Delegates passed a resolution calling on anyone who intends to disaffiliate from the UMC to recuse themselves from any leadership roles in the denomination. Like what you're reading and want to see more? Connect. The decision to postpone again was not an easy one, said Simpson, the commission chair. Diane Degnan ddegnan@umcom.org Whenever the General Conference does meet again, one of the major pieces of legislation it will consider is theChristmas Covenant. We affirm the sacred worth of LGBTQ persons, celebrate their gifts, and commit to being in ministry together. Other recent UMC news/deep dive: Why the debate on whether to leave can be more intense among suburban UMC churches, East Tennessee UMC disaffiliations: Amid national wave, 264 East Tennessee and Virginia churches leave UMC following vote, Though more disaffiliations are expected this fall, the conference is already bent on bouncing back. Sign up for our free daily and weekly digests of important news and events in the life of The United Methodist Church. We are grateful to James Haun for his leadership as Local Host Committee Chair and his service on the Commission on the General Conference, said Simpson. The following safety guidelines will be practiced to help protect delegates: If circumstances change and in-person gathering is not feasible, an announcement will be made no later than April 15th so plans can be adjusted. Our United Methodist Mission sites tell us they can tell a real, positive difference about teams led by UMVIM-trained leaders. Checks should be made out to Kentucky Annual Conference Treasurer, Mission Offering on the memo line. The Global Methodist Church got its official start on May 1, 2022, after the United Methodist Church's General Conference meeting was delayed for the third time for pandemic-related reasons. 1) WORSHIP: Ultimately, the Commission on the General Conference is the body responsible for selecting the site and setting the dates of the legislative assembly. All United Methodist churches sponsoring mission teams are encouraged to have their leaders complete this training. Junius Dotson by umcnext | Feb 25, 2021 | Updates The Commission will meet again on March 28 to continue the work of preparing for the postponed 2020 General Conference and looking ahead for possible solutions that may help avoid delays in future meetings should unforeseen circumstances occur or persist. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 8, 2022Contact: Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers, 404.524.6614, Out of a spirit of transparency, trust, and accountability, members of the mediation team have reached out to the organizations that initially supported the Protocol Agreement, General Conference delegates, and others within our broad constituencies. Council of Bishops - The United Methodist Church WASHINGTON, D.C. - The bishops of The United Methodist Church (UMC) completed their Spring 2023 meeting on Friday in a gathering that was awash in the spirit of collegiality and search for the betterment of the worldwide denomination. Bickerton, the Council of Bishops president, plans to be at the commissions coming meeting. The General Conference commission spent time grappling with what to do about petitions submitted by people who, for whatever reason, are no longer part of The United Methodist Church. The 2024 United Methodist General Conference Delegation The overwhelming consensus among those with whom we spoke is that the once-promising Protocol Agreement no longer offers a viable path forward, particularly given the long delays, the changing circumstances within the United Methodist Church, and the formal launch of the Global Methodist Church in May of this year.. Click the link to read the whole statement. United Methodists from the central conferences are not just raisingavoice within the denomination; they are raisingmanyvoices, which are saying a variety of things about what the denomination should do and be. United Methodist Church leaders consider postponing conference again The Vine is a community that invites questions and doubts, a community that celebrates diversity and holds love and justice at the center of its being, said Furtado at the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference annual meeting. A new location is not the only change resulting from General Conference's delay. The denominations General Conference draws lay and clergy delegates, bishops and others from four continents. - Council of Bishops, UMC General Conference postponed till 2024; bishops to explore various pathways, COB Ecumenical and Interreligious Newsletters, Ecumenical Partnerships and Organizations. Due to Covid concerns, that session of the General Conference was postponed from May 2020 to Fall 2021 and then was further delayed to August 29-September 6, 2022. 3) SPANISH INTERPRETATION/TRANSLATION: Owensboro Convention Center What to expect at the next General Conference - United Methodist News No More Mr. and Mrs. Compatibilist In 2019, most liberal leaders claimed to be "progressive compatibilists. (502) 425-3884 or (800) 530-7236Fax (502) 426-5181, Kentucky & Central Appalachian Missionary Conference Partnership. Thomas Lambrecht of Good News. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS. Ultimately our decision reflects the hope that 2024 will afford greater opportunity for global travel and a higher degree of protection for the health and safety of delegates and attendees.. The meeting from April 30-May 5 was filled with worship [] Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Like what you're reading? This Annual Conference our theme is Grow in the Love of God. Like what you're reading and want to see more? The same delegates behind that resolution, many of whom clergy from Nashville, proposed other resolutions affirming LGBTQ clergy and denouncing discrimination in the UMC. Understanding UMC property disputes: Splinter explainer: Why church property plays major role in split of United Methodist Church. To read more United Methodist news,subscribe to the free Daily or Friday Digests. Theres no dividing line between age differentiation in these various denominations that are coming around, said Bishop Bill McAlilly, who oversees the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, at the recent meeting at Renasant Convention Center in Memphis. All clergy and lay members are required to register online. Together we need to develop new and creative ways to accomplish effective ministry with less financial resources and fewer paid employees, Pearce said. Crestwood, KY 40014 What happened at General Conference? - The United Methodist Church Each of this year's worship services will center around one or more of these means of grace. Hahn is assistant news editor for UM News. If you have notreceived Annual Conference informationby email, then we do NOT have your email address. The November 10-11, 2021 specially called North Central Jurisdictional Conference was rather clarifying about the mood of liberal American United Methodists, across - and probably far beyond - the Midwest. United Methodist Church Sets Date for Long-Delayed General Conference To support this challenge, Bishop Fairley and the members of the extended cabinet have agreed to contribute personally to the Mission Offering. Kentucky Conference: Annual Conference 2022 Also unknown is how many churches will depart before General Conference meets. About Us. Kentucky Conference: All Rights Reserved. While there will be electronic records of votes taken, the KAC Program and Arrangements Team, Secretary of the Annual Conference, and Bishop have determined that no access to individual voting records will be granted to the Annual Conference or its officers. Still unknown is what General Conferences continued delay will mean for the proposed protocol, negotiated by professional mediator Kenneth Feinberg with a theologically diverse group of United Methodists. The bishops resolution also supportsa recent ruling by the Judicial Council, The United Methodist Churchs top court. 7400 Floydsburg Rd As we wait, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on how recent events have revealed the ways in which United Methodists from the central conferences have become central to current UMC politics. We reject the Traditional Plan approved at General Conference 2019 as inconsistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ and will resist its implementation. Two of the church court's decisions relate to conference resolutions about the status of LGBTQ people in the church. (502) 425-3884 or (800) 530-7236Fax (502) 426-5181, Kentucky & Central Appalachian Missionary Conference Partnership, 2022 Special Session of the Kentucky Annual Conference - Information, 2022 Special Session of The Kentucky Annual Conference - Letter from Bishop, 2022 Special Session of the Kentucky Annual Conference - Live Stream, 2022 Special Session of The Kentucky Annual Conference - Registration, Order a paper copy (The price per book, with an additional shipping charge according to your preferred shipping method (overnight, regular USPS, etc. These are necessary developments. He led one of our largest churches in the Great Plains Conference before taking on the role of General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries. We look forward to ways that we will honor the efforts of the Dakotas-Minnesota Local Host Committee when we finally meet together., The Commission appreciates that many people are disappointed about the circumstances of the 2020 General Conference and shares in the disappointment that it has not been able to be held, said Simpson. The finance agency said the 2016 General Conference the most recent regular session cost about $10 million, and costs have only gone up. The Judicial Councils ruling would result in holding three General Conference sessions over five years. Still, bishops see many reasons for hope in the denominations future, especially for a more cohesive denomination going forward that can focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ rather than internal conflict. Gary Graves, General Conference secretary, said the commission would look to the Judicial Council, the denominations top court, for clarity for what needs to be done should this be seen as a postponed General Conference instead of a new assembly. Owensboro, KY 42301, The Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church So what happened? When -. All times listed below are Eastern Daylight Saving Time except for those indicated. The added expense of planning another General Conference within the same four-year period would reduce funds allocated to other areas/functions of the general Church, with reductions in some areas approaching a total of 50%, the agency said. With the 2020 General Conference now delayed to when the next one was supposed to take place, it remains unclear whether new delegates will need to be elected. The book is NOT printed and mailed to members; therefore, please see below for instructions on accessing the reports (which we anticipate will be available online to view or to order by mid-April). The UMC Mountain Sky Conference, which has congregations in Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho . Church court faces resolutions on LGBTQ inclusion By Heather Hahn However, after last years General Conference delay, the bishops scheduled the five U.S. jurisdictional conferences for Nov. 2-4 this year, with central conference elections in Europe, Africa and the Philippines to follow. To disaffiliate, those 162 churches paid a total of $3.9 million in unfunded pension liability and another $3.1 million in apportionment-related exit fees. After you have submitted your registration, you should receive an email confirmation (to the email address you included on the registration form). The conference will put some of that money to a new Stay UMC Fund to help the conference with trauma response, strategic planning, and resolving property issues. Consistent with that guidance, the Commission determined that the physical attendance of as many delegates as possible at the General Conference is critically necessary. United Methodists from Africa, the Philippines, and Europe are asserting their views and shaping debates about the denomination, as they should. The commission appreciates that many people are disappointed about the circumstances of the 2020 General Conference and shares in the disappointment that it has not been able to be held, she said in the press statement.