What a month! June began with annual conference. We convened at Frazer UMC in Montgomery for our annual meeting of United Methodist pastors and lay representatives from each church throughout south Alabama and northwest Florida. We had opportunities for worship and education led by retired Duke professor and Bible teacher Mickey Efird and Kenyan born pastor Rev. Grace Imathiu. Conference was filled with business sessions where we discussed the various issues before us. We discussed the conference budget and heard reports from various agencies. We considered resolutions regarding Israel, gambling and the National Day of Prayer. We talked about insurance and pensions. We raised $49,000 for the Central Conference Pension Initiative and we collected a total of 2,375 birthing kits to send to Haiti.

           Conference is also time for reunions with past church members and colleagues and friends stretching back to my college and seminary days. And, let's not forget the bookstore … or nearby restaurants. It's always a good time that I look forward to as an opportunity to reconnect with lifelong friends.

           Immediately after conference I drove to Tuscaloosa to join my family in celebrating my mother's 80th birthday. She was delightfully surprised when two brothers and a sister-in-law showed up to help us celebrate. That too was a blessed time of reunion and family togetherness.

           After a couple of days at home I joined the caravan headed for Camp Lee in Anniston where we held a combined youth and children's summer camp. I can't say thank you sufficiently to Robyn Terry and to Tony and Janece Allison for their leadership. Tonya Fistein, Tabitha Kelley and Anita Rushing were excellent counselors for the children's camp. While the youth spent the days working in Anniston, the children enjoyed Bible lessons and crafts and summer camp activities. I'll let them go into details but I can say they enjoyed a long hike to a natural rockslide in a mountain creek deep in the woods. After a quick and noisy descent to the pool of creek

water below the slide, each camper suddenly discovered one ignored fact … creek water is COLD.  Meanwhile, yours truly sat on a rocky ledge and enjoyed the fun … from an uncomfortable but dry vantage point.

           Of course, we could still talk about canoeing and zip-lining across the lake. We could still talk about delicious camp food and good music and crafts and games and laughter and practical jokes and long conversations into the night. I know the adults had fun. We're still debating whether to take the kids next year or not. Maybe the adults should go to camp and leave the kids at home. Seriously, the kids had a great time and look forward to next year. If you'd like to go with us, let Robyn know. We'll open registration for the kids later, but adult positions are going fast.

           We have only a few weeks to rest up before Vacation Bible School begins. Robyn and her team have a great VBS planned and are hoping for 100 children to participate. If you can help or if you know of children who could benefit from our program please let us know.

           Pray for me as I take some time right after July 4th to attend the Indian Springs Holiness Camp Meeting in Flovilla, Georgia. This is the camp my family has attended since I was a young child in the 1960's. It's a great time for spiritual retreat for me. Pray that the Lord will give me the spiritual insight and blessing that I need.

           This month also marks another milestone. Terri and I are beginning our fourth year among you. I thank you for the gracious way you have welcomed us and made us feel a part of your lives. We look forward to a lengthy stay with you. Please know that my door is open. If you have any questions or concerns or suggestions please know that I would love to hear them. The year is filling up already. It's going to be a great year.

           Blessings!

                      Pastor Ray

In Loving Memory of

 

Kenneth G. "Pete" Beck

Debra Chestang

George Howard Davis

Arthur L. "Bud" Hinton

Edna Earl Turner