Lawson says annual conference is congregation of the clergy

As the South Indiana Conference Memorial Service began in Indiana University Auditorium on Thursday afternoon June 9, Bishop Coyner introduced Bishop David and Martha Lawson and Bishop Leroy Hodapp, both retired bishops with Indiana ties.

Bishop Lawson preached the Memorial Service using Acts 11 as the sermon text. The passage is about the church scattering after the stoning of Stephen. Part of the church went to Antioch where many were added to the faith.

Lawson said he hadn't been to a South Indiana Conference session for 22 years. Facing Coyner, he said, "I am among a number of people that celebrate that you are here. I can also say that you have become a highly respected bishop among the Council of Bishops. Your presence here is very important."

Lawson said in the 1970s, the phrase "the congregation of the clergy" was coined here in Indiana. This congregation gathers as clergy, he said. When clergy die in this conference, clergy attend their funeral. "You will not die alone. The clergy will be with you." These people (we remember) will not be alone, we will be with them. He asked the congregation to review the list of those remembered.

"The other dimension I see here is that these were remarkable people. I said thank you God."

Those listed include: CLERGY - Francis Applegate Sr., Marcus Blaising, Fred Carpenter, Robert DeLong, Edward David Frazier, Leion Guinn, Elva Hardy, Fred Kelley, Ross William Marrs and Julian Morgan; plus SPOUSES - Thelma Askren, Beth Bell, Marilyn Collins, Opal Cox, Mozelle DeLong, Anna Lee Hamilton, Clara Jaquess, Jean Marrs, Rebecca Meacham, Maxine Miller, Ann Belle Partain, Pauline Siders, Imogene Smith and Virginia Tousley.

Lawson talked about his acquaintance with several clergy listed including Marcus Blaising, Fred Carpenter, Robert DeLong and Anna Lee Hamilton, names he knew well.

Referring back to Scripture, he said, "Those who could, walked a long distance to Antioch (from Jerusalem). They shared their faith with their fellow Jews and some talked with the Hellenists and Greeks. The words of this reached the ears of the leaders in Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas, who went on to Tarsus and found Paul and brought him down to Antioch to share the faith. "And the church grew and grew and grew," Lawson said.

Then word came about a great famine. The church at Antioch gave money to Barnabas to take back to Jerusalem. Because they did this, they were blessed by God.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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