San Antonio Area Bishop James E. Dorff likened next week’s gathering to a retreat “for personal, spiritual and collegial conversation with one another.”
He added that the meeting is an opportunity to “share ideas, frustrations and best practices in conversation in a way we have no other venue to do that as a group.”
According to a news release, the bishops have identified some specific goals they are collectively working toward, which include:
- Double the number of vital congregations in the U.S. by the end of 2017
- Increase the number of vital congregations in the central conferences
- Raise $75 million in the fight against malaria
- Engage congregations in ministries to end poverty
- Start 1,000 new congregations by the end of 2016
- Enlist, support and mentor an additional 2,000 young candidates for ministry
On May 7, the episcopal leaders will take a field trip to visit the United States-Mexico border. That visit will be open to the press, Los Angeles Area Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño told United Methodist News Service on May 1. – Heather Hahn