2023 Annual Conference: Day One

First UMC - Colorado Springs

Bishop Oliveto addresses the AC

"The United Methodist Church is about to enter a new era. There has never been a more critical time for our local churches to witness and share the grace of God in our communities. Let us take one another's hands as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as disciples of Jesus Christ." - Bishop Karen Oliveto

The 2023 session of the Mountain Sky Conference began today with worship and the opening plenary. 

Thirty-eight churches were approved for disafiliation from The United Methodist Church. Those churches are:

Colorado: Bristol UMC, Brighton UMC, Cañon City UMC, Dove Creek UMC, Eads UMC, Eaton UMC, Florence UMC, Granada UMC, Haswell UMC, Haxtun UMC, Holly UMC, Holyoke UMC, Howard UMC, Johnson Memorial UMC, Kirk UMC, Korean American UMC, Las Animas UMC, Limon UMC, McClave UMC, Marvel UMC, Meeker UMC, Ovid UMC, Peetz UMC, Pikes Peak UMC, Springfield UMC,    Swink UMC, Trinity UMC, Vineland UMC, Walsh UMC, Wilson UMC, and Yuma UMC 

Montana: Monarch UMC, Saco UMC, Sun River UMC, and West Side UMC (Great Falls)

Wyoming: Pavillion UMC and Rock Springs UMC

AC members holding up lights of lament and welcome.

Edit (from Belinda Alkula): Yesterday, the annual conference began for the Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church. It was joyful to be together again, both in person and online. And it was a very difficult time when we had to vote to approve those churches in our conference who want to disaffiliate from our denomination.

At the close of the disaffiliations voting, we lamented. And then Bishop Karen Oliveto reminded us of what Tom Bodett, (from the Motel 6 ads) said about "we'll keep the light on for you." She reminded us of who Jesus calls us to be and told our departing siblings we’ll “keep the light on for you.” Our love and prayers go with them.