The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference met at the Wildwood Convention Center on Thursday May 29 through Saturday May 31. The conference had elements of "business" where budgets and resolutions were voted on. But its purpose also included Learning, Fellowship, and Worship.
For more information including videos and pictures, visit the Conference Website.
Below are some pictures that aren't nearly as good as the ones you'll see on the conference website. They were taken with a pocket camera from the "back of the crowd." They're totally unprofessional, but they give an idea of what went on during the conference. The pictures are displayed in chronological order.
For the second year in a row, the Conference met at the Wildwood Convention Center in Wildwood NJ.
The music was once again led by Drew University's Mark Miller.
Bishop Sally Dyck, from the Northern Illinois Annual Conference was our guest preacher. She spoke during the opening worship service on Thursday morning.
Bishop John Schol- the presiding bishop of our conference. Bishop Schol began his 4 year appointment in 2013.
To view Bishop Schol's Episcopal Address, Click Here.
Rev. Dr Jisun Kwak, who will become the District Superintendent of our Delaware Bay Conference effective July 1.
Rosa Williams, our Conference Lay Leader. Rosa, who participates in meetings with the bishop and cabinet, led the Laity Session on Thursday.
Beverly and her husband Bishop Schol were presented with gifts on Thursday.
Pastor Olujimi Brown of the Impact Church (United Methodist) located near Atlanta. Pastor Brown led us in Bible Study on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Bishop Moses Young Hun Kim of the Seoul Annual Conference (Korea) led us during Friday morning's Memorial service (honored those pastors and lay leaders who passed away this year).
On Friday afternoon, Bishop Schol took a turn in the "spash tank" (dunk tank with a bucket) to raise money for our "Future With Hope" campaign. A Future with Hope supports relief efforts from Superstorm Sandy, fights malaria by supplying bed nets, and funds other local missions.
Former PUMC pastor Rev. Dr. Lanie Price processes in with the clergy during the ordination service on Friday night. Behind her is husband Rev. Fred Price. The Prices retired last year.
Rev. Michael Smith was ordained as a full elder during the service on Friday evening. Rev. Smith met with our Men's Fellowship group a couple of times this year.
It's official... Pastor Kee receives his letter of appointment to St. Paul's UMC in Bayhead. The letter was presented by Bishop Schol, and former PUMC associate pastor Rev. Chris Heckert took the pictures. With Pastor Kee is the Lay Member for St. Paul's church.
Outgoing Delaware Bay District Superintendent Rev. Richard Nichols sits next to incoming DS, Rev. Dr. Jinsun Kwak.
Former PUMC Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Heckert during conference staff acknowledgement on Saturday morning.
PUMC's Bret Walker, now a local pastor serving Hudson and Ebeneezer United Methodist Churches, makes a point during the discussion of one of the conference's final resolutions on Saturday.
One of the highlights was the "official" appointment of our new Pastor, Rev. Jim Bolton to PUMC. All new clergy appointees receive a letter of appointment from the bishop. Rev. Bolton receives his letter while lay members Jeremy Andrade and Larry Bakely receive the church's copy of the letter.
Shine!
The theme of the conference was "Shine!" During his address, Bishop Schol lifted Isaiah 60:1 as guide for our work and walk as disciples of Jesus Christ....
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
NIV
Below is a link to Blog Video (produced by former PUMC member John Inverso), which asks conference goers "Where have you seen the light of Christ?"
(Don't miss Pitmanite Bret Walker's remarks... he appears in the video at around the 2 minute mark).
