Annual Conference prep continues

By Jessica Brodie

GREENVILLE—Preparations continue for this year’s Annual Conference, set for June 8-11 at the Greenville Convention Center.

Annual Conference is the denomination’s yearly meeting for this state, responsible for a host of business including passage of the church budget and ordaining clergy. This year, the body will also vote on four amendments to The United Methodist Church constitution.

Materials, including a draft agenda, are posted online at https://www.umcsc.org/ac2025.

What are the constitutional amendments?

The four constitutional amendments to the constitution were all passed by the required two-thirds vote at the 2024 General Conference. Because the amendments will change the United Methodist constitution, they require ratification by at least two-thirds of the total voting members of all UMC annual conferences around the world.

Amendments include worldwide regionalization; expanding gender and disability inclusion in church membership; standing against racism and colonialism; and clarifying requirements for clergy-delegate elections. The language of the amendments cannot be changed, and votes will be simple “yes” or “no” votes on four different ballots.

All constitutional amendments can be read in full at https://www.umcsc.org/ac2025.

The schedule

Annual Conference is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Sunday with packet pickup, followed throughout the afternoon by new lay member orientation sessions and the clergy session. The Commissioning, Ordination and Retirement Recognition Service is scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m., with Bishop Leonard E. Fairley presiding and preaching.

Monday starts with opening worship at 9 a.m., then a full day of business, including the first reading of the 2026 budget, concluding with praise and prayer at 5 p.m. and evening recess at 6 p.m.

Tuesday starts at 9 a.m. with morning praise and prayer, followed by a day of business to include amendment voting and a report by the Ministry Advisory Team on the work of the Jeremiah teams. The memorial service, preached by the Rev. William F. Malambri III, is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Wednesday concludes with a morning praise and prayer, passage of the 2026 budget, church closings and charge line changes, and a sending forth and fixing of the appointments.

Other happenings

Annual Conference includes a number of other happenings included in the special events calendar. These include a stewardship training, a hospitality room hosted by Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry, a meet-the-author hosted by the Advocate Press, the African-American Clergywomen’s Luncheon, a Black Methodists for Church Renewal worship service, a ministers’ spouses’ luncheon and a baseball night. Open Hearts UMC, Greenville will also host a Kids Camp (see article, here).

All who plan to attend Annual Conference are urged to register now via the conference website.