2007 Annual Conference, Plano Centre June 3-6

BY DR. JOAN GRAY LABARR
Editor

Bishop Alfred L. Norris will preside over the 141st session of the North Texas Annual Conference June 3-6.

Bishop Norris will also preach for the opening celebration of worship and Holy Communion at 7:00 p.m. June 3 at First UMC, Richardson. A reception honoring Bishop Alfred L. and Dr. Mackie Norris will follow the worship service.

Bishop Norris' sermon title is "Many Languages...One People." He will draw on the Tower of Babel story in Genesis 11 as the scriptural foundation for his sermon, an emphasis that reinforces the 2007 Annual

Conference Theme, "That All May Catch the Flame."

This theme merges two prominent emphases: the 300th anniversary of Charles Wesley and NTC commitment to the United Methodist mission of "making disciples of Jesus Christ."

Charles Wesley, who cofounded the Methodist Movement in 18th Century England along with his elder brother, John, is renown for his hymns. One of these hymns, "See How Great a Flame Aspires," is the inspiration for this year's theme. One of the lines reads, "that all may catch the flame."

"The hymn as a whole, and the phrase in particular, express a vision and prayer for the world to know, to taste and see, the goodness of God’s grace in Jesus Christ," says Annual Conference Worship Chairperson Rev. Paul Escamilla, Spring Valley UMC, Dallas.

Bonnie Vincent, a lay member from Walnut Hill UMC, created the conference logo, which features an image of the globe, crowned by a cross, with music notes and the theme in the lower right corner. She has also been commissioned to create the logo for the South Central Jurisdiction Conference in 2008.

"The message is first conveyed through the subterranean ribbon, which moves from left to right across the bottom of the logo. Immediately the viewer notices what appear to be random musical notations embossed on the ribbon; these are, in fact, notes from the first music line of the hymn from which the theme phrase is taken. The ribbon crosses an open Bible before sweeping dramatically upward, then back across the image of the globe, finally igniting into flame atop the world’s surface," Rev. Escamilla explains.

He continues that the flame's colors were chosen to convey warmth, light, healing, and grace. Rev. Escamilla notes that Vincent hand scripted the lettering.

In addition to Bishop Norris, preachers for the conference will include:
• Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr., Oklahoma Area and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, who will preach for the Service of Ordination at 7:00 p.m. June 5 at Custer Road UMC, Plano.
• Rev. Thomas Q. Robbins, pastor, University Park UMC, Dallas, who will preach for the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m., June 5 at the Plano Centre.

The Service of Commissioning will be at 8:30 a.m. June 4 at Plano Centre. Organization of the conference will follow the commissioning service.

Rev. R. Randy Day, General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries, will address the first session, emphasizing "Faith and Health: A Global Challenge." Dr. Day will also address Sunday evening's Laity Dinner at First UMC, Richardson and the Monday Sending Servants Luncheon.

Becca Walters, president of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries, will present the Young Person's Address June 4 at 1:30 p.m.

The 2007 Annual Conference will include election of lay and clergy delegates to the 2008 General and Jurisdictional Conferences. Balloting will occur throughout the business sessions until the delegations are completed.

Another highlight of the Annual Conference will be the Consecration of the new Ministry Center, located at 500 Maplelawn Drive, Plano, at 7:30 a.m. June 4. There will be open house at the Ministry Center from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The Annual Conference will also include a celebration of the successful VISION 2020 Campaign and a report on the ministries that have benefited from the generosity of NTC churches in supporting the effort.