It has long been the hope of the Church universal that we could live into Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples, “that they may all be one.” (John 17:21) Our unity undergirds the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world so that the light of Christ shines in a hurting world in deep need of salvation, redemption, and reconciliation with God and one another. This is the prayer of every water-washed Spirit-born baptized believer. However, there have been moments throughout the church’s history where some of our brothers and sisters felt it necessary to leave the connection for reason of conscience.
It grieves my heart that some local churches and pastors have discerned that they can no longer be a part of The United Methodist Church. It is painful for us all to have anyone leave the family. We have shared so much together. I pray that the mission to make disciples of Jesus who change the world will be accomplished wherever you find yourself.
The work of The United Methodist Church continues even as we share this pathway for local churches to disaffiliate and clergy persons to withdraw. I pray that each local church and pastor considering this step would do this work of discernment in a deep attitude of prayer, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We have outlined on our website the process for a local church to disaffiliate or pastor to withdraw. The North Carolina Conference will seek to work with a local church or a pastor to ensure the process is carried out in a spirit of grace and cooperation.
I know that when these things happen, no one leaves totally happy or with all that they desired, but we can proceed without disparaging each other. “Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up.” (Hebrews 12:14-15)
In Christ,
Transition Fund Recommended Change Zoom Session
All clergy conference members are invited to attend a conference-wide Zoom session on Tuesday, May 24 at 12:00 p.m. At the session, we will discuss a recommended change to the Transition Fund to be presented to Annual Conference in the Board of Pension’s report. To learn more about the recommendation and to register for the Zoom session, visit the Transition Fund webpage.
Learn About the AC 2022 Speakers
We are excited to be able to again meet in person for Annual Conference 2022. We look forward to seeing you in Greenville on June 15-18 as we worship, learn, conduct business, and fellowship together. We will be blessed in our gatherings by this year’s leadership: Bishop Leonard E. Fairley, the Rev. Janet Wolf, and the Rev. Dr. Kenneth W. Locklear. Learn more about them and when you can see them during Annual Conference below.
Bishop Leonard E. Fairley
Bishop Fairley was elected to the episcopacy in 2016 from the NC Conference and became our bishop in September 2021. He is also the episcopal leader for the Kentucky and Red Bird Conferences. Bishop Fairley has served large and small as well as rural and urban churches and as a district superintendent for the Rockingham and Capital districts. He and his wife, Dawn, have a blended family with four children and seven grandchildren.
Bishop Fairley will preside over the business sessions and will preach at the Ordering of Ministry Service on Saturday morning at 10:30 am.
Rev. Janet Wolf
Janet has worked as a poverty rights organizer, UM pastor, college and seminary professor, and animator with think tanks inside prisons. She focuses on public theology, transformative justice, and nonviolent direct action organizing to disrupt and dismantle the cradle to prison pipeline. She is the author of Practicing Resurrection: The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship. Janet and her husband, Bill Haley, have five sons and six grandchildren.
Janet will share with us during the Wednesday evening worship service at 7 pm and lead the Thursday morning Bible study at 8:30 am.
Rev. Dr. Kenneth W. Locklear
Ken has served in pastoral ministry for over 34 years. He has served seven churches, started a new church in Greensboro, NC, and served as Executive Director of Native American Ministries for the Southeastern Jurisdiction at Lake Junaluska. He is now serving as the Gateway District Superintendent. Ken is married to Janet, and they have one son.
Ken will be our preacher for the Memorial Service on Thursday morning at 11 am.
For more information about Annual Conference 2022, visit nccumc.org/ac2022.
Care4Carolina Prayer Breakfast
The NCCUMC Health Ministry Team encourages you to attend!
Care4Carolina believes that access to quality, affordable health care helps build a healthier, stronger North Carolina.
Register here: https://care4carolina.com/event/prayer-breakfast/
We hope you will join us!
AC 2022: Graceful Justice
Annual Conference 2022 will be at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, NC, on June 15-18, 2022. The theme for the quadrennium is Grace for the Future. Annual Conference 2022 will focus on Graceful Justice – Rooted in Our Baptism. Bishop Leonard E. Fairley will preside over the conference with the assistance of Conference Secretary, Rev. Dr. Gray Southern, and Conference Lay Leader, John Hall.
Save the Date: AC Briefing Session
Join us live on June 1 at noon for the Annual Conference Briefing Session. Stream and chat in the NC Conference app or watch on the AC 2022 website!
Volunteers Needed
Annual Conference requires many volunteers to be successful. We need your help in filling these positions throughout our time together. We will need:
- Ushers to assist with directions, material distribution, and to assist with seating.
- Offering Stewards to gather offering boxes, stand with them, and return them for processing.
Each group will have a lead person to provide guidance and instructions. Without your assistance and participation, Annual Conference would not be a success.
We are using SignUpGenius to organize volunteers for the roles and the time slots. See the available times.
If you are not familiar with this application, do not feel comfortable using it, or do not have access, you may call Caroline Jackson at 910-890-6687 or email her at caroline.jackson@nccumc.org. She will assist you and assure you are signed up.
You are encouraged to sign up for multiple time slots; there are many opportunities to serve. Thank you in advance for your support.
Important Deadlines & Information
Below, you will find information and deadlines relating to Annual Conference 2022. Please continue to visit the AC 2022 website or download the app for more details.
- Agenda
- AC Kids Registration – Deadline is May 15
- Breakout Sessions
- Conference Journal Orders – Deadline is September 1
- Display Table Requests – Deadline is May 15
- ECU Housing Registration – Deadline is May 13
- Hotels
- Speakers
- Special Meals
- Special Offerings
- Submitting Reports – Deadline is May 9
- Submitting Resolutions – Deadline is May 15
Volunteers Needed for Annual Conference
Annual Conference requires many volunteers to be successful. We need your help in filling these positions throughout our time together. We will need:
- Ushers to assist with directions, material distribution, and to assist with seating.
- Offering Stewards to gather offering boxes, stand with them, and return them for processing.
Each group will have a lead person to provide guidance and instructions. Without your assistance and participation, Annual Conference would not be a success.
We are using SignUpGenius to organize volunteers for the roles and the time slots. See the available times.
If you are not familiar with this application, do not feel comfortable using it, or do not have access, you may call Caroline Jackson at 910-890-6687 or email her at caroline.jackson@nccumc.org. She will assist you and assure you are signed up.
You are encouraged to sign up for multiple time slots; there are many opportunities to serve. Thank you in advance for your support.
Gray Southern
Conference Secretary