U.S. Regional Conference
The proposed United States Regional Conference would create a new structure for churches in the United States. (Image courtesy of the Connectional Table.)
CHICAGO, IL — The Connectional Table (CT) will host a live 1.5-hour webinar entitled "Five Things to Know About U.S. Regional Conference (USRC) before GC 2020" on Feb. 20, 2020.
The webinar will address questions and concerns about the United States Regional Conference (URSC) legislation that the Connectional Table submitted to General Conference 2020 for consideration. The USRC will comprise the current U.S. jurisdictions and the geographical boundaries congruent with the territory of the U.S. annual conferences. It will not change the role and authority of U.S. jurisdictional conferences, or the election of bishops.
The live webinar will be broadcast at 8:30 AM CST, 4:30 PM Central Africa Time, and 10:30 PM Philippines Standard Time. A recording of the webinar will be available for viewing after it has aired. Please register to be emailed the recording, or check out our social media platforms @UMCCT by the following Monday for a link to the video.
A limited number of questions also will be taken from the audience during this live presentation. If you cannot attend, please submit your queries to Denise Ann Belista, dbelista@umc.org, by February 15. You can also submit questions via Twitter using #USRCWebinar.
Hosted via ZOOM Webinar, the broadcast will be moderated by Judi Kenaston, the convener of the CT's advisory group on U.S. matters. Panelists are Benedita Nhambiu, from Mozambique, who chairs the Connectional Table Worldwide Nature Advisory group; Karen Prudente, a lay member of Christ Church United Methodist in New York City; Michelle Hettman, who is Community Curator at Neighborhood Church in Atlanta; and Dale Jones, Managing Director, Church Relations at Wespath Benefits and Investments.
Speakers will address a variety of questions, from why this is the right time for a USRC to whether the legislation will allow for regional decision-making on LGBTQIA+ inclusion. In addition, the panel will also discuss how this legislation might affect other legislation scheduled to come before the General Conference, such as the “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation,” a proposal which will preserve The United Methodist Church while allowing traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination.
"The webinar will help delegates and others to understand the reasons the CT legislation was prepared and why we think it is important for our global church at this time," said convener Judi Kenaston.
"This webinar is crucial to a clear understanding of how the USRC will help unburden the General Conference and facilitate U.S. adaptable work of other kinds," added Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Chief Connectional Ministry Officer of the Connectional Table. "It is extremely important for the health of our church going forward to have a place where the U.S. can make decisions about its mission and ministry.”
You may register for this live webinar at: bit.ly/USRCwebinar.