Seeking A More Excellent Way

Beyond the Bounds of Expectations

The 2020 South Carolina Annual Conference convenes this Saturday, Oct. 17, in a virtual session for the first time ever to protect all participants amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In the interest of transparency, the Annual Conference is historically an open meeting, and this year is no exception. Anyone can follow the proceedings via a link at umcsc.org/ac2020.

Bishop Holston

“We are confident we can accomplish the necessary and important business of the Annual Conference in a virtual space,” Resident Bishop L. Jonathan Holston said. “And while we are disappointed that we won’t be able to come together in the same physical space, we look forward to celebrating a remarkable year of vital ministry.

“South Carolina United Methodists have indeed gone beyond the bounds of expectations to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

The public session begins at 1 p.m., with a series of recorded reports from conference boards and agencies. Live business begins at 2 p.m.  

Key issues on the AC2020 program include reports from:

• The Committee on Standing Rules

• The Committee on Nominations, which this year includes nominations for non-quadrennial conference- and district-level boards and commissions

• The Council on Finance and Administration, which includes the 2020-2021 conference budget

• The Board of Pension and Health Benefits

• The Board of Ordained Ministry

• The Commission on Equitable Compensation

• The Cabinet, which this year includes resolutions declaring the closing of three churches and annual charge line changes 

• Lay Leadership

• and a proposed resolution on predatory lending.

Lay and clergy members – the people who vote on behalf of more than 970 local churches across the conference – have been preparing for the virtual session for weeks. Training sessions for these members are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 14) and noon Saturday (Oct. 17).