October 24, 2022
Please note that the agenda for the October 29, 2022, 9:30 a.m. called Annual Conference on church disaffiliations under Paragraph 2553 has been slightly modified.
Following questions raised by a member of the Annual Conference, the Virginia Annual Conference’s due diligence revealed that Hopewell UMC in the Living Waters District, Union Chapel UMC in the Living Waters District, and New Town UMC in the Mission Rivers District had not met the notification requirements of Paragraph 246.8 of the Book of Discipline.
The Book of Discipline is clear that such requirements must be followed for a Church Conference vote to be held. It says:
Paragraph 246.8: Notice of time and place of a regular or special session of the charge conference shall be given at least ten days in advance by two or more of the following (except as local laws may otherwise provide): from the pulpit of the church, in its weekly bulletin, in a local church publication, or by mail.
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016 (p. 174). The United Methodist Publishing House. Print Edition.
In 2023, there are three additional scheduled Annual Conferences for disaffiliation ratification under Paragraph 2553. These will take place on February 18, May 6, and October 7. The three above churches may update and resubmit materials for the February 18 conference.
The other 10 churches scheduled for disaffiliation under Paragraph 2553 have met the Paragraph 246.8 requirements of the Book of Discipline.
The Virginia Conference strongly encourages churches considering disaffiliation, and others, to carefully review information in the Frequently Asked Questions and related information here.
Thank you for your attention to these matters.
Assistant to the Bishop
Director of Connectional Ministries