2021 New Mexico Annual Conference

The 146th annual conference of the New Mexico Conference was held June 16-18. It was a virtual conference. Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe presided. The theme was based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 — “For Everything There is a Season.” Opening worship featured the song, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” adapted by Pete Seeger from that Bible verse.

Ordination-Commissioning: An ordination service for the Rev. Karin Carlson was held on June 9 in Odessa. She was ordained as a full deacon. A commissioning service was held on June 16 in Albuquerque for the Revs. Cazandra Campos-MacDonald and Katherine Salazar, both provisional deacons. Bledsoe offered the sermon on “Kairos Time.”

Seven clergy retired and 10 clergy and clergy spouses were memorialized.

Four online workshops were offered with excellent participation.

The laity session featured comedian and inspirational speaker Michael Jr., who spoke about how important it is to consider your “set up” and deliver your “punchline.” The Rev. Blossom Matthews, keynote speaker, used the imagery of finger paint to leave “fingerprints of God” everywhere we go and also used a saturated sponge to exemplify “leaking God’s love.”

Socorro De Anda, who will be retiring from her 35 years of exemplary service as president of the Lydia Patterson Institute, spoke. The significant work of Bill McCuaig, retiring Sacramento Camp executive director, was recognized.

The Rev. Randall Partin, the conference provost who has been appointed to serve a local church, presented the State of the Conference Report. He focused on the ways in which the conference has been resilient during this especially difficult year. Some examples are: the financial resilience of the conference and churches; Deacons Carlson and Salazar, who were not able to be ordained-commissioned last year, yet continued to live into their calling; online training offered by the Board of Laity; the Rev. Tweedy Sombrero, who found creative ways to serve the Four Corners area despite personal tragedy and the lockdown; the building project and capital campaign at Sacramento, accomplished without a significant percentage of income.

Conference Lay Leader Sid Strebeck said that although 2020 seemed like the worst year, there were many blessings amidst the grief and challenges. Harkening back to the conference theme —

 “To everything there is a season” — he shared Paul’s words in Romans 8:28.

The One Matters Award recipients were Rio Rancho United Methodist Church in the ABQ District, FUMC-Fort Sumner in the Clovis District and University UMC-Las Cruces in the El Paso District.

Seven new certified lay ministers were recognized.

During the Episcopacy Committee Update Report, a commemorative Nambe platter was presented to Bishop and Leslie Bledsoe in recognition of their last annual conference with the conference. The couple have planned a farewell tour scheduled for October. Further, transitional meetings have been planned with Bishop Robert Schnase, who will begin episcopal supervision on January 1.

Adopted resolutions: Resolution for commitment to creation care – All churches in the New Mexico Conference and their members shall be encouraged to use healthy, clean and toxic-free cleaning products in their churches, offices, and homes.

A covenant of shared ministry between New Mexico Annual Conference (NMAC) and Conferencia Anual Norcentral (CANCEN).

Resolution for discontinuance and transfer for Resurrection United Methodist Church in Odessa, Texas.

Resolution to modify the lay equalization formula to include lay pastors.

Resolution to modify the lay equalization formula to include new church starts.

Resolution to modify the housing exclusion amount for the conference provost, modifying the allowable amount of the cash salary for the provost’s housing exclusion up to $10,000.

Resolution for the location of the 2023 New Mexico Annual Conference in the El Paso District – Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Statistics membership stands at 25,456, down 2,251 from the previous year.

Worship attendance stands at 7,042, down 2,767. Online attendance was 7,522.

Church school attendance stands at 3,226, down 1,154.

Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2020 was 116, down from 2019 by 298.

Adults and young adults in small groups for 2020, 4,874, down from 2019 by 1,609.

Worshippers engaged in mission for 2020, 4,912, down from 2019 by 2,794.