Church & Charge Conferences

Church/Charge/Circuit Conferences 2025

The annual fall Church Conferences will meet in zones again this year. Part of the purpose is to provide opportunity for the people of the churches in the zone to connect, get to know one another, and build relationships. This fall, the zoned church conferences will further