Conference Ministers Meetings start at Noon on Conference Sunday. However, for the 28 new ministers from around the world and their friends, it started at 9:00 a.m. with ordinations.
This was a record high for Conference, with last year’s 20 ordinations being the old record. So you might imagine how the energy began building for this amazing day.
With the last-minute decision to do the ordinations in two rooms instead of one so we could be done on time for the meeting itself, NOW Productions responded with their unmatched can-do attitude and made sure there was double the usual equipment—and double the staff—for recording each blessing. With John Morton’s presence, Spirit took over and despite a couple of glitches (also known as opportunities for learning) the morning proceeded smoothly and with ample time for all of us, new ordainees, assistants, led by Melissa Ward, and ordainers, to prepare for the meeting.
And so it was that well over 900 of the Traveler’s ministers filled the Universal Sheraton Ballroom, silently awaiting MSIA’s main ministerial event of the year.
MC Iain Somerville called us into the Light at Noon, pretty much on the dot, and we chanted for a few minutes. Upon coming out of spiritual exercises we were treated to the Minister of the Year presentations. This year’s recipients were Lana Barreira and Michael Hayes. Each recipient was applauded loud and long as we appreciated their ministries of service to us all.
Iain then disclosed that the small envelopes on our seats contained a DVD documentary of a wonderful ministerial project supported by the University of Santa Monica, and was a gift to each of us. The documentary recounts some of the miracles that took place as USM grads worked over several months with the Valley State Prison for Women at Chowchilla, California, one of the largest women’s prison facilities in the world.
Next a couple of winners were selected from the raffle for a seat at Monday’s Blessings Fest with John Morton. As always, Lawrence & Janet Caminite handled the brief proceeding with humor and gracefulness.
Leigh Taylor Young took the stage to personally invite all of us in the LA area to physically attend the next John Morton Webcast, on July 26. With the graciousness Leigh personifies, she pointed out that there was a great deal of “buzz” around the next webcasts, which are based on John’s newest book, You Are the Blessings. The webcasts have been redesigned, from the format to the set, which will be more cozy and inviting. Leigh will be hosting the webcast and there will be several “segments” of the event, all of which are intended to make participation more interactive for both the live and the online audience. She shared a vision of the ballroom filled to overflowing. We share that vision and invite those in the area to check it out live, while the rest of you join in to see what all the excitement is about via the internet.
Next, NOW productions aired two video promos, one for new developments for purchasing products online (go to www.msia.org/store) and the other for DVD Club.
Feeling up to the task of following a video, Paul Kaye appeared to discuss www.Godisyourpartner.org. The site is new, updated, fun and easy to use. There’s lots to see there and you can view past episodes of God is your partner TV.
Paul then led us in a seeding and tithing meditation, which is always a sweet part of this meeting.
Mark Lurie and Vincent Dupont joined Paul to present the MSIA Volunteer of the Year Awards. They pointed out that it is volunteers like us—and like many of you reading this article—who really help keep this church going. This year’s recipients were Melba Alhonte from New York City, Monica Simpson from Watertown, Massachusetts, and Celia Allen-Graham from Santa Barbara.
Thus ended the first hour of the program which paved the way for the Traveler’s to share with us. Since we can’t describe the content, we will share a couple observations.
John Morton started out. In our view, he was incredibly open, warm, animated, engaging, and heartfelt in the way he shared. John-Roger was on the top of his game, speaking with great depth, humor and, always, loving. Though the meeting was to end at 2 pm for lunch before the initiates meeting at 4, we were treated to an extra half-hour with our Travelers, the first time a ministers meeting went past 2 pm that this writer can recall. (But then, this writer is grateful for the days he can remember his cell phone number, so maybe I am not a great reference point.)
Be that as it may, I do predict that this will be described as a ministers meeting to remember.
Read more articles from MSIA’s Conference of the Rest of Your Life, 2008
- Prana West Open House
- Rest and Rejuvenate in the Beloved Within Workshop with John Morton
- Representatives Meeting
- PTS Masters and Doctorate Graduation
- IIWP Gathering of Peacemakers
- Day 1 of the Spiritual Warrior Workshop
- Day 2 of the Spiritual Warrior Workshop
- MSIA Ministers Meeting
- MSIA Initiates Meeting
- BlessingsFest
