Dr. Michael McKee and other clergy from FUMC Hurst will be posting reports from the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Nearly 1,000 delegates and other United Methodists from throughout the world will gather in Fort Worth April 23–May 2 for the once-every-four-years General Conference.

The General Conference is the policy-making body of the global United Methodist Church and is the only body that speaks for our denomination.

Meeting every four years, the General Conference is composed of 992 delegates elected by their annual conferences in the United States and from Europe, Africa, and Asia. During the gathering, these delegates will revise the Book of Discipline which directs how local churches, general agencies, and annual conference are organized.

Additionally, delegates decide on policies relating to new buildings, ordination of clergy, administration, property, and judicial procedures. Dr. Michael McKee is serving as a clergy delegate to General Conference.

The Central Texas Conference is hosting General Conference for the first time. During the past four years, our annual conference has been planning to host the General Conference. Many FUMC Hurst members have volunteered to help during the nine days of General Conference.

The opening Worship Service of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church begins at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, in the Fort Worth Convention Center. The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church of Hurst under the direction of Rev. Greg Shapley will sing a pre-service concert at 5:15 p.m. on April 23. Our choir joins two other choirs in providing musical leadership for the opening Worship Service. Dong-ill Shin is the organist for this service and also for the 8:15 a.m. worship on Saturday, April 26. Four Heaven’s Sake, the men’s quartet from our church, will be performing Thursday, April 24, 12:35–1:05pm.

Visitors and observers are welcome to General Conference. This is an excellent opportunity to witness the breadth and depth of the global United Methodist Church.