Headers protocol for use within a web services message processing runtime framework

A method is described that involves processing a Web services message within an object oriented runtime environment. The processing itself involves executing a plurality of protocols to support a Web service that the message pertains to. Each one of the protocols perform one or more operations that contribute to a different part of the processing. The executing is hibernated by storing state information of the protocols externally from the protocols. The executing is resumed by loading the saved state information back into the protocols. The executing includes one of the protocols performing the following: receiving from an object information retrieved from the message's header; and, providing at least a portion of the information to another protocol amongst the plurality of protocols.