The system also is used for elections such as that of Judicial Council members. A banner with a special logo and theme has been supplied each congregation in the Rocky Mountain and Montana conferences. Special tours to churches and other points of interest are being arranged. Johnston and her helpers are hoping the relatively early date for the conference won't lead to snowy entanglements with Colorado weather when as recently as this July a major tourist road near Denver was blocked at higher elevations by snow drifts. During the last previous General Conference in Denver in 1960, a light snowfall provided a few friendly snowballs for delegates to lob at each other instead of controversial debate points.
Contingency plans are in place for unexpected weather.
When April 1996 arrives, Denver will be more than prepared to welcome and accommodate The United Methodist Church for what, hopefully, will be the most productive and promising General Conference to date. Robert Lear retired in 1992 as director of United Methodist News Service's Washington office. He first attended a General Conference in 1956.