Feeling worried

It’s 48 hours before I arrive in Tampa and I am already worried. My wife says I worry too much but that’s just how I am. I worry about worrying.

So today I am worried that Alan Morrison or Gere Reist or someone important will discover that the Richmond Braves are now defunct and the powers that be will move everything to Richmond at the very last minute. (Of course that would save air fare.)

Worriedthat I will run out of steam in week 2 because I haven’t really “gotten in shape before Tampa” like I promised in my New Year’s Resolution.

Worriedthat I will forget to pack something important like sunscreen, or Valium, or Gas-X.

Worriedabout how I will spend the $10 in “entertainment money” I get from the church, and about whether or not I’ll get in trouble if I combine that with the $10 I get in “laundry money” and just walk around smelly during tte second week.

Worriedabout the sanity of my friends in Tampa who sold theirbeautifulsailboat just before General Conference.Really? You’re killing me.

Worriedabout the proximity of the Convention Center to the water of Tampa Bay and whether or not someone might get tossed in during a heated committee debate. Do we have rescue crews in place? The Coast Guard? Highly trained divers?

Worried about what will be done, and not done, about what will be said, and not said, about what is decided, and what is left until four years down the road to Portland.

Portland? Gee, that will be a long flight… And I’ve heard it rains all the time…


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
General Conference
The Rev. Aleze M. Fulbright (center) celebrates the growth of The United Methodist Church in Africa as the Commission on the General Conference meets in Minneapolis on Nov. 11. Indiana Conference Bishop Tracy S. Malone announced Jan. 16 that Fulbright is leaving her role as General Conference secretary to become executive secretary to the bishop, starting in July. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

General Conference secretary steps away

The Rev. Aleze Fulbright said she feels called back to the local ministry context and plans on June 30 to conclude her role overseeing the organization of The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking assembly.
Social Concerns
The Rev. Dr. Jefferson M. Furtado. Photo courtesy of the author.

Martin Luther King Jr. and the work we haven’t finished

We must resist the temptation to remember King as a “safe” figure, but instead respond to his urgent call to action, writes United Methodist pastor.
Human Rights
The Rev. John Wagner. Photo courtesy of the author.

A plea for ‘costly solidarity’ in Middle East

How is God calling us to respond to the ongoing violence in the Middle East? A pastor shares insights from the West Bank.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved