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
Social Concerns
The Rev. Keri Cress. Photo courtesy of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference.

Love of neighbor drives advocacy in political spaces

The Rev. Keri Cress doesn’t consider herself a political person, but she says her faith moves her to act.
Social Concerns
Cliff White. Photo courtesy of the author.

Another United Methodist way to look at high court’s voting decision

Commentary writer pushes back on United Methodist statement calling for political action over recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act.
Worship
Retired Bishop Peggy A. Johnson. Photo courtesy of the author.

Helping people ‘hear the Gospel’ in new ways

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, a good time for United Methodist churches to examine ways to improve hearing accessibility.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved