Annual Conference is represented by one or more pastors and representatives from every United Methodist Church in Iowa.
We Met Here
HyVee Hall in downtown Des Moines, Iowa
June 5 - 8, 2010
On Saturday, the Call to Order was 10:00 A.M. with a Worship Service. The service was led by Bishop Trimble, Bishop Pates, Dan O'Neill, and Rev. Dr. Doug Ruffle from New Jersey. An audio of the service can be heard by clicking on this sentence.
Even though the hall was full of people, a grand effort was made daily to maintain Worship periodically. Initially led by Bishop Trimble Saturday morning, Fred Lewis had been asked and was appointed as the official Conference Priest. We often had time for breaks including worship, song, and prayer. 
On at least two days, were were also able to take communion.
Sunday morning began with the Service of the Ordering of Ministry (Ordination & Commissioning Service).
Bishop Arthur Kulah from Nigeria
(To read a printable report on the Ordination Service, click here.)(To watch a 2-hour video on the entire service, click here.)
A Favorite Speaker and Her Message
Norma Morrison, Conference Lay Leader
Please get comfortable and listen to her entire message.It lasts for 18 minutes and 13 seconds, and it's worth every second!
If you'd like a printed copy, click here.
Some Special Fundraisers/Features
Miranda Walters is a young teenager from Cedar Rapids who, after seeing a video at her church about the ministry Imagine No Malaria which saves lives through providing bed nets which help prevent the spread of malaria by keeping mosquitos away from people as they sleep. Miranda began making pies, selling pies, and raising funds to help support this ministry. Each mosquito net, which can protect up to four people, can be purchased for $10.
Bishop Trimble was given a pie. Suddenly a flurry erupted at Conference, in that the Districts began fund-raising to purchase the pie, or the pie pan, etc. Our SE Iowa District jumped into the fray early on and raised $1000 for the pie itself.
At the conclusion of Annual Conference, funds raised . . . . .
Bishop Trimble was given a pie. Suddenly a flurry erupted at Conference, in that the Districts began fund-raising to purchase the pie, or the pie pan, etc. Our SE Iowa District jumped into the fray early on and raised $1000 for the pie itself.
At the conclusion of Annual Conference, funds raised . . . . .
New Appointments Across the State for 2010
Click on these words for the list.
New Song
Let me introduce you to a new song.
"The Squeaking of the Chair"
(It is sung to the tune:
Bringing in the Sheaves.)
Bringing in the Sheaves.)
When the back despairs
And the bottom wears,
We will rise rejoicing,
Squeaking all our chairs.
Every muscle bears
Aches that no one shares,
Till we rise rejoicing,
Squeaking all our chairs.
REFRAIN:
"Save our derrieres!
Save our derrieres!"
We will rise rejoicing,
And the bottom wears,
We will rise rejoicing,
Squeaking all our chairs.
Every muscle bears
Aches that no one shares,
Till we rise rejoicing,
Squeaking all our chairs.
REFRAIN:
"Save our derrieres!
Save our derrieres!"
We will rise rejoicing,
Squeaking all our chairs.
Everyone declares,
"Save our derrieres!"
And we will rise rejoicing,
Squeaking all our chairs.
Some VIPs at Annual Conference:
The Pages!
People we saw at Conference:
Mary and Lowell Smith
Linda Kent and Amy Miller (wife of Pastor Jerry Miller)
Steve Swanson
working in the Heifer International booth
Our New Associate Pastor/Youth Director
Nate Nims
And this is proof positive - we were there, too! :-)
Kathy and Pete Tollenaere
An Interesting, Special Project
shown at Annual Conference:
The P.E.T. PROJECT
(Personal Energy Transportation)
The wheelchair that goes where wheelchairs can't go.
PET is about hope and sharing God's love. PET is about dignity and self respect. About getting to work, to school, to church or carrying a load.
The PET, a hand-cranked rough terrain wheelchair, designed to go where normal wheelchairs cannot, provides a free gift of mobility to persons who have lost the use of their legs.
PETs have been sent to 76 of the poorest countries including Haiti, Vietnam, Afghanistan, the Congo, and the tsunami area of South Asia.
PETs have been sent to 76 of the poorest countries including Haiti, Vietnam, Afghanistan, the Congo, and the tsunami area of South Asia.
This video was taken of a PET in action at Annual Conference.
The PET is:
hand-cranked by the user,
rides on wheelbarrow wheels and tires,
comes in adult and children sizes,
sturdy to provide services for many years,
simple, easily maintained in outpost areas,
low cost, so the donor dollar can serve as many persons as possible.
PETs are built by:
Over 100 individuals and groups across the USA who build parts for the PET and ship them to building sites.
Each PET costs $250. To make a donation, or receive additional information, contact:
PET Iowa - Hawarden
803 13th Street
Hawarden, IA 51023
Ph: 712.551-4072
Email: hawardenumc@longlines.com
PETs are ecumenical:
Coordination with other mobility groups like Hope Haven in Iowa, Washington Overseeas Mission in Missouri and New Steps through Mercy Ships in Texas.Each PET costs $250. To make a donation, or receive additional information, contact:
PET Iowa - Hawarden
803 13th Street
Hawarden, IA 51023
Ph: 712.551-4072
Email: hawardenumc@longlines.com
PET representatives at Annual Conference
Guess who tried it out?!
Last, but Certainly Not Least!
The Business at Hand:
Budgets:
We voted, based on recommendations
of the study committee and the legislative committee.
(the countdown)
(What voting results look like)
When an entire legislative area has been voted upon and approval is given,
the recommendation for total approval is requested and brought to a final vote.
To be able to review 2010 Annual Conference on-line, please click these words to be taken to the official Iowa United Methodist website. You can also find information relating to activities and goings-on relative to our denomination across the state of Iowa and beyond.Thank you for sending us.
Pete and Kathy Tollenaere
