A Letter from the Bishop: Following up after the Special Called Conference

Greeting in the name of Christ.

I want to thank each of you who were able to participate in our online called conference on Saturday. The worship was a beautiful way to remember that it was Epiphany and that we are called to let our light shine as we enter into 2024 and beyond.

As a part of his report, Rev. Carlos Ramirez shared four websites from which he and the conference leadership draw demographic information for our state. The first one, Mission Insite, is a subscriptionbased site that the conference provides for each of our churches. If you need to register for Mission Insite, you can find instructions here.

www.missioninsite.com www.usafacts.org www.unitedstateszipcodes.org www.schooldigger.com

Other videos from the conference session will be posted on the Conference YouTube page soon.

Transitional Ministry

With the approval of redistricting from 8 to 5 districts, it is my intention to continue the role currently held by Rev. Dr. Tish Malloy as conference Director of Transitional Ministry.

There is still some disaffiliation work to be completed, a few more church vitality studies to be conducted and the process of redistricting is a big undertaking. Tish is well suited and equipped to do this work. She will remain a part of my Cabinet as well as the conference Executive Leadership Team. I appreciate her gifts of administration and management, which will serve the entire conference well.

District Boundaries Advisory Team

As a part of the redistricting efforts, a lay advisory team has been appointed and will be meeting with Revs. Malloy, Ramirez and Connie Gibson, Dean of the Cabinet, as the work progresses. Members of the committee include Dr. Don Kim, Sharri Hiller, Kristen Harlin, Tanya Case, Harri Williams, Kent Fulton, Dr. Bob Spinks and Alan Herzberger. Should you be interested in serving, the group is looking for one or two more members who bring expertise around population shifts and demographics. If you are interested, please let Rev. Derrek Belase, executive director of Connectional Ministry, know of your willingness to serve.

Upcoming District Meetings

Beginning on January 20 and

Editor continuing through mid-February, there are meetings taking place in all of the districts where information from our recent survey will be presented and more discussion on district boundaries will take place. With well over 500 responses to the survey, we have made the decision to close it on Thursday of this week. If you are still planning to take advantage of that opportunity, please do so before then. Please check with your district office if you aren’t certain of the date of your event. I highly encourage your participation in these meetings regardless of your leadership position.

Let me close with a final word to each of you reading this message. I deeply appreciate you and your willingness to serve in the annual conference during this pivotal moment in our history. I know that much has been asked of you, including four special conference sessions in the last two years. The work can seem overwhelming at times, but we know that it is isn’t, because we do it empowered by the Holy Spirit and with the encouragement of one another.

I look forward to continuing to be your Bishop as we move forward as the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Blessings,

James G. Nunn

The January Special Called Conference, held by Zoom, passed the redistricting measure with 98.6 percent voting yes.