Annual Conference 2022 Registration Information
News
Dear Annual Conference Members and Retirees,The 2022 Annual Conference Session is quickly approaching. Please note, the Missouri Annual Conference 2022 is scheduled for Saturday, June 11–Sunday, June 12, in Branson, Missouri. After 15 years in Springfield, Bishop Farr and the Cabinet moved the session to the Branson Hilton Convention Center. This year, the session is being planned as a two-day event with an optional learning day on Friday, June 10, packed with great workshop options focused on the conference theme, “Greater Things.” The workshops are planned for in-person attendance only and will not be livestreamed or recorded. Lunch is included in Friday’s workshop registration.
Bishop Farr expressed a desire to gather together as one body after two years. Thanks to vaccinations and proper protocols, he and Conference leaders feel confident that an in-person gathering can occur in June. The annual conference design team will continue to follow CDC and local guidelines, as they have for the past two years. It is expected that mask-wearing and social distancing may still be recommended.
Our hope is that every person come away from Annual Conference energized and excited about our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. During our time together, you will receive new ideas to take back home, and hear differing perspectives and be motivated for ministry in your context. You can view the draft agenda at www.moacinfo.com.
Registration: Registration is online www.moacinfo.com. Payment will be required at the time of registration. Event registration will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8.
If you are unable to pay for any reason, please contact the registrar (Heather Birge, hbirge@moumethodist.org, 3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202). Early registration of $135 is due no later than May 1. Please register early and online if possible. This allows for better planning and a smoother conference session. Late fees will apply to any registrations postmarked or made online after that date.
As a retiree or student pastor not serving a church, your registration fee if registered before May 1 is $0. If you register after May 1, you will be charged a $40 late fee for registration.
Please note that the Conference Journal is not included with registration. If you do wish to receive a journal, please indicate this on the appropriate line of the registration form, adding $40.00 to your registration fee for a paper version. The Journal is available free on the Conference website in pdf form once published. If you are not attending the session but want a journal, you MUST pre-order it and pay the appropriate fees. In an effort to be good stewards, we will not print “extra” journals.
Meals: There will be concessions available at the Branson Hilton Convention Center for your convenience. Most participants walk or drive to offsite lunch locations.
Saturday evening will be a free night for clergy while our laity session will be offered for lay members. The lay session will include dinner.
On Sunday morning the United Methodist Women will have their 15th Annual Walk for Missions. It will start at 6:45 a.m. at the Branson Landing.
Childcare will be provided during conference activities and is available for children from birth through completion of 8th grade (registration form at www.MOACinfo.com). The deadline for childcare registration is May 1. Safe Gatherings guidelines require certified staff in specified child to adult ratios. Please register early! We cannot accept registrations for childcare after the deadline due to the difficulty of securing certified help for the hours required. There is a limit to capacity for the childcare option. Please register early. Childcare safety protocols will follow health department protocols related to COVID-19.
Lodging: We have contracted with various hotels in Branson. Please go to www.MOACinfo.com for detailed hotel information. There is not a group housing system in Branson, so reservations will be made by the individual directly with the hotel property. Registration for the session is separate from your hotel reservation. Hotel reservations will be open on Wednesday, February 16, 9 a.m.
2022 Virtual Pre-Conference Briefing will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2022, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. that will include reports with non-voting matters and a preview of the upcoming session. There will be options to watch live as well as a recorded option. More details to come.
If you have received this mailing as a Lay Member from your congregation and someone else will be attending, please pass this information along (quickly!) to that person and ask your pastor to notify your district office so they may make the change in the listing of local church officers.
Between now and June 11, we will be sending occasional emails that answer a variety of frequently asked questions (FAQs). FAQs can also be found at MOACinfo.com. If you did not receive the first email from us and you have an email address, please send your address to hbirge@moumethodist.org. We will be sure you are added to the list so you can benefit from the additional information. Be sure to tell us your name and the church you represent.
Upon arriving in Branson for the Annual Conference on Saturday, please come to the Branson Hilton Convention Center for your conference registration. Most hotel check-in times are 3:00 PM and your room may not be ready. You will be required to guarantee your reservation with a credit card, but this should insure that your room is held for late arrival. Conference registration will be open in the Convention Center on Friday, June 10 at 8 a.m. for those attending the Friday Learning Day, and at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 11.
We look forward to seeing you in Branson this June!
Annual Conference Sessions Committee