Special Session of Annual Conference

October 4, 2008 • 1-4PM • Indiana State Fairgrounds

As voted by the Annual Conference in its regular 2008 session, I am calling you to attend the Special Session of the North Indiana Conference on Saturday, October 4th, 1:00 – 4:00 PM, at the State Fairgrounds in the Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion. All clergy and lay members who were elected to attend the 2008 Session this past May are the official voting members for this Special Session, too. However, if a lay reserve member attended the Purdue session in place of their lay member, the reserve would continue to be the official voting member for this session only.

The purpose of this Special Session is to hear the report of the Transition Team working to reconcile the amendments to the Imagine Indiana Report approved by both North and South Conferences, to conduct the necessary corporate business regarding the Foundation, and to elect Trustees and the Council on Finance and Administration for the new conference. This Special Session will include that business, and it will also include a time of Remembering, Worship, and Holy Communion.

All of the members and guests of the North Indiana and South Indiana Conferences will be seated together for this Special Session, but separate votes will be taken by the use of colored cards (green for North Conference and orange for South Conference). Everyone is welcome to participate in the worship times, of course, and we expect a large crowd for this historic event.

A map and parking instructions [PDF, 538kb] are available for download (parking will cost you $3 per car or bus). There will not be a special lunch time, but the concession stands will be open with a variety of foods for purchase starting at 11:00 AM. When you enter the Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion for our Special Session, please register under the signs for the North Indiana Conference. Staff will be available to provide hospitality and to direct you.

Because we expect a large crowd, we ask that you use the RSVP form (download [PDF, 538kb]) to indicate that you will attend and to indicate the number of guests you are bringing. You may either mail this card to the conference office or reply by e-mail. The Special Session will also be webcast live on the Conference website and archived for later viewing, too.

Please note: We are making an intentional effort to include youth and young adults for this event, and those who enjoy singing will be invited to come onto the stage and lead us forward with a special song. Details about that song will be posted on the conference website. A special flyer inviting youth [PDF, 172kb] is also available for download.

Come join us for this Special Session as we finalize our decisions and celebrate our future.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Michael J. Coyner, Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church