Complete 2012 Journal - 2012 NC Conference Journal

106 The North Carolina Annual Conference – 2012 Journal
Ms. Innes then presented of the Outstanding Lay Ministries of the Year for the Districts in
the Annual Conference for 2012. This report is found on 97 & 98 in the 2012 Conference
Workbook. Ms. Innes invited the members of the Conference Board of Laity to join her
on the stage. Ms. Innes thanked the members of the Board for their work. The Annual
Conference gave the Board of Laity a standing ovation in appreciation of their work.
Ms. Innes asked LaNella Smith, Conference UMW President, to make a special presentation.
Ms. Smith presented Bishop Gwinn a Special Recognition Ruby Pin on behalf of the
Conference UMW to thank him for his support of their ministry over his tenure. Ms. Innes
then placed in nomination Gary Locklear for the position of the NC Conference Lay Leader
for the quadrennium 2012 - 2016. Bishop Gwinn asked the Annual Conference for a vote
to affirm the nomination of Gary Locklear as Conference Lay Leader and Mr. Locklear
was affirmed. Ms. Innes then concluded the report from the Board of Laity. Bishop Gwinn
called for a brief recess. Ms. Innes introduced Gil Rendle, Senior Consultant for the Texas
Methodist Foundation who began his presentation at 4:00 p.m. At the conclusion of the first
part of Mr. Rendle’s presentation, the Conference was adjourned for dinner.
Evening Session, Thursday, June 15, 2012
The Laity Celebration continued at 7:30 p.m. with music provided by a choir and a praise
band from New Creation UMC (DU). Emily Innes hosted the event and Gil Rendle was the
speaker for the evening. The evening offering was designated for the Lay Ministry program as
announced by Bishop Gwinn. Emily Innes introduced Gil Rendle for his second presentation
of the day. The title of his presentation was The Wilderness Requires Wondering. Following
Rev. Rendle’s presentation, Bishop Gwinn recognized and honored Ann Davis, former
president of the Conference UMW. Ms. Davis invited Emily Innes to the stage to thank her
for her service to the Annual Conference.
Morning Session - Saturday, June 16, 2012
Service of Commissioning and Ordination
The service of Commissioning and Ordination began at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012
with a prelude. Liturgists were Bishop Alfred Wesley Gwinn, Jr., Rev. Linda Logston,
Rev. Donna Banks, Mr. Gary Wayne Locklear, and Mr. Landis Barber. The preacher was
Bishop Paul L. Leeland. (For a synopsis of entire service, see worship bulletin, A Service of
Commissioning and Ordination, Saturday, June 16, 2012)
At the conclusion of the Ordination of Elders, during the closing hymn, the Bishop issued
an invitation for those who might be called into Ordained Ministry or who want to give their
life to Christ. Dr. Jerry Bryan announced that all the business for Annual Conference has
been concluded. The next Annual Conference will be held in Greenville on June 12-15, 2013.
Bishop Gwinn then read each appointment as well new extension ministry appointments. As
the appointments were read, pastors and their lay members came to the front of the Annual
Conference for their District Lay Leaders to pray for them. The fixing of the appointment
was concluded with Wesley’s Covenant Prayer. The bishop gave the benediction and the
recessional took place. The Annual Conference for 2012 was concluded at 12:45 p.m. on the
16th of June 2012.