2021 Central Texas Annual Conference

A few moments after 9 a.m., on Monday, June 21, Bishop Mike Lowry called to order the 155th meeting of the Central Texas Annual Conference. The conference actually began the night before with a time of inspiring worship, remembrance and celebration, highlighted by a powerful message from Bishop Jonathan Holston, episcopal leader of the South Carolina Conference. Bishop Holston likewise blessed Conference members and guests by opening each day of the conference with stirring and though-provoking worship and Bible study.

Though the experience of leading an Annual Conference meeting was nothing new to Bishop Lowry, his 13th and final time to preside over the Central Texas Annual Conference before his retirement on Dec. 31 was anything but routine due to the hybrid format, necessitated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While many CTC local churches had some experience with the format (people fully participating in-person and online), this was the first Central Texas Conference attempt to convene and conduct business in such a manner.

Even as the hybrid format was deemed necessary and practical by the Annual Conference Planning Task Force from a health and safety standpoint, it also seemed fitting that Bishop Lowry would again be at the forefront of this "new" model for the Central Texas Conference. Since becoming the CTC episcopal leader in Sept. 2008, he has led and encouraged the conference to embrace new means, methods and strategies for accomplishing our mission. Highlighted by the Exodus Project in 2010, the adoption of a WIG (Wildly Important Goal) in 2016 and the implementation of the Forward to a New Spring initiative in 2020, the clergy and lay leadership of the conference have been continually challenged to innovate and find new ways to reach new people for Jesus Christ.

The vast majority of the voting members of the Annual Conference participated online via Zoom, with approximately 100 lay and clergy members joining Bishop Lowry at First Methodist Waco. The meeting saw the conference take the following actions:

- Two resolutions put forth to amend the Guiding Principles and Best Practices of the Central Texas Annual Conference were considered and passed.

- The "Resolution to Allow Electronic Meetings," which makes it possible for the annual conference to gather and conduct business by virtual means, should unforeseen events occur that make it impossible/unsafe to meet and conduct business in person.
- The "Resolution to Govern Laying Items on the Table," which brings the customary practice of the Conference in line with Annual Conference Guiding Principles and Best Practices.

- Three resolutions of discontinuance – for Trinity UMC (Central District), Davis Memorial (East District), Wesley UMC (Central District) – were also considered and approved by the Annual Conference.

- Reports of the Board of Ordained Ministry, Nominations & Leadership Development Team, and the Core Team were approved.
- The Inclusiveness Umbrella Team report, which included the recommendation of a strategic plan for the Conference to End Racism in Our Lifetime, was also passed by the conference. The plan involves the hiring of persons to lead the work of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Conference and offers steps and resources to help clergy and laity move from awareness to action.
- A 2022 Conference budget of $7,632,945 was approved. This represents an increase of 3.2 percent in the Connectional Mission Giving allocated to CTC churches from the 2021 amounts.

Beyond the business of the conference, members and guest of the 2021 Annual Conference received the 2021 Episcopal Address from Bishop Lowry; the Laity Address, which was given by Conference Lay Leader Darlene Alfred; the Youth Address from Emma Boyd; a report from the Episcopacy Committee by Steve McIver; and an update on the General and Jurisdictional Conference by Kim Simpson.

(Video replays of the above are available at ctcumc.org/ac21-videos)

Those participating in the Central Texas Annual Conference also joined in celebration of:

- The commissioning of two provisional deacons and four provisional elders and the ordination and receiving into full connection of eight elders.
- Scott Green of Ferris Heights UMC as the 2021 Morris Delany Walker Award winner. The Walker Award recognizes an outstanding layperson who demonstrates distinguished and exemplary service to their local church, community and conference.
- The giving of the 2021 Harry Denman Evangelism Award, which recognizes a person whose life and ministry exemplifies the teaching of Christ and the Great Commission, to the Rev. Meredith Bell.
- The Rev. Chris Mesa being honored as the 2021 recipient of the Bishop's Preaching Excellence award.
- 2021 WIG Awards, which recognize churches who diligently and faithfully implemented new and creative ways to reach new people for Christ and achieve our mission and Wildly Important Goal to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Churches recognized included:
- East District – Burleson UMC and Kennedale UMC
- North/West District Area – Breckenridge UMC, Cahill UMC, Cross Plains UMC and Joshua UMC
- South/Central District Area – Nolanville UMC, Oak Park UMC, Waxahachie UMC and First Methodist Waco

Following Closing Worship and a surprise celebration of Bishop and Jolynn Lowry's 13 plus years of service, ministry, leadership and friendship to and with the Central Texas Conference, Bishop Lowry closed the 2021 Central Texas Annual Conference meeting on Tuesday, June 22, and sent the lay and clergy members back out into their respective mission fields to continue to do the work of making disciples in the power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

— Submitted by J. Vance Morton, Central Texas Conference communications director