The Order of Elders and the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members will meet. The Book of Discipline requires a gathering of these groups for “unity, support, accountability and spiritual nurture” (¶308 and ¶323).

There will be two meetings, both online via Zoom:

• 10 am to noon Order of Elders
•  6:30 pm Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members

Registration is not necessary. Use the link at right to join either meeting.

After greetings by our Bishop, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will bring us a word of encouragement, followed by a time for questions and conversation.  

Bishop Easterling is the episcopal servant and leader of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, the oldest and most diverse annual conference in The United Methodist Church. She is the first woman to lead this historic conference. Bishop Easterling was assigned to her office in September 2016, following her election to the episcopacy that July.   

Since Sept. 1, 2021, she has served as the Interim Bishop of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference. Prior to being elected, Bishop Easterling served as Dean of the Cabinet of the New England Conference and as a superintendent, leading 57 congregations in the former Boston Hope District. We are fortunate to have Bishop Easterling join us as we contemplate our work and calling.  

Order of Elders gathering
The Rev. Dr. Hope Luckie will speak on gatherings of Elders on extension ministry; we will also spend some time reflecting on how the Order of Elders can support our Elders in these demanding and unsettled times. For more information, please contact Order of Elders Chair Rev. Thom Blackstone at pastorthomegumc@gmail.com

Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members
This session will include the opportunity for folks to gather in small groups to meet one another. We will also be sharing resources that are available through the Preachers' Aid Society, the UM Foundation of New England and others.  

It is the plan to create a webpage on the Conference website specifically for LPs. Please come with your suggestions for  what a page built specifically for your needs, knowledge, and support as an LP would include.