Complete 2012 Journal - 2012 NC Conference Journal

Section iii: Conference Proceedings 91
under question 48.) Bishop Gwinn lifted up words of comfort and then led the Executive
Session in a time of prayer. Rev. Jon Strother led the Executive Session in the singing of
“Shall We Gather at the River.” Bishop Gwinn then called upon Bishop Leeland to dismiss
the Executive Session which ended at 12:10 p.m.
Executive Session for Laity
The Laity Session opened with a time of worship at 10:00 a.m. Following the opening
worship, Conference Lay Leader, Emily Innes, introduced the members of the Board of Laity
as well as Deaconesses and Home Missioners. Bill Norton provided an orientation to Annual
Conference procedures. Charles Cook gave a review of parliamentary procedures for this
Annual Conference. A Service of Worship was led by members of the Board. Emily Innes
delivered the message and concluded the session with a time of prayer during which members
were given the opportunity to pray at the foot of several crosses placed at the front of the
room. District Lay Leaders, stationed at each cross provided cards for prayer requests for
which prayer will be offered during the remainder of the annual conference. These crosses will
remain in the bar of the Conference throughout annual conference.
Opening Session, Wednesday, June 13, 2012
A Worship Service and Celebration of Holy Communion began at 1:37 pm with “Lift
High the Cross.” Special Music was provided by the Wrightsboro UMC Choir, Bishop Paul
Leeland preached and Bishop Gwinn celebrated Holy Communion. The service concluded
with the hymn “There is a Spirit in the Air.”
The 45th session of the North Carolina United Methodist Church Annual Conference began
with the singing of the hymn “And Are We Yet Alive” led by Rev. Nanette de Andrade.
Organization of the Conference:
Bishop Alfred W. Gwinn, Jr. called the annual conference to order at 3:28 pm. This is the
187th Conference of The Methodist Church in North Carolina and the 228th year of
Methodism in the United States.
Motions of Order:
James Bryan, Conference Secretary, made the following motions of order:
“The bar of the 2012 Annual Conference shall be the Main Meeting Room and Stage of the
Raleigh Convention Center.” The Bishop ordered the vote and it was passed. “That the official
record of the Annual Conference be the registrations recorded.” This motion as well as the
agenda was approved by the Annual Conference. “The persons appearing on the agenda, who
are not members of the North Carolina Annual Conference, be granted the privilege of the
floor.” “The Staff Members and Committee Members which are listed in The Conference
Workbook, be elected.” The Bishop called for the vote and they were elected. Bishop Gwinn
recognized the Chancellor of the Annual Conference, Wilson Hayman to come forward.
Bishop Gwinn then invited Bishop Paul Leeland to come sit at the head table.