This week I head to Fort Worth Texas for the United Methodist General Conference. General Conference is the every four year gathering of United Methodists from around the world to make decisions for the church. We revise the denomination’s Book of Discipline and pass resolutions on current issues. We worship together, talk together, pray together and get to know others from around the world. The difficult and controversial conversations make the news. Most of the other decisions don’t. Each Annual Conference elects delegates based on a formula. Minnesota elected eight delegates – four clergy and four lay people and I was honored to be one of the elected clergy. This will be the third time I have been a delegate to General Conference.

One needs to pack well for this gathering, and among the necessities, I think, are humor and hope. The following video links contain each.

For a little humor:

Lyle Lovett, "That's Right (You're Not From Texas)"

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul” (Emily Dickinson) - - - it also perches in this song by Garth Brooks:

"We Shall Be Free"

Pray for us and with us – and enjoy the music.

With Faith and With Feathers,

David