2013 Louisiana Annual Conference begins!
June 03, 2013
The 2013 session of the Louisiana Annual Conference began Sunday, June 2 in the Gold Dome on Centenary’s campus. The conference session ends on Wednesday, June 5 after the Service of Sending Forth and Deconsecration of Space.
News updates for the Conference can be accessed through the conference website, Facebook page and new mobile app which can be downloaded at http://www.la-umc.org/news/detail/1041.
A Memorial and Communion Service remembering clergy and clergy spouses that died this past year was held June 2 at 7:30 in the Gold Dome. Rev. Larry Stafford, pastor of First UMC in Monroe, delivered the sermon.
Worship services throughout the annual conference are centered on the conference theme, “Blessings in the Wilderness.” Exodus 34:10 serves as the inspirational scripture for the theme.
Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey gives her first Episcopal Address on Monday morning at 11:15 a.m. She will also serve as preacher for the Commissioning and Ordination Service slated for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at First UMC in Shreveport. Her sermon title will be “Choosing the Higher Road.”
Guest teaching sessions will be led by Bishop Gregory Palmer, Episcopal leader of the West Ohio Area of The United Methodist Church. Bishop Palmer speaks in the Gold Dome at 7:30 p.m. during Monday night worship and at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
Each congregation is asked to turn in a financial and ministry commitment form during Monday night’s worship service for the “Bless the Children” initiative, focusing on ministry with underserved children.
During the 2012 session of Annual Conference, the decision was made to form a Transition Task Force to guide the conference in the implementation of the decisions made related to the Strategic Vitality Task Force and the Conference Council on Finance and Administration. These decisions resulted in a major budget cut and the elimination of one district in the Louisiana Conference. The Transition Task Force has completed its work and reports on Monday.
The annual conference will vote on four constitutional amendments that were approved at the 2012 General Conference. The amendments can be found in the pre-conference report.
