Registration going on now for Annual Conference

A little more than a month remains until South Carolina’s Annual Conference, which again will be held virtually because of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

The agenda, pre-conference packets and advance video reports are scheduled to be posted at umcsc.org/ac2022 during the first week of May, to give clergy and lay members a full month to prepare for the virtual gathering, now scheduled for June 5-6. Members can register for the session at umcsc.org/ac2022.

“While we all are eager to gather once again in person, the health and safety of our lay and clergy members and our brothers and sisters in the larger community remains our top concern,” said the Rev. Ken Nelson, the conference secretary who also serves as superintendent of the Orangeburg District. “Holding the 2022 Annual Conference virtually reflects our desire to err on the side of caution during this still-unpredictable pandemic.”

This year’s Annual Conference again will be an abbreviated online session, instead of the traditional four-day gathering. The theme is “Seeking A More Excellent Way: Trusting, Believing and Knowing God Is with Us.”

GNTV Media Ministry will host the virtual gathering and help coordinate participation via Zoom video conferencing and voting on a separate, secure platform. In the spirit of transparency, Annual Conference is open to the public and will be live-streamed so anyone can observe the proceedings online.

The Florence District and Pisgah United Methodist Church in Florence will host AC2022 at the Florence Center, where in-person attendance will be limited strictly to those who must be on site to conduct the business of the Annual Conference.

Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop of the South Carolina Conference of the UMC, will preach the worship service. Bishop Gary E. Mueller, resident Bishop of the Arkansas Conference UMC, will preach the ordination service. Dr. Robin Dease, former Hartsville District superintendent for the South Carolina Conference and now the senior pastor of St. Andrew By-the-Sea UMC, Hilton Head, will preach the memorial service.

Two virtual training sessions are scheduled for June 1 and June 5 to help clergy and laity understand how to navigate the virtual event, including how to cast votes.

Updated information will be posted over the next month at umcsc.org/ac2022.