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VOL. 15, NO. 11

NEWS

Service of Light & Life

By Linda Worthington
UMCONNECTION STAFF

JOHN W. COLEMAN JR./UMCONNECTION

Saints of the church were remembered during the memorial Service of Light andLife May 30. The Rev. Edwin Ankeny lights a candle as part of the worship.

'You have blessed me beyond measure,' Bishop May said.

In a moment of 'high personal privilege' the bishop expressed his appreciation to the people of the annual conference for his eight years as bishop.

The ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel was filled with laity and clergy, young people present for the confirmation service, and family and friends assembled for a memorial Service of Light and Life May 30.

'There have been challenges, yes, and opportunities, a double yes,' the bishop said to the assembly. 'You have done far more than I dreamed any conference can do in the name of Jesus Christ. Well done, good and faithful servants.'

'Until I gasp my last breath, I will speak my mind and heart on behalf of the suffering ones of the world,' he said with passion and conviction. 'You have strengthened my resolve. Please support the one who comes after me.'

The Service of Light and Life is traditionally a ceremony to remember those clergy, clergy spouses and lay members of the annual conference who had died in the previous year.

This year, the final worship service, held on Pentecost, also included participation by ordinands and retirees and a confirmation service to 'relay the faith' to young people from churches throughout the conference.

Bishop Mays sermon spoke of love. 'Remember when you were first in love?' he asked, and led the audience to mentally re-create that experience. He also sang part of his remarks and soon had the whole room singing with him.

'Ive fallen in love again with God,' he said. 'Im filled with Gods Holy Spirit.'

We accept the grace of God and say that God loves us, but we have not appropriated that love, the bishop said. Our personalities have not changed because we know God loves us. 'We have not returned the favor.'

Addressing his remarks to the youth, the bishop stressed, 'Were all God has. Were tied together in a network, in this invisible relationship to God.'

As the Rev. Stanley Harrell, retiring conference secretary, began the reading of the honored dead, Carole Chaloner Silberhorn, executive director of pensions and health benefits, tolled the Cokesbury bell and family members came forward to light candles in memory of their loved ones.

There were 19 clergy, 14 clergy spouses and three lay members recognized during the solemn service. Friends and church members in the audience stood in their places for each one.

The Rev. William Butler sang 'The Wind Beneath My Wings' as the St. Pauls UMC of Oxon Hill dancers interpreted the words in motion.

Bishop May had addressed the youth in his earlier homily, saying 'Young people, I want to launch you on a love affair with God. It may not be cool but it will change your life. Youll do the right things at the right time because God loves you.'

The pastors of 15 churches presented more than 70 confirmands, and in unison they asked the traditional questions the adults in the congregation had heard and responded to at one time in their lives.

Bishop May presided at the communion service, as the worship service neared its end. Each person served the cup to the person sitting next to them.

Bishop Mays words of farewell earlier in the service were a fitting benediction: 'As an annual conference good bye, good luck and may the good Lord bless you. Amen, amen, amen.'