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General Conference 2008Updates on General Conference for
April 23, 2008 |
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General Conference 2008Updates on General Conference for
April 23, 2008 |
| For Hoosier United Methodist information about General Conference 2008, log on to www.inareaumc.org. | A General Conference Daily Prayer Guide can be found at www.inareaumc.org/2008_Conferences/GC_daily_prayer_guide.pdf. |
The bishops of The United Methodist Church have chosen the leader of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference as their president-designate.
Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster, 59, was unanimously elected April 19 to lead the council in two years. His tenure will begin in 2010 at the conclusion of the presidency of Iowa Bishop Gregory Palmer, who will assume the presidency from Bishop Janice Riggle Huie during the 2008 General Conference this spring. Palmer was elected last November to a two-year term.
Goodpaster was chosen by a discernment team of bishops from the five U.S. jurisdictions and from the central conferences – regions in Africa, Asia and Europe.
United Methodist leaders are focusing the denomination’s work around four focus areas – leadership development, congregational renewal and growth, engaging in ministry with the poor, and stamping out killer diseases by improving global health – in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The council, with offices in Washington, represents 11.5 million United Methodists in the United States, Africa, Europe and the Philippines. It includes 69 active and 87 retired bishops. – UMNS
A new focus on health at the 2008 General Conference will include daily fitness walks and a Health and Wholeness booth offering blood pressure checks, relaxation exercises, massage chairs and interactive health information.
Six United Methodist agencies sponsoring the Health and Wholeness booth envision the 30-by-80-foot space as an oasis from the stresses of the conference – a place to relax while learning more about personal health, congregational health ministries, healthcare advocacy and global health.
Free water bottles, pedometers and apples will be available at the booth to encourage healthy behavior during the assembly, which can be mentally and physically demanding because of the heavy workload, long hours, tight schedules and a lack of sleep.
"We believe United Methodists are called to work toward a global society of persons who are spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally healthy," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. He and other members of the Interagency Health and Wholeness Task Force planned the booth and related activities in cooperation with the Central Texas Conference host committee. – UMNS
Portions of the 2008 General Conference will be available for live viewing over the Internet. Coverage includes worship services, special addresses and plenary sessions. To plan your viewing, see the schedule for dates and times of these events. View schedule.
You will need Windows Media Player (version 7 or higher) to access the streaming media. View system requirements and FAQs.
To view the live stream, click on the desired speed below to start your media player.
General Conference Web streaming was made possible through a collaborative effort between United Methodist Communications and the Commission on the General Conference. Streaming services were provided by Streaming Faith.
The General Conference Schedules is available online at: View schedule.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE -- Remember that all times are Central Time
Wednesday, April 238:30 A.M. Orientation for heads of delegations
| 9 A.M. – 12 P.M. | Orientation for marshals and pages |
| 9:30 A.M. – 12 P.M. | Orientation for delegates from outside the United States |
| 10:30 A.M. | Organization of
Committee on Courtesies and Privileges
Organization of Committee on Presiding Officers Organization of Committee on Credentials Organization of Committee on the Journal |
| 12 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. | Orientation for women delegates |
| 3 – 4:30 P.M. | Orientation for delegates under age 30 |
| 3 – 5 P.M. | Orientation for racial and ethnic minority delegates |
| 5:15 – 6 P.M. | Choral Music in the Plenary |
| 6 P.M. | Opening Worship & Holy
Communion
Preachers: Bishops Janice Riggle Huie & Gregory Vaughn Palmer – “Celebrating God’s Promise of Hope” |
| 8 P.M. | Organization of the General Conference |
TOMORROW’S SCHEDULE -- All times are Central Time
Thursday, April 24
| 7 A.M. |
Committee on Calendar and Agenda Committee on Reference |
| 7:45 A.M. | Choral music |
| 8 A.M. | Plenary call to order
Morning Worship Episcopal Address: “The Future with Hope” – Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher “What is Working: Vision Pathways” “Building on What Works: Areas of Focus” |
| 10:45 A.M. | Plenary call to order
“Moving Forward” – Connectional Table “The Tools for Moving Forward” – General Council on Finance and Administration |
| 11:35 A.M. | Young People’s Address: “Many Voices, One Call” – Andrew Craig, Becca Farnum, Matt Lockett, Jason Rathrod, Kira Volkova, and the Rev. Annie Arnoldy |
| 12:25 P.M. | Midday wrap-up |
| 12:30 P.M. | Lunch recess |
| 2:30 P.M. | Plenary call to order
Laity Address: “Disciples Transforming the World” – Lyn Powell Call to action Conference announcements |
| 4 – 4:30 P.M. | Organization of legislative committees |
| 4:30 – 7:45 P.M. | Training for legislative committee chairs, vice chairs, secretaries, assistant secretaries, parliamentarians, and recorders (dinner provided) |
| 5 P.M. | Daily deadline for Daily Christian Advocate Printing |
| 8 – 11 P.M. | Legislative committees |
