Delegates Serve Well

Led by the theme, “A Future With Hope,” the 992 elected delegates from across the world spent time at the 2008 General Conference listening and responding to inspiring and radical preaching, moving worship services and receiving approximately 1,564 proposals submitted to the General Conference at Ft. Worth, Texas, April 23-May 2.

The General Conference is important to the life of OIMC in many ways, including the funding that comes through agencies within the denomination. The most important piece for OIMC was the approval of funding of the financial request of 1.2 million dollars through the General Council on Finance and Administration. The funding request was initially approved by GCFA and placed within their own budget for this quadrennium. The funding will be used for pension aid and clergy salaries.

The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference was well represented throughout the life of the 2008 General Conference, more than ever before. The representation from OIMC included the elected delegates, an OIMC Children’s Choir, observers and participation in worship throughout the event. Many lay and clergy members from OIMC also came and went throughout the conference.

Rev. David Wilson and Mrs. Josephine Deere represented OIMC as the elected delegates, along with the alternates, Mr. Lupe Gooday and Rev. Margaret Battiest.

Rev. Wilson was elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the Agenda Committee and of the Global Ministries Committee and served throughout the event. Mrs. Deere was elected as the Secretary for the Local Church Committee. Both provided leadership to the committees and conference throughout the ten-day session.

Sixteen observers attended the conference and they attended the daily plenary sessions and the committee meetings that were held during the first week of the conference. They were of great assistance to the OIMC delegation that was only represented in two committees.

“Being able to watch the business end of the church was very enlightening,
but I enjoyed the Bishops’ energizing messages every day the most,” said Phillis McCarty, an OIMC observer.

“This was my first General Conference and what a learning experience it was,” said Kerry Girty, OIMC observer. “I had no idea that the United Methodist Church allows participation from individual conferences to assist in the determination of critical elements concerning church policies and procedures.”

Rev. Jennifer Battiest served on the secretarial staff for the General Conference throughout the event.

Each day began with worship and choirs from across the world participated throughout the event. One of the highlights for the OIMC delegation was the OIMC Children’s Choir who sang on Sunday morning before worship and at the noon hour.

Approximately 30 Children from Boiling Springs UMC, Big Cussetah UMC,
Fife Memorial and KulliChito UMC participated. The children sang three tribal
songs that morning and were well received by the conference.

Rev. Wilson offered his appreciation to those who financially supported the choir. They include, The Chickasaw Nation, The Choctaw Nation, Boston Avenue UMC, The Oklahoma Annual Conference and the Native American Comprehensive Plan. The Chickasaw Nation and Muscogee Creek Nation also provided vans for transportation for two groups.

Rev. Wilson said there were many petitions and resolutions passed that will
affect the life and ministry of OIMC. They are highlighted in another article in this special edition. However, one of those that directly affect OIMC was the passage of the continuation of the Native American Comprehensive Plan. The plan was continued for another four years and willnow be lodged in the General Board of Discipleship. Rev. Anita Phillips is the Executive Director of the Plan. The Plan works with programs, leadership development and congregational development with all Native American United Methodist churches across the denomination.

The OIMC delegation will present a report at the 2008 Annual Conference
session at Antlers, Oklahoma.