Greater New Jersey Annual Conference
Held from June 1 through June 4
Valley Forge, PA
The Pitman United Methodist Church is part of the connectional organization of the United Methodist Church. We are part of the "Delaware Bay District" of the "Greater New Jersey Annual Conference" which is part of the "Northeastern Jurisdiction." We adhere to the guidelines of the United Methodist Church, but we are empowered to use all of the resources available to us as a local church in order to serve where God is calling us. Our church's mission is fully coherent with the mission of our Conference: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference covers all of New Jersey, and it also includes some churches located in New York and Pennsylvania. Each Annual Conference is led by a presiding bishop; our bishop is Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar.
Once a year, each Annual Conference gets together to share resources as a connectional body of local churches, and to do the "Holy Conferencing" business of approving reports and resolutions. Our conference met in Valley Forge from June1 through June 4 in the Valley Forge Convention Center. Approximately 1000 people attended the conference.
Use the links to the right to explore how this year's conference affected our local church. These reports were written by our church's delegation.
The links described below access general information which was provided by the Conference.
Daily Wrapup- Wednesday, June 1
The conference began on the morning of Wednesday June 1. The conference began with a service honoring members who passed away since the last conference. The day also included the Laity and Clergy sessions during which delegate nominations to the 2012 General Conference were finalized. During the general session, Pastor Larry took the podium to present the Harry Denman Evangelism awards.
http://www.gnjumc.org/uploads/media/GNJAC_Daily_Wrap-up_-_Wednesday.pdf
Daily Wrapup- Thursday, June 2
The day opened with a Bible study breakfast led by Rev. Dr. John Holbert and the general session started with a message by Rev. Mike Slaughter. "Holy Conferencing" business included voting for General Conference delegates and the appointments of pastors. Former PUMC pastor Rev. William S. Reasner was honored for his 50 years of service as a member of the clergy. The day concluded with Bishop Devadhar's Episcopal Address.
http://www.gnjumc.org/uploads/media/GNJAC_Daily_Wrap-up_-_Thursday.pdf
Daily Wrapup- Friday, June 3
As on Thursday, John Holbert and Mike Slaughter led us in study and worship. Voting continued for General Conference Delegates, and the day ended with the service of ordination. One of the ordanees was the Rev. Eric Ostrow, who was our Associate Pastor about 5 years ago.
http://www.gnjumc.org/uploads/media/GNJAC_Daily_Wrap-up_-_Friday.pdf
Daily Wrapup- Saturday, June 4
The conference's last day began with Rev. Dr. John Holbert's final session dealing with the subject of Gifts. The main item of business was to complete the election of GNJAC delegates to the 2012 General and Jurisdictional conferences.
http://www.gnjumc.org/uploads/media/GNJAC_Daily_Wrap-up_-_Saturday.pdf
More information about this year's conference can be found on the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference's website (click here).
