April 23, 2024
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News
The United Methodist Church’s top legislative body will meet at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina April 23-May 3, 2020. Follow along from your home at this link.
Alabama-West Florida Conference Represented at 2024 General Conference through Volunteer Opportunities
With General Conference upon us, the United Methodists of Alabama-West Florida have taken a hands-on approach to participation in the upcoming conference. Not only does the annual conference have a brilliant delegation to represent itself, it also boasts several volunteers from across the annual conference who will make the trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to give of their time and energy. Dr. Gene Lammers, Rev. Sheila Bates, Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig, and Rev. Ashley Meyer are four key volunteers who will represent Alabama-West Florida at the General Conference. Rev. Ashley Meyer will be serving on the General Conference Secretary’s staff, working with the coordinator of the calendar. Dr. Lammers, Rev. Bates, and Rev. Hitchman-Craig will participate in the conference through their volunteer work with the General Commission of the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW), which oversees monitoring in both committee and in plenary sessions. These volunteers will collect statistical data about the makeup of our global connection while also continuing their work of assisting the church to uphold our standards of inclusivity both in representation and in voice. Monitoring, which happens at all levels of conferencing, is just one way that the church safeguards representation and participation for women, racial, and ethnic groups. More here.
Alabama-West Florida Delegation
The Alabama-West Florida delegation is comprised of eight delegates: four clergy and four laity. Additional reserve delegates will be at General Conference to assist the delegation. Click here to see delegation list.
Praying for our Delegation and Bishop
As a way to help the delegation, the conference has asked clergy and laity from around the conference to sign up for a date to pray for our delegation and bishop. Thank you for filling up the calendar; additional slots have been added. Click here to sign up.
Resources
Guide to General Conference
An important resource for delegates, church members, and journalists, this guide contains information about the conference schedule, the legislative process, and background. View guide here.
Agenda
This agenda outlines the daily schedule of the 2024 General Conference in Charlotte, NC. View agenda here. View abbreviated agenda here.
Advance Edition of the Daily Christian Advocate
The ADCA contains all legislation submitted for consideration by the delegates at the upcoming General Conference. View ADCA here.
Local Church Tools
GC by the Numbers - This one-page infographic provides a quick snapshot of General Conference by the numbers. Click here for infographic.
The Road to General Conference - Gain a better understanding of The UMC with this information detailing the church's structure from the local church, to the district, through the annual conferences and beyond with the infographics below (4 pages). Click here for Road to GC graphic.
Video: What is the General Conference? - This video provides a quick overview of General Conference and how it serves the denomination. Watch video.
Agenda Highlights
The General Conference meets for 10 days. The agenda runs from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm or later with the exception of Sabbath on Sunday, April 28. The days include legislative committee meetings, reports, addresses, plenary sessions, celebrations, and worship. (Find the proposed agenda here.). Times below are Eastern.
Agenda highlights include:
- Opening Worship - Tuesday, April 23, 2 pm
- Episcopal Address - Wednesday, April 24, 8:30 am (delivered by Bishop Jonathon Holston)
- Young People's Address - Wednesday, April 24 10:55 am
- Laity Address - Thursday, April 25, 8:45 am
- Elections to Commission on General Conference, General Agencies, Judicial Council - Monday, April 29
- Celebration of 80th Anniversary of UMCOR - Tuesday, April 30
- Closing Worship - Friday, May 3, 6 pm
Today's Schedule
9:30am-12:00pm - Orientation for All Delegates
*2:00-3:30pm - Opening Worship
*3:50-6:30pm - Plenary Session
- The Power of Communication
- Journey from 2016-2020
- Commission on General Conference Report
- Elections
- Report of the Committee on Agenda and Calendar
6:30pm - Adjournment
*event is live streamed; all times are Eastern
