Last week, I had the privilege of representing St. Luke’s as a lay delegate to the Florida Annual Conference. The Annual Conference meets every year, presided over by Bishop Berlin. There are equal numbers of lay and clergy delegates from all six districts of the UM Florida Conference. I was joined in representing St. Luke’s by fellow lay delegates Josh Stanley and Ed Conger. Luky Nova and Caryn Royer were lay delegates for our district, and Alice Williams and Debbie Zutter were delegates representing the Conference. Saniye Kazan was there as an exhibitor for Creation Care. And of course, our esteemed pastors were there as clergy delegates.
A great deal of church business takes place at Annual Conference, located on the campus of Florida Southern University in Lakeland. It is inspiring to see so many very enthusiastic church members involved in the ministry of the United Methodist Church. The first day featured seminars including “Legal Issues in the Church,” “Strategic Planning,” and “Managing Diverse Perspectives.” These were followed by a cookout and Laity Celebration with speaker Todd Willis (a former St. Luker), the COO and General Counsel of Global Ministries.
The official opening of the Conference was on Thursday with music, opening worship, and reports from a variety of ministries. After an Episcopal address from the Bishop and a report on the new ministry hub from our own Pastor Jenn and colleagues, a vote was taken on four constitutional amendments sent down from General Conference 2024. These amendments are being voted on by United Methodists all over the world, and the results will be announced in October. A retirement recognition service was held after the business session concluded.
We continued on Friday with music, prayer, presentations, and reports. It is truly inspiring to see so many people in the United Methodist Church joyfully engaged in the work of the church and sharing the love of God with others. The Conference concluded around lunchtime on Saturday after voting on Conference resolutions, and the always special service of licensing, commissioning, and ordination.
It was an honor to participate in this year’s inspiring Annual Conference. It reminds me how very proud I am to be part of the United Methodist Church.
-Susan Conger, Lay Delegate and St. Luker