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United Methodist Church Bishops meet to review General Conference decisions, plan for future
November 1, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following press release was published by The United Methodist Council of Bishops on November 1, 2024 and shared with United Methodists of Upper New York.
The Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church will meet November 3-8, 2024, at Epworth by the Sea, St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, in the United States, and part of their work will include discussing the future of the denomination and reviewing decisions made by the General Conference held in April/May of this year.
With about 100 active and retired bishops from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America expected to be in attendance, the semi-annual gathering of the episcopal leaders of the world-wide denomination will feature a packed agenda that will include honoring deceased colleagues, continuing work to dismantle racism, promoting discipleship; and strengthening mission strategies.
The bishops will also start preparing for the process of canvassing the results of constitutional amendments that were approved by General Conference. Among the constitutional amendments was the regionalization of the denomination that would significantly change the structure of the church, making it easier for each region to do ministry in its context and setting.
“This is a time of remarkable opportunity for us to take a bold step of faith and declare a vision for the now and future United Methodist Church that reflects who we are and who we are becoming as a Christ-centered, theologically diverse, world-wide, anti-racist, fully inclusive, welcoming, missional and justice-seeking Church. And to be structured in a way that strengthens and expands the world-wide nature and witness of our denomination, and that embraces the cultural, contextual and theological difference across the connection.” said COB President Bishop Tracy S. Malone of the Indiana Episcopal Area.
The meeting opens on Sunday, Nov.3, with a Memorial Service to remember and honor bishops and spouses who have died since the bishops last met.
The first plenary session will open on Monday, Nov. 4, with the opening worship that will culminate in the presidential address by Bishop Malone. This will be the first presidential address by Bishop Malone who was elected last year and took office in May this year.
The COB meeting will be livestreamed via COB Facebook (facebook.com/umcbishops).