THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW an edition of the United Methodist Reporter Leading congregations to lead people to actively follow Jesus Christ PAUMCS Worship Work Merged l Seminar offered to 024000 Volume 159 State meeting Five Conferences Number 14 l August 3, 2012 coming up at Lee’s provide help with wor- to have new bor- Summit. 3A ship. 4A ders. 6A Two Sections, Section A Bishop Schnase to return to the Missouri Area During his report from the Episcopacy Committee at Annual Conference Session, Larry Fagan bemoaned how the popularity of Bishop Robert Schnase was going to make his job at Jurisdictional Conference much harder. Although Fagan’s “complaints” Adam Hamilton speaks to Bob Farr immediately after the about Bishop Schnase’s successes election of Mike McKee was announced, ending the election. were done in a tongue-in-cheek manner, they were grounded in the reality that other Conferences Farr comes close would like to have Bishop Jurisdictional Conference was the evening. On the 13th ballot, Schnase as their own. a roller coaster for Rev. Bob Farr, the vote totals were 119 for Mike “The fact that Bishop Schnase as he saw his name next to the McKee, 86 for Eradio Valverde is very popular was con- top of the list for the Episcopal and 48 for Farr. After the vote firmed when the Jurisdictional election, even after he thought was announced, Farr took the Episcopacy Committee met to the race would be over. microphone and said it had been make assignments,” Fagan said. Farr was one of the top five a privilege to run, but he would In the end, though, Missouri got candidates from the beginning of now withdraw his name from Missouri Episcopacy Committee members Larry Fagan and to keep him. the voting, but only three Bishops consideration. On the next bal- Rev. Cody Collier stand by with Rev. Adam Hamilton of the “We worked long and hard Kansas East Conference as they wait for the assignment of were needed. On the first day of lot, the vote totals were 133 for See Return, pg. 2A Bishops to be announced to the jurisdiction. voting, Rev. Cynthia Harvey was McKee, 116 for Valverde. elected in the afternoon, and Rev. “I thought the election would Missourians show leadership at SCJ Gary Mueller was elected early in See Farr, pg. 4A Several Missourians had important roles at the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in Oklahoma City. It started with Andrew Ponder Williams setting the bar for the Conference. This went very well, although Bishop Sherer-Simpson, introduced him as Andy. “We’ve known each other a long time,” Bishop Sherer-Simpson said with a smile, in reference to William’s leadership on the Conference Council on Youth Ministries when she was Bishop for the Missouri Area. The first presentation of the Andrew Ponder Williams sets the bar for the Conference. Richards elected UMW President Conference was the Episcopal has 1.7 million United Methodists cent of the population as a whole. Yvette Richards, a member of her leadership includes offices in Address, which was given by who are members of 5,927 church- Hispanics make up 2 percent of St. James UMC in Kansas City, the Missouri West Conference Missouri Bishop Robert Schnase. es. The population of the area is the United Methodists, and 24 has been elected the national UMW, dean of that conference’s He shared his thoughts on the about 45 million. There are 5,229 percent of the population as a president of the United Methodist School of Mission, and regional state of the church, lack of prog- active clergy and 2,902 retired whole. Native Americans make up Women. Schools of Mission study leader. ress in General Conference clergy in the jurisdiction. .8 percent of the church, and 1.4 Richards’ 20-year career in the She served on the Teen and Session, and his hope for the African Americans make up percent of the population. insurance industry includes work College/University Women Adult future. 5.5 percent of United Methodists Bishop Schnase discussed how as a catastrophe claim representa- Consultative Team. Richards also The South Central Jurisdiction in the jurisdiction, and 12 per- tive. She has a communications has volunteered with Ronald See Missourians, pg. 5A degree. She is highly involved McDonald House, Alpha Kappa The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profi t, Dallas, TX 75247-3919. Periodicals in church and civic endeavors. Postage Paid at Dallas. