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BY CHRISTINE KUMAR

'Keep your clay moist,' said Bishop Sally Dyck of the Minnesota Area, during the opening worship yesterday at the 223rd annual conference session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

'If God is our potter and we are the clay, we?ve got to keep our clay moist,' she told the more than 1,600 clergy and laity.

Bishop Dyck emphasized that hardness occurs when Bible study and prayers are not present in one?s spiritual life. 'Spiritual disciplines of Bible study and prayer shape us and form us to produce fruit,' she said.

She is concerned that churches are more focused on information rather than formation of making disciples for Christ.

Potters took center stage with their pottery wheels as they molded different sizes and shapes of pots.

Bishop Dyck explained that a good potter makes a mark on the pottery once it is completed. 'Can anyone see God?s pottery mark on you?' she asked.

The bishop encouraged everyone to keep their clay moist so that God can use them to glorify God?s name. 'I don?t think we are made to be porcelain or china,' she said, 'to be put away to be used for special occasions.' As Christians we are to be used as everyday ware to connect and witness to others, she said.

Bishop Dyck, a graduate from Boston University School of Theology, like Bishop John R. Schol, strongly recommends that Christians focus on what God wants rather than listening to society which places more importance on self gratification.

She also empowered laity to be in prayer and walk with people and help them to be transformed into what God wants them to be.

The morning service began with darkness and the room quieted as people prepared to worship. As a PowerPoint presentation began, the words, 'It is good,' echoed throughout the room. Pictures of diverse people and natural sights exemplified God?s wondrous works.

Bishop Schol encouraged everyone to participate in the practice of 'holy conferencing.'

He also welcomed Bishop Ki Bok Lee from the South Annual Conference of the Korean Methodist Church.

'As you come to be shaped by God, place yourself in the potter?s hand,' said Bishop Schol before the Communion service.

Music Director, Mark Miller, led the congregation in uplifting songs of praise and worship.

Following the Communion service, an offering for the Hope Fund was taken. The Hope Fund provides support to the Zimbabwe partnership, to help educate young men and women at Africa University and to build sanctuaries for more than 248 congregations; rebuild Mississippi Gulf churches after Katrina; and support the Global AIDS Fund.

'I invite you and your congregation to bring hope and raise $1 million dollars.' (by 2008 annual conference) said the bishop.

So far, the conference has received more than $500,000 worth of pledges for the Hope Fund, and following the Thursday offering, another $169,427 was added..

During the benediction, Bishop Dyck encouraged everyone to allow God to shape, mold, break and redeem them. 'Keep your clay moist,' she said.