Annual Conference Report - Written by Carrie Miller I, along with Pastor Jana, had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Annual Conference in Hot Springs, June 18-20 on behalf of Wesley & Cavanaugh. It was a wonderful time being in fellowship and worship, while doing the work of the Arkansas Conference with our fellow Arkansas United Methodist laity and clergy. Seeing the work that the churches within the conference are doing gives me so much hope for the future. Thursday morning’s worship service was an absolutely beautiful worship and Juneteenth celebration. The holy spirit was truly moving through that space. At General Conference last year, there were 4 amendments proposed to ratify the United Methodist constitution. The ballot measures are currently being voted on at annual conferences throughout the UMC. Amendment #1 concerns Worldwide Regionalization. This amendment would create equity across the Church. It prevents one region from having more privileges and say over another. Amendment #2 concerns inclusion of the church. The amendment, if passed, would then add the words ‘gender’ and ‘ability’ to the paragraph on inclusion. It would read as follows: “All persons without regard to race, gender, ability, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection.” Amendment #3 concerns racial justice. The purpose of this amendment is to affirm that we as United Methodist stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ of color and that we as United Methodist speak against and do not support the groups, organizations, and systems that keep racism alive. Amendment #4 requires that Licensed Local Lay Pastors receive their education from a UMC approved school in order to have voting rights for General Conference. If these amendments are approved with majority vote by the annual conferences, we will see these changes to the constitution in the spring of 2026. Annual Conference was a whirlwind of information and business but it was wonderful being able to reconnect with friends and former pastors, make new connections and witness all the amazing things the United Methodist Church in Arkansas is doing. You can watch each day of conference as well as the Ordination Ceremony by visiting Annual Conference 2025 - Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. If you would prefer to read about each day’s events, there are links to Daily Digests as well.
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