With new leaders and almost entirely new membership, the group that plans General Conference kicked off its preparations for the 2028 United Methodist assembly hoping to turn from past mistakes and act with more transparency.
Your support of The General Administration Fund apportionment implements trustworthy administrative oversight like the General Conference sessions.
As part of that effort, the group met in November in the host city of this year’s General Conference and heard from the event volunteers about what went well and what needs improvement.
The commission discussed how to help The United Methodist Church start anew after decades of division.
General Conference, the international denomination’s top legislative assembly, is the only body that officially speaks for The United Methodist Church.
Preparing the two-week gathering — which typically happens every four years — is a massive undertaking. Organizers must make accommodations for the multiple languages and dietary needs of United Methodists from four continents. They also have the challenge of trying to ensure delegates can obtain the necessary visas to attend.
Like Rev. Andy Call, just about everyone now leading General Conference preparation is new to their roles.
The Rev. Aleze M. Fulbright, the new General Conference secretary, took office Nov. 1, alongside Sharah Dass, the new business manager.
Typically, commission members serve eight-year terms, with about half of the commission returning from planning the previous General Conference. But because the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 2020 General Conference to this year, General Conference delegates ended up electing a whole new slate of 25 commission members. Only a handful of members are returning after filling unexpired terms on the previous commission.
The commission has not yet selected the location of the 2028 General Conference but expects to make a decision in spring 2025 and begin working with United Methodists in the area as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, commission members agreed that they hoped to do better with communication with the next host committee and with the broader United Methodist Church as preparations move forward.
“The most important lesson we can learn is to be clear about what is truly confidential and what are things we just prefer not to tell people,” Call said toward the end of the meeting. Call is also a veteran General Conference delegate and lead pastor of Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
“Even if the news is not great,” he said, “if it is not confidential, it ought to be shared.”
The pandemic also affected wait times for visas, and a lack of visas contributed to the absence of 84 delegates out of 862 allotted to the most recent General Conference. However, commission members hope better communication here, too, will help with getting out invitation letters early to duly elected delegates.
During the meeting, the commission also heard an update from Fulbright on the constitutional amendments heading out to annual conference voters.
She also said that all the amendments required for regionalization will be on one ballot, just as they were at General Conference.
If regionalization is ratified, that could mean big changes for how General Conference operates, starting in 2032. But because of the work needed to put regionalization in place, Fulbright said she expects the coming legislative assembly in 2028 to follow much the same format as it has previously.
excerpt from a story by Heather Hahn, assistant news editor, UM News
Update Press Release:
Below you will find the link to the educational materials that can be shared widely throughout your annual conferences.
There is a folder for each of our official languages (English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili), with contains a cover letter from me, and the multiple-page document with the information. If you are unable to access the information or would like the documents sent directly, as a pdf, in your language of preference, please respond to this email and I will forward them on to you.
I am currently in the process of scheduling some Zoom conversations to help facilitate questions, and I will share those beginning in January. Those sessions will convene after the GCFA Quad training, beginning in March through May.
Additionally, these documents have been shared with the Council of Bishops.
Here is the link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/njn8ptzlgq3xr9t1ajpd9/AA2n8PppbQF6tdF63J8_Yng?rlkey=0siwqfaaoklbgm7gg2g3h5jlq&st=s049h820&dl=0
I am here to serve, so please let me know if you have questions or clarification is needed.
Many Thanks!
Rev. Dr. Aleze M. Fulbright
Secretary of the General Conference
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.umcgc.org
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the General Administration Fund implements trustworthy administrative oversight, supports the legislative processes of the church and curates The United Methodist Church’s rich history. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the General Administration Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
