For MSIA’s Ministerial Board, Sunday dawned very early, as they arrived at the Sheraton Universal to set up for ministerial ordinations in the Studio Rooms, just next to the Ballroom. There were 23 ordainees, and they and their friends and families began gathering, chatting, hugging and greeting in the hallway. Eleven ministers were on hand to do the ordinations, and after the rites were complete, there were 2 baby blessings by John Morton, which are always a sweet treat.
More hugs and greetings were seen as ministers registered and took their seats in the Grand Ballroom — 990 of us — for the MSIA Ministers Meeting!! Doug Hughes, President of the Los Angeles Ministerial Board, opened the meeting, called in the Light, and then introduced the current L.A. Ministerial Board, the newly elected L.A. Board, the Spanish Ministerial Board that serves the Spanish-speaking community, and Ministerial Boards from all around the world. Many ministers were attending the meeting from countries other than the U.S., and ministers from Australia were tuning in by a phone line provided by NOW Productions.
Joey Hubbard, one of last year’s Ministers of the Year, presented this year’s Minister of the Year award to Reverend Ruby Whang for her many years of service as an MSIA minister.
Then, Maria Teresa Kelber presented a Minister of the Year plaque to Ina Cristina Carbajal Kiernan, for her years of loving service with a smile.
MSIA President, Paul Kaye, spoke about tithing, and asked Michael Frankel to share his experience of tithing. Michael spoke about starting to tithe at one percent to get in the game, and then increasing his tithe as he was able. Then, Paul led us in a seeding process.
Vincent DuPont and Mark Lurie presented the Presidency’s annual Service Awards to Teri Tompkins and Lynn Vineyard, thanking them for consistently serving over many years. Paul Kaye then presented a special award to Brad Pie for his 30 years of volunteering with NOW Productions, specifically working the sound mixer at Conference each of those years.
Then, we all welcomed John Morton with a standing ovation. John spoke to us about his own ministry, and about our ministries in general. There were a number of standing ovations throughout John’s talk. John spoke sweetly about his years of ministering to John-Roger as a part of J-R’s personal staff and how that service continues.
Next, the Ministers were treated to luncheon as a “thank you” from MSIA. After the garden luncheon, many of us stood outside the Ballroom, talking over old times with friends, and various methods of getting to God, while waiting for the doors to open for the Initiates’ Meeting.
When the doors opened there was a mad rush to take seats, and we chanted until the Travelers arrived. Phil Danza of NOW Productions called in the Light, we chanted some more, and John Morton pulled the final seven raffle tickets for the I.I.W.P. Blessings Brunch on Monday. Winners were Lisa Al Anbari, John Forrister, Jake Meyer, Stuart Green, Kathleen Safron, Marianne Sladzinski, and Marie Leighton.
Vincent DuPont made a short presentation about MSIA’s presence on the Internet, and the new website, www.john-roger.org., with links to the MSIA-related organizations. MSIA’s webmaster, Deborah Martinez, made the presentation to John-Roger of the Benjamin Franklin Award, given by Publishers’ Marketing Association to www.mandevillepress.org. for the Best Designed and Effective Home Page.
Then our Beloved John-Roger came up to speak, and touched on a number of different topics, including being presented with choices and temptations, about seeing with the eyes of Spirit, and speaking kind words, which are the song of the Soul. He encouraged everyone to be an initiate, to take enough time to do Spiritual Exercises, and to help the Traveler help each one of us. Using touching examples from his own life, J-R also suggested doing closure every day with our loved ones.
John Morton made closing remarks, and then we chanted while J-R and John Morton left the Ballroom. It was a profound yet simple day, as Conference almost always is, with everyone taking away something special from these moments shared with the Travelers. Gratitude is at the top of the list.
Click here for the article & photos from the IIWP Blessings Brunch with John Morton.
Click here for the article & photos from the Coming Home Workshop.
Click here for the article & photos from the IIWP Donors Seminar.
Click here for the article & photos from the PTS Masters & Doctoral Graduation at Conference.
Click here for the article & photos from the Soul Initiation Workshop.
Click here for the article & photos from the Family Retreat at the Conference of Coming Home.
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