Special Called Session of Annual Conference

An Invitation to a Special Session of the Annual Conference

Bishop Robert Schnase

Dear Clergy and Laity of the Rio Texas Annual Conference,

In accordance with ¶603.5 of The United Methodist Book of Discipline, I hereby

call for a special session of the Rio Texas Annual Conference on Saturday,

December 2, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The special session will be

conducted in person and shall include and be limited to the following business:

• Voting on the Rio Texas Conference Board of Trustees’ recommendations for the churches disaffiliating per the provisions of ¶2553.

I want to encourage you to attend this meaningful special session of the annual

conference. We will need to do our business, but we see this as a wonderful

opportunity to reenforce our identity and embrace our future with a teaching

session from a gifted clergy in the connection, Rev. Matt Miofsky. In addition,

join us for an inspirational worship service and holy communion with Bishop
Laura Merrill.

Please watch the video invitation below.

Peace,

Bishop Robert Schnase

Rio Texas Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church

Important Details to Consider About the Special Called Session

Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 10 a.m - 1 p.m.

• WHO – Everyone is welcome! Delegates will need to check-in to receive a ballot. The short business portion is for voting delegates who attended the June 2023 Annual Conference in Corpus Christi via ¶602.5. Detailed instructions and registration for delegates are available online.

• WHAT – This is a Special Called Session of Annual Conference and is being called to accommodate the congregations who have completed the discernment steps.
• WHERE – Alamo Heights UMC in San Antonio. 825 E. Basse Rd. San Antonio, TX 78209
• WHEN – December 2nd at 10am to 1pm. We are anticipating a gathering of approximately three hours. Learning and worshiping in the Sanctuary will be part of the experience.
• WHY – We anticipate enough congregations will have completed the discernment process for disaffiliation and this is a needed step. (Discerning Pathways Disaffiliation Documents — Rio Texas Annual Conference). Additional opportunities to complete this step will be offered as appropriate.
• Conference trustees will need to have all paperwork submitted to the conference office by November 18, 2023 for those congregations to be considered for recommendation to the called special under ¶2553. District superintendents have a detailed checklist of the required paperwork.