Upcoming Church Conference
Every year in the United Methodist Church, each local church takes part in an annual Church/Charge Conference. During this meeting we do the business of the church, which includes nominating new leaders for the upcoming year, approving the pastor's compensation, voting to remove inactive members from the membership roles and approving certified candidates for ordained ministry. We also worship together through music, a message by our District Superintendent and by sharing Holy Communion with one another! In essence, it is an opportunity for us to celebrate the ministries of the church over the last year and look ahead to our hope-filled future together.
This year our theme for Church Conference is an extension of our Annual Conference theme which is Awakened to Grace! We hope to find new ways to come together and grow in fellowship and purpose, within our church, our community and with other churches (our connection). For this reason, our 2025 Church Conference will again be a combined conference with Big Pine UMC and Newman UMC and we will meet in our sanctuary on Wednesday, October 8th at 6pm.
You may ask, why would I take a few hours out of my week to attend a Church/Charge Conference? Well, here are a few reasons;
- As a member, you will have a say in the business of the church. I keep using two different words (church/charge) to describe this conference. This year's meeting is a "Church Conference". This means that all members in attendance will be able to vote on the business items I listed above. During a Charge Conference, only Church Council members (leadership) are able to vote. *This year, we hope to be voting on the candidacy for ministry of Ralphie Segar! (There are just a few preliminary steps we still need to complete before this vote). Ralphie would love your support!
- You will have an extra opportunity to worship that week. Chip Hendricks, our contemporary music worship leader will lead us in worship and our New District Superintendent, Rev. Vidalis Lopez will preside and bring us the message.
- We will share a meal together following the church conference. We will all gather in Jones Hall after the meeting for a communal meal. What a great opportunity to meet folks from the other two churches! For food planning purposes, we will be asking folks to RSVP prior to the church conference. Stay tuned for RSVP information…
We hope that you will join us on Wednesday, October 8th at 6pm in the sanctuary for our annual church conference and worship! You are an important part of this church family and we will feel your absence if you are not there with us!
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Grace and Peace
-Pastor Madeleine
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