In Denver, Colorado, the delegate sof the 2007 Annual Conference of the Rocky Mountain Conference of The United Methodist Church approved the position of Director of Older Adult Ministry. It is believed that the Rocky Mountain Conference is the only conference in the General United Methodist Church that will have this position at this level.

It is especially significant that this action was taken at this Annual Conference, whose theme was "Making the Invisible Visible." In many of our churches, the older adults make up a great portion of the membership and make significant contributions of their services and financial resources. And yet, in our youth-oriented society, many older adults remain invisible.

The petition was written and presented by Kent Replogle, a member of the council. Instrumental in the passage of this significant legislation was the Rocky Mountain Conference Older AdultC ouncil. The Council is currently discussing among themselves, and with others, the implementation of the legislation. At a recent meeting of the council, the members decided to ask that the position be fully funded in 2009. In the interim, it is probable that the position will be filled by one or more volunteers.

Herb Bowman is the Western Jurisdiction Representative to the UM Committee on Older Adult Ministries and a member of the Rocky Mountain Conference. For more information, you may contact him by e-mail at skinnyherb@juno.com.

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