore Region); a regional administrator and an assistant, who does clerical and other work. A district superintendent serves as the team leader for each region.
Q: Why aren't the rules of the conference printed in the pre-conference booklet as they have been in the past?
A: No changes have been proposed to the rules, so they did not need to be considered in this year's pre-conference booklet. A copy of the Rules of the Session can be found on pages 540-550 of the 2007 Journal of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
Q: Why can't I get a printer friendly version of forms I am trying to download from the conference Web site?
A: For stewardship reasons, the conference is moving toward Web-based communications. We realize this transition is a gradual one and the conference is open to any ideas that will assist churches as they do their ministries. If you need help with forms or other Web matters, contact Matt Brighton, the conference Web specialist, at brighton@bwcumc.org.
Q: There seems to be a spirit of mistrust and denial of spirituality in how annual conference deals with things. Can we take our fasting and prayer to the next level for annual conference, for the bishop and all who will be leading?
A: Yes, during May, at the bishop's request in his letter in the Pre-conference booklet, churches and individuals throughout the conference have been fasting each Wednesday and praying every day for the conference and its members. Your prayers are continually sought and valued.
Q: Where is the nominations report?
A: The Nominations Report was being fine-tuned when the Pre-conference booklet was printed. The report will be distributed to members at annual conference.
Do I need to bring anything special to conference?
It is essential that all members bring their credential cards with them to register. Lay members must have their cards signed by their pastors. In addition, the Pre-Conference Booklet will be very helpful in following the proceedings.
Members to do not need to bring their tax-exemption certificates. Because the hotel rooms are for individuals, the church's tax-exempt status does not apply.
If I have a meal ticket, where will I eat my meals?
Those with tickets will eat together in a hall at the hotel. Details are provided in your registration packet.
What are the dining options if I don't have a ticket?
There are a number of restaurants, with a variety of pricing options at the hotel, including the more upscale Old Hickory Steakhouse and Moon Bay Coastal Cuisine. More economical fare is available at the Pienza Italian Market and National Pastime Sports Bar and Grille. There is also a listing of area restaurants in your registration packet.
Where is the Prayer Center?
The Prayer Center is open in the Chesapeake C room. In addition to this quiet place for reflection, a service of prayer will be held each morning at 6 a.m. in the Maryland Ballroom.
Are any special offerings being taken this weekend?
Yes, at opening worship today, gifts will be received for the HOPE Fund that will benefit AIDS ministries, mission in Zimbabwe and the rebuilding of churches destroyed by Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. At ordination an offering will be taken for the Baltimore Initiative.
Where is the exhibit hall?
More than 60 exhibitors, including Cokesbury, the United Methodist bookstore, have displays in Exhibit Hall C.
Are there any special guest speakers at this annual conference?
Bishop Minerva Carcano of the Desert Southwest Conference will preach at opening worship. Bishop Thomas Bickerton of the Western Pennsylvania Episcopal Area will preach at ordination and Bishop Jane Middleton of the Central Pennsylvania Area will offer a study on the Wesleyan Way today and Saturday.
In addition, Mark Miller, director of music at Drew Theological Seminary in New Jersey who led worship at this conference last year and at the recent May General Conference session in Fort Worth, will lead the music.
What items will we be voting on?
On Saturday, the conference will have the opportunity to endorse a candidate for bishop. These candidates will be considered for one opening for the episcopacy in the Northeastern Jurisdiction, which meets July 13-18 in Harrisburg. After a process of discernment, the delegation to Jurisdictional Conference has put forth the Rev. Peggy Johnson, of Christ United Methodist Church of the Deaf, as a candidate for bishop.
In addition, conference members will vote on a number of recommendations and resolutions, including a study of women in the ministry, the continuation of conferencewide dialogue teams to be in holy conversation about homosexuality, health insurance for retired pastors and supporting pregnancy care centers.
Will I be getting a free Adventure Guide devotional again this year?
Yes, the books will be distributed in your registration packet. The devotions this year begin in September. You'll want to stop by the Adventure Guide table to order additional copies for members of your church. It is an excellent resource for centering people in faith during the opening of church committee meetings.
Who may attend ordination?
Ordination, held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Ballroom, is open to everyone.
Can I get a video of memorable events here at annual conference?
Yes. They can be ordered through Good News Television at their display table.
What does the multi-cultural celebration entail?
On Friday evening, the almost 700 people who bought tickets when they registered, will attend a dinner in Exhibit Hall D, which will include entertainment and a panel discussion on immigration. After dinner, the celebration will open to everyone in Exhibit Hall C and will include displays, music, dance, and hands-on activities.
Who is that man on stage sitting next to Bishop John Schol?
That's the Rev. Al Clipp, the conference secretary. He compiles the official report of the annual conference and publishes the official Conference Journal.
What if I have more questions?
Highlighters, dressed in neon-colored shirts, are stationed throughout the hotel to answer all your questions. In addition, you can check the conference Web site at http://www.bwcumc.org/. A full report of the conference will be available in the June 4 UMConnection.