DENVER (UMNS) -- From Norway and Neodesha, Bulgaria and Baltimore, Sierra Leone and Saginaw, the Philippines and Pepper Pike, United Methodists from around the globe opened their l996 General Conference April 16 here.
A solemn processional of more than 90 active and retired bishops opened the quadrennial assembly with a service of Holy Communion and Remembrance in the glistening Colorado Convention Center at the base of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains. An estimated 1,800 visitors flanked the 998 delegates seated at the tables that will be their home for up to 15 hours a day through April 26.
This 1996 session of the denomination's top legislative assembly includes more women delegates than ever before, and more international delegates. Half the total are clergy, half laity.
Reflecting the global nature of the church the conference business will be translated into seven languages. A bank of almost 50 interpreters and assistants will provide the service.
The two delegates from Bulgaria marked the first representatives from Methodism in that country since Communists closed the churches there almost 40 years ago.
Warm embraces and cordial handshakes were the order of the day as delegates filled the convention hall registration area. In many cases people had not seen each other since the l992 General Conference in Louisville, Ky.
By the time the 1996 conference is adjourned the delegates will have disposed of 3,009 petitions for specific changes in the church's book of law. Some of the major issues include proposed changes in the ordering of the church's ministry, statements on homosexuality and abortion, relocation of the Board of Global Ministries out of New York City, finances and a beginning on possible restructure of general agencies.
Preaching at the opening eucharistic celebration, Bishop Roy I. Sano of Los Angeles reminded the worshippers that "we gather as a pilgrim community" at a "historic junction" of history when each person is "touched by global interaction wherever we live." The bishop prayed that "God will keep us open to new possibilities as we respond to our task."
A large screen at the center of the platform provided an up- close view for delegates and visitors at the rear of the vast plenary hall. Scattered throughout the hall and the remainder of the Convention Center were monitors carrying the proceedings.
The giant screen will be used for flashing within seconds the results of votes cast by each delegate by means of an electronic key pad. Delegates had a chance to test their electronic equipment when they rejected a motion to refuse consideration to petitions submitted by "unofficial" United Methodist agencies.
Once the communion elements had been received and the names of bishops and spouses who had died since l992 were read, the
delegates turned immediately to the business at hand. First major assignment was to elect chairs for the 10 legislative committees through which the 3009 petitions will be processed.An analysis of the petitions shows 302 assigned to the Committee on the Local Church; 263 to Financial Administration; 253 to Conferences; 247 to General and Judicial Administration; 212 to Discipleship; 198 to Independent Commissions; 153 to Global Ministries; and 54 to Higher Education and Chaplaincy.
General agencies submitted 1,005 petitions. Annual
conferences added an additional 835, with Western North Carolina sending the most, 161.The Council of Bishops put together the largest package of legislation of any single group, including 280 on the study of the ministry. The most petitions from a single individual came from Jerry Eckert, a retired clergy member of the Wisconsin Conference.
-- Robert Lear