Saturday, February 23 Update

Today delegates, bishops, General Conference leaders, and visitors / observers participated in a Day of Prayer as the Special Session of General Conference began in The Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. United Methodists around the world joined those gathered in St. Louis in this special day of prayer. Some participated by watching the live stream, some devoted time for personal prayer and some congregations held prayer services. In North Alabama, even participants in UMCH’s Steeple 2 Steeple Fun Run/5k/10k and McCoy Adult Day Care’s Rock-a-thon took time to pray specifically for the United Methodist Church.

The General Conference Day of Prayer is the culmination of the Praying Our Way Forward Initiative. The program of prayer in St. Louis included times of personal prayer, corporate prayer, experiential prayer, prayers and songs in different languages, fasting and Holy Communion. A part of the day was led by bishops from different regions of the world who lifted up celebrations of the places where the work of God is thriving and the missional challenges in their areas. There was also a time devoted to praying for LGBTQ persons at General Conference and around the world.

Following the six plus hours of prayer, delegates and alternates went through a time of orientation in preparation of beginning the business before them tomorrow morning. Delegates will gather for worship at 7:30 a.m. and then move into business sessions.

Some of the early business the General Conference is schedule to conduct includes receiving the Commission on a Way Forward Report, prioritizing the legislative committee work (Click here to read about the process Commission on the General Conference has devised.) and organizing the single legislative committee by electing officers.

Over the next three days, the 864 delegates from around the world will consider 78 legislative petitions, all of which must receive a vote in the single legislative committee. (Click here to read about the legislative committee.) All those approved by the legislative committee must then receive a plenary vote.

Pictures from Today

Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett serves as one of the facilitators for the Day of Prayer which was part of the Praying Our Way Forward Initiative. (photo by Luke Lucas, Alabama-West Florida Conference)

North Alabama delegates Steve Lyles, Robin Scott and Dale Cohen pray with others at their table.

Bishops serve delegates Holy Communion and pray for each person. Scott Selman pauses for prayer.

Carol Toney receives communion as the Day of Prayer concludes.

The entire North Alabama Delegation
goes through Delegate Orientation
on Saturday afternoon

Sunday Schedule

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Opening Worship

8:30 A.M. – 12:30 p.m.
Morning Session 1
Roll Call/Bar
Reports (Commission on the General Conference, Committee on Agenda and Calendar, Administrative Committees)
Break
Morning Session 2
Council of Bishops and Commission on a Way Forward Report

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Afternoon Session 1
Break
Afternoon Session 2
Worship

6:30 p.m.
Adjournment

Stay Connected

Legislation and Information

Read the legislation before the Special Session in the Advanced Daily Christian Advocate
Today's Daily Christian Advocate
Legislation Tracking

Watch

Watch the live stream online at umc.org/live

Social Media

Get General Conference information from the North Alabama Conference on Twitter and Facebook.
Search and use the hashtags #umcgc and #gc2019 to read and join the Facebook and Twitter conversations.

More from North Alabama

Find more information at www.umcna.org/gc2019