April 25, 2024
AWF in the News
AWF Delegates Begin Legislative Committee Work
Yesterday began the work of the legislative committees at General Conference. Much of this week’s work is centered around these committees and reviewing the 1,099 petitions that were submitted prior to 2020 and leading up to the current General Conference. Each legislative committee elects a chair, vice-chair and secretary. In addition, if the legislative committee votes to have subcommittees, chairs will be elected for those. More here.
AWF Photos Highlight Special GC Moments
An online photo album featuring AWF delegates and volunteers has been added. Many thanks to Joscie Cutchens, Celeste Eubanks and Derek Leek for sharing their time and talents with us this week. Click here to see album. Updates will be made throughout the conference.
Connectional News
Bishop Holston: Become ‘who God needs us to be’
(UMNS) - Bringing a word on staying who “God needs us to be” in spite of the ever-changing noise of this world, Bishop L. Jonathan Holston of the South Carolina Conference delivered the Council of Bishops’ Episcopal Address to kick off Day 2 of The United Methodist Church’s 2020 General Conference. “When things are happening all around us, God uses the church to make a difference,” Holston proclaimed before the crowd of delegates, observers and volunteers gathered at the Charlotte Convention Center April 24. “The church was never built for our pleasure. The church is built for God’s purpose.” More here.
Young people share fears, hopes for future church
(UM News) — Speaking during the United Methodist General Conference, young delegates affirmed that amid the turmoil there is hope for reconciliation and growth. Alejandra Salemi of the Florida Conference told delegates that the younger generation is feeling the weight of the emotional, mental and spiritual trauma that comes with separation and disaffiliations. Eveline Chikwanah reports on the Young People’s Address. More here.
Church and Society Interim General Secretary John Hill and Revised Social Principles Team Address General Conference Delegates
(GBCS) - The 2012 General Conference set GBCS on an amazing journey to revise the Social Principles so statements on urgent matters of peace and justice and the integrity of God’s creation are clearer, more concise, more deeply theological, and reflect and speak to the realities across our worldwide connection. Today, a GBCS team of presenters shared the process and purpose of the United Methodist Revised Social Principles with the body of UMC delegates from across the globe at the postponed 2020 General Conference in Charlotte. The team offered their insights, meaning and support for the Revised Social Principles and asked for delegates to prayerfully consider these Revised Social Principles for adoption as an affirmation of a powerful expression of social witness for this next chapter of our beloved United Methodist Church. More here.
Delegates urged to ‘restart’ church with less
(UMNS) - United Methodist leaders challenged General Conference delegates to chart a brighter future for the denomination — but to do so with significantly less funds and fewer bishops. At the first gathering of the policymaking body since a quarter of the denomination’s U.S. churches left, the delegates heard sobering news about the financial state of The United Methodist Church. Before the delegates is a proposed denomination-wide budget that would be its lowest in 40 years. It also represents the biggest budget drop in the denomination’s history. “This is a General Conference that must send clear signals to the local church,” said incoming Council of Bishops President Tracy Malone, “that we are keenly aware that the loss of membership and the decline of sustainability has a direct influence on the amount of funds available to support ministry.” More here.
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 updated 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.
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 updated agenda here.).
Agenda highlights include, times below are Eastern.:
- 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
*8:00 - 8:45 A.M. - Worship
*8:45 - 9:30 A.M. - Plenary Session
Monitoring Report
Laity Address
Administrative Committee Reports
Calendar Items
Remainder of the day in Legislative Committees
*event is live streamed; all times are Eastern
