Th e following clergy who are entering into retired relationship with the Arkansas Conference will be recognized during this morning’s session:

• Stephen C. Brizzi • Robert Burton • Barton Alan Bynum • Wm. Christopher Cooper • Marcia Rebecca Carter

Dodd • C. O. “Dooley” Fowler • Lu Th urman Harding • Fred W. Hunter • Kennis Moses Key • George William McCoy • David M. Moore • David Morgan • George E. Rook • James F. “Jimmie” Snow • David Randle Steele • Helen Ann Stegall • John T. Stoll • Dan Walker • James D. Wheeler

Eleven of these retirees will share some of their refl ections on ministry in video segments to be shown at several points throughout the business sessions of the Conference.

Monday morning: Steve Brizzi, Bob Burton, Chris Cooper

Monday aft ernoon: Marcia Dodd, Dooley Fowler, Fred W. Hunter

Tuesday aft ernoon: David M. Moore, Jimmie Snow, David Steele

Wednesday: John T. Stoll, Dan Walker

RETIREES

[See PODCAST, page 2]

[See CLERGY, page 2]

Laity session takes on Step 6 of Mission Plan

New deacons, elders, provisionals approved at clergy session

#arumc15 Monday, June 15

Th e 2015 Arkansas Annual Conference welcomed 16 pastors to a new standing at the clergy session on Sunday aft ernoon. Nine provisional clergy members were accepted into full connection, while seven

candidates were approved as provisional members.

“Many hands have helped guide me to this moment,” said the Rev. Mark Cloninger. “I am grateful for the connection found within the United Methodist

Church that has helped shape me into who I am today. However, I am even more mindful of the opportunity that I have to mentor and help guide future generations of ministers in order

In addition to a briefi ng on the Arkansas Tithe Initiative, introduction of the nominees running for the General and Jurisdictional Conference delegations, and a review of the basics of how the business sessions function, the Laity Session of Annual Conference split into small groups to discuss Step 6 of the Bishop’s Mission Plan: Grow by “1” in four categories: adult professions of faith, worship attendance, small groups, and ministry that reaches into the mission fi eld.

Ideas shared in small groups included confi rmation classes for adults who may not have had the opportunity in their youth; off ering support groups to help people through diffi cult times or addiction recovery, or courses to address practical needs in community members’ everyday lives; hosting community meals; and reaching beyond church property to hold events off -site to make a positive diff erence in the lives of those who may not be willing to visit a church.

Each annual conference brings changes: some big, some small, some completely new. One new element at the 2015 Arkansas Annual Conference is an on-site podcasting team.

Th e “Grace Gone Wild” podcast is the creation of two Arkansas Conference provisional elders, the Revs. Zeke Allen and Bill Sardin. Aft er noticing how much of the Christian podcasting world leans toward fundamentalist interpretations and traditions, the duo began podcasting to off er an alternative Christian voice, one that extends the Methodist theology of grace to the world and

provides a chance to discuss culture and theology in ways that may not surface in a local church setting.

“We feel passionate about

using social media to off er grace to others,” Sardin said.

Grace Gone Wild launched in February of this year. Th e

Podcasting from #arumc15: ‘Grace Gone Wild’

Monday, June 15, 20152

Amy Forbus and Eric Van Meter, co-editorsaforbus@arumc.org | eric.vanmeter@arumc.org

Arkansas Conference - 800 Daisy Bates Drive - Little Rock, AR 72202-3770www.arumc.org | 501.324.8000

The Daily Digest is issued each morning during the Annual Conference session.

Clergy, take note (and take a photo):LifeTouch has a display at Annual Conference where they

will take photos of elders, deacons, provisional members, local pastors and retired pastors for the 2015-2016 Arkansas Conference Directory. Photos from previous years will not be used in the 2015-2016 directory. If you wish to appear in the new directory, you must stop at the LifeTouch display to have your portrait taken.

Grace Gone Wild’s schedule (CFT display area)Monday: 7:30 to 8 a.m. recording session9:15 to 10:15 a.m. questions, conversation1:00 to 2:25 p.m. questions, conversation After worship: recording session Tuesday: 7:30 to 8 a.m. recording session At adjournment for lunch: recording session with special guest Bishop Gary Mueller6:30 to 7:15 p.m. recording sessionAfter the ordination service: off-site recording session TBAWednesday: 7:30 to 8 a.m. recording session

Find the Daily Digest online PDF versions of each day’s Daily Digest will be posted at

ac2015.arumc.org, making it easier to share with your friends who aren’t attending Annual Conference.Scavenger hunt! The first three people to

show scavenger hunt results at the Daily Digest editors’ table (beside the stage) receive a prize!

Your assignment: Take a selfie with a retired pastor who served Jasper UMC. Post on social media with what years they served there and the hashtag #arumc15.

Clergy (continued from page 1)

Podcast (from page 1)

to help strengthen the connection that has meant so much to me.”

The Rev. Sam Meadors echoed Cloninger’s sense of gratitude and hopefulness.

“I am thrilled to become fully connected to the Arkansas Annual Conference this year,” she said. “This is where I found and was affirmed in my calling to ministry. I feel so grateful to take this step forward and begin my ministry as an ordained deacon. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me and for the Arkansas Conference.”

The nine ordinands include two deacons: Sam Meadors and

Paul Atkins. Seven persons will be ordained as elders: Michelle Morris, Mark Cloninger, Chase Green, Andrew Kjorlaug, Jacob Lynn, Dixon Platt, and Daniel Thueson.

The seven members to be commissioned—Sara Bayles, Carissa Rodgers, Colin Bagby, Jonathan Griesse, Todd Lovell, Eric Meyer, and John Michael—will be serving as provisional members on the elder track.

The 2015 service of ordination and commissioning will be held on Tuesday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m. in Bank of the Ozarks Arena.

The Rev. David Moose, left, a retired elder,

receives the 2015 Barnabas Award at the

clergy session from the Rev. Lynn Strang. Established in honor

of the late Rev. Jim Beal, the Barnabas

Award is presented to a person, lay or clergy,

known to have “a heart for pastors,” showing

special interest in aiding clergy in the

work of ministry.

PHOTO BY ERIC VAN METER

podcast follows a discussion format between its two hosts, who usually use Skype to record together from their homes—Allen lives in the Central District, Sardin in the Northeast.

“One of the reasons that I wanted to start doing the show was to be in better fellowship with Zeke,” Sardin said. “We are able to record a show from over 100 miles apart. I look forward all week to our recording sessions. By Thursday, I am thinking, ‘I get to record tomorrow!’”

This setup also allows them to feature guests from nearly anywhere in the nation or world. Shows have covered topics such as homelessness, women in ministry, modern martyrdom, police violence against minorities and Holy Communion.

“I believe I have both the blessing and responsibility to address God’s work and

relationship to humanity and the world, far beyond my call to be in ministry within the local church,” Allen said. “Likewise, I feel prodded out of a deep burden for those who are de-churched and unchurched, to offer an alternate voice…. I dream and hope that by this podcast we will bring words of grace and redemption to others, and to church leaders.”

Allen and Sardin held their first AC2015 recording session last night; that podcast is now posted at www.gracegonewild.net. More recording sessions are scheduled between now and Wednesday morning.

Grace Gone Wild’s home during Annual Conference is the Center for Technology display table, near the back of the exhibit area.

“We would love for people to drop by and join us on the show,” Sardin said. “This will be an entirely new endeavor in the podcasting world for us.”

ConnectSubscribe on Stitcher or iTunesWeb: www.gracegonewild.netFacebook: /gracegonewildTwitter: @gracegonewildpc