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Each June, I pack up the car and head toward Lake Junaluska for the Western North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. It’s a time filled with worship, reconnecting with colleagues, and participating in the life of our wider church. This year’s conference was peaceful, hopeful, and full of meaningful moments I’m still thinking about.

One of the important parts of our time together was the presentation of four constitutional amendments that were passed at the 2024 General Conference. These amendments must now be voted on by every annual conference around the world, and while no changes could be made to the wording (per our rules), we did have time for speeches. Here’s a quick summary:

  • World Regionalization – presented by Rev. Dr. In-Yong Lee. This amendment allows each region of the church to shape ministry that fits its own context—something especially important in a global denomination.

  • Inclusiveness – presented by Jennifer Davis. This one broadens protections for church membership to include all people, regardless of gender, marital status, age, or ability.

  • Racial Justice – also presented by Jennifer Davis. It calls the church to recognize and actively fight systemic racism. A needed and bold reminder that the church should be a healing, transforming presence in our world.

  • Educational Standards – introduced by Kim Ingram. This amendment ensures that pastors who vote for General Conference delegates meet consistent educational standards across the denomination.

We followed Roberts’ Rules of Order for discussion (always an adventure with a crowd that big!), and while we did vote, the results won’t be released until all conferences have completed the process.

One service that deeply spoke to me was the Memorial Service, where Rev. Dr. Sam Moore preached a powerful sermon about grief, hope, and resurrection. You can watch it here: Rev. Dr. Sam Moore’s Sermon. His words were especially meaningful to me this year as I continue to grieve the loss of my dad. He reminded us that even when things don’t turn out the way we hoped, we are still walking toward resurrection. That God is still with us.

And then at the closing service, Bishop Ken Carter offered a word that stayed with me. He spoke about how this year’s conference felt like a coming together after so many years of struggle and strife.  It’s true. We’ve walked through hard seasons as a church, and yet we’re still here. Still moving forward.

Bishop Carter ended with a poem by Jan Richardson that speaks volumes:

Let us say the wound will not be our final home—that through it runs a road, a way we would not have chosen but on which we will finally see forgiveness, so long practiced, coming toward us, shining with the joy so well deserved.

That’s where we are.  We are walking that road.  Not alone.  Not unchanged.  But with hope.  Because the wound—whatever it has been for you or for us as a denomination—will not be our final home.  See you Sunday!

Peace, Pastor Tracy