Virtual SEJ Conference set for July 21

The Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference will convene in a one-day virtual special session on July 21.

The SEJ College of Bishops called in late May for the session, with the primary purpose of voting on a proposed resolution to unite the Memphis Annual Conference and the Tennessee Annual Conference into the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference.

“These two conferences have shared a bishop and a number of missional endeavors across the years,” said Jackie Jenkins, chairperson of the South Carolina delegation to the SEJ Conference, and the Rev. Ken Nelson, the first-elected clergy on the delegation, in a joint statement. “Perhaps this called gathering can remind us all that God’s mission and the mission of the church are yet alive!

“There is still work to be done, disciples to be made and a world in need of transformation. We invite you to continue praying for both the South Carolina delegation, as well as all who will be a part of this gathering.”

Delegates also will receive jurisdictional reports on the pandemic response within the SEJ, the work of anti-racism across the SEJ, and the work of the jurisdiction moving forward into the next 18 months.

The 2020 SEJ Conference, originally scheduled for July 2020, at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, was postponed by the pandemic.

The College of Bishops encourages all churches of the Southeastern Jurisdiction to be in prayer for the Church and the world during these challenging times.

Fifteen annual conferences comprise the Southeastern Jurisdiction: Alabama-West Florida, Florida, Holston, Kentucky, Memphis, Mississippi, North Alabama, North Carolina, North Georgia, Red Bird Missionary, South Carolina, South Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and Western North Carolina.

The SEJ secretary will provide information delegates need to participate in the special session. The public will be able to watch the live stream of the special session at sejumc.org.

“This special SEJ session will resemble how we conducted the 2020 South Carolina Annual Conference, taking up only essential business that would enable us to remain in mission during this extended quadrennium,” said Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop of the South Carolina Conference.

“I am looking forward to taking our next faithful step together in ministry with our brothers and sisters across the Southeastern Jurisdiction, confident that God will fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”