Greetings to you in Christ’s name!
This message is to share our plan for 2024 Charge Conferences.
We will hold an in-person Group Charge Conference on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 4 pm at Lake Travis UMC, 1502 RR 620 North. This year, all Rio Texas Charge Conferences will follow the theme Better Together. With this theme, we recognize the many ways that our spirit of connection strengthens our shared ministry and witness. Our new Episcopal Leader, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, will address us in a video greeting during our time together. We will then continue with our Charge Conference business.
This scheduling means that all agenda items and reports should be reviewed, completed, and approved by your church council or leadership team prior to Sunday, November 17. It will not be possible in that forum to discuss or amend your reports. If a matter is calling for a discussion, the Charge Conference for that church will be suspended on that item only, then reconvened after the Group Charge Conference is completed. I encourage you and your leaders to attend on November 17 with paperwork in hand.
Charge conference report documents can be found here.
If November 17 absolutely doesn’t work for you, we will convene a Group Charge Conference via Zoom on Sunday, December 8 at 5 pm. Given past difficulty of tracking down some church reports following Zoom Charge Conferences, you will need to submit your completed paperwork to the district office by noon on Monday, December 2. Also we hope the convenience of this option will assist your efforts to promote full participation of as many of your leaders as possible. Members of the Church Council are usually voting members of the Charge Conference.
Finally, if you have special business to tend to, you may request an individual Charge Conference, to be completed on or before December 1. If I cannot be present, I will work with you to identify an elder to preside at your conference. Paperwork for those conferences will be due in the district office immediately following the Charge Conference.
Please let Jill know of your choice of conference dates no later than Monday, September 30 so she can keep everyone coordinated and cared for. Many thanks for your attention to this part of our life together. If you have questions, call the District Office.
Grace and peace,
Marcus