A Word from Bishop Harvey on Annual Conference 2021

It seems as if we were just together for Annual Conference as we gathered virtually in November of 2020 for the postponed June Annual Conference Session. While it seems like yesterday, much has happened and you have continued to respond faithfully. Many have returned to in-person worship navigating masks, social distancing, and a new way of being together.

Small groups are meeting in responsible ways. You have navigated a new landscape with commitment, grace, and love for one another. While we are beginning to see improvement around COVID-19 cases we also recognize that the pandemic is still very much alive. We continue to face a growing asset gap between the rich and the poor, racism is prevalent in our communities, and as we brace ourselves for another hurricane season, we are beginning to experience that climate change is very real.

Unique Time

We continue to find ourselves at a unique time in the life of the church and the world. Yet, we have a story to tell! We are each part of a unique story - a Story of Louisiana United Methodists worth telling and worth hearing. As we gather on May 22 for this year’s Annual Conference we will gather around a virtual table once again to tell our Story. Many of you have become “Zoom Pros” and this year’s conference should be as familiar as the Gold Dome and Shreveport Convention Center have been in the past.

I beg your patience as we live into this virtual Conference. I will once again miss seeing you in person and taking our annual photos together and sharing a meal with you, but I am confident that our time together will be rich and formative as we continue to shape the United Methodist Church in this unique time. What an opportunity we have before us! We will care for the essentials. We will celebrate in worship and commission and ordain those who have looked forward to this day for a long time.

It will be different but in many significant ways, it will be the same. I look forward to seeing our STORY unfold.

Grace and Peace,
Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey

 

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Starting Times

Here are the start times for various events of the virtual 2021 Annual Conference.

• Laity Session, Thursday, May, 20, at 6:30 pm, Pre-Session music begins at 6:15 pm
• Clergy Session Friday, May 21, 9:00 am
• Celebration of Ministry Service, Friday, May 21, 6:00 pm
• Annual Conference Session, Saturday, May 22, 9:00 am, Pre-Conference music begins at 8:45
   

Agenda

Below is a condensed view of the agenda for the 2021 Annual Conference. (It is subject to revision) 

• Pre Service Music, 8:45am
• Opening Worship and Episcopal Address, 9:00am
• Business Session 1          
  • Congregational Transformation
  • Anti-Racism Task Force
  • District Realignment Report
• Break
• Business Session 2 
  • Laity Address
  • Pensions and Health Benefits
  • Board of Ordained Ministry
• Lunch Break
• Memorial Service (Order of the Day at 1:00 pm )
• Business Session 3
  • Petitions
  • Trustees
  • Disaster Response
• Break
• Business Session 4
  • CFA
• Sending Forth/Benediction      
   

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey previews the 2021 Annual Conference