Representing Blakemore UMC and the TN Conference at UMC-Next

Dear Friends,

I have been invited to be a part of a gathering of 600 United Methodist leaders from across the UMC who will meet May 20-22 at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS to discuss the future of The United Methodist Church. We will have ten people from each Annual Conference in the US, as well as many of our bishops, general secretaries, and other key leaders.

The aim of this gathering is to pray, discuss, and discern a better way forward for the UMC. The ten leaders from each Annual Conference will be charged with going back to their Annual Conference to organize similar gatherings in each Annual Conference. To read more about the conversations that have led to this gathering click here.

I am excited about this opportunity and am looking forward with hope. There are a few ways that you can help if you are so led.

1. Please pray for me as I prepare for this time spiritually, mentally, emotionally and all that is involved with that. Please keep all of those attending in your prayers. This is heavy and important work.
2. As we get closer to the gathering date, if you would like to sit down over coffee and have a conversation about your hopes and concerns for the future of the UMC, please let me know. I would love to hear your insights and ideas so that I can carry a collective voice to this important conversation.
3. Because there is no sponsoring agency or apportionment dollars being used for this event, I will need to invest in the denomination by covering my own expenses including travel, lodging, and food. I am estimating that my expenses will be $500. We have been encouraged to reach out to supportive partners who may be willing to help us contribute to the denomination in this way. Though my family is able to cover the cost, it was an unexpected one, and I would greatly appreciate any monetary support you would like to share. Any funds donated that exceed my expenses will be donated to the work of UMC-Next, following the gathering.
4. Get ready! There will be lots of work to do locally in following this event. Drop me a note and let me know that you would like to be involved.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! Thank you for continuously being Christ to me through your love, prayers, and conversations!

Grace, Peace, and Hope,

Emily