November 10 & 11

One month ago, the North Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops made the difficult decision to move from an in-person special session of the jurisdictional conference to a virtual gathering. The College of Bishops also decided to pare down the agenda to focus on three critical areas: the work of dismantling racism, the future United Methodist Church, and the role and deployment of episcopal leadership within the jurisdiction.

"We are grateful to the College of Bishops for the additional work being done in order to make this conference a reality," said Bishop David A. Bard, President of the NCJ College of Bishops. "We are grateful to our conference communicators for their coordination of efforts. We are grateful to other leaders in the jurisdiction for their work in planning. We are grateful to each of you delegates for your patience and prayers as we work to put this conference together. The College of Bishops wants to express its appreciation to Paul White, our NCJ secretary for all his work for this special session."

Three working groups have been formed to create the content for each segment of the agenda. They have met to coordinate their efforts and determine an agenda. While work continues the agenda will flow as follows:

Block Agenda (all times Eastern Time) 

Wednesday, November 10 

• 9:00-9:30 a.m. Worship 

• 9:30-Noon: Dismantling Racism 

There will be presentation and discussion interspersed in this segment 

• Noon- 1 p.m. Lunch 

• 1:00-2:20 p.m. Episcopal Leadership Conversation 

A twenty-minute presentation will be followed by an hour discussion using guided questions. Delegates will meet in cross-delegation groups. 

• 2:20-2:35 p.m. Break 

• 2:35-5:00 p.m. The Future United Methodist Church Conversation 

This section will include presentations and breakout group discussions. The team planning this conversation expects feedback from the conversations will be used to form a document for consideration of the delegates at Thursday’s plenary session.

​Thursday, November 11 

• 9:00-9:30 a.m. Worship 

• 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Plenary session 

9:30-10:00 a.m. Report from the previous day’s work 

10:00-12:15 Conversation and Action on any items proposed for a vote 

Delegates have all received the letter from Bard including information on how to register. Delegation registration is due no later than October 31.

"Together let us pray that God’s Spirit will use this unique opportunity at this critical time to enhance the future of our ministry for Jesus Christ," said Bard.