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United Methodist Council of Bishops to Meet in Panama Nov. 2-6

United Methodist Communications
Office of Public Information
www.umcpresscenter.org

MEDIA ADVISORY
October 29,2010

More than 87 United Methodist bishops from Africa, Europe, Asia and the U.S. will gather in Panama City, Panama for the semi-annual Council of Bishops meeting Nov. 2-6, followed by a meeting of the Conference of Methodist Bishops and Presidents on Nov. 7-9 and CIEMAL on Nov. 10.

During the week, council members will attend strategic planning meetings and plenary sessions at the Sheraton Panama Hotel & Convention Center, beginning on Tuesday morning and ending at noon on Saturday. Highlights of the Council of Bishops meeting include the Presidential Address on November 2 by Bishop Larry Goodpaster, the report and recommendations of the Call to Action steering committee, presented in two parts on November 3-4, and updates on the Four Areas of Focus.

The plenary sessions are open to the public and the news media.

The Council of Bishops-made up of 50 active bishops in the United States, 19 bishops in Europe, Asia and Africa, and 88 retired bishops worldwide-provides leadership and helps set the direction of the 11.5 million-member church and its mission throughout the world. The bishops are the top clergy leaders of The United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.

The Conference of Methodist Bishops and Presidents includes the United Methodist Council of Bishops plus bishops from affiliated, affiliated autonomous Methodist or affiliated united churches. The Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin America and the Caribbean, CIEMAL, binds together Methodist churches of 19 nations of Latin American and the Caribbean (with two united churches) in mutual support, mission and service.

Media contact:
Diane Degnan
ddegnan@umcom.org
615-742-5406 (w)
615-483-1765 (c)

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