There was a lot of hope and excitement as everyone left the morning plenary, which went almost 2 hours over the planned time.
To better understand the work of the morning, please watch the four videos provided. These were captured from a press conference for communicators only and are KEY in explaining the collaborative and hope-filled work that’s been done thus far. (These were taken with an iPhone, so forgive the wobbling – my arms grew tired because it lasted about an hour.)
Regionalization Press Conference Video 1
Regionalization Press Conference Video 2
Regionalization Press Conference Video 3
Fighting Regionalization Misinformation Video
UMNews story on Regionalization
From Bishop Laura Merrill:
“One of the actions taken today was to add a regional conference designation for the US and change the designation of central conferences outside the US, making them regional conferences. There was great energy expressed for a next step of eliminating the US system of jurisdictional conferences, which would require amending our constitution.”
From Rev. Mark Norman, delegation chair:
“The Regionalization legislation that has just passed will possibly give the churches in the United States the chance to contextualize our polity. The issues and concerns of the United States (which are numerous) can be addressed by US delegates. We will be a central conference with a book of discipline that addresses the needs of churches and their mission field.”
From Karon Mann, delegation chair: “This morning we passed about half (of the Regionalization pieces) on the consent calendar. The first petition, part of the constitutional change, was voted on later this morning (and passed). The final 3-4 pieces, which involve Regionalization in the US are still in the Conferences committee who will handle them this week in committee and send them to the plenary for next week. That said, I feel we are off to a good start in our work towards Regionalization, but there is still more regarding it before us.”
This work will continue this afternoon as legislative committees convene.
If there is further action taken today, it will be shared this evening on https://arumc.org/our-news/latest-news/.