2020 Annual Conference
September 1, 2020
Dear Lay and Clergy Members of the 2020 Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference,
This has been quite a year of changes. Most of our spring and summer plans for church and Annual Conference were interrupted by a global pandemic. It sent many to their homes and stopped the “rat race” in favor of home schooling, puzzles, and supper with family. Church leaders were forced to do church in a new way. Checking in on friends and neighbors via text and email became habit. Worship online overcame scratchy starts to see pastors become media specialists.
All of this change has reminded us that the church is not a place or a building. The church has truly left the building. The life transforming message of the gospel has been spread through new mediums. The message hasn’t change at all. God is still in the healing business. God is still in the forgiving business. God is still in the justice business. God is still in the saving business. Malachi 3:6 states, “I am the Lord, and I do not change.” (NLT)
I have been so impressed with how our Annual Conference has responded to all of the changes in our world and culture. The Delmarva Peninsula has seen God’s hand in acts of justice, protest, compassion, grace, unity, in depth Bible study, and worship.
The 2020 Annual Conference will be a celebration of those changes and how God has seen us through the ups and downs. While we will not be able to gather in person like usual, we will still have Annual Conference. God is still going to show up! While our meetings and voting will be online and electronic, we will still seek God’s will.
Please pay attention to the dates included in this “packet” as well as email blasts that come from the conference office. We will have preconference briefings, special practice sessions, early voting on Rules of Order changes and additional webinars to discuss controversial resolutions.
I know that even though Annual Conference will be very different this year, our amazing collection of laity and clergy will show up and bear witness to God’s unwavering faithfulness.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Rob Townsend
Director of Connectional Ministry
District Webinar with Bishop Johnson: Pre-conference conversations
Below is the schedule for the upcoming district webinars with Bishop Johnson. Each date has its own link for the specific webinar. If you are unable to make it on the designated night, you are welcome to join on another district's night. The webinar will feature a PowerPoint presentation that will be shown on the screen. If you would like to follow along or make a copy, the PowerPoint is linked below.
Powerpoint for the Webinar
Easton District 9/22/2020:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Sep 22, 2020 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: ZOOM Easton District Meeting with the Bishop and Pre-conference conversations
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86908992930?pwd=WGFJR1NNWis5cS9yZVhEV0I3NDd3Zz09
Passcode: 345271
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13017158592,,86908992930# or +13126266799,,86908992930#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 436 2866 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 869 0899 2930
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kejRlToAAh
Salisbury District 9/23/200:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Sep 23, 2020 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Salisbury District Meeting with the Bishop and Pre-conference conversations
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85197324655?pwd=cVM4VHdTaG9wQzBLd1lOVEF6Z3d6UT09
Passcode: 121607
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13017158592,,85197324655# or +19294362866,,85197324655#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 929 436 2866 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 851 9732 4655
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kR7Ymvomn
2020 Annual Conference Timeline
The links below provide you with information for this years Annual Conference. Check back regularly for updates.
Conference Appeals Calendar
Pre-Conference Materials
*9/10/2020 - Adjustment to incorrect page number on R-2
*9/8/2020 - Update to Appeals Calendar; Added Lay & Reserve Members List
*9/1/2020 - Update to Resolution #3
Live Stream Link
Pen-Del – Important Fall Dates:
Tue. September 22 – 6:30 pm – ZOOM Easton District Meeting with the Bishop and Pre-conference conversations (other district members welcome)
Wed. September 23 – 6:30 pm – ZOOM Salisbury District Meeting with the Bishop and Pre-conference conversations (other district members welcome)
Wed. September 30 – 6:30 pm – ZOOM Annual Conference preparation meeting to vote the rules of the virtual annual conference session. Voting will be handles by ZOOM poll. There will be a satellite designated for those without computer or WiFi capability.
Thu. October 15 – 6:30 pm – ZOOM e-ballot voting practice session. This is for voting members of conference only. (There will not be a satellite location for this session because it is to practice e-ballots)
Sat. October 24 – 9:00 am – 11:00 am – ZOOM Executive Session for voting members of the clergy only. Voting will be handled by ZOOM poling. There will be a church designated for those without computer or WiFi capability.
Sat. October 24 – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – ZOOM Laity Session for voting members of the laity only. Each lay person will be sent an electronic ballot (e-ballot) voting number ahead of time by email. Those requesting written ballots will be sent ahead of time as well. There will be a church designated for those without computer or WiFi capability.
Tue. October 27 – 6:30 pm – ZOOM Annual Conference information session to explain further the budget, district re-alignment and nominations. All are welcome as there is no voting, just information. There will be a church designated for those without computer or WiFi capability.
Thu. November 5 – 6:30 pm – ZOOM Annual Conference information session to discuss the disaffiliation resolution. All are welcome as there is no voting, just information. There will be a church designated for those without computer or WiFi capability.
Fri. November 13 – 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – ZOOM Annual Conference Session for lay and clergy members of conference only. Each conference member will be given an electronic ballot (e-ballot) voting number by email. Those requesting written ballots will be sent ahead of time. The session will be live-streamed for visitors and guests. There will be a church designated for those who do not have computer or WIFI capability.
Sat. November 14 – 10:00 am – Memorial Service at Connection Community Church in Middletown, DE. This is by invitation only. The service will be live-streamed (Facebook) for visitors and guests
Sat. November 14 – 1:30 pm (robing), 2:00 pm – Ordination and Commissioning Service at Connection Community Church in Middletown, DE. This is by invitation only. The service will be live-streamed (Facebook) for visitors and guests.