As Annual Conferences convene in Texas and nearby states later this month and in June, members of the Perkins community will be in attendance. Perkins faculty, staff and alumni will be participating in the proceedings, reconnecting with Perkins alumni and friends, preaching and reaching out to prospective students.
“Annual Conference” has a dual meaning in the United Methodist Church. Each Annual Conference is a regional organizing body of the church. Once a year, representatives from that region gather for what is also called Annual Conference. It’s a time for fellowship, voting on key issues and ordaining new members of the ministry.
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.
“Annual Conferences present an opportunity for us to share what’s new at Perkins and 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.”
Some plans are still in flux, but here is the current list of Annual Conferences and Perkins community members who plan to attend:
The Texas Annual Conference meets Sunday through Wednesday, May 26-29, at the Hilton Hotel Americas in Houston. Participating from Perkins: Craig Hill, John Martin, Jim Lee and, tentatively, Hugo Magallanes and Dallas Gingles. Stephen Bagby will represent the Office of Enrollment Management.
An alumni/ae event is planned for Tuesday, May 28. View the invitation here..
The Oklahoma Annual Conference meets Tuesday through Thursday, May 28-30, at Oklahoma City University’s Freede Center in Oklahoma City. Attending from Perkins: Caleb Palmer and Andy Keck.
An alumni/ae event is planned for Wednesday, May 29. View the invitation here.
The Great Plains Annual Conference runs Wednesday through Sunday, May 29 – June 1, at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kan. From Perkins, Bridget Anderson will attend.
An alumni/ae event is planned for Wednesday, May 29. View the invitation here.
The Arkansas Annual Conference meets Wednesday through Saturday, May 29 – June 1, at Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs, Ark. Craig Hill and John Lowery plan to attend.
An alumni/ae event is planned for Thursday, May 30. View the invitation here.
The North Texas Annual Conference meets Sunday through Tuesday, June 2-4, at Christ UMC in Plano. Craig Hill, Connie Nelson, John Martin, Jim Lee, Stephen Bagby and Bridget Anderson will attend.
An alumni/ae event is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4. View the invitation here.
The Rio Texas Annual Conference runs Wednesday through Saturday, June 5- 8, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Attending from Perkins are Craig Hill, John Martin, Margot Perez-Greene and Jon Herrin.
An alumni/ae event is planned on Wednesday, June 5. View the invitation here.
The Northwest Texas Annual Conference will gather Thursday through Saturday, June 6- 8, at Overton Hotel & Conference Center in Lubbock, Texas. Bridget Oswald Anderson and Bobby Wilson will attend.
An alumni/ae event is scheduled for Thursday, June 6. View the invitation here.
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Annual Conference meets Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, in Preston, Okla. Jazmin Cabrera will attend.
An alumni/ae event is scheduled for Friday, June 7. For more information email Bridget Oswald Anderson.
The Missouri Annual Conference runs Friday through Sunday, June 7-9, at Springfield Expo Center in Springfield, Mo. Craig Hill and Peter Norton will attend.
An alumni/ae event is scheduled for Sunday, June 9. View the invitation here.
The Central Texas Annual Conference runs Sunday through Wednesday, June 9-12, at Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas. Craig Hill, John Martin, Andy Keck and John Lowery will attend.
An alumni/ae event is scheduled for Monday, June 10. Central Texas 2019.
The Louisiana Annual Conference will gather Sunday through Wednesday, June 9-12, at Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, La. Attending from Perkins are Craig Hill, Dallas Gingles and Bridget Oswald Anderson.
An alumni/ae event is planned for Tuesday, June 11. View the invitation here.
The New Mexico Annual Conference meets Wednesday through Friday, June 12-14, at Crowne Plaza in Albuquerque, N.M. Craig Hill and Margot Perez-Greene (tentative) will attend, as will Josh Kouri.
An alumni/ae event is planned for Friday, June 14. New Mexico 2019.
The Desert Southwest Annual Conference runs Thursday through Sunday, June 13-16, at Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Ariz.
An alumni/ae event is planned for Thursday, June 13. View the invitation here.
For more information on Perkins Annual Conference events please contact Bridget Oswald Anderson, Associate Director of Public Affairs and Alumni/ae Relations at boswald@smu.edu.