NM Conference News
March 18 - 24, 2019
In this Issue
  • 2019 Appointments
  • Ask the UMC: What Happened at General Conference?
  • Leading & Loving in Times of Conflict - Rev. Blossom Matthews
  • Judicial Council to Review GC19 Actions
  • Volunteers Needed for Hurricane Recovery Trip
  • Donations Needed to Help Asylum Seekers in ABQ
  • Volunteers Needed for NM Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic in Las Cruces
  • Upcoming Events
2019 Appointments
The appointment season has begun. We will post appointment changes on the Conference website every Monday morning, once received from the Bishop's Office.
Ask The UMC: What Happened at General Conference?
What was decided by General Conference?
The General Conference  delegates passed  by a 438-384 vote the  Traditional Plan , which retains restrictions against “self-avowed practicing homosexual” clergy and officiating at or hosting same-sex marriage ceremonies and requires stricter enforcement for violations of church law.

The Traditional Plan was one of the plans that came out of the work of the special commission. The  One Church Plan , which would have left questions of marriage up to individual churches and clergy, and ordination requirements up to conferences, was defeated.
Photo: NWTX Conference
Leading & Loving in Times of Conflict
by Rev. Blossom Matthews, Asst. Director of Congregational Vitality

Ministry has always called for a profound level of love and leadership, but this has been cranked up a notch post-GC2019. Upon being asked to share my experience of pastoral leadership during this challenging time, I was a bit hesitant to convey my thoughts given the fact that each context is different. However, with the knowledge that we are all seeking to faithfully use our gifts within our place of ministry, I will share my guiding principles below.
1.     Love like a Shepherd – My husband and I co-pastor the wonderful people of Hobbs FUMC. Our congregation, like most, boasts a membership in which we don’t all look alike, vote alike, or think alike. I give thanks for this! As we prayerfully prepared for and responded to General Conference, my goal was simply to love each member. This was most often expressed through a few words or a hug. Sometimes it involved more in-depth conversations. It always involved the reminder that our door is open. I wanted our members to know that they are loved, valued and heard. Like most clergy, I have a strong pastoral sense that these are my people. It’s my job, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to care for them. Much like the love and care of a shepherd, it’s a strong love which can face any adversity with the determination to bring the flock safely through.
Rev. Blossom Matthews
Judicial Council to Review GC2019 Actions
By Linda Bloom, UMNS
Headline-making decisions  by the legislative body of The United Methodist Church will be reviewed next month by the denomination’s top court. 

The United Methodist Judicial Council has posted its  two-item docket for the April 23-26 meeting  in Evanston, Illinois, with a reminder of deadlines for request for oral hearings and brief submissions. 

As the special General Conference drew to a close on Feb. 26, delegates approved a request that the top court review the Traditional Plan as amended. That plan would strengthen enforcement to prevent “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from serving as clergy and would impose mandatory penalties on clergy who officiate at same-sex weddings.

The Judicial Council
Volunteers Needed
St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Las Cruces will be heading to the Port Aransas, TX area to help with Hurricane Recovery efforts. The actual days of work are March 25-29th. We have room for four more participants. If you know of individuals who might be interested in joining us, contact Jan Archey, archeyjan@gmail.com  575.640.6185.  Work will mainly be construction dependent on the skills of the team.
Donations Needed to Help Asylum Seekers Traveling through Albuquerque
by Brittany Costello - KOB
The mayor of Albuquerque is encouraging people to donate to charities that are helping asylum seekers who are traveling through the city.

Local charities have been processing migrants in Albuquerque for years,  but this week nearly 300 people were brought to Albuquerque  at once.

“They are background checked by Immigration and Customs and released. Usually, they’re going to be detained somewhere between four and eight days. It varies with the individuals but it’s until the federal government is satisfied they're not a risk of any sort,” said Jim Gannon, CEO of Catholic Charities.
Upcoming Events
March
  • CCYM 2019 - March 29-31 - Sacramento
  • Pension & Health Wellness Retreat - March 29-31 - Sacramento
April
  • Judicial Council meets - April 23-26 - Evanston, Illinois
June
  • Annual Conference - June 13-14 - Crowne Plaza, ABQ
July
  • Youth 2019 - July 10-14 - Kansas City, MO