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275. She joined UMW in 1987, and See UMW, pg. 5A 2A Opinions and Insights August 3, 2012 Return continued from page 1A to find the best solution for guage in the Book of Discipline each Episcopal area, and for the was changed in 2008 so that there Jurisdiction as a whole, and the is no special case needed now for facts supported his reassignment a Bishop to be reappointed to a to Missouri,” Fagan said. third term. Fagan’s partner in the process Bishop Schnase said he’s was Rev. Cody Collier. The first delighted to be returning to elected lay delegate and clergy Missouri. delegates to General Conference “I think this will be good for serve on the Episcopacy the work we’ve been doing here Committee, and Collier has held in Missouri, as we have initiated that position since 1992. He was many new ministries that will glad to retain Bishop Schnase for benefit from consistency in lead- Missouri. ership,” he said. Bishop Robert Schnase, his son Paul and wife Esther take the stage when the announcment “Now I’ll be able to come back According to the Book of is made that Bishop Schnase will return to Missouri again. to cabinet meetings, and back to Discipline, no Episcopal assign- the Conference,” Collier joked. ments can be made prior to the The argument for retaining election of the last Bishop to be Returning Bishop Schnase was based largely elected in the Jurisdiction. This on the major changes and restruc- means the final decision as to Home turing that he has been guiding the assignment of all the Bishops My family and I were delighted the Missouri Conference through comes down to the last few hours to receive the news late on Friday for the past eight years. The case of Jurisdictional Conference. But night of our assignment to serve was made that it was important much thought has gone into the the Missouri Conference for the that Bishop Schnase be able to see process before the meeting. next four years. It’s a privilege these changes through now that “The Episcopal Committee to work with the laity, pastors, much of ground work has been meets twice a year, and during and congregations of Missouri. laid. that time you get a feel for what We’ve explored new approaches to “This is important not only the other Conferences need, and ministry during these last several and focus on the mission of the fine work and wise leadership of for our benefit as a Conference, gain an understanding of the years, and I pray that these next church fostered an atmosphere Cody Collier and Larry Fagan but also from the perspective that qualities and traits they are look- four allow us the time to deepen of collaboration and discernment who represented the Missouri we are developing models that ing for in a leader,” Fagan said. and ripen many of our most fruit- during the election of bishops as Conference on the Jurisdictional will be shared with other Annual The process was compli- ful initiatives. I hope our work well as during the periods marked Episcopacy Committee. This year Conferences in the future. This cated this year by the fact that the together serves God and serves by difficult issues and hard deci- more than most, their service on decision is good for the South Episcopacy Committee decided the mission of the church given us sions. My gratitude to Cody this committee has demanded Central Jurisdiction as a whole,” to move Bishop Earl Bledsoe to a in Christ. I hope our time together Collier and Brian Hammons for immense amounts of time, work, Fagan said. status of involuntary retirement strengthens congregations, and their conscientious leadership of and prayer, and I give God thanks The members of the because they deemed his leader- helps reach more of our neighbors the team. for their love of the church and Jurisdictional Episcopacy ship in the prior quadrennium with the gift and demand of God’s I’m particularly proud of Rev. for their unwavering commitment Committee also value Bishop to be inadequate. This action grace. With two sons attending Bob Farr, and for his offering of to Christ. Schnase’s writings, Fagan said. was affirmed by the body of the the University of Missouri and his leadership for the Episcopacy. I’ll be taking some time for rest They did not want to disturb Jurisdictional Conference. Bishop Esther working in the library at Three fine leaders were elected to and renewal during the weeks to the rhythm of his writing with Bledsoe has said that if this action the University, our whole family is the Episcopacy. It’s easy to imag- come, and then I look forward to the interruption of relocation, as was taken, he would appeal to the thrilled with news of this assign- ine Bob among them bringing our renewed work together as we Bishop Schnase works to con- Judicial Council. When appoint- ment. Thank you for your prayer- his excellent gifts, passions, and organize our new leadership teams vey ideas about the future of the ments were made, the Northwest ful support and encouragement insights, but that did not hap- in the fall to take on the task given church that could benefit the Texas/New Mexico Conference during these weeks of anticipa- pen.