Some UMs make General Conference family affair

United Methodist News Service
The Rev. Timothy Riss is planning a visit to Pittsburgh with his 18-year-old son, Jonathan, but not exactly for a fun family getaway.
He expects they will hardly see each other during the visit.
The Risses of Smithtown, N.Y., are among a dozen United Methodist families sending two or more delegates to 2004 General Conference.
The April 27-May 7 conference is to draw 998 delegates from across the globe—half clergy and half laity.
Relatives who are delegates say they will rely on each other to inspire teamwork even on the toughest issues.
“Many families disagree about issues but stay together as a family,” said the Rev. Clayton Oliphint, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Richardson, Texas, who is attending General Conference for the first time as an alternate delegate.
His sister, Mary Brooke Casad, is a delegate from the North Texas Conference. She has attended several times.
Oliphint, son of retired Bishop Ben Oliphint, said he believes family members who attend the conference together help strengthen the delegation. 
Casad, missions director for the North Texas Conference, said she is pleased her brother will join her at General Conference. Their father will be there, too.
“The church is our family business,” Casad said. “My brother and I both share a passion for the church, and it’s what we have in common and talk about and live our lives for. It’s the topic around the dinner table frequently right now, and it will continue to be.”
No policy prevents family members serving together at the conference. And because each region’s delegates are spread out among legislative committees, the concern that these family members could stifle diversity among the delegates’ views has never been an issue, said Carolyn Marshall, the conference’s secretary.
Riss, pastor of Smithtown UMC, is looking forward to sharing an important experience with his son.
The 2004 session will be Riss’ third time at General Conference, and he is prepared to be busy. But he is eager for some quiet time with his son during their drive home.
to discuss their work as delegates.
Jonathan Riss has been active in the denomination since he joined a regional youth ministry in eighth grade. He is proud to represent the denomination’s youngest members, and he believes sharing the experience with his dad will make it more interesting.
“I hope he doesn’t snore,” he joked. Then he adds: “I’ve noticed during some of our delegation meetings he might say something I’ve been thinking. Sometimes I disagree with him.”
Phillip Connolly of Marysville, Ohio, will be at the conference with his 16-year-old daughter, Kathy, and 21-year-old son, Michael.
Connolly and his daughter will serve as delegates from the West Ohio Conference, and his son will be an alternate. The family, including Connolly’s wife, have rented a Pittsburgh apartment during the two-week conference.
Long active in the denomination, Connolly said he would continue to encourage his children’s involvement.
“At a time when so many people are leaving the church, it’s exciting to see young people who have a strong faith who are interested in devoting the time,” he said.
Michael Connolly, a student at Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky., said he expects a trip similar to the mission trips his family made as he grew up. He enjoys being active in the church and plans to continue his involvement after graduation.
He said he looks forward to sharing this opportunity with his family.
“Our family’s really tight,” Michael said. “We love to minister to different people and be together and work together as a family. This is just another way to be able to work and pray and do things for God’s word together.”
Bill McAlilly, pastor of First UMC, Tupelo, Miss., will be a delegate from the Mississippi Conference with his brother, Steve. The two were reared in a United Methodist pastor’s home and are lifelong members of the denomination.
Steve McAlilly now is a member of his brother’s congregation.
The pastor said he is inspired by the delegates’ global influence and is eager to share this experience with his brother.
“I’m sure we will spend some time each evening to reflect on the events of the day,” he said. “I think we’ll have a lot of conversation on some of the more highly debated topics.’’