| Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church |
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| Thursday, 05 November 2009 16:17 |
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We are grateful to God that this year we could hold our Annual Conference from 15 to 18 October in Kisach, Serbia.
 Today, October 15th, 2009, in Kisach, near Novi Sad, the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in Serbia and Macedonia begins with a festive worship service.
The Annual Conference is a place where we as a Church in two different countries can be together once a year, to talk together, to fellowship and to make decisions regarding our spiritual and various other needs. At this Annual Conference, the main theme was "Seek good in order to live." Worship services based on this theme were organized during the days of the conference, where especially in the evening hours we were together for worship. Led by Supervising Pastor Mihail Cekov, we from Macedonia departed at 4:00 a.m. on Thursday morning and arrived in the evening in Kisach. At 7:00 p.m., the official worship service opened the Annual Conference. At this service, our Bishop Dr. Patrick Streiff brought the message, on the theme, "Living the Mission."  Bishop Streiff, referring to the central theme of the conference, said that the Bible calls all of us to overcome evil with good. These are the values of the Methodist Church, and especially, what John Wesley left us as an inheritance in the general rules, where it says always to everyone, at all times, to do good. Towards that end, the Word of God calls us anew.
In the following two days the Annual Conference worked on the various reports on the activities of the Church. The first working part covered the reports of Superintendent Wilfried Nausner, District of Macedonia and Ana Palik-Kuncak, Serbia District.  They gave an extensive overview of the work in the congregations of the Church.
After that, there followed reports from the Church offices, which particularly stressed the relationship between church and state. We talked also about church property, finances ... The Superintendents in their reports, talked about problems and joys in the performance of their service in various congregations of the Church. They said that they met with tough issues, but also with joyful moments. With regard to this, the Bishop recommended that the best remedy in such moments is wisdom and compassion. Yes, it is true. In life, in everyday life, we always need useful wisdom, but at the same time compassion is necessary to be able to respond specifically to the needs of those who require assistance. Especially in this time of crisis in which we live, the Church tries to see that all the coworkers of the Church are cared for, and that requires the support of the believers in all our congregations. As we can see, in the reports of the superintendents and in other reports, we must recognize that fellowship and mutual support in the faith is the biggest prosperity for the Church in general, bas well as for the survival of all our congregations. At 7:00 p.m. we were again all together for worship where Robert Gaubac from Germany brought the message on the topic "Seek God."  In his presentation he specifically emphasized that a very important element is that we seek God and that each person is seeking something, but still, the most precious thing is when God finds us. With practical examples from his life, he spoke about his personal experiences with God, his own conversion and how God found him. He noted more examples from his life, at the same time thanking God for leading him in his service as a pastor.
The second working part of the Annual Conference, we passed in approving the reports on the work of youth, children, women and social outreach activities of the Church. We are especially happy to see that the committees for work with youth and children of both Districts show activities that are beneficial for them, as well as for the Church. Especially hearing about their activities, it can be concluded that the youth particularly grow closer at youth camps, where they can learn more. Such camps as there are in Macedonia as well as in Serbia. However, we came to a mutual conclusion that the interaction between youth of both Districts in recent years is quite lacking. Everyone's desire is to reach an improvement of mutual contacts. Not insignificant is the service of women in the Church. They, through their activity, are present in the work in all segments of the congregations. With their work they encourage others to become more active in various activities of the congregations. We are particularly happy that the social outreach Diakonia Macedonia has fulfilled all its obligations, but the Miss Stone Center in Strumica, leaves a particular brand of "Diakonia" of the Church. Bishop Dr. Patrick Streiff notified members of the Annual Conference that at the closed session of elders, deacons and probationary pastors, the recommendations were accepted that sister Mary Gjurova be placed as a probationary pastor of the Annual Conference and that brother Novica Brankov be ordained an elder of the Church at tomorrow's worship service. After finishing the working part of the Annual Conference, all the members of the Annual Conference gathered together for worship. At this worship service we participated together at the Lord's Table (Communion), with this remembrance of all that God did for us in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, Son of God, allowed His body to be broken for us, so that we might live. His blood flowed for us. Blood that washes away all our sins. Pastor Mihail Hrcan led the worship service and brought the message. On Sunday at 9:30 a.m. we had celebratory closing worship to end the Annual Conference. Bishop Dr. Patrick Streiff brought us the message on the topic, "The best thing is that God is with us."  During the liturgy, probationary pastor Novica Brankov was ordained as an elder of the Church.
 The songs of the choir and youth particularly enlivened the worship services for which we thank them warmly.
  We extend heartfelt thanks to the congregation in Kisach, who as hosts warmly received us and took care of us, meeting all our needs. We give thanks to God, especially in these days of the Annual Conference, that He was with us and we again discovered that the best for us is that every day and everywhere God is with us.
Trajce Minov Mihail Cekov Photos: Pavlina Manavska |
