Looking Forward to June: The 2012 Kentucky Annual Conference

Kentucky United Methodists will gather in Covington June 11-13 for their yearly time of Christian conferencing. The theme for the 2012 Kentucky Annual Conference is “Called by Christ, Sent to Heal.” This theme reflects one of the United Methodist Church’s Four Areas of Focus: Combating the diseases of poverty by improving health globally. Past years’ conferences have focused on the other three areas: Engaging in ministry with the poor, creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations, and developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world.

In keeping with the “Sent to Heal” focus, this year’s Mission Offering will go toward two health-related ministries. One is a medical clinic being set up by the Seminario Wesleyano de Venezuela (Wesleyan Seminary of Venezuela). The other is Red Bird Mission’s and Henderson Settlement’s MIHOW programs for expectant mothers and children through the age of three. The offering will be taken at the Mission Celebration on Tuesday evening, June 12. Rev. Dr. Warren Lathem, President of the Seminary, will preach.

Louisville Area Bishop Lindsey Davis will preach at Opening Worship the afternoon of June 11. Part of this service is a memorial to clergy and clergy spouses who have passed away in the past year. The Service of Ordination and Commissioning will also take place on June 11. Bishop Charlene Kammerer, Episcopal leader of the Virginia Annual Conference, will preach at this service, which is always a highlight of Conference.

On June 12, clergy and laity of the Conference will work at locations around Northern Kentucky during our third annual Afternoon of Service. This event has become a favorite for some Conference members who relish the opportunity to demonstrate love and compassion to the community that hosts Annual Conference.

Young Kentucky United Methodists will enjoy music and worship at a new pre-Conference event on Sunday, June 10. The Conference Youth Rally will take place at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Money collected at the rally will support Imagine No Malaria.

Online registration for Annual Conference and the Afternoon of Service opens February 9 and closes May 15. Registration for those needing child care at this year’s Conference will begin February 9 and end May 1. A letter with important information about the upcoming gathering will be mailed to clergy and lay members of the Annual Conference in mid-February.

Due to a change in Standing Rules approved at the 2011 Annual Conference, the Pre-Conference Reports Book will not be printed and mailed to Conference members this year. It will be posted on the Conference web site in April. Those who wish to will be able to order a printed copy online. Details about this option will be included in the February mailing.

More details about Conference can be found at www.kyumc.org/ac2012. Information will be updated there regularly through June.