Delegates, communicators and others gathered for a preview of the May 10-20, 2016 General Conference.
A number of agencies and groups had display booths at the General Conference Preview.
Inside the Oregon Convention Center where General Conference will take place.
On May 12, there will be a General Conference Climate Vigil in which participants will carry lanterns. The vigil will include music and testimony from United Methodists around the world who grieve the effects of climate change. Learn more: http://www.pnwumc.org/climatevigil/
A view of Portland from the Oregon Convention Center.
A view of Portland from the Oregon Convention Center.
Sixteen descendants from Native Americans who were survivors of the Sand Creek Massacre will be guests at General Conference. On Nov. 29, 1864, a 700-man force of Colorado Territory militia attacked and destroyed a peaceful village of Cheyenne and Arapaho. One of the leaders U.S. Army Colonel John Chivington was a Methodist preacher. Speaking is Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky of the Mountain Sky Area.
The Rev. We Chang is a member of the New England delegation to General Conference. The delegation members are laity: Bonnie Marden, delegation chair; Ralph R.R. Odour and Rene Wilbur; clergy: Rev. Chang, Rev. William (Scott) Campbell and Rev. LaTrelle Easterling.
These prayer beads, representing the elements water, fire, earth and air, will be given to General Conference delegates.
The Upper Room has created a prayer community for General Conference 2016. Find it at 60daysofprayer.org.