First United Methodist Church

From the moment I first walked into the Hot Springs Convention Center, I knew this year of the Arkansas Annual Conference would be different. What I discovered and experienced was a church that was more unified and collaborative than in years past. The whole event, themed “Come to the Table,” was filled with grace, collegiality, and hope for the future of the United Methodist Church.

Historically, the convention center arena was laid out with a floor half full of long tables and hall full of chairs to be used as the bar of the conference and then bleachers on the front and back for spectators. This time, no long tables, no rows of chairs, and the bleachers were pushed back. Instead, round tables covered the whole of the floor. Centerpieces at the tables included cups, mugs, and tumblers from churches across the state. Moreover, the tables were used as a point for sharing communion and holding holy conversations about what God is doing within our congregations and communities. It was a beautiful thing to see our traditionalists, centrists, and progressive members come together to worship and share in God’s grace. Come to the table indeed!

Much of the business of the annual conference includes hearing business reports of the different business committees, ministry committees, and church affiliated institutions. Time and again we received positive reports of how ministries are finding ways to do more with less while still representing Jesus Christ as United Methodists in Arkansas.

Yet, it wasn’t all celebration and jubilation. Some dear friends and familiar faces were absent. There were moments of lament. When it’s all said and done, we will have lost about 17% of our churches and maybe 20% of our conference membership. That’s a significant loss. It’s also a significant reduction in funds to support parachurch ministries. These include Wesley Foundation Campus Ministries and other general funds for the greater church. As they should, everyone sees their mission and ministry as important.

Nevertheless, some of the highlights were found in worship as we sung, prayed, and broke bread together. Whether it was alongside longtime friends, people representing our own congregation, or people we’d met for the first time. Some of these moments include encouraging words from our own bishop at the opening worship, exciting preaching at the ordination service, or heartfelt calls to continue on in Christ at the Celebration of Life service where we remembered clearly who joined the church triumphant in the past year.

My overall favorite was also a first. While the conference worship ensemble led us with some fantastic worship music, Bishop Rev. Laura Merrill was preparing to consecrate communion. Then, I heard this voice singing the communion liturgy. I was looking around to see who it was. It wasn’t any of the band members. No, it was Bishop Merrill! She was singing the liturgy as she prepared the elements and we recited the congregational response. It was amazing and beautiful! I mean, I’ve never heard a bishop sing before, and she can sing! #BishopCanSing! Talking with friends afterwards, I heard someone call it Broadway Communion. I couldn’t help but call it Disney Communion, I was reminded of the old Disney Snow White movie where Snow White was gathering apples while she sang and the birds were singing with her. You’ll just have to go watch it.

Anyway, don’t get any bright ideas. I don’t plan on leading us by singing a communion solo anytime soon — if ever! Final two thoughts, our church representatives, Rev. Tom Frase, Jeff Quick, and Debbie Bodenhamer will offer their thoughts soon and provide us a report.

Last but not least, Bishop Merrill will be here at our church to preach next Sunday, July 9th, at both services. We will have a meet and greet reception in between them at 10:00 in the UMAC Common. I hope you will be there and bring a friend with you to service that day.

Grace and Peace,