Officiating bishops: Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. and retired Bishop Arthur F. Kulah
The 187th annual session of the Liberia Annual Conference featured several speakers, including the Revs. Elizabeth Cummings, Daniel Sasaro Brewer, Hilary Paul and Erlene P. Thompson.
“I am pleased to report to the 187th session of the Liberia Annual Conference that our conference has completed its indebtedness to the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM),” Quire said. Delivering his episcopal address on Feb. 12, Quire praised members of the Liberian church for remaining faithful, patient and supportive during these difficult times.
He lamented the financial difficulties facing Liberians, including United Methodists, in sending their children to school. He said The United Methodist Church’s educational system remains a major challenge despite pockets of success.
“Affordability remains a major problem by parents who can barely make it to survive,” he said.
Quire indicated that the economic challenges facing the Liberian people makes fee collection in the United Methodist school system difficult and undermines the provision of quality education.
In her opening message, the Rev. Elizabeth Cummings, 85, challenged the church and its membership to get involved in activities that will affect the lives of people within the communities where the church has its presence.
“Do good to the people who are in need so that they know that you represent the goodness of God,” she stressed.
Focusing on the theme of the conference, “A Future With Hope,” the Rev. Daniel Sasaro Brewer told members not to focus on the future of the church, but the church in the future.
“Do not think about what the church will look like in the future, think about what the church will be about to do for its people and the community in the future,” he said.
He pointed out that The United Methodist Church in Liberia has the potential of improving and expanding its services to the Liberian people beyond what it is doing now.
As part of it major action during the 187th annual session, the conference adopted a resolution calling for amendments to the proposed Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation. The conference voted 725 to 0 for the resolution, with one person abstaining from the voting process.
The Rev. Jerry P. Kulah, one of the lead facilitators of the discussion that led to the resolution, responded to concerns from the global United Methodist Church following the publication of the Liberia Annual Conference resolution.
“Votes were taken after more than an hour of presentation and discussion on the content of the protocol and its evolving legislation. Results: 725 for, 1 abstained, 0 against. Well-informed and capable leaders of our conference facilitated the presentation and discussion prior to taking the vote. (The) vote is consistent with the Liberia Annual Conference’s previous position and votes.”
Prior to the vote, Bishop Quire, who presided over the process, announced that members of the conference were not coerced to vote for the resolution.
“You have the right to vote against this resolution,” he said.
Fifty-five people were voted into the clergy order of the Liberia Annual Conference: 44 people were received and commissioned into associate membership; two people were commissioned; and nine people were commissioned elder in full connection. One person was retired.
Quire challenged United Methodists in Liberia that if they want to move in the church of the future with hope, they must be humble. “Humility is a trait that God requires of us all, including the bishops.” He concluded the conference by reminding members that humility should not be misconstrued as weakness.
Membership of the conference officially stands at 300,000 members.
— E Julu Swen is a communicator in Liberia.
The 187th annual session of the Liberia Annual Conference featured several speakers, including the Revs. Elizabeth Cummings, Daniel Sasaro Brewer, Hilary Paul and Erlene P. Thompson.
“I am pleased to report to the 187th session of the Liberia Annual Conference that our conference has completed its indebtedness to the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM),” Quire said. Delivering his episcopal address on Feb. 12, Quire praised members of the Liberian church for remaining faithful, patient and supportive during these difficult times.
He lamented the financial difficulties facing Liberians, including United Methodists, in sending their children to school. He said The United Methodist Church’s educational system remains a major challenge despite pockets of success.
“Affordability remains a major problem by parents who can barely make it to survive,” he said.
Quire indicated that the economic challenges facing the Liberian people makes fee collection in the United Methodist school system difficult and undermines the provision of quality education.
In her opening message, the Rev. Elizabeth Cummings, 85, challenged the church and its membership to get involved in activities that will affect the lives of people within the communities where the church has its presence.
“Do good to the people who are in need so that they know that you represent the goodness of God,” she stressed.
Focusing on the theme of the conference, “A Future With Hope,” the Rev. Daniel Sasaro Brewer told members not to focus on the future of the church, but the church in the future.
“Do not think about what the church will look like in the future, think about what the church will be about to do for its people and the community in the future,” he said.
He pointed out that The United Methodist Church in Liberia has the potential of improving and expanding its services to the Liberian people beyond what it is doing now.
As part of it major action during the 187th annual session, the conference adopted a resolution calling for amendments to the proposed Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation. The conference voted 725 to 0 for the resolution, with one person abstaining from the voting process.
The Rev. Jerry P. Kulah, one of the lead facilitators of the discussion that led to the resolution, responded to concerns from the global United Methodist Church following the publication of the Liberia Annual Conference resolution.
“Votes were taken after more than an hour of presentation and discussion on the content of the protocol and its evolving legislation. Results: 725 for, 1 abstained, 0 against. Well-informed and capable leaders of our conference facilitated the presentation and discussion prior to taking the vote. (The) vote is consistent with the Liberia Annual Conference’s previous position and votes.”
Prior to the vote, Bishop Quire, who presided over the process, announced that members of the conference were not coerced to vote for the resolution.
“You have the right to vote against this resolution,” he said.
Fifty-five people were voted into the clergy order of the Liberia Annual Conference: 44 people were received and commissioned into associate membership; two people were commissioned; and nine people were commissioned elder in full connection. One person was retired.
Quire challenged United Methodists in Liberia that if they want to move in the church of the future with hope, they must be humble. “Humility is a trait that God requires of us all, including the bishops.” He concluded the conference by reminding members that humility should not be misconstrued as weakness.
Membership of the conference officially stands at 300,000 members.
— E Julu Swen is a communicator in Liberia.
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