Annual Conference 2014 -- Special meals: ‘Breakfast with UMCom’ is new

Start your final day of Annual Conference at the breakfast seminar offered May 29 by the Department of Communications.

"Breakfast With UMCom — Tools for Increasing Your Church’s Vitality" will be presented by Caitlin Congdon from Nashville, Tenn. She serves as training manager for the denomination’s media ministry, United Methodist Communications.

The presentation begins at 6:30 a.m. in the Great Hall of OCU’s McDaniel Student Center. Sign up when you register online for Annual Conference. Meal is free, but registration is required.

The seminar will examine five common behaviors of highly vital congregations: spiritual pastoral leadership, lay leadership development, worship, small groups, and service and missions. It will provide practical tools.

The class is based on the book "Vital: Churches Changing Communities and the World," by Jorge Acevedo.

In the book, the author tells about touring the New Room in Bristol, England. Another tourist asked if the pews attached to the floor were original furnishings. The curator responded, "Oh, no! In my time, we used wooden chairs or benches so that, after our service, we could push them to the corners of the room and use it for a medical clinic or food ministry."

Congdon challenges: What would happen in your church if you told the congregation that you were removing the pews? Are you ready to remove those pews? Come to breakfast May 29 to learn more.

More special meals

Find details online about these and the retired clergy meals. Go to the Annual Conference hub, www.okumc.org/annual_conference. Choose which meals you will attend as you fill out the Annual Conference registration form online.

• Monday: Candler School of Theology Luncheon, Bedlam Appreciation Dinner
• Tuesday: Laity Luncheon; Saint Paul School of Theology Luncheon; Phillips Theological Seminary Alumni Lunch; Oklahoma UM Historical Society Luncheon; OCU Alumni, Students, and Friends Luncheon; Asbury Seminary Luncheon
• Wednesday: Missions@Daybreak, Christians Engaged in Faith Formation (formerly CEF) luncheon, Clergy Spouse Luncheon, Perkins School of Theology Luncheon
• Thursday: Breakfast With UMCom, UM Rural Fellowship Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon