Once a year, the local churches which comprise the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference get together for a few days of “holy conference” voting and worship. This year’s annual conference will be held at the Wildwoods Convention Center from Sunday May 22 through Tuesday May 24 (1PM).\u00a0 Representing PUMC will be Lay Members Jeremy Andrade and Larry Bakely, and our Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jim Bolton.<\/p>\n
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So What Happens?<\/span><\/h3>\nThings run on a 4-year cycle that’s called a quadrennium.\u00a0 We’re currently in the fourth year of this cycle; they’re timed just like the presidential elections or Summer Olympics.<\/p>\n
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Last year, the third year, we elected delegates to the General Conference.\u00a0 The General Conference is the entire world-wide Methodist Church; delegates from all over the world decide on possible changes to the Book of Discipline, the constitution, and other matters.<\/p>\n
The General Conference meets in each “fourth year of the quadrennium.”\u00a0 As Greater New Jersey prepares for its annual conference, the 2016 General Conference is just wrapping up.<\/p>\n
This year, the fourth year, generally has a slightly lighter agenda.\u00a0 We’ll hear from our delegates and learn what was decided during the General Conference.\u00a0 We’ll also vote on possible nominees who will be considered for the office of bishop.\u00a0 And we’ll consider a collection of resolutions, reports, and recommendations.<\/p>\n
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Ordination<\/span><\/h3>\nEach year at annual conference, we hold our service of Commissioning and Ordination.\u00a0 Clergy who have completed their seminary education are commissioned as “Provisional Elders.”\u00a0 After ![\"UMM](\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/UMM-2016-02-13-Peter-Jamieson-_IMG_3050-300x225.jpg\")
completing other work, the “Provisional Elders” are ordained as “Elders in Full Connection.”<\/p>\n
This year, one of the candidates for ordination is a familiar name around PUMC- our former associate pastor, Rev. Peter Jamieson, will be ordained as an Elder.\u00a0 The service will be held on Sunday night (5\/22) at 7:00 PM.<\/p>\n
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You Can be There!<\/span><\/h3>\nAnyone can drive to Wildwood and attend the conference. However, short of that, anyone can “attend” by watching a live video stream online!\u00a0 Click on the following button to enter the live simulcast:\u00a0 Simulcast<\/span>
<\/p>\nEach year at annual conference, we hold our service of Commissioning and Ordination.\u00a0 Clergy who have completed their seminary education are commissioned as “Provisional Elders.”\u00a0 After completing other work, the “Provisional Elders” are ordained as “Elders in Full Connection.”<\/p>\n
This year, one of the candidates for ordination is a familiar name around PUMC- our former associate pastor, Rev. Peter Jamieson, will be ordained as an Elder.\u00a0 The service will be held on Sunday night (5\/22) at 7:00 PM.<\/p>\n
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