MethoBlogroll Mirror Test : UMC

Reflections: Bishop's Convocation

bethquick.com — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:01:00 GMT

I spent a few days this past week at the Bishop's Convocation (for the GNJ conference) at Willow Valley Resort in Lancaster, PA. Willow Valley is a very nice facility, if you ever have the occasion to be in Lancaster. I somehow wound up with a gorgeous...(read more)

Endorsed Candidates for the Episcopacy

bethquick.com — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:09:00 GMT

In a few days, I will be heading to Harrisburg, PA for the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference . UM Portal recently published a list of candidates endorsed for the episcopacy. Electing bishops is one of the primary tasks of the jurisdictional gathering...(read more)

2008 Annual Conference Reports

bethquick.com — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:48:00 GMT

It's that time of year again, where my Metho-nerdiness shines through: the 2008 Annual Conference Reports are up at umc.org. (Well, many of them are up anyway.) I've skimmed through all the posted reports and noticed some common themes, and as...(read more)

Peace or Sword? A Sermon from Bishop Mary Ann Swenson

bethquick.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:52:00 GMT

As I struggle again this time around the lectionary with Jesus' words, "I come not to bring peace, but a sword," I point you to my favorite-ever sermon on this text, from General Conference 2000, preached by Bishop Mary Ann Swenson. I just...(read more)

from Bishop Willimon: Empowering a New Generation of Leaders

bethquick.com — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:36:00 GMT

Just read this post at Bishop Willimon's blog , which concludes: "[This] story is far from unique. This is what happens when we really focus ourselves upon the priority of a new generation of Christians. I’m recommending that next year our entire...(read more)

Annual Conference Reflections

bethquick.com — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:41:00 GMT

Sorry for the blog silence. I've been quite a delinquent blogger lately. I've just returned from NCNY's Annual Conference . The internet access wasn't great (neither is my laptop battery), which makes blogging difficult. I remember after...(read more)

General Conference Wrap-up Reflections: Points of Joy

bethquick.com — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:49:00 GMT

As a (I think) last post about General Conference , I want to share some of the moments that brought me joy - because despite the exhaustion, and despite the disappointments and emotional lows, there really were times of great joy and hope as well, and...(read more)

General Conference Wrap-up Reflections: Legislative Committe Work

bethquick.com — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:07:00 GMT

When I was a lay delegate to General Conference in 2000, I chose to be on the Faith and Order legislative committee. Which paragraphs of the Discipline are covered by what legislative committee changes somewhat every four years, and in 2000, Faith and...(read more)

General Conference Wrap-up Reflections: Worship

bethquick.com — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:13:00 GMT

Worship at General Conference was a wonderful gift, a highlight in the midst of such long and stress-filled days. The worship leaders were Mark Miller and Marcia McFee. Mark was the director of the seminary choir while I was at Drew , and his role has...(read more)

General Conference Wrap-up Reflections: Human Sexuality

bethquick.com — Tue, 06 May 2008 05:10:00 GMT

I'm finally home from General Conference, and beginning to recover enough to put some thoughts together. I'd hoped to write much more than I did, but the schedule just really made that impossible for me - I don't know how other folks got so...(read more)

General Conference Reflections

bethquick.com — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:50:00 GMT

It has become clear to me that I probably will be unable to write any orderly General Conference reflections until I come home or at least until later this week when we move from Legislative Committees to all day full group plenary sessions. Sorry about...(read more)

General Conference Blogging

bethquick.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:56:00 GMT

Ok friends - I am trying to get a quick post up before my battery dies! Things have gotten off to a crazy start for me personally - I had a flat tire on the way, and then I couldn't check into the hotel for hours, and ultimately they told me they...(read more)

General Conference: I'm on the Way

bethquick.com — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:19:00 GMT

I'm checking in from the road, on my way to Texas. That's right, I'm driving from New Jersey to Fort Worth. I hate flying. I don't need the added anxiety on top of 10 totally packed days of conference. So one of my colleagues and I are...(read more)

Children and Communion

bethquick.com — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:51:00 GMT

Tomorrow, I'm teaching a class to children about communion. What would you want children to know about communion? What would you share with them? I don't ever remember *not* taking communion. My grandmother made the communion bread, and I loved...(read more)

You're So Transparent

bethquick.com — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:55:00 GMT

I've been following the primaries for the Presidency with great interest, like many of us in the US and around the world that have been caught up in this most interesting of election years, when the presidency has been really up for grabs more than...(read more)