The Conference concludes

The opening speaker from Korea gave an interesting, but less accessible address examining the ambiguities in the text of Solomon judging between the two women with one baby. She concluded by saying that instead of judging who is right and who is wrong we need to ask how can we live together. A wise leader would have helped the two women work through the situation, not dividing them against each other.

Rev Dr Yani Yoo

Ivan Abrahams, Jo Anne Lyon, ( recipient of Peace Award) Gillian Kingston, Paulo Lockmann, Kirby Hicky

The new officers for the next five years were presented to the Conference. The new President is from Korea. I was reappointed onto the Steering Committee for the next five years.

Some of the Steering Committee

In the afternoon Jo Anne Lyon the General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church spoke. She had been awarded the Methodist Peace Prize in the morning and addressed the Conference in the afternoon. I had attended a seminar with her and met an older man who had worked with Martin Luther King. He was a very interesting man. He said 'white folks need black folks to get over their guilt. Black folks need white folks to get over their fear." "In the USA we need racial healing rather than reconciliation ... because have never been one."

Sign Language interpreter

In the evening there was a closing service where the President and Vice President and General Secretary addressed the Conference. Then after Holy Communion we all had some ice cream. Aimee went on to a Youth event while Lynda and I went to bed.

It had been a fabulous Conference with many thought provoking and stimulating presentations. The overall focus, that God's love extends to all, without limit. We had met and talked with many interesting people..