Bishop Ward and Conference Secretary, Jerry Bryan, report on the voting results on business of the 2020 Annual Conference.
Bishop Ward:
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
The North Carolina Annual Conference met in virtual session just a few weeks ago. Thank you to all of you who serve as lay and clergy members of the Annual Conference and thank you for the entire community of those who gathered for this remarkable time together. Jerry Bryan is our Conference Secretary and he will report on the decisions that we made together on June 18.
Rev. Jerry Bryan, Conference Secretary:
As Conference Secretary, it is my responsibility to share with you the results of the voting that took place on that date. 53.2% of all eligible lay and clergy members of the Annual Conference; a clear majority of the 2278 eligible to vote cast ballots. A strong sense of purpose was evident as all matters on the ballot were approved with 97 to 99% voting in favor. The ballot totals and percentages will be posted on the Conference website.
You have elected John Hall as the Conference Lay Leader. I’d like to wish him good luck and God’s blessing as he performs, I’m sure, does a great job and we look forward to working with him.
You have elected those nominated by the Committee on Nominations.
You have approved the financial reports, including the reports from the CF&A, Pensions, Insurance, Equitable Compensation, and Trustees.
Bishop Ward:
We are so thankful to God for the ministry of Jerry Bryan, our Conference Secretary for six quadrennia. Thank you Jerry for your leadership and for your good work.
Thanks to each of you for your generosity in the Annual Conference offering designated for the COVID-19 response fund. $3,500 was received online during the Annual Conference session. And your gifts are invited. Please continue to invite this offering in your churches and be assured that these offerings are used to relieve suffering in our communities through our churches as they reach out to those who are impacted by the pandemic.
As you go forth into this summer, remain connected as United Methodist people. Remain connected to God through Jesus Christ. Remain connected to one another and remain connected to those in your community in this extraordinary time.