The North Carolina Annual Conference convened in Greenville, NC, from June 12 to 14, 2025. 1,010 persons attended the conference, which focused on the theme of Love Boldly, part of the new vision statement for The United Methodist Church. Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton presided over the NC Annual Conference as the episcopal leader.

On Wednesday, June 11, new pre-conference events were held for clergy, laity, and the public. Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz, Rev. Dr. Michael Adam Beck, Rev. Ben Roberts, and a team from Fuquay-Varina UMC led engaging Learning Labs to equip, inspire, and connect participants around the heart of disciple making, leader forming, and peace building. 

The official business of the annual conference commenced on June 12, starting with executive sessions for clergy and laity. The laity session opened with a time of worship, celebrating the gifts of laity across the conference. The laity also explored new ways for churches to connect with people through Fresh Expressions led by Rev. Dr. Michael Adam Beck, Director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church. In the clergy session, members approved the ordination of eleven persons (two deacons and nine elders) and the commissioning of nine persons (two deacons and seven elders).

Conference attendees were encouraged to wear black in support of Thursdays in Black, a global movement for a world without rape and violence. 

Following the executive sessions, Bishop Shelton officially convened the annual conference and invited members to join together in worship, led by the Pilgrimage House Band. In her sermon, Bishop Shelton emphasized the importance of connections and relationships in faith, urging Christians to love boldly and embrace diversity as a reflection of God’s nature. “We are Pentecost people. We are the body of Christ because God loved us first. Diversity is not a threat but an expression of who God is,” said Bishop Shelton. Following this meaningful sermon, the body gathered at the Lord’s Table for communion. 

The first two of four Constitutional Amendments from General Conference 2020/2024 were brought before the body Friday afternoon. Following the voting, New Faith Communities and the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry shared reports before the conference adjourned for the day. In the evening, clergy and laity enjoyed ice cream and fellowshiped with one another, as well as meeting several NC Conference clergy and laity authors at a book signing event.

Camp and Retreat Ministries opened the Friday morning session with bubbles and fun, sharing how our United Methodist camps offer an opportunity to send campers forth to make disciples and serve their communities. Connectional Ministries highlighted how ministries collaborate to share the mission of the North Carolina Conference and support the implementation of that mission through resources for local churches. 

We remembered 27 clergy and 24 spouses at the All Saints Celebration and Memorial Service. A choir of NC Conference clergywomen began the service with the choral piece “We Are Not Alone,” setting a tone of shared faith and community throughout the service. Rev. Bob Bergland, retired pastor and Community Spiritual Director at Heart of Carolina Emmaus Community, shared a message that reflected on the human desire to understand the mysteries of death and resurrection and honored those who have passed and acknowledged their impactful lives. “We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses…These faithful souls we honor today witnessed countless miracles throughout their lives and undoubtedly participated in creating many more,” Rev. Bergland said.

The Friday afternoon session began with the celebration of 16 clergy retirees, followed by a discussion centered on Love Boldly: Peace Building. Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz, Executive Director of The Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, talked about the Spirit of Acompañamiento and the importance of deep listening, discerning in community, and collaborating with community. Muñoz invited attendees to consider that accompaniment might mean we have to take uncomfortable walks together or even place our bodies in front of the vulnerable ones, “because God is there. God is moving when we reach into the community and try to create a sanctuary.” 

The final two constitutional amendments were voted on Friday afternoon. The final, aggregate tally of votes will be announced after all annual conferences have voted and shared their results certified by each annual conference secretary. 

The financial reports were presented by the Conference Council on Finance & Administration, Insurance Committee, Board of Pension, and Commission on Equitable Compensation on Friday afternoon. Conference members approved the motions to adopt all of the reports as presented or amended. The Joint Committee on Clergy Medical Leave and the Board of Trustees were approved as written in the Conference Workbook.

On Saturday morning, four resolutions were presented to the body. After discussing the resolutions, Bishop Shelton expressed gratitude for the district superintendents and cabinet through song, prior to the fixing of appointments. Rev. Dr. Gray Southern, the Conference Secretary, along with Bishop Shelton, closed the plenary session by thanking all the staff and volunteers for their dedication and time in making the gathering possible.

After the conclusion of business, 41 people publicly proclaimed their calling to ministry during the Ordering of Ministry Service. Bishop Gregory Palmer shared an inspiring message about “Living Love.” Bishop Palmer encouraged the candidates to “love into your role” without losing their essential identity in Jesus Christ. “Be a transformation for love in the world. Just tell the truth about God and love,” said Bishop Palmer.

Throughout the conference, many mindful health opportunities were provided, including Blueprint for Wellness Screenings, health screenings by ECU Health, and a collection of UMCOR’s Menstrual Hygiene Kits. Over 2,400 pounds of supplies for these kits were collected. 

Two special offerings were received during the conference, including the offering for the Samaritan’s Fund (#S-00298) in the opening worship service and The Endowment Fund for Theological Education in the Central Conferences in the Ordering of Ministry service. Thanks to the generosity of clergy and laity across the conference, $6,551.14 was received for the Samaritan’s Fund, and $6,644.09 was received for The Endowment Fund for Theological Education in the Central Conferences. Learn more about the special offerings and ways to give at nccumc.org/ac2025/special-offerings/.

Data and Statistics:

• Membership for 2024 was 142,385, down 3,310 from 2023.
• Average attendance at the principal weekly worship service stands at 28,957, down 2,189 from 2023.
• Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2024: 1,155, down 148 from 2023.
• Adults and young adults in small groups for 2024: 19,786, down 1,584 from 2023. 
• Worshippers engaged in mission for 2024: 30,111, down 2,872 from 2023. 
• The Conference approved a budget of $12,257,630 for 2027, an 8.67% increase from the 2026 budget.
• The Annual Conference voted to formally close 15 churches. 114 churches in the NC Conference are committed to being Lighthouse Congregations. New Faith Communities welcomed 3 new church renewal and planting projects.
• 4 clergy were commissioned as chaplains in the Department of Adult Corrections, 3 from NC Conference and 1 from Western NC Conference. 
• 16 clergy entered retired status.
• 9 elders and 2 deacons were ordained, with an average age of 39.
• 7 elders and 2 deacons were commissioned, with an average age of 37.
• 14 local pastors were licensed, with an average age of 43.
• 7 lay ministers were certified. 
• Annual Conference 2026 will be June 18-20 in Greenville, NC.

Recordings of all plenary sessions and worship services are available on the NC Conference app or at nccumc.org/ac2025/watch/. You can view photos from the three-day conference online in the Annual Conference 2025 album on Flickr. The final PDF of the Resolutions is at nccumc.org/ac2025/resolutions.