San Francisco Episcopal Area Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño called to order the 172nd session of the California-Nevada Annual Conference on Sept. 17, the first to be held as a virtual only event. The session worked to align its prayerful reflections on the theme of the postponed 2020 General Conference, “Know that I am God,” based on Psalm 46.
Session highlights
The session was grounded in worship focused on affirming that God whom we know in our living and in our dying, is present, able, and faithfully walking with us into our future.
Devotionals also addressed healing in the time of COVID-19, overcoming racism and racial inequity, and the importance of committing to demilitarization and peacemaking as people of God. A virtual memorial service was also held.
The session ended on Sept. 20 with its Ordination, Commissioning, and Recognition of Orders service which was held in-person but outdoors under special safety protocols. In this service five were ordained elders and two were ordained deacons and all received into full connection.
Of those commissioned, seven were commissioned and received as provisional elders and two were commissioned and received as provisional deacons. Having their orders recognized and welcomed into full membership were two elders, one from the Methodist Church in Brazil and the other from the Korean Methodist Church. In addition, two were received by transfer from other United Methodist annual conferences.
The laity led the session in examining the role of the church in addressing the challenge of the Black Lives Matter Movement to stand against racism and racial inequity. A panel and other thought-provoking moments invited the lay and clergy members to consider The United Methodist Church’s own complicity in institutional and structural racism.
A total of 51 youth and young adults were elected to register and participate in this year’s annual conference session. Many of the group are also serving as members of the postponed General Conference 2020 and the postponed Western Jurisdiction Conference sessions, which are slated for 2021.
The session also addressed the following resolutions in its long history of commitment to compassion and social justice, ecumenism and interfaith relationships, and care for Creation:
• Resolution for Stopping the Mad March to Nuclear Disaster
• Resolution in Support of The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
• Resolution on Dismantling Racism and Ending Criminalization of Children and Youth
• Resolution Encouraging Individual Congregations to be Pro-active in Reaching Out to Other Faith Communities
Budget & offerings
The session passed a conference budget of $7,483,124 for 2021 tapping into funds designated for its mission and ministry to expand its investment in the work of making disciples for the transformation of the world. It also renewed its commitment to a 100% general church apportionment contribution.
The annual conference session offering was designated to the “Sheltering in Love” UMCOR COVID-19 Response with deep gratitude for how the connectional church has supported the California-Nevada Conference in addressing the many disasters it has faced over the years.
Click here to find 2020 Annual Conference Session resources including:
• worship services and laity session materials that can be used in your local church settings
• plenary reports
• awards
• retiree messages
• digital displays
— JB Brayfindley
Session highlights
The session was grounded in worship focused on affirming that God whom we know in our living and in our dying, is present, able, and faithfully walking with us into our future.
Devotionals also addressed healing in the time of COVID-19, overcoming racism and racial inequity, and the importance of committing to demilitarization and peacemaking as people of God. A virtual memorial service was also held.
The session ended on Sept. 20 with its Ordination, Commissioning, and Recognition of Orders service which was held in-person but outdoors under special safety protocols. In this service five were ordained elders and two were ordained deacons and all received into full connection.
Of those commissioned, seven were commissioned and received as provisional elders and two were commissioned and received as provisional deacons. Having their orders recognized and welcomed into full membership were two elders, one from the Methodist Church in Brazil and the other from the Korean Methodist Church. In addition, two were received by transfer from other United Methodist annual conferences.
The laity led the session in examining the role of the church in addressing the challenge of the Black Lives Matter Movement to stand against racism and racial inequity. A panel and other thought-provoking moments invited the lay and clergy members to consider The United Methodist Church’s own complicity in institutional and structural racism.
A total of 51 youth and young adults were elected to register and participate in this year’s annual conference session. Many of the group are also serving as members of the postponed General Conference 2020 and the postponed Western Jurisdiction Conference sessions, which are slated for 2021.
The session also addressed the following resolutions in its long history of commitment to compassion and social justice, ecumenism and interfaith relationships, and care for Creation:
• Resolution for Stopping the Mad March to Nuclear Disaster
• Resolution in Support of The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
• Resolution on Dismantling Racism and Ending Criminalization of Children and Youth
• Resolution Encouraging Individual Congregations to be Pro-active in Reaching Out to Other Faith Communities
Budget & offerings
The session passed a conference budget of $7,483,124 for 2021 tapping into funds designated for its mission and ministry to expand its investment in the work of making disciples for the transformation of the world. It also renewed its commitment to a 100% general church apportionment contribution.
The annual conference session offering was designated to the “Sheltering in Love” UMCOR COVID-19 Response with deep gratitude for how the connectional church has supported the California-Nevada Conference in addressing the many disasters it has faced over the years.
Click here to find 2020 Annual Conference Session resources including:
• worship services and laity session materials that can be used in your local church settings
• plenary reports
• awards
• retiree messages
• digital displays
— JB Brayfindley
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