Monday, May 9, 2016
You are receiving General Conference email updates as a current subscriber of The NewsCONNECTION newsletter. If at any time you would like to be removed from these updates, you can do so through the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email. This will not unsubscribe you from The NewsCONNECTION. If you know others who would like to be added to the GC email updates, they can subscribe here. Daily updates will be sent in the evening after sessions conclude or the next morning. An update will not be sent on May 15, the day of rest.
General Conference 2016 Begins Tomorrow
General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church which meets once every four years. The 2016 General Conference will meet at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore., May 10-20. The conference can revise church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs. More here.
Alabama-West Florida Delegation
The Alabama-West Florida Delegation is comprised of five clergy and five laity (and two alternates), who were elected last year at Annual Conference. Below are the delegates and the committees on which they serve.
Steve Furr, laity: Church & Society 2
Pat Luna, laity: Judicial Administration
Beverly Maddox, laity: Faith & Order
Clara Ester, laity: Church & Society 1
Dawn Hare, laity; General Administration
Lawson Bryan, clergy: Ministry & Higher Education/Superintendency
Larry Bryars, clergy: Financial Administration
Jeremy Pridgeon, clergy: Conferences
Robin Wilson, clergy: Discipleship
John Brooks, clergy: Local Church
Frank Moore, laity alternate: Independent Commissions (no vote)
June Jernigan, clergy alternate: Global Ministry (no vote)
Praying for General Conference
Praying for delegates, bishops, speakers, and all those who lead and attend the General Conference sessions is a powerful way to participate. Pray for God to guide the General Conference’s decisions, for Christ to lead us into the future, and for the Holy Spirit to empower us to go on toward perfection in our love of God and one another.
The Upper Room has created 60 Days of Prayer for General Conference 2016, a guide to lead us in prayer for the days leading up to General Conference, the days of General Conference, and the days that follow. You can sign up to receive the daily meditations and prayer prompts by e-mail at 60daysofprayer.org.
Each daily e-mail update will feature a prayer from one of the AWF delegates. Please keep them in your prayers and encourage them as you are able.
General Conference Resources
General Conference Guide: An important resource for delegates, church members and journalists, this guide contains information about the conference schedule, the legislative process and historical background. Click here for guide.
Schedule: This agenda shows the overall program of the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon.
Advance Edition Daily Christian Advocate: Contains all legislation submitted for consideration by the delegates at General Conference.
Legislation Tracking: Search for legislation submitted by petition number, keyword or submitter. Once General Conference begins, the information will be updated regarding the actions taken on each piece of legislation.
Stay Connected
You want the whole picture: If you long to be in Portland but it’s just not possible, you can still stay close to the action with live streaming video. Don’t miss a minute of the big event.
You like to get in the mix: Twitter is for you. Follow @UMCGC to get the 4-1-1 and join the global conversation using the hashtag #UMCGC. For AWF tweets, use #AWFGC.
You prefer a behind-the-scenes tour: Stay clued in by visiting the digital lounge to watch interviews with notables and newsmakers, as well as folks who are out of the spotlight but critical to the event’s success.
You want the highlights: Follow General Conference on Facebook to stay well informed. If social media isn’t your cup of tea, subscribe to the UMNS daily digest and get the news in your inbox; then click to learn more.
You have a cellphone obsession: The General Conference mobile app is right up your alley. Get everything you need in the palm of your hand.
You want someone to break it down for you: United Methodist News Service will be posting breaking news stories all day, every day, as well as in-depth coverage and analysis. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter, too.
You’re a General Conference buff: If you’re a serious devotee of all things General Conference, find everything in one place at the General Conference website for an easy, user-friendly experience.
Tomorrow's Highlights
Streaming Schedule (Reminder: All times are Pacific Standard, UTC-7)
- 2:00 P.M.: Opening Worship & Holy Communion (4:00 CDT)
- 3:30 P.M.: Call to Order (5:30 CDT)
- 4:45 P.M.: Organization of General Conference (6:45 CDT)