Annual Conference…
Our church is part of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. Our Annual Conference is divided into 9 Districts (we are in the Delaware Bay District). Once a year (that’s why they call it an “Annual” Conference), representatives from the United Methodist churches across New Jersey (and parts of Pennsylvania and New York) gather for a 3 day conference. This year’s conference will be held in Wildwood from Wednesday May 28 through Saturday May 31.
The conference officially starts on Thursday, but Wednesday will feature an optional day of learning and service.
Churches are represented by their clergy members and by an equal number of lay members. In our case, our clergy members are Rev. Potts and Rev. Yang, and our lay members are Jeremy Andrade and Larry Bakely. Lay Members are chosen for 4-year terms during each church’s Charge Conference.
The annual conference is a combination of service, worship, and “business meetings” (also known as “Holy Conferencing).
“Holy Conferencing”
Annual conference decides the “business” issues of the church. Budgets are debated and approved, resolutions and reports are approved, and clergy appointments are officially made.
“Worship”
The annual conference isn’t all business; we also need to keep in touch with God. Each day begins with a time of worship. The conference opens on Thursday with a worship service. This year’s preacher will be Bishop Sally Dyck who is the presiding bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference. On Friday we will hear the preaching of Bishop Moses Young Hun Kim, who is the presiding bishop of the Seoul Annual Conference. On Saturday morning, we will have communion on the beach.
Pastor Kee with Bishop Schol during his ordination last year
The conference will also feature Pastor Olujimi Brown who is the lead pastor of Impact Church, a United Methodist Church located in Atlanta. Pastor Olu will lead us in Bible studies on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Another part of the Worship aspect of annual conference is the service of ordination which is held on Saturday night. Last year, we celebrated as Pastor Kee was ordained as a full Elder.
“Service”
During annual conference we also take action to reach out in mission. On Thursday an offering will be taken to support our Future With Hope campaign (which provides relief to NJ residents from hurricane Sandy, provides Mosquito Nets to fight malaria in Africa, and it also provides funds for local missions decided by local churches).
But beyond the offering, the conference is designed to be “hands-on.” Throughout the conference, the youth groups will collect unused lunch food (fruit, chips, etc.) and donate them to local food pantries.
On Wednesday, we are planning to pack 50,000 meals, for orphanages, clinics, hospitals and schools in a developing country. All conference attendees are invited to join in on this effort.
Shine!
Through our service, worship, and even through our “Holy Conferencing,” the theme of this year’s annual conference is “Shine! We are the Light of the World”
Keeping in Touch…
Further information about the annual conference will be posted on the site and reports will be given after the conference. But, anyone can “visit” the conference online!
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For more information about the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, check out our Conference Resources page.
