The Western Pennsylvania General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegation met on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the United Methodist Conference Center, with Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi as a special guest for the morning session.
Bishop Moore-Koikoi shared a message and presided over the sacrament of Holy Communion at the opening worship service. The Bishop then shared information about what has been happening around the denomination as General Conference 2020 approaches. A question and answer session followed the Bishop’s presentation.
During the afternoon session, the delegation’s Episcopal Nominations team reported that four persons had been nominated and will be considered for endorsement as an episcopal candidate by the Western PA Conference. The delegation voted to close nominations and proceed to interview the four individuals. Rev. Janet Lord, co-chair of the Episcopal Nominations team, led a discussion on the process for notifying candidates and inviting them to be part of an interview process.
At the request of the delegation, the Rev. Anais Hussian and Tracy Merrick shared a teaching moment with the delegation about the definitions of gender identity.
During closing worship, prayer partners joined in prayer for one another. After the full delegation meeting adjourned, the four delegation committees --Episcopal Nominations; Jurisdictional Nominations; Spiritual Life; and Hospitality –met to continue their work.
The next full delegation meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2019.