General Conference Postponed to 2022
Bishops call Special Session of General Conference
Missouri Conference Clergy Discussion About General Conference
Virtual Youth Conference This Saturday
Scholarship Opportunities
General Conference Postponed to 2022
Meeting on February 20, the Commission on the General Conference made a decision to further postpone the 2020 General Conference until August 29 – September 6, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minn. as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the safety of mass gatherings and travel. It is the Commission’s responsibility to select the site and set the dates of General Conference. Further, the Book of Discipline requires the Commission on the General Conference to "take necessary measures to assure full participation of all General Conference delegates." The Commission concluded that mandate was not achievable by means of either an in-person meeting in 2021 or a virtual meeting. To read a full press release on this decision go to https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/General-Conference-Postponed-to-2022.
In response to the further postponement of the 2020 General Conference, the Council of Bishops (COB) is calling a Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church to be convened online on May 8, 2021. According to the call letter signed by COB President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, the purpose of the 2021 Special Session of the General Conference will be limited to gaining a quorum in order to suspend the rules for the sole purpose of allowing the use of paper ballots to act upon 12 pieces of legislation that would enable the church to effectively continue its work until the postponed 2020 General Conference is held in 2022. While other potential amendments were considered, it was agreed that these 12 pieces of legislation would enable the church to continue its administrative functions appropriately. Click here to read the 12 pieces of legislation.. To read a full press release on the Special Session of General Conference go to https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/bishops-call-special-session-2021-15074669.
Missouri Conference Clergy Discussion About General Conference
Bishop Farr intends to host a virtual clergy conversation to unpack the news released today about further appointment of General Conference 2020 and the announced special session on May 8. Elders, deacons, licensed local pastors and laity assigned to local churches will be invited to register for that conversation. These people should watch their email for an invitation to the conversation.
Virtual Youth Conference This Saturday
Gather with NextGen Ministries on Saturday for LEAP, a one-day virtual youth conference where attendees will dive deeper into the Fruit of the Spirit. Seven speakers will share about these gifts in their own experiences. Learn more at www.nextgenumc.org/LEAP2021
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship season is upon us! Your Missouri United Methodist Foundation administers several scholarship funds that provides financial assistants to Undergraduate and Seminary Students. See all the scholarship opportunities on their website at https://mumf.org/students/.
