6


Susquehanna LINK - April 2015


2015 Susquehanna Annual Conference June 11-13, 2015, Messiah College, Grantham, PA


What is an Annual Conference?


umc.org/who-we-are and


The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church


Annual Conferences


When you hear the term “annual conference,” it could be referring to any one of three things. The annual conference is a regional body, an organizational meeting.


unit, and Many of these yearly a yearly meetings


happen in the U.S. in May and June. You can read reports from the 2014 Annual Conference Session on our Annual Conference Reports page.


Regional body


The annual (sometimes referred to as ‘regional’) conference is described by the church’s Constitution and (other parts of the ) “Book of Discipline” as the ‘basic unit’ of the church. In the United States, an annual conference may cover an entire state, only part of the state, or even parts of two or more states. There are also three missionary conferences in


the


United States, which rely upon the denomination as a whole for funding. The United States has 57 annual conferences, which are supervised by 46 bishops. There are 76 annual conferences in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, which are supervised by 20 bishops.


Organizational body In the U.S., the annual conference


has a central office and professional staff that coordinate


directors of program areas (such as camping), communications


and conduct


ministry and the business of the conference. It likely has a director of connectional ministries,


treasurer, director,


and other staff as deemed appropriate for the annual conference and as required by the “Book of Discipline.” Clergy and lay persons may also serve on conference boards, commissions, and committees.


“The purpose of the annual


conference is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church: all glory to God” ¶ 601


Continued at right ... Prepare the next quadrennial plan and theme 2016 Propose the plan to this year’s Annual Conference for adoption Plan should include a review and adjustment of our structure as needed Annual Conference speakers


The 2015 Susquehanna Annual Conference will feature the following special events and keynote speakers.


Bishop Jeremiah J. Park will preach for the Opening Celebration on Thursday, June 11.


Rev. Jennifer Thomas, pastor of New Creation Community UMC in Dover, will share during the Celebration of Ministry service on Friday evening.


Rev. Dr. Dennis Keller, Harrisburg District Superintendent, will preach during the Thursday evening Memorial Service.


Friday morning, June 12, will feature a


special time of dialogue focused on Vital Congregations.


Annual Conference Mission Opportunity


Saturday morning, June 13, Rev. Arun Andrews, pastor of Trinity UMC in New Cumberland, will lead Bible Study.


Saturday afternoon, Bishop Neil L. Irons, retired, will preach during the Ordination Service.


2015 Susquehanna Annual Conference approaches


CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1


I know that there is always a lot to accomplish in three days. The meetings can be long and contentious, and at times we might not easily discern where God wants us to go, but we rejoice in knowing that we worship a God who has faithfully


led us to this point and will surely lead us in God’s future as we trust anew in God’s grace. As a fellow sojourner with you on this marvelous journey called faith, I look forward to greeting you at Messiah College. With You In Christ’s Ministry, — Bishop Jeremiah J. Park.


The Annual Conference Session


umc.org/who-we-are and


The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church


... continued from left


Annual Conference sessions Each year an equal number of clergy members and lay members attend their conference’s Annual Conference Session for worship, fellowship, and to conduct the business of the conference, which may last 3-5 days. During these sessions members of the conference hear reports of past and ongoing work; adopt future goals, programs, and budgets; ordain clergy members as deacons and elders; and elect delegates to Jurisdictional and General Conferences


(every 4 years). The bishop presides over these meetings.


Annual Conference Membership The clergy membership of an annual conference shall consist of deacons and elders in full connection, provisional members, associate members, affiliate members, and local pastors under full- time and part-time appointment to a pastoral charge. ¶ 602.1 The lay membership of the annual conference shall consist of a professing member


elected by each charge,


diaconal ministers, deaconesses, home missioners, the conference presidents of: United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, the conference lay leader and district lay


leaders, one


youth (age 12-18) and one young adult (age 18-30) from each district, and the chair of the conference college student organization. If lay membership should number less than the clergy members of the annual conference, the annual conference shall provide for election of lay-equalization members. Lay members must be members of and active in the United Methodist Church at the time of election (with some tenure requirements) ¶ 602.4 The above mentioned have voice and vote at the Annual Conference Session. Other representatives (¶ 602.9) are given privilege of the floor (voice) without vote.


It is the duty of every member of the


annual conference to attend its sessions and furnish such reports in such forms as the Discipline may require. (¶ 602.8)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16