When a jurisdictional conference happens, there is a great deal of conversation that takes place informally over meals and as people are walking down hallways together. At least, that’s what happens when we meet in person for jurisdictional conference. When a special called session of the jurisdictional conference happens by zoom, there is little opportunity for those informal conversations, especially the conversations that take place between delegates and observers of the conference. So, as the College of Bishops called a special jurisdictional conference for July 17, Western Methodist Justice Movement put together an event that helped to create some informal time for conversation prior to the conference.

With a very short timeline to plan and advertise the event, a group of 4 pulled together the following: an open forum on the evening of July 15 where people could gather by zoom. During this two-hour session, participants were led in a gathering time by our host, Suanne Ware-Diaz. Small groups gathered for informal conversation and reported back on the key issues raised in the discussion. This gathering allowed a wider set of voices to participate in the conversation and provided space for the Holy Spirit to enter into the conversation.

The conversation was good and wide-ranging on exploring what we yearn and hope for in the Western Jurisdiction. Both jurisdictional delegates and others from around the jurisdiction participated in the conversations. Menti polls were created to share the information from the first breakout group. During the second breakout session, participants had an opportunity to discuss the number of bishops for the Western Jurisdiction. Notes were gathered from that discussion and shared with all participants.

To get a taste of the conversations, you can view the menti poll results online.