Annual Conference
Special Called Session
When
Saturday, October 7, 2023
10 am: Session Begins
Where
Online Session
Watch the Special Session
The sole purpose of the called session is to ratify or not ratify the Disaffiliation Agreements of the local churches asking to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church under the provisions of The Book of Discipline 2016, Paragraph 2553. This call for this special session conforms to the disciplinary requirements found in Paragraphs 369.6 and 603.5.
The Special Called Session of Annual Conference will be livestreamed for the general public and non-voting members. Full participation (including voting) is only possible for members of the Annual Conference.
Watch the Briefing
Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton shares important information about the October 7 Special Called Session of the Annual Conference.
How to Participate
Learn about how to participate in and watch the Special Called Session.
Conference Rules
Conference rules in place at the June 2023 annual conference remain in place and will apply to this special session.
Board of Trustees Report
This is the report to be considered for action. It describes the work of the Trustees related to disaffiliation and Paragraph 2553 and includes a listing of local churches whose church conference has approved disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church as of November 30, 2023.
Lanyard Colors & Voting
Learn about the different lanyard colors and voting during the session.
How to Participate
Learn about how to participate in and watch the Special Called Session.
Lay & Clergy Members
As a voting member, you will receive an email with a link to register. Once you’ve confirmed your attendance, you will receive another email with a link to attend the session.
Viewers & Guests
You can watch the session on this page or the NC Conference app.
Latest Updates
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Remaining Resolutions Presented Friday Afternoon
On Friday afternoon, the NC Annual Conference body continued its work addressing the 11 resolutions submitted for this session. Rev. William Sabiston, chair of the Resolutions Committee, reminded attendees that resolutions are an opportunity to articulate the conference’s stances on a variety of topics. To begin this portion of the plenary session, Sabiston recommended the… Continue Reading→
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Financial Overview
On Friday afternoon, the Council on Finance & Administration, the Insurance Committee, the Board of Pension, the Commission on Equitable Compensation, the Joint Committee on Clergy Medical Leave, and the Board of Trustees presented reports. All were approved as presented in an almost unanimous vote. The reports for the Joint Committee on Clergy Medical Leave… Continue Reading→
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Serve Joyfully: Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering
Emboldened by the Spirit-Imagining the Church to Be is the theme for the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering in Calvary, Canada, in 2026. Rev. Dr. Gloria Winston, Connie Wolf, and Caleb Parker shared information on the work leading up to this five-day conference, which will include representatives from all areas of our denomination. Every Episcopal… Continue Reading→
Frequently Asked Questions
Some helpful answers to your questions.
What is the purpose of the Special Called Annual Conference?
“The sole purpose of the called session is to ratify or not ratify the Disaffiliation Agreements of the local churches asking to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church under the provisions of The Book of Discipline 2016, Paragraph 2553. This call for this special session conforms to the disciplinary requirements found in Paragraphs 369.6 and 603.5.”
Who is required to attend the Special Called Annual Conference?
Clergy and laity who were voting members at the 2023 Annual Conference in June are also voting members at the Special Called Annual Conference.
Who is eligible to vote at the Special Called Annual Conference?
Clergy and laity who were eligible to vote at the 2023 Annual Conference are eligible to vote at the Special Called Annual Conference.
If I am eligible to vote, do I need to be present to vote?
In this virtual session, voting members must be present with their cameras turned on to vote. There is no option for voting by proxy.
What constitutes a quorum for a valid vote?
From the Annual Conference rules: “The bar of the annual conference shall be those members of the Annual Conference (as defined by The Book of Discipline) who are present and voting.”
Can anyone else attend other than those required to attend?
Non-voting members are welcome to view the livestream of the Special Called Annual Conference. However, they will attend as observers only.
Will the Special Called Annual Conference be livestreamed?
The Special Called Annual Conference will be livestreamed for the general public and non-voting members on the website and NC Conference app.