people in pews/martha maxton

As Martha Maxton continues in a leadership role at her Methodist church, she ends up attending many conferences.

But she tries to never lose sight of the deeper reason for the meetings.

"The days are chock full but it's a joy and if you think of it as worship and doing things for your church then it is a joy and not work," she said.

Maxton gained inspiration and spiritual lessons from her attendance at the recent annual conference of United Methodists in Missouri and at a bishops conference at Mount Sequoia in Fayetteville, Ark.

The lessons are something she can share with the women she serves as president of the United Methodist Women's groups at Centenary United Methodist Church.

She attended the annual meetings in Columbia, Mo., with her husband, Ralph.

In Columbia, plans were finalized for a merger between the east and west conferences of United Methodists in the state.

The meeting this year was particularly important because of the merger issue, Maxton said. But it was also worship and fellowship of believers. You can't just go to worship in today's churches but have to consider budgets and ministry programs, she said.

She and her husband, who serves as a lay leader for the local United Methodist District, were home just a week or two before heading to a bishops conference in Arkansas.

The retreat was designed for lay members, clergy and bishops. The theme was on contemporary worship.

While the focus was on contemporary worship, it was a weekend of spiritual growth for Maxton, she said. "The speakers were just awesome and uplifting," she said.

Being on a mountaintop helped keep the focus on God's creation. "We were able to be in God's world and his creation," she said. "The flowers were blooming and it was inspiring and beautiful."

The Maxtons have been members of Centenary United Methodist Church since 1978. She sings in the choir and has been involved with the church bazaar, attic treasures sale and served on the worship committee. She also served on the church's administrative council and is qualified as a Stephen minister.

Do you know someone who should be featured in People in the Pews? If so, call Laura Johnston, features editor, at 335-6611, extension 126, or e-mail her at ljohnston@ semissourian.com.