Grace and peace to you in these days of Easter light and joy.
Two months from today, we will be in the midst of the Annual Conference Session. I am in touch to urge you to plan well for this time, whether you will be in worship in your church or participating in Greenville with Clergy and Lay members of the North Carolina Conference.
A weekend annual conference is planned, beginning Friday at 10:00 am with the Service of Memorial and Communion and ending on Sunday midday with the Service of Ordering of Ministry.
Clergy overwhelmingly affirmed, when given the reality of the choices of graduation or Father’s Day weekend, the latter. We honor all fathers and father-figures among us and promise to dismiss as we have for the past four years, no later than 12:15 so that families may gather later in the day back home.
Sunday worship in churches on June 18 will be led by persons other than appointed Clergy and Lay members to the annual conference. A team is preparing a template for worship, and I will video a sermon for use as needed. This is an excellent occasion to teach our United Methodist way, to welcome a lay speaker, and to celebrate the connection we share in Christ’s ministry.
Thank you for your creativity in local churches as lay and clergy members gather in Greenville in June. Together, we will celebrate in every place across the Annual Conference the strong connection of the United Methodist Church.
With gratitude for all the ties that bind us in Christ’s ministry,
Hope Morgan Ward
View a transcript of the video.