Florida Annual Conference in Lakeland

May 27-30, 2003
The 2003 Session of the Florida Annual Conference had as its them, "To Serve the Present Age", a line taken from a Wesley hymn, "A Charge to Keep I Have". Underlying many of the special services and the Bible study, was this year's celebration of the 300th year of John Wesley's birth. A featured speaker at two of the services was Dr. Reginald Mallett, a physician and a minister in the British Methodist church. Bishop Whitaker led the Bible study each morning, taking as his topics some "distinctive themes of Mr. Welsey's preaching and teaching". This page provides access to some photos taken during the conference and audio recordings of Dr. Mallett's messages and the three Bible study sessions.

Tuesday - The Memorial Service in First U.M.C. in Lakeland; the Ministry Expo and Cokesbury "Bookstore"; the Laity Session in Sikes Hall
Communion Service - Tuesday evening, featuring invited speaker Dr. Reginald Mallett delivering the message: "Voices at the Crossroads". The conference offering for rebuilding a church in Angola and for the "Bishop's Initiative for Children and Poverty" was also received during the service. The recording includes a message about BICAP by Rev. Geraldine McClellan.
Wednesday - Bishop Whitaker leads the Bible study; Selecting Bethune Cookman as site of next year's Annual Conference; voting for General Conference delegates; former Bethel pastor Laura Beth Fisher
Bible Study - Wednesday morning, with Bishop Whitaker speaking on "The Assurance of Salvation", from the text of Romans 8:12-17.
300th Anniversary Celebration Service of the birth of John Wesley, Wednesday evening, featuring invited speaker Dr. Reginald Mallett delivering the message: "The Glorious Secret". Following the address was a responsive recitation of the World Methodist Affirmation and closing remarks by Bishop Whitaker.
Thursday - pictures of Florida Southern College; Joe, Barbara, Mark & Brittany Stiles; the Retirement Service, including former Bethel pastor Joe Stiles; former Bethel pastor Magrey Devega; the Ordination Service
Bible Study - Thursday morning, with Bishop Whitaker speaking on "A Present Salvation", from the text of Ephesians 4:17-24.
Retirement Service - This video segment presents the spoken tribute to Rev. Joe Stiles, prepared by his family.
Friday - Lake Hollingsworth; Bible Study; concert by Children's Home Choir; former Bethel pastor Alex Knight
Bible Study - Friday morning, with Bishop Whitaker speaking on "A Sacramental Piety", from the text of Ephesians 5:21-33.

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