As we continue to move forward during the pandemic, Bishop Ward updates us on the plans for the Clergy Session and the Ordering of Ministry service.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
During this time of pandemic, we continue to be very careful to do no harm. Therefore, we have rescheduled the Executive Clergy Session of the Annual Conference. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19 at 10 am at St. Luke Church in Sanford. The Executive Session will now be held on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 10 am. It will be a virtual session and all clergy will receive their materials ahead of time. The Executive Session, virtually, will allow us to vote on all the matters that are before us in this annual gathering. Those matters will include the approval of those recommended for commissioning and for ordination.
However, given the constraints of the pandemic, the Service of Ordering of Ministry including commissioning and ordination will be postponed. We anticipate a great celebration in June 2021 when we can gather physically and celebrate this forward movement in the ministry of those among us who will be approved at the clergy session. This postponing of the Ordering of Ministry Service and Ordination and Commissioning will not affect the appointments, the compensation, the benefits, or the service years related to pension for those among us in this category.
Thank you for your continued colleagueship, collaboration, cooperation, as together we move forward the ministry of United Methodist people in the North Carolina Conference.