Sunday 3:35 p.m. (CST)

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 24) — This afternoon, delegates prioritized legislation. “Expect to see votes designed to judge the priority which should be given to differing pieces of legislation,” explains the Rev. Wil Cantrell in his blog. “This will provide a bellwether for which plans and petitions have the most chance of eventual passage.”

Photos below: (1) Left to right: Holston delegates Del Holley, Becky Hall, John Tate, and Wil Cantrell during a break this afternoon. (2) Far right: Bishop Dindy Taylor sits with other bishops during delegate voting.

Voting results: (1) Wespath Recommendations – Pension Liabilities and CRS (2) Traditional Plan (3) Disaffiliation – Taylor (4) Disaffiliation – Boyette (5) One Church Plan (6) Disaffiliation – Ottjes (7) Retain Paragraph 161.G (8) A Simple Plan (9) A Traditional Way Forward with Enhanced Enforcement (10) A Graceful Exit as a Way Forward (11) Inclusiveness, 90082 (12) Human Sexuality (13) Inclusiveness, 90087 (14) Connectional Conference Plan (15) Abeyace of Trust Enforcement (16) Marriage (17) Chargeable Offenses (18) Definition of Gender (19) Interpretation of Fidelity in Marriage for Deacons (20) Fully Inclusive Way Forward (21) Replace Paragraph 161.G (22) One New Discipline Plan (23) Sexual Practices

We’ll provide more explanatory information soon.


Sunday 1:45 p.m. (CST)

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 24) — This morning, delegates heard the presentation of the Commission on a Way Forward’s report. 

Bishop Christian Alsted of the Nordic-Baltic Episcopal Area presided over the morning session. Noting that the event was being held in a former football stadium, he said that “for these four days this is not a football arena, this is church. A different set of rules apply, crafted by John Wesley: Do no harm, do good, stay in love with God.” Read complete UMNS story.

Saturday 10 p.m. (CST)

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 23) — Holston delegates wrapped up a first day of General Conference that was filled with prayer, followed by an orientation session.

“Hearing the prayers in the different languages was a reminder of Pentecost,” said the Rev. Sandra Johnson. “Although I didn’t understand all that was being said, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as we prayed to God.”

The Rev. Tim Jones, communications director, also experienced a presence of the Holy Spirit, which he described in tonight’s e-news. “At that that moment, I saw a picture of what the Church was supposed to look like.”

Becky Hall said she was “thrilled” to learn that a professional parliamentarian will serve during this General Conference. “He was very impressive as he prepared us for procedures of how to navigate the petitions. I think he will be a big help.”

Here are more photos from today:

Saturday 8:40 p.m. (CST)

Members of the Judicial Council during the Feb. 23 morning of prayer at the 2019 Special Session of the United Methodist General Conference in St. Louis. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS.

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 23) — Here are two more recently posted stories from United Methodist News Service. Annette Spence has contacted Holston delegates for reactions to this first day. We’ll share some of those responses with you soon.

Court rules two petitions as unconstitutional

Sweet hours of prayers begin GC2019

Tomorrow morning’s session begins with worship at 7:30 a.m. CST. The live stream link is always available at GC2019.org.

Saturday 3:30 p.m. (CST)

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 23) — Just as he did with great success in 2016, the Rev. Wil Cantrell will write a daily blog during this General Conference Feb. 23-26. Follow him at WilCantrell.com.

You’ve probably seen General Conference stories written by the secular media over the past few days. Here are a few based in Holston Conference:

United Methodists brace for fallout from vote (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Local United Methodists serve as delegates to GC (Cleveland Daily Banner)

Local United Methodists are delegates to GC (The Chattanoogan)

Gay Methodist woman makes 600-mile journey before vote (Knoxville News Sentinel)


Saturday 11:40 a.m. (CST)

Photos from this morning’s session: (1) Delegates begin with prayer. (2) Bishop James Swanson greets Holston delegates. (3) Delegates John Tate and Wil Cantrell. (4) Delegates Emily Ballard and Del Holley. (5) Rev. Betzy Elifrits Warren, former Holston clergy, now serving as Wesley Foundation director, Eastern Illinois University. (6) Tim Jones, director of communications, works in press box.

Saturday 9:30 a.m. (CST)

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 23) — Katie Sluder is here, serving as video editor for United Methodist Communications! She is the daughter of the Rev. Mike Sluder, Holston director of connectional ministries, and Lori Sluder, executive secretary to the bishop. Katie is in the press box, working just a few seats away from Tim Jones and Annette Spence, Holston communications staff.

Follow the live stream to today’s General Conference session, which will focus on prayer. Follow live stream.