Order of Elders Gathering 

Registration is now closed.

 

We are calling a Gathering of the Order of Elders of the Indiana Conference for Thursday, November 15, 2012, at Indianapolis St Lukes UMC from 11 am to 3 pm.  The purpose of this gathering is to come together for fellowship, worship, lunch (provided), and for a discussion of the changes being made to appointment security for Elders.  By November 15th we will know if the changes voted by the 2012 General Conference have been affirmed, modified, or rejected by the Judicial Council.  No matter what their decision, there is a great deal of anxiety and confusion among the Elders (Deacons and Local Pastors are not directly affected)  around this issue of what some have called "guaranteed appointments." 

The gathering will begin with coffee/fellowship at 10:30 am. (ET), opening worship at 11 am, lunch (provided free to you by the MEF funds that are supported by your local church tithes to the Conference budget), discussion of the issues at 1 pm, and a brief closing worship time with departure by 3 pm.

This Gathering is for all active Elders, and your attendance is expected.  Retired Elders are welcome but not expected to attend.  Elders serving in Extension Ministry appointments may be excused if your employment or geography prevents your attending, and of course Elders who are on Incapacity Leave or other kinds of Leave.  Provisional elders are also welcome to attend, even though they are not officially members of the Order of Elders, because these appointment issues will impact their ministry for many years to come.

Because we need to have a count for lunch and nametags prepared for you, please register online at this address before November 9, 2012:  www.inumc.org/elders2012.  These details will also be online at that address.  For anyone who cannot regiser online, you may call the Conference Center (877-781-6706) and register over the phone.

This Gathering will be our opportunity to come to some clarity about the appointment process as it affects our covenant as United Methodist Clergy.  See you on November 15th.  May God continue to bless your ministry and our ministry.

Bishop Michael Coyner, Resident Bishop

Rev. Anne Rosebrock, Chair - Board of Ordained Ministry

Rev. Tim Burchill, Chair - Order of Elders