April 29, 2024

Today begins the bulk of the plenary work for General Conference delegates. Last week, delegates primarily spent time in legislative committees reviewing the 1,099 pieces of legislation submitted to General Conference. Plenary sessions last week focused on reports and business of the conference except for Thursday, where delegates passed the majority of the regionalization amendment, paving the way for annual conferences to decide if they wish to ratify this plan. Because it is a constitutional amendment, annual conferences will vote at their 2025 sessions and must receive at least a two-thirds total vote of annual conference lay and clergy voters.

Below is a review of what happened in week one with links. If you missed a story or news segment, click on the relevant link to learn more. The majority of General Conference will be live streamed this week. Detailed information is at the bottom of this email. Click here for week one photos.

AWF in the News

Bishop Recaps First Week of General Conference and Anticipates Week Two

Bishop David Graves, resident bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, summarizes the work of week one of General Conference and further explains what is to come this week. We invite you to watch this important and timely message and share this video. Click here to watch.

AWF Friends Gather for Fellowship Dinner in Charlotte

The AWF delegation and friends of the Alabama-West Florida Conference gathered on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Maggiano's in Charlotte, NC. The dinner was organized by lay delegate, Celeste Eubanks. Those in attendance enjoyed great food but even better fellowship and welcomed back Bishop and Mrs. Paul Leeland. Bishop Graves and Nancy and Bishop Bryan and Sherrill were also in attendance. “It was such a blessing to take a moment of respite from the hard work of General Conference,” stated Celeste Eubanks. She continued, “To gather with friends, who are like family, and simply enjoy the company of one another was such a gift. I am so grateful for each servant leader in attendance.” Photo by Joscie Cutchens.

Week One AWF Feature Stories

Alabama-West Florida Conference Represented at 2024 General Conference through Volunteer Opportunities

General Secretary Leads Central Conference Delegate Training

AWF Delegates Begin Legislative Committee Work, Kincaid Elected as Committee Secretary

Reserve Delegates Serve as Key Part of Team

Praying Our Way Through General Conference

Connectional News Week One Highlights

Bishop urges ‘spirit of hope’ as General Conference begins

Regionalization moves on to full General Conference

Church court's elections up to General Conference

Bishop Holston: Become ‘who God needs us to be’

Young people share fears, hopes for future church

Eurasian conferences get go-ahead to form own church

Church and Society Interim General Secretary John Hill and Revised Social Principles Team Address General Conference Delegates

Delegates urged to ‘restart’ church with less

Regionalization gets General Conference go-ahead

Bishop preaches Thursdays in Black message

A journalist and a cartoon fish can point the way

Bishop: Follow God’s lead at General Conference

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.:

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 - 9:10 A.M. - Worship

Consecration of Deaconesses and Home Missioners for Lifetime Service

*9:10 - 10:00 A.M. - Plenary Session

Monitoring Report
Administrative Committee Reports
Consent Calendars

*10:20 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. - Plenary Session

United Women in Faith
Elections

Trustees of John Street Church
Secretary-designate of the General Conference
Commission on the General Conference
General Agencies
Judicial Council
University Senate
Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters