Persons attending the 2005 annual conference left inspired and renewed, largely in part to the leadership, energy and preaching of Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr. The conference began June 9th at the Southeast Regional Center at Antlers, Oklahoma and ended on Sunday, June 12, 2005.
Bishop Hayes preached at all of the services throughout the conference as many in the conference likened the services to a great revival. “It was like being at a three night revival,” said Ms. Pat Coachman, member of Arbeka UMC. “I think Bishop Hayes is just the spiritual jolt that the OIMC needs.”
Comments like these have been heard throughout the conference since it ended as clergy and lay gathered for a time of worship, renewal and business of the annual conference.
Former District Superintendent, Rev. Anita Phillips noted that the attendance was larger than usual for this conference, as churches prepared more food and meals than in previous years. “I think the people of OIMC are excited for this change and want to be a part of what is happening in OIMC,” she said.
Three elders were ordained on Sunday morning. Rosa Baker, William Foote, Sr., and Margaret Battiest were ordained as elders. Delana Taylor was commissioned as a probationary Deacon, OIMC’s second person in that role as a Deacon. Seven persons were granted licenses as local pastors on Friday night. They include, Rubye Taylor, Don Jacob, Duke Poorbuffalo, Mike Boyiddle, Tony James, Leroy Webster and Deborah Wilson.
Reports of accomplishments were shared by many boards and committees during the annual conference session. Dr. Sandra Lackore, General Secretary of the General Council on Finance and Administration visited the conference and presented the conference with a plaque for OIMC’s sixth consecutive year of paying 100 percent of general church apportionments. Dr. Lackore’s visit to OIMC marked the first time a General Secretary of GCFA has visited the annual conference session.
“Your giving is about shared ministry, allowing ministry to happen all over the world,” she said.
Delegates approved phase two of policy and safety standards for children and youth events. The policy defines the numbers of adult workers needed for various events, as well as other supervisory guidelines for regional, district and conference youth events. The Council on Local Church Ministries worked on the guidelines for almost a year before presenting them to the annual conference for approval.
Delegates approved raising the conference insurance deductible to $5,000, in an attempt to keep up with rising insurance costs. The recommendation includes local churches paying $2,000 of the costs and the conference, $3,000, to meet the deductible. The OIMC Board of Trustees will develop guidelines for local churches in the event of losses to churches.
The Conference approved a budget of $1,166,949 for the 2006 fiscal year. The increases in the budget reflected rising health insurance costs. The budget was approximately $24,000 more than the 2005 budget.
Other business items included:
*Collecting approximately $2,000 through offerings to the General Advance Special for Tsunami Relief in South and Southeast Asia.
*Sending words of support to the Red Lake Nation for the tragedy that affected their community this year and to offer prayers and assistance.
*Collected health kits for the UMCOR Depot in Sager, Louisiana.
*Approval of resolution calling for ending the usage of Native American people as mascots and to educate communities on this issue.
The 2006 Annual Conference Session will be held at the Southwest Regional Center near Anadarko, Oklahoma.
