United Methodist Annual Conferences continue to gather this year in Texas and beyond, after nearly all met online the past two years because of pandemic concerns. Perkins faculty, staff and alumni are attending these in-person sessions, 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.
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.
Alumni/ae who United Methodist should receive invitations to the Perkins event in their annual conference. For all alumni/ae, now is a great time to make your information is up to date – click here.
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/ae and friends event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Rolando’s Restaurante, 210 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park, AR. Dinner is self-pay and most plates are $10-20. Click here to RSVP by May 30 if you plan to attend.
The North Texas Annual Conference meets June 5 – 7 at First UMC Richardson. Dean Hill, Stephen Bagby, Connie Nelson, Hugo Magallanes, John Martin, Matt Jacob, and Rachel Holmes plan to attend. A Perkins alumni/ae and friends gathering will take place Tuesday, June 7 at 7 a.m. at First UMC Richardson. Click here to register and pay for the breakfast ($15).
The Rio Texas Annual Conference runs June 8 – 11 at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen, TX. Dean Hill, Hugo Magallanes and Caleb Palmer plan to attend. An alumni/ae and friends event takes place Thursday, June 9 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Room 103AB at McAllen Convention Center. Click here to register and pay for the dinner ($35).
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. There is no alumni/ae and friends event planned.
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/ae and friends event is planned for Friday, June 10 at 5:30 in the President’s Dining Room in the Charles T. Thrift building. The meal is free for all who RSVP by June 3. Click here to RSVP for the dinner.
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Annual Conference meets June 10 – 12 in Anadarko, OK. Melissa Hernandez-Probus will attend from Perkins. An alumni/ae and friends gathering is planned for Saturday, June 11 at noon in Cabin 3.
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. There is no alumni/ae and friends event planned.
The Central Texas Annual Conference runs June 12 – 14 at First UMC of Fort Worth, 800 W 5th St, Fort Worth, TX. John Martin and Matt Jacob will attend. An alumni/ae and friends event is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14 at 7:30 a.m. at First UMC of Fort Worth, Room 334. Click here to register and pay for the breakfast ($15).
The Louisiana Annual Conference will gather June 14 – 17 at River Center, 527 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA. Heather Gottas Moore and Matt Jacob will attend from Perkins. An alumni/ae and friends luncheon is planned for Wednesday, June 15 at 11:30 a.m. at FUMC Baton Rouge, Room 117, Adult Building. Parking is available at the church. Click here to register and pay for the luncheon ($20).
The New Mexico Annual Conference meets June 14 – 16 at Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E University Ave., Las Cruces, NM. Hugo Magallanes and Connie Nelson will attend from Perkins. There is no alumni/ae and friends event scheduled.
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 from Perkins. There is no alumni/ae and friends event scheduled.