The New Mexico Annual Conference was held June 12-14, 2024 in Albuquerque, NM. We gathered at one of our largest churches, St. John’s UMC. Bishop Robert Schnase presided. Approximately, 275 people attended.
We had a lot of fun and contemplation around our theme, which was “RE.” One of our guest speakers was Dr. Ashley Boggan D, who was an inspiration for the theme with her exhortations to REclaim, REmember and many other RE words.
Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen, Director of Intergenerational Ministries for RioTX was also a guest speaker who REminded us to REmember to make space for children and youth in our worship and our churches.
Some noteable quotes: Bishop Robert Schnase: “ We’re at a moment, friends...future is bright...hope, can you hear it, see it, it’s real and grounded in reality. Feels like being set free from the bondage of irreconcilable conflict. Set free to focus on the mission of Christ without debilitating infighting,....we have a sense of purpose and calling...to proclaim the good news that God has met our highest hopes and deepest needs through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We have joy, in the absence of destructive conflict where people can see possibilities. Willing to stay in the room with difference...just as John Wesley did. ‘If you heart is as my heart, if you love God and all people, I ask no more: Give me your hand.”
Memorable Moment: Bishop Schnase kneeled down on the stage to demonstrate what it is to “REkindle”...on your knees, breathing life into a fire.
Dr. Ashley Boggan D discussed “Wesleyan ‘Vile-Tality”. “It is a willingness to look beyond today’s acceptable practices, standards and norms - to bend the rules in order to ensure that more and more persons can be included in the kingdom...” She described the Methodist moniker to be derived from John & Charles Wesley forming a small group at Oxford who were “ridiculed for their peculiar way of doing religion” rather than having the privilege of sitting in a church pew on Sundays. In addition to being dedicated to praying, studying the Bible, fasting and talking about all things spiritual incessantly, “...they visited the sick, the imprisoned, the outcast and held each other accountable..y’all back then this was weird.” They went out beyond the walls of Oxford and broke the norms of who was deserving of God’s love. “...they were madmen or those whom poverty compels.”
After several years of difficult negotiations, the Annual Conference passed a resolution to allow Sacramento Camp to operate autonomously. Both the camp and the Conference signed an MOU. Following the vote, Conference Archivist, Rev. Will Steinsiek asked for a moment of privilege to read a moving statement reminding us that like a child graduating, Sacramento was never really ours.We invested our time, prayers, resources and energy into it but we need to let it go and allow it to be what God needs it to be for the future.
The General & Jurisdictional Delegation gave a report to provide information on the removal of exclusionary language from the Book of Discipline and what that means for churches, a timeline regarding the legislation passed, the Regionalization legislation, changes to the Social Principles and other topics.
We prayed, sang, ate and worshipped together. At the evening social, we used paints and various objects to create a beautiful, colorful decorative banner that was displayed the following day.
Three workshops were offered: Healthy Congregations, Asset-Based Community Development and Alternate Income Streams for Churches.
The budget passed was $1,916,772. It was a 14% decrease.
After several months of meetings, a slate of nominations was passed. We declared McCurdy a UM Historic Site. We passed several rules changes - regarding setting clergy cabinet salaries and income to be used in budget and spending plans.
During the Ordination & Commissioning Service, we ordained a deacon, Cazandra Campos-MacDonald and commissioned a provisional elder, Lisa Jo Bezner.
Five clergy retired and were celebrated at a luncheon. One of the retired elders was our Board of Ordained Ministry Chair, Rev. Brad Bennett.
Membership stands at 15,073, up (or down) (6,771) from the previous year.
Worship attendance stands at 4,750, up (or down) (1,285).
Church school attendance stands at 1,838, up (or down) (592).
Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2023 178, up (or down) (161) from 2022.
Adults and young adults in small groups for 2023 3,013, up (or down) (969) from 2022.
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2023 2,519, up (or down) (1,168) from 2022