This year’s United Methodist Annual Conferences in Texas and beyond will be in-person reunions. Nearly all such sessions met online the past two years because of pandemic concerns. Perkins faculty, staff and alumni will be present as in-person sessions get underway, re-connecting with alumni and friends, reaching out to prospective students and doing some of the preaching at services.
Sending Perkins faculty and staff to the gatherings helps nurture Perkins’ ongoing partnership with the Annual Conferences in theological education. In addition, Perkins hosts display tables and alumni events at many of the Annual Conferences. For the first time in recent years, Perkins will send representatives to the Florida Annual Conference in Lakeland, Florida.
“Annual Conferences present an opportunity for us to share what’s new at Perkins and to tell our story,” said Dean Craig C. Hill. “At the same time, it gives us a chance to hear the story of each annual conference: to hear about their most dynamic and effective ministries and to understand the kind of leadership needed now and in the future.”
This is a time of uncertainty for The United Methodist Church. Local church disaffiliation and even the potential of Annual Conferences leaving The United Methodist Church will likely be part of the discussion as United Methodist clergy and laity gather for the more usual business of worship, ordination services, memorial services, ministry reports, budget approval and the reading of appointments.
Some plans are still in flux, but here is the current list of Annual Conferences and Perkins community members who plan to attend. Names in italics are tentative. Check this web page for updates.
The Oklahoma Annual Conference meets May 23 – 26 at Oklahoma City University’s Freede Center in Oklahoma City. Attending from Perkins: Andy Keck. A lunchtime event for Perkins alumni is planned for May 25 at St. Luke’s UMC.
The Texas Annual Conference meets May 29 through June 1 at the Hilton Hotel Americas in Houston. Participating from Perkins: Dean Hill, Connie Nelson, Hugo Magallanes, Dallas Gingles. Stephen Bagby. An alumni event is planned for May 31 at 12 p.m.
The Arkansas Annual Conference meets June 1 – 4 at Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs, Ark. Matt Jacob and Bart Patton plan to attend. An alumni event is scheduled for June 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Rolando’s Restaurante, 210 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park, AR.
The North Texas Annual Conference meets June 5 – 7 at First United Methodist Church Richardson. Dean Hill, Stephen Bagby, Connie Nelson, Hugo Magallanes, John Martin, Matt Jacob, and Rachel Holmes plan to attend. A Perkins alumni gathering will take place June 7 at 7 a.m. at First UMC Richardson.
The Rio Texas Annual Conference runs June 8 – 11 at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen, TX. Dean Hill and Caleb Palmer plan to attend. An alumni event takes place June 9 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Room 103AB at McAllen Convention Center.
The Great Plains Annual Conference runs June 8 – 11 at the LaVista Conference Center, 12520 Westport Pkwy, La Vista, NE. From Perkins, Andy Keck will attend.
The Florida Annual Conference meets June 9 – 11 at Florida Southern College’s Branscomb Auditorium in Lakeland, FL. Dean Hill, Hugo Magallanes and Matt Jacob plan to attend. An alumni event is planned for June 10; details TBD.
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Annual Conference meets June 10 – 12 in Anadarko, OK. An alumni gathering is planned for June 11 at noon in Cabin 6.
The Missouri Annual Conference runs June 11 – 12, with an optional June 10 Learning Day, at Branson Convention Center, 200 S Sycamore Street, Branson, MO. Heather Gottas Moore will represent Perkins.
The Northwest Texas Annual Conference will gather June 16 – 17 at Overton Hotel & Conference Center, 2322 Mac Davis Lane in Lubbock, TX 79401. Connie Nelson will attend.
The Central Texas Annual Conference runs June 12 – 14 at First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, 800 W 5th St, Fort Worth, TX. John Martin and Connie Nelson will attend. Details are being finalized for the alumni event.
The Louisiana Annual Conference will gather June 14 – 17 at River Center, 527 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA. Heather Gottas Moore and others (TBD) will attend from Perkins. An alumni event is planned for June 15 at 11:30 a.m. at FUMC Baton Rouge, Room 117, Adult Building.
The New Mexico Annual Conference meets June 14 – 16 at Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E University Ave., Las Cruces, NM. Connie Nelson will attend.