Mount Vernon congregation makes mark on conference
June 22, 2012 · Margaret Stevens

Members of the United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon had a strong presence at the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The conference was held the first week of June.

The Praise Team from the Mount Vernon church was featured during the Open Worship. Introduced by their pastor, Rev. Bill Daylong, the praise team opened the conference with rousing musical performance. Shari Daylong and members of the praise band read the Gospel lesson, from Mark. Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble was the preacher for the service.

A praise team had never opened the conference before. Bill Daylong said it was a unique honor, though he had no doubt the Mount Vernon group was deserving.

"When we arrived here we said the whole conference has to hear them, because of the awesome talent," he said.

The Praise Team Outreach will also be performing in the church's Memorial Garden, which is on the west side of the church, Thursday, June 28, during the farmer's market. 

Mount Vernon church member Christine Davis served as spiritual guide for the conference. She led six 10-minute sessions that focused on mind, body and spirit and keeping balance among those three sides of a person. She talked about sleep and nutrition and also led the conventioneers in breathing exercise.  

Davis said it was a great experience and a great conference. 

Davis said the venue, Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, was different from the site she usually delivers the message - at the Mount Vernon Methodist sanctuary or in her yoga studio. She delivered her message to 1,600-1,800 people sitting at tables rather than in pews. The biggest difference between being in front of the congregation in Mount Vernon and the larger group in Des Moines was the big screens flanking the podium.

"But it's still just dealing with people," Davis said. "It was like talking to clients. These are the things we talk about all the time, just a bigger venue."

Much of the conference, including segments featuring Mount Vernon church members, can be viewed online at iaumc.org.