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The 20th Florida Conference Table was held Saturday, June 14, from at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about, and offer responses to, the writing of a second "In Defense of Creation" document, authorized by the 2004 General Conference.

IDOC2, as it is called, is the church's attempt to engage public policy on issues that most affect the human race, according to Florida Conference Bishop Timothy Whitaker, task force chairman. The document addresses three areas: nuclear proliferation, global poverty, and environmental issues.

"I am excited about the revision of 'In Defense of Creation' because it enables the church to relate the Gospel to the crucial issues confronting our world and the makers of public policy," Whitaker said.

The Council of Bishops anticipate approving a new document in May 2009 and releasing it to the church for study and action.

The original "In Defense of Creation" was a 1986 pastoral letter and statement from the church's Council of Bishops in response to the threat of nuclear war at that time and the potential for extinction of life. Dramatic changes in problems facing today's world, including the threat of terrorism and global warming, are behind the update, according to reports from the United Methodist News Service.

At the event in Gainesville, participants heard from Bishop Whitaker about IDOC2, heard from plenary speakers about each of the three issue areas and had time for conversation and response.

Conference Table looks at issues ‘In Defense of Creation’- e-review, June 26, 2008