At the beginning of June, the 150^th session of the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church will convene in St. Cloud. Attending from our church on your behalf: Ginger Eddy, Sherry Harms, Linda Evans, Ordained Deacon, Pastor Leah Rosso and Pastor Mike Miller. We will joining over 1000 laity and clergy from United Methodist Churches across the state for the purpose of celebrating ministry accomplished, determining ministry and setting apportionments to support it for 2006, ordaining deacons and elder and sending clergy back into the mission field to lead the churches in faithful ministry.

At the conclusion of each Annual Conference, the ordained clergy are appointed and sent to the churches to be the spiritual leaders of churches throughout the state as well as sent to specialized ministries as chaplains in hospitals and missionaries throughout the world. The Bishop, in consultation with the District Superintendents, and the churches to which clergy are sent, makes these appointments each year.

A unique feature of the United Methodist Church is the “itinerant system”. Itinerate (verb) means “to travel from place to place”. This brings to mind the Circuit Riders who did that from month to month as they helped to establish Methodist Churches across America. Although we are a bit more settled now, the concept remains the same. Ordained clergy are appointed to the churches for one year at a time. And our work is still the work of missionaries. Both Leah and I are pleased to inform you that we will be re-appointed to serve among you as your pastors for the fourth year. We look forward to the ways God’s spirit will continue to call us forward in faith.

Church management folks tell us that it takes about 6 years for the congregation and pastor to establish a solid bond and a trust that provides strength for the pastor-parish dynamic to be effective. I have felt that bond growing in this past year as we move into deeper aspects of our working relationship. Relationship building is a slow process. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we move into year four of our appointment.

The theme for this years’ Annual Conference is: “GROWING TOGETHER –

AS WE JOURNEY TOGETHER”.

As Minnesota United Methodists, our journey together will include:

We are part of a larger church. We are connected to other United Methodists throughout the state, the nation and the world, as we work together to change and save lives for Jesus Christ. May our life together, and our expressions of ministry be pleasing to God.

Greg and Julie Albrecht have been attending Prairie Church since last fall. Greg's faith background is Roman Catholic, and Julie's is United Church of Christ. Both are avid runners and Greg is a tri-athlete. They serve as host parents for one of the girls at the ABC House in Eden Prairie, and are very active in the community: Eden Prairie Chamber Board, Rotary Club and Cornerstone House. Professionally, Greg is an Executive Recruiter and Julie works as a Human Resource Director. Both have a passion for community service. It is easy to see that the Albrechts were attracted to Prairie Church by our outreach opportunities and commitment.

DRAKE, Karen

Karen Drake is transferring her membership from Hobart United Methodist Church. This city congregation was closed last fall. Karen and her son Aaron have been attending Prairie Church since last summer and participating in the ministry of the church. Karen sings with the Chancel Choir and helps with the Sunday School program. Karen works as a payroll administrator for Golf Galaxy and lives in Chanhassen. Aaron is 12 years old, attends Oak Point in Eden Prairie and has recently started karate lessons. They both have felt very comfortable and welcomed here at Prairie Church.

Phil and Jan Gordon were recently married in 2003. Phil has been in Minnesota for several years, but Jan is new to the area having moved from Tennessee. Jan has 2 sons attending college, and is employed as a computer consultant working at Cargill. She is transferring from a United Methodist church in Camden, TN. Phil is the father of 2 daughters (the youngest being 15). His previous church affiliation was with the Episcopal Church. Phil work for Mosiac, a newly created Cargill company. The Gordons have been attending Prairie Church since this past winter and look forward to being involved.

Tim Hagan is new to the United Methodist Church. He grew up Roman Catholic in Maple Grove, MN, but attended Hamline University where he learned about John Wesley and the Methodists! Tim is a banker for U.S. Bank in Edina and also works part time in a group home for developmentally Disabled persons. He enjoys baseball and reading, and would like to teach some folks "Dance, Dance, Revolution" (ask him). He is engaged to Becky Vanden Heuvel (also a new member) next spring at Prairie Church.

Becky Vanden Heuvel also lives in Minnetonka. She was raised in a United Methodist Church in Wisconsin. Becky is a speech-language pathologist and works in public schools in the western suburbs. She enjoys gardening and traveling. Several years ago, she had the opportunity to travel in Asia for three months. Becky will marry Tim Hagan at Prairie Church next spring.

Pete and Donna Henningsen are both from Minnesota, but spent over 20 years in New York. They have 3 children (one is long-time member Debbie Anderson). Pete and Donna have been United Methodists for many years. They enjoy being close to their 8 grandchildren, after moving back to the Midwest from New York. They also like to travel where trips have included Europe, Asia and most recently Vietnam. They have been sponsors to many refugee families, and invited them into their own home in the resettlement process. Donna helped start the ABC House in Edina many years ago with her pastor Dean Postlewaithe. She also has a passion for quilting. Peter is very involved in the Institute of Packaging Professional working with area technical schools and UW-Stout.

Jonathan and Christopher

18459 Magenta Bay, EP 55347

Mike and Tori Munley and twin sons Jack and Chris moved to Eden Prairie from Dewitt, New York (outside of Syracuse) about 18 months ago. Mike is employed by Time Warner Cable and Tori is very active in Bible Study Fellowship a group that comprise over 300 women in this area. Their boys are in scouting, play soccer and enjoy music. Mike’s enjoys golf and biking, while Tori likes to tend to the garden. Mike was raised Catholic and Tori grew up Methodist. While in New York they attended a community church that at one time was Methodist. The Munleys have been attending Prairie Church since January and were looking for a place where their children would have the opportunity to grow in their faith.

Michael and Marianne Simons live in Minnetonka. They are the proud grandparents of Lauren Simons, who was baptized at Prairie Church this past winter. Marianne is the artistic director of the Minnetonka Dance Theatre and has danced professionally for many years. Michael is a self-employed management consultant, and volunteers for ‘Smiling and Dialing’, a job placement program. Michael was raised Catholic, but both he and Marianne have been longtime United Methodists.