We have never done it this way before.

That was a common theme recited throughout the 2020 Special Annual Conference that, in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, met in multiple locations across the state. Instead of gathering at Wesley Chapel on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College, the annual conference session was held at 12 locations across the connection in order to comply with social distancing requirements.

“We know God creates all things new,” Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball said as she opened the legislative session.

The work of the Special Annual Conference was limited to specific items that had to be voted on by delegates so the Annual Conference could continue operating in accordance with both the Discipline and state laws. Only items on the called agenda could be brought before the delegates. Other matters were postponed until the 2021 Annual Conference.

Legislative work took place over two sessions on Aug. 1. Both sessions covered the same agenda and conducted the same votes, but were broken up in this manner in order to comply with  health and safety standards. Only delegates in attendance at assigned sites could vote. Votes were totaled from each session and across the 12 sites and announced later in the afternoon during a live stream of the Celebration of Ministry.

Each district had its own site, with some having to utilize multiple sites within their districts. Wesley Chapel served as the presiding table for the conference and, also, the voting site for the Wesleyan District.                         

Other locations that hosted district sites were: St. Luke UMC (Craigsville), Mt. Pleasant UMC (Mineral Wells); Epworth UMC (Ripley); Aldersgate UMC (Sissonville); Cross Lanes UMC (Cross Lanes); Life UMC (Fairmont); Suncrest UMC (Morgantown); Christ UMC (Wheeling); United Methodist Temple (Beckley), Steele Memorial (Barboursville); and the McKee Performing Arts Center at Potomac State University (Keyser).

“Our agenda items attempt to maintain and honor decisions made and voted upon by the entire body of the conference in 2019,” Bishop Steiner Ball said. “We tried to keep things relatively similar and the same, since we cannot all gather together in one space and have discussion and dialogue.”

Prior to the events that were held in Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan President Joel Thierstein said the college was unsure how it would pull off hosting this year’s Special Annual Conference. He said the setting could be similar to Jesus’ current status in heaven at God’s right hand. “Since the Ascension, Jesus has been working from home,” he said. “Inspiration for us all.”

Special Annual Conference delegates approved a $12.8 million operating budget for 2021. Rev. Ken Ramsey, chair of the Committee on Finance and Administration, said it is the overall same amount approved for 2020, with no increases.

Changes were made to the conference’s health care plan. Delegates approved a switch to Cigna Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) for medical coverage. They also approved a small employer exception regarding Medicare. According to Jamie O’Brien, who serves as the chair of the Board of Pensions, the moves will benefit churches and the conference.

“Both actions are recommended to enable better coverage and greater discounts for participants and potentially reductions in costs for the local churches and the conference,” he said.

Nominations were approved for various committees across the conference, districts, and ministry sites. Among the nominations approved were Kristi Wilkerson as the new conference lay leader, Eva Faulkner as association conference lay leader, Kim Matthews as the director of lay servant ministries, Judi Kenaston as conference secretary, and Jamion Wolford as conference treasurer. The full nomination report is available on pages 24-37 of the conference workbook.

“I love you all,” said Bishop Steiner Ball. “I’m so proud that we are doing ministry in a new way and reaching people for Jesus Christ.”

Other matters before the 2020 Special Annual Conference included:

• Apportionment funding for the conference health care program was maintained at $4,325,000.
• Full-time minimum salary for clergy was set at $37,000 (Category I), $35,000 (Category II), and $34,000 (Category III).
• The minimum Accountable Reimbursement Plan was set at $2,000.
• Maintained the CRSP and medical insurance benefit paid by the local church at 70 percent.
• Approved the report from the Board of Trustees, which offered no changes from its report in 2019.

Rev. Krysta Rexrode Wolfe, chair of the Annual Conference Programs and Arrangement team, encouraged delegates to pray for the 2021 Annual Conference. The dates for the 2021 gathering are June 3-6 at West Virginia Wesleyan College.         

“I am grateful to each of you for the flexibility and hope in which we gathered here today,” she said. “Thank you to each of you who are doing things in a new way so we can continue mission and ministry in the West Virginia Annual Conference.”

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