May 1, 2024
AWF in the News
AWF Post General Conference Clergy and Laity Meetings: Updated Dates
(Bishop Graves) - I bring greetings to you from General Conference in Charlotte, NC. You might have heard me say in a video our office of communications published on Monday that the spirit of this conference is unlike anything I have seen at a General Conference. The Holy Spirit is indeed in this place. Often at the conclusion of General Conference those in our local churches need assistance in clarifying “what just happened.” As leaders of our AWF congregations, I want to help each of you understand the actions and implications of General Conference. Previously I had scheduled four in-person clergy meetings and one lay Zoom during May. Because information travels so rapidly via social media, live stream and news outlets, I want to empower you to have the most accurate and up-to-date resources as soon as possible. News does not wait on our schedules. Therefore, I am scheduling two Zoom meetings for Tuesday, May 7. One meeting will be for clergy only at 10am and one for laity at 6pm. Clergy who cannot attend the 10am meeting may attend the evening laity Zoom. During these meetings you will hear from our delegation, office of communications and me on how best to understand the actions of General Conference and communicate to your local churches. We are canceling the four in-person clergy meetings in May and the lay Zoom meeting on May 20th. However, after participating in the May 7th Zoom there will be an opportunity for clergy to register for a one-on-one consultation with a delegate if you need further information and assistance in helping communicate to your local church. More here.
Connectional News
General Conference reduces requested giving
(UMNS) - Delegates voted to reduce a key component of calculating apportionments — the portion of church giving requested to fund the general-church budget. During an afternoon session on April 30, delegates passed the new base rate for The United Methodist Church’s apportionment formula in the most contested plenary vote so far at this year’s General Conference. As a result, conferences will shift from their current base rate of 3.29% to a base rate of 2.6% for 2025 and 2026. Then, if the apportionment collection rate is 90% or higher in those years, the base rate will jump to 2.9% for 2027 and 2028. More here. More here.
Full communion with Episcopalians gets closer
(UMNS) - Delegates to the United Methodist General Conference approved full communion with the Episcopal Church on April 30. The agreement needs the approval of the Episcopalians before going into effect. During the conference’s “Ecumenical Day,” the morning plenary session was halted briefly to acknowledge the vote. “We want to lift up and recognize this moment, which is an incredibly significant moment, especially on this day as we celebrate our ecumenical relations,” said the Rev. Gary Graves, secretary of the General Conference. 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.:
- Closing Worship - Friday, May 3, 6 pm
Today's Schedule
*8:00 - 9:00 A.M. - Worship
*9:00 - 10:00 A.M. - Plenary Session
- Monitoring Report
- Methodist Family Day
- Administrative Committee Reports
- Consent Calendars
*10:20 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. - Plenary Session
- Calendar Items & Conference Business
*1:30 - 3:40 P.M. - Plenary Session
- 100th Anniversary of the United Methodist Building
- Calendar Items & Conference Business
*4:00 - 6:30 P.M. - Plenary Session
- Calendar Items & Conference Business
- Evening Devotion
