The Annual Conference 2025 business session began Thursday afternoon with Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton inviting the members to join in prayer for Capital District Superintendent Chris Brady, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. At Brady’s request, members are encouraged to wear blue on Friday in recognition of men’s health, both physical and emotional. Jon Strother will be the interim DS for the next three months. 

After singing the traditional hymn, “And Are We Yet Alive,” Shelton introduced the new Conference Parliamentarian, Lee Rodio, a member of Mt. Sylvan UMC in Durham. 

Conference Secretary, Rev. Dr. Gray Southern, shared that members of the Board of Laity had prayed over each seat on the plenary floor and invited everyone to gather each morning for a centering prayer near the stage. He also thanked volunteers at St. James and Jarvis Memorial UMCs in Greenville for providing childcare for the entire Annual Conference, as well as acknowledging all of the teams serving behind the scenes to make the event possible.

As required at the beginning of each Annual Conference, Rules Committee chair Rev. Danny Peck presented the Standing Rules of Order with several updates to remove specific date references which led to needed changes each year. In addition, changes were proposed to the Lay Equalization Plan to add retired Deaconesses and Home Missionaries as voting members of Annual Conference and clarified that the Conference Youth Legislative Affairs Person was also a voting member. As recommended from the floor, editorial changes will also be made to update the rules to change the name of United Methodist Women to United Women in Faith. 

After the rules were approved, Southern announced nominations for the Committee on the Daily Minutes, which were also approved.