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GC2016 Update: South Georgia Edition - May 9

General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church which meets once every four years. The 2016 General Conference will meet at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore., May 10-20. The conference can revise church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs.

Throughout General Conference, the South Georgia Conference Communications team will send email updates with important General Conference news and details. Please forward these to friends and others who may be interested in important UM news. They can also subscribe here.

Schedule for Tuesday, May 10

Streaming Schedule
**Reminder: All times are Pacific Standard (UTC -7)

2:00 P.M.: Opening Worship & Holy Communion (5:00 P.M. EST)
3:30 P.M.: Call to Order (6:30 P.M. EST)
4:45 P.M.: Organization of General Conference (7:45 EST)

General Conference Resources

General Conference Guide

An important resource for delegates, church members and journalists, this guide contains information about the conference schedule, the legislative process and historical background. Read More

Schedule

This agenda shows the overall program of the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon. Read More

Advance Edition Daily Christian Advocate

Contains all legislation submitted for consideration by the delegates at the upcoming 2016 General Conference. Read More

Legislation Tracking

Search for legislation submitted by petition number, keyword or submitter. Once General Conference begins, the information will be updated regarding the actions taken on each piece of legislation. Read More

Bishop James King (left) and the Revs. Motoe Yamada (center) and Kim Reisman sing during evening worship on April 25 at the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla. King is episcopal leader of the South Georgia Annual (regional) Conference. Reisman was a delegate from the Indiana Conference, while Yamada was a reserve delegate from the California-Nevada Conference. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

Following General Conference

You want the whole picture:

If you long to be in Portland but it’s just not possible, you can still stay close to the action with live streaming video. Don’t miss a minute of the big event.

You like to get in the mix:

Twitter is for you. Follow @UMCGC to get the 4-1-1 and join the global conversation using the hashtag #UMCGC.

You wonder what’s happening behind the scenes:

Stay clued in by visiting the digital lounge to watch interviews with notables and newsmakers, as well as folks who are out of the spotlight but critical to the event’s success.

You want the local angle:

Stay tuned to our conference website as our communications staff helps cover conference from our delegation’s perspective.

You want the highlights so you can pick and choose:

Follow the General Conference on Facebook to keep well informed. If social media isn’t your cup of tea, subscribe to the UMNS daily digest and get the news in your inbox; then click to learn more.

You have a cellphone fixation:

The General Conference mobile app is right up your alley. Get everything you need in the palm of your hand.

You want someone to break it down for you:

United Methodist News Service will be posting breaking news stories all day, every day, as well as in-depth coverage and analysis. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter, too.

You’re a dyed-in-the-wool General Conference buff:

If you’re a serious devotee of all things General Conference, find everything in one place at the General Conference website for an easy, user-friendly experience.

Prayer

Praying for delegates, bishops, speakers, and all those who lead and attend the General Conference sessions is a powerful way to participate. Pray for God to guide the General Conference’s decisions, for Christ to lead us into the future, and for the Holy Spirit to empower us to go on toward perfection in our love of God and one another.

The Upper Room has created 60 Days of Prayer for General Conference 2016, a guide to lead us in prayer for the days leading up to General Conference, the days of General Conference, and the days that follow. You can sign up to receive the daily meditations and prayer prompts by email at 60daysofprayer.org.

Know your delegates. Personalize your prayers by lifting up the delegates and leaders from your Annual Conference by name. A list of all delegates and reserves is found here (the list by Annual Conference begins on page 11). Consider also writing a note or email, letting them know you are praying for them.

The job of a delegate is time-consuming and sometimes stressful. Many lay delegates are giving up vacation time to be there, and the clergy are often spending an extended time away from their congregations. Lift them, their families, and their churches in prayer.

Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications

South Georgia Delegation

Members of the delegation, and the legislative committees on which they will serve, include:

Laity
General Conference:
Bill Hatcher || Legislative Committee: General Administration
Allison Lindsey || Legislative Committee: Faith and Order
Larry Price || Legislative Committee: Discipleship
Carl Childs || Legislative Committee: Financial Administration

Jurisdictional Conference:
Marianne Wright (alternate to GC)
Richard Shinhoster (alternate to GC)
Kelly Roberson
Miriam Hagan

Alternates:
Gloria Morgan
Rus Black

Clergy
General Conference:
Don Adams || Legislative Committee: Ministry and Higher Education
Jay Hanson || Legislative Committee: Judicial Administration
Bob Moon || Legislative Committee: Local Church
Jim Cowart || Legislative Committee: Church and Society 2

Jurisdictional Conference:
Denise Walton (alternate to GC)
Scott Hagan (alternate to GC)
Robert Beckum
Doreen Smalls

Alternate:
Stacey Harwell-Dye