I have just returned from the first meeting of the new Steering Committee of the World Methodist Council held in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, USA.
A peculiarly Methodist township of about 3000 people, Lake Junaluska will celebrate 100 years, in 2013, of camps, conferences, retreats and retirement haven for Methodists, particularly from the Southern and Eastern States.
Owned, operated and inhabited by Methodists, Lake Junaluska hosts hundreds of events throughout the year. Facilities encircle a man- made lake at the foot of the Smokey Mountains in Appalachian country. The name, Junaluska, comes from a Cheroke Indian Chief. Unfortunately our meeting coincided with the once-in-a-decade draining of the Lake to clear out silt brought in by the 7 feeder streams. This silt is used in Lake Junaluska pottery.
The Standing Committee had 25 present from 12 countries. The President of the World Federation has a position on the Presidium of the Council, as does the President of the World Men’s Fellowship. Regional Presidents, Standing Committee Chairpersons, Youth and Young Adult President, Director of Evangelism, General- Secretary, Youth Coordinator, Treasurer and Past President make up the Steering Committee.
Reports and future directions were presented by each Committee Chairperson: Finance, Ecumenical Relations, Family Life, Evangelism, Worship and Liturgy, Social and International Affairs, Youth and Young Adult, Women’s Federation, Men’s Fellowship.
My report focused on the 12th Assembly held in 2011; Chita Milan’s Powerpoint, “Her Story”; the Millennium Development Goals; and the development of the Website.
We visited the World Methodist Museum for the unveiling of the portrait of the Past President, Rev Dr John Barrett. What a wonderful museum this is! Located between the Office of the World Methodist Council – an exact replica of the Old Rectory, Epworth – and the Terrace Hotel, it houses an amazing collection of Wesleyana and the history of the Council. I was particularly delighted to see thar our Archivist, Emmy-lou John, had recently visited and with curator, Amanda, had up-dated the World Federation display to include the current World Officers.
The next meeting of the Steering Committee will be in Rio de Janiero in March, 2013.
