UCC Pacific Northwest Conference
Annual Meeting
By Debe
Nelson
he
Annual Meeting of the Pacific Northwest Conference was
held in Yakima on May 20-22.
The
theme was "God is Still Speaking," and our keynote
speaker was Ron Buford, the spokesperson for the
denomination's identity campaign. Ron spoke to the
whole gathered community Saturday morning as well as
leading a workshop on Friday and spending time with the
youth Saturday night.
Other
highlights were the introduction of our new Transitional
Interim Conference Minister, Mark Miller; Hollis
Breadwig, the new Associate Conference Minister for the
east side; and the introducation of our new settled site
manager at Pilgrim Firs, Deeg Nelson.
We enjoyed Blue Grass music as well as
traditional hymns, the conference choir and multi-media
worship! Emma Floyd and Cami Maston participated in
worship on Sunday by acting out the scriptures for the
morning. Cami Maston served as our youth delegate.
Others attending from Suquamish were Pastor Tom, Debe
and Deeg Nelson, Sally Nelson, and Jeaneane Hill.
We enjoyed the Yakima weather and sites
on Saturday afternoon, as well as catching up with old
friends. On Saturday night, Debe and Deeg led "camp
worship," along with N-Sid-Sen site manager, Randy Crowe
and his wife, Pastor Linda Crowe.
After several alternative worship
offerings, the community gathered for an open mike
during which several people shared their talents.
During the plenary session, four bylaws
changes were brought before the body and voted on. One
in particular drew quite a bit of discussion. The
Ministry Resources Committee had submitted an amendment
changing the size of the conference committees to 12,
with the exception of Personnel and the Committee on
Ministry. Friendly amendments were made to also make an
exception for Educational Ministry Committee, as it is
made up of 4 subcommittees -- Youth, Young Adults,
Outdoor Ministries, and Education. The members of the
Educational Ministry Committee were concerned that a
limit of 12 would not give them enough people to get
their work done. The friendly amendment passed.
Several people commented that the event
was peaceful and renewing. We enjoyed the new venue
with the two hotels on either side of the convention
center. We look forward to next year!
