Dear United Methodist friends,
Grace and peace to you in these Lenten days as we receive the projected next steps for The United Methodist Church.
The Commission on the General Conference has scheduled the 2020 General Conference, delayed further as a result of the pandemic, for August 29-September 6, 2022. Read the call announcement.
The Council of Bishops has called a Special Virtual Session of the General Conference on May 8 with a limited agenda of items that will allow steps forward in this time of constraint. Delegates will vote for or against these matters by paper ballot. This process is analogous to the manner of our North Carolina Conference 2020 virtual annual conference when we considered only a few matters essential and non-controversial in our ongoing common life. Read more about the May Called Session.
The Jurisdictional Conference will gather virtually in July with a limited agenda including matters such as budget, nominations, the merger request of the Memphis and Tennessee Conferences, retirement of bishops, assignment of bishops, and discernment relative to the election of bishops at a later time. Further information when available will be posted.
We are deeply grateful for leaders in our annual conference who connect us in significant ways with our global connection in these times: Ellen Beasley who serves on the Commission on the General Conference, Douglas Ward who is Director of Information Technology for General Conference, Gray Southern and Emily Innes who serve on the Southeastern Jurisdiction Committee on the Episcopacy, and Christine Dodson and Belton Joyner who lead our General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegations. We continue to pray for all lay and clergy delegates elected by the North Carolina Conference. You will find their names listed on our website.
Together with you, I offer daily prayers for our United Methodist Church, a vessel of God’s love and Christ’s graceful ministry, especially in this season of constraint and challenge.
We will move forward together with transparency and frequent communication, offering updates and responding to your hopes, concerns, and questions. You will find frequently asked questions with responses on the General Conference page of our website.
With gratitude for all our life together,
Hope Morgan Ward