Special sessions of United Methodist annual conferences 2022

For a number of U.S. annual conferences, the sessions earlier this year are just the beginning. At least 17 conferences plan to have or have held special sessions to deal mainly with church disaffiliations. Most of these sessions will be online.

The South Georgia Conference was held on Aug. 20.
The Great Plains Conference on Sept. 10.
The Central Texas Conference on Sept. 17 at Arborlawn United Methodist Church, Fort Worth.
The Mountain Sky Conference on Oct. 21-22.
The Oklahoma Conference on Oct. 21-22 at Church of the Servant, Oklahoma City.
The Virginia Conference on Oct. 29.
The Alabama-West Florida Conference on Nov. 12.

The Louisiana Conference on Nov. 12.
The Arkansas Conference on Nov. 19 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The Dakotas Conference on Nov. 19.
The Indiana Conference on Nov. 19.
The North Carolina Conference on Nov. 19 at Huff Concert Hall at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The West Ohio Conference on Nov. 19.

The Northwest Texas Conference on Dec. 3.
The Texas Conference on Dec. 3 at First United Methodist West, Houston.
The Kentucky Conference on Dec. 4.
The North Alabama Conference on Dec. 10.

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General Church

West Ohio delegates raise their arms in praise during morning worship at the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. From right are the Revs. April Casperson and Dee Stickley-Miner and Tracy Chambers. On Nov. 5, the Council of Bishops announced annual conference voters ratified four ballots of constitutional amendments passed at General Conference. In addition to regionalization, the ratified amendments deal with inclusion in church membership, racial justice and educational requirements for clergy. Casperson helped lead the task force that championed the passage of the amendment on inclusiveness. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Church strengthens stands on inclusion, racism

In addition to regionalization, United Methodist voters ratified three other amendments to the denomination’s constitution including changes that make clear the church’s belief that God’s love is for all people.

Church Growth

Bishop Knut Refsdal, who leads the Nordic-Baltic-Ukraine Area, baptizes Aksel, as the baby’s parents, Håkon and Astri Helen Madland, look on. The newly elected bishop chose Flekkefjord, Norway, as his first visit in a strong sign of solidarity with the United Methodists there. Photo by Karl Anders Ellingsen, UM News.

After division, church sees new life and local honor

After General Conference, a United Methodist church in Norway saw much of its congregation leave. Now, the church is rebounding and receiving recognition for its inclusive stance.

Judicial Council

Members of the 2024-2028 Judicial Council are (front row, from left) the Rev. Jonathan Ulanday; the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, president; the Rev. Angela Brown, secretary; and Molly Hlekani Mwayera; (back row, from left) Bill Waddell; Andrew Vorbrich; the Rev. Øyvind Helliesen; the Rev. Luan-Vu Tran; and Harriett Olson. The Judicial Council publicly released a decision on June 3 related to the Mississippi Conference’s process for allowing congregations to leave with property. Photo by Linda Bloom, UM News.

Ruling: Stop alternative church-exit plans

The United Methodist Church’s top court strikes down the Mississippi Conference’s process to let churches leave with property after the denomination’s disaffiliation policy expired.