The 29-member Design Team, named by Bishop Kiesey for creation of the new annual conference (which will bring together the West Michigan and Detroit annual conferences) has begun its work, meeting together for a retreat at the Michigan Area Center on September 1 and 2.

 

       Leadership for the retreat was provided by Rev. Dr. Glenn Wagner and Rev. Marsha M. Woolley, co-chairs for the team, along with Bishop Deb Kiesey and Rev. Melanie Carey, Assistant to the Bishop.

 

       The retreat included time to worship and get acquainted with each other. What we discovered was a room full of committed and gifted people, willing to do the work necessary to create a new conference. We are grateful to Bishop Kiesey for bringing this group together. In the near future, photos and brief bios of the team members will be available on the conference website.

 

       Several exercises helped the team to look at the big picture and dream/consider what a new conference might look like. Time was spent looking at the demographics of the whole state, in an effort to begin to understand the ministry needs across the entire area.

 

       The team also looked at ways in which the two current conferences are already collaborating and working together. They also began to identify the various task forces that will be needed for the team to focus its work for the meetings to come.

 

       As the Design team continues its work, they will be seeking information from various leaders and ministry teams across the area. At any time, feel free to communicate with them at [email protected] . And please remember to pray for the work of this Design Team and for the coming together of our conferences.

 

Editor’s Note: for more about the Design Team, click here.