During the last several weeks, the West Ohio Conference Planning Team has diligently researched, studied, conversed, and prayed over the 2022 Annual Conference Session. Safety, fairness, and equity have been the mainstays in those conversations. To give you just a small sampling they have: consulted with leadership in many U.S. Annual Conferences; heard the latest information and projections regarding COVID-19 and the recommended guidelines for large group meetings from our ministry partner, OhioHealth; gathered information from various vendors who provide production, electronic voting, and technology services; referred to contracts and budgets from the last several annual conference sessions; conducted a poll of annual conference members;  and studied multiple venues for alternative meeting spaces to allow social distancing.

After all the information was shared and the words of prayer were spoken, the Annual Conference Planning Team unanimously decided to move to a virtual conference on Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4.

"We understand people have a variety of opinions and understandings. Our decision is but one of many that are made daily throughout our annual conference as we discern our way forward thru this pandemic. Everyone yearns for the day when we can gather in person. Until we can do such a thing in a safe, fair, and equitable manner, may our patience with one another be a model to the overall church," said the Planning Team in a letter sent to conference members.

More information about the 2022 Annual Conference will be available soon.