A number of U.S. annual conferences are scheduling special sessions in 2023 to deal mainly with church disaffiliations. The sessions do not replace regular annual conference sessions held in the late spring and summer.
The Book of Discipline’s Paragraph 2553 allows churches to leave The United Methodist Church with property if they meet certain financial and procedural requirements, including at least a two-thirds vote by the congregation and approval of the disaffiliation agreement by the congregation’s annual conference. The provision expires at the end of 2023.
Special sessions listed in order of when they are scheduled to occur:.
- Virginia Conference special sessions on Feb. 18, May 6 and Oct. 7.
- North Texas Conference special session on March 4.
- Upper New York Conference special sessions on March 25 and Oct. 14.
- Florida Conference special sessions on April 22, Aug. 5 and Dec. 2.
- Holston Conference special session on April 22.
- Alaska Conference special session on May 6.
- Illinois Great Rivers special sessions on May 6 and Dec. 2.
- Oregon-Idaho Conference special session on May 6.
- Rio Texas Conference special session on May 6.
- Western North Carolina special session on May 6.
- Alabama-West Florida Conference special sessions on May 7 and Nov. 12, 2023.
- Pacific Northwest Conference special session on May 7.
- North Alabama Conference special session on May 11.
- Arkansas Conference special session on May 13.
- New Mexico special session on May 20.
- South Georgia special session on May 21.
- Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference special sessions on May 22 and Nov. 13.
- Dakotas Conference special session on Aug. 15.
- West Ohio Conference is considering special session on Oct. 21.
- Western North Carolina special session on Nov. 4.
- Iowa Conference special session on Nov. 18.
- Michigan Conference special session on Nov. 30.
- Mississippi Conference special session on Dec. 9.
This list will be updated as more sessions are announced.
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