Central Texas Annual Conference to Meet Aug. 10 at White’s Chapel UMC

Bishop Lowry and AC20 Planning Team Announce a One-Day Conference Culminating with Service of Commissioning & Ordination
June 8, 2020 

The postponed 2020 Central Texas Annual Conference has been rescheduled for a one day-only meeting beginning at 10 a.m. Aug. 10 at White’s Chapel UMC in Southlake, Texas. The meeting is scheduled to go until approximately 4 p.m., with the Service of Commissioning & Ordination immediately following the conclusion of the meeting (approximately 4:30 p.m.) in order to give everyone ample time to drive home if they choose. Times are subject to change due to the fluid nature of a live meeting. The AC20 task force is currently working with hotels in the Southlake area and plans to be able to provide a limited number of rooms in small AC20 Room Blocks. Please watch ctcumc.org/AC20-hotel-information for more details as they are available.

 

Because of the truncated nature of the 2020 meeting, which will be primarily focused on conducting the essential business of the conference, many of the events normally associated with Annual Conference will not be observed during this year’s gathering.

  • The Memorial and Retirement services will be postponed until 2021 so that we may appropriately honor and recognize those persons.
  • The Clergy Executive Session will take place via Zoom Webinar on Monday, June 15
  • The Laity Session has been cancelled for 2020
  • The annual meetings of the Fellowship of Lay Pastors and Associate Members, the Order of Deacons, the Order of Elders and the CTC Board of Ordained Ministry will meet via Zoom on Tuesday Aug. 11 (see ctcumc.org/AC20-Meetings for more details)

 

All District Conferences will meet on Sunday, Aug. 2. Please go to ctcumc.org/AC20-DistrictMeetings for times, locations/online access information.

 

Bishop Lowry, the AC20 Planning Team and the White’s Chapel leadership have determined that White’s Chapel will be able to host the conference members and essential support staff while maintaining proper social distancing practices. As such, only the clergy & lay members of Annual Conference, official conference volunteers (tellers, ushers, etc.) and required conference, district and church team members will be able to attend the meeting in person. All others may participate via the live webcast (access information will be posted at ctcumc.org/AC20-live by Aug. 1.) There will be limited, invitation-only seating available for guests during the Service of Commissioning & Ordination.

 

Please note that while clergy or lay members who are not comfortable participating in-person may view AC20 via the live webcast, only members who are present at White’s Chapel may vote and/or be recognized by the chair to speak during the conference. Lay members to Annual Conference who are not able to attend the Aug. 10 meeting are asked to contact their District Office so that arrangements may be made to secure an alternate.

 

Registration is required to attend the meeting in person. Please got to ctcumc.org/AC20-Registration to register for the meeting. Even if you already registered for the meeting originally scheduled for June 14-17, you’ll need to fill out the registration again. Due to safety protocols surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, childcare is not available.

 

Visit ctcumc.org/AC20-OneDayConference for complete AC20 information – including the 2020 Preliminary Report, resolutions and other business materials – as it is available.

 

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