Annual Conference 2025 Report

Question 1

Who went to this year's annual conference from St. Paul's?

Answer

During the annual conference, every church and district in the Louisiana Conference is invited to send delegates. For churches, the rule is that for every clergy member they send, they send a laity member.

Rev. Gene Bryson went as our clergy delegate with Melissa Meredith as our laity delegate.

Stephanie Green went as a delegate for the Louisiana Children's Home.

Elise Burch, Michael Meredith, and Olivia Pruett also went but were delegates from the Northern District of the Conference.

Below is a picture of us during a break! (Not Pictured: Stephanie Green)

Question 2

Nominations of members from St. Paul's

Answer

Just as at St. Paul's, there are numerous boards and committees that oversee various aspects of the Louisiana Conference. Below is a list of members who were either nominated and approved or are currently serving on a committee.

Board of Trustees:

Rev. Gene Bryson and Ethan Hunt

Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry:

Michael Meredith

LGBT+ Ministries Taskforce:

Michael Meredith and Pat Wiersma

Congregational Vitality:

Rev. Gene Bryson

United Women in Faith:

Laura Salguero, Nominations Chair

Wesley Foundation at ULM:

Julie Cunningham

Camp Caney:

Jill Mouk, Ben Peters, and Danny Pruett

Question 3

Constitutional Amendments

Answer

Tuesday afternoon, during day one of the 2025 Annual Conference, Bishop Delores J. Williamston led the delegation through a detailed presentation and reading of four constitutional amendments that were then voted on by the conference body.

The amendments, which stem from the postponed 2020 General Conference and the recent 2024 session, address critical theological and structural concerns within the global Church. “Each of these amendments represents significant shifts in how we govern, welcome, and live out our calling as United Methodists in the world,” Bishop Williamston said before the votes were cast.

The results of the Louisiana Conference votes will not be announced publicly as they are included in the aggregate vote from annual conferences around the world. After Annual Conference, the vote totals will be submitted to the Council of Bishops.

Below is a summary of each amendment:

Ballot 1: Regionalization
This amendment seeks to decentralize aspects of governance by allowing regional bodies to address the unique ministry needs in their local contexts. Regions would be empowered to develop their own Books of Discipline, worship resources, and policies concerning ordination, marriage, and church organization, while still maintaining doctrinal unity.

Ballot 2: Gender and Ability Inclusion
This amendment would modify Paragraph 4 of the Constitution by explicitly including “gender” and “ability” in the list of characteristics that cannot be used to exclude people from full participation in the Church.

Ballot 3: Racial Justice Statement
This proposal adds language acknowledging the destructive impact of racism and calls the Church to active anti-racism efforts in its life and witness.

Ballot 4: Clergy Education Requirements
The final amendment updates the educational requirement for clergy delegates to General Conference. It clarifies that delegates must complete a course of study or hold a Master of Divinity degree from a University Senate-approved school or its equivalent in Central Conferences.

For more information and videos on each ballot, please click the button below:

More Info Here

Question 4