The North Carolina Annual Conference convened in Greenville, NC, from June 18 to 20, 2026. 1,013 people attended the conference, which focused on the theme “Serve Joyfully,” part of the vision statement for The United Methodist Church. Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton presided over the NC Annual Conference as the episcopal leader.

On Wednesday, June 17, pre-conference events were held for clergy, laity, and the public. Rev. Tobi Nguyen, Rev. Dr. Glenn Stallsmith, Angelica Acosta Garnett, Doug Thie, Caleb Parker, Rev. Dr. Tim Catlett, Rev. Hope Ledbetter-Bock, and Rev. Jenifer Swindell led engaging Learning Labs to equip, inspire, and connect participants around the heart of disciple making, leader forming, and peace building. 

The official business of the annual conference commenced on June 18, starting with executive sessions for clergy and laity. The laity session heard stories of laity serving joyfully in ministry and their daily lives. In the clergy session, members approved the ordination of 10 elders and the commissioning of 7 persons (3 deacons and 4 elders).

Conference attendees were encouraged to wear black in support of Thursdays in Black, a global movement for a world without rape and violence. 

Bishop Shelton officially convened the annual conference and invited members to join together in worship, with music led by the Haymount UMC praise band. Bishop Shelton preached on Galatians 5 and the fruit of the Spirit, with a reflection on joy. “Joy is rarely private. Joy gathers. Joy connects. Joy creates belonging,” said Bishop Shelton. Opening worship concluded with Deacons and Deacon Candidates serving communion to attendees in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Order of Deacons.

The opening plenary session was called to order on Thursday afternoon, including the tradition of singing “And Are We Yet Alive”. Following the approval of the Conference rules, Conference Youth leadership presented a mock resolution, “Is a Hot Dog a Sandwich?” to help members engage with the structure of Robert’s Rules of Order. 

Several ministries and committees shared updates and reports about how they are serving joyfully. Rev. Beth Hood, Assistant to the Bishop for the Office of Clergy Life, led the conference in a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the ordination of women in The United Methodist Church, wearing a bright red sparkly boa, red heels, and a sparkly red star wand. Rev. Hood noted that in the North Carolina Conference, 43% of clergy are women. 

John Hall, Conference Lay Leader, brought forth a report on the 2025 resolution, “A Call for Conference LGBTQ+ Ministry Team,” which was referred to the Connectional Table and Rules Committee. The Connectional Table and Structure Review Committee approved the committee for inclusion on the Race Equity & Justice Ministries Team. 

The NC Conference also celebrated the official federal recognition of the Lumbee Nation, the 575th tribe to be recognized. Lumbee Ambassadors wore traditional dress and sang “Amazing Grace,” followed by John Oxendine performing a Lumbee “Honor Song.” 

Native American Ministries Committee members shared a history of the growth of United Methodist churches among Lumbee people and honored Lumbee clergy and laity. Panthia Locklear also announced the recipients of this year’s Gary Wayne Locklear Mission Endowment, which supports ministries and outreach efforts that help others and share the love of Christ in memory of Gary Wayne Locklear.

Following the dinner break, attendees reconvened for an evening plenary session, with the joyful sounds of pastor’s kids (PKs) playing games and hanging out with adult PKs in the Wiggle Space in the background. Rev. Dennis Peay presented the Statistician’s report, three resolutions were brought forth by the Resolution Committee Chair, Rev. William Sabiston, and the nominations report was approved as amended. After the plenary, the celebration of the Lumbee People continued with the ice cream social.

Friday morning’s plenary session began with Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe telling the story of the Social Principles, while volunteer artists worked on the stage behind her, creating art to represent each section of the newly revised Social Principles.

The Connectional Ministries report embodied serving joyfully with a fun presentation led by Rev. Dr. Ismael Ruiz-Millan and John Hall, Conference Lay Leader. Laughter filled the exhibit hall as the youth updated the conference on the various events framed by a tongue-in-cheek Weekend Update. Other Connectional Ministries celebrations included presentations of the Peacebuilding Awards, BeUMC Awards, Excellence in Evangelism Awards, and One Matters Awards to churches, clergy, and laity.

We remembered 20 clergy and 16 spouses at the All Saints Celebration and Memorial Service. Rev. Allen Bingham, pastor at Haymount UMC, shared a message entitled “May Our Joy Be Complete.” He explained that the path to complete joy is to serve other people and added, “These pastors and their spouses have lived lives of service to other people.”

The Friday afternoon session began with the celebration of 19 clergy retirees, followed by a Juneteenth Celebration full of powerful words by Rev. Kennedy Gray and Rev. Justin Coleman and inspiring music by the University UMC Jazz combo. As all Black clergy and laity gathered around the stage, Rev. Rhonda Grant Jordan said, “This is the beauty of our people. This is the strength of our story. This is the living testimony of Juneteenth.”

The financial reports were presented by the Conference Council on Finance & Administration, the Insurance Committee, the Board of Pension, and the Commission on Equitable Compensation on Friday afternoon. The proposed 2028 budget is a 4.31 percent decrease, or almost $529,000, from the 2027 budget. Conference members approved the motion to adopt all of the reports as presented in an almost unanimous vote. The Joint Committee on Clergy Medical Leave and the Board of Trustees were approved as written in the Conference Workbook.

On Thursday evening and Friday afternoon, 11 resolutions were presented to the body. 

On Saturday morning, celebration of the Lumbee Nation continued as Rev. Jim Jones, a member of the Lumbee tribe, offered highlights of connections between the Lumbee and the NC Conference. Rev. Shawn Blackwelder and Bishop Sam Rodman dialogued and shared information about the potential Full Communion Agreement between The United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church. Bishop Rodman reminded us that entering into Full Communion does not mean we will all do things the same way, but rather, that we would be able to learn from each other and serve together in shared worship, shared ministry, and shared mission to the world.

Bishop Shelton expressed gratitude for the district superintendents and cabinet, prior to the fixing of appointments. Rev. Dr. Gray Southern, the Conference Secretary, along with Bishop Shelton, closed the plenary session by thanking all the staff and volunteers for their dedication and time in making the gathering possible.

After the conclusion of business, 41 people publicly proclaimed their calling to ministry during the Ordering of Ministry Service. The Right Rev. Michael Curry delivered a powerful message centered on a scripture from Exodus. Curry reminded the candidates, “When you do the work of God, it is God working through you. You do not have the power to do the work you have been given. If you think it is your own, you are going to make a fool of yourself. There is power in God’s purpose for your life.”

In the spirit of ecumenism for the Ordering of Ministry Service, the laying on of hands for ordination included AMEZ Bishop Darin Moore, UMC retired Bishop Paul Leeland, and UMC resident Bishop Shelton. Episcopal Bishops Rodman and Curry stood in affirmation for the ordination of the elders. 

Throughout the conference, many mindful health and mission opportunities were provided, including Blueprint for Wellness Screenings and a collection of almost 2,500 UMCOR’s School Kits.

A special offering supporting The Endowment Fund for Theological Education in Regional Conferences outside the United States was received during the opening worship service and the Ordering of Ministry service. The total from Miracle Sunday and the Annual Conference Session offerings has exceeded $205,000. Learn more about the special offering and ways to give at nccumc.org/ac2026/special-offerings/.

Data and Statistics:

• Membership for 2025 was 136,130, down 6,255 from 2024.
• Average attendance at the principal weekly worship service stands at 28,946, down 11 from 2024.
• Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2025: 1,166, up 11 from 2024.
• Adults and young adults in small groups for 2025: 1,818, up 140 from 2024. 
• Worshippers engaged in mission for 2025: 32,181, up 2,070 from 2024. 
• The Conference approved a budget of $11,279,314 for 2028, an 4.31% decrease from the 2027 budget.
• The Annual Conference voted to formally close 10 churches.
• 19 clergy entered retired status.
• 10 elders were ordained, with an average age of 37.
• 4 elders and 3 deacons were commissioned, with an average age of 34.
• 9 local pastors were licensed, with an average age of 47.
• 2 deaconesses were commissioned.
• 13 lay ministers were certified. 
• Annual Conference 2027 will be June 16-19 in Greenville, NC.

Recordings of all plenary sessions and worship services are available on the NC Conference app or at nccumc.org/ac2026/watch/. You can view photos from the three-day conference online in the Annual Conference 2026 album on Flickr. The final PDF of the Resolutions is available at nccumc.org/ac2026/resolutions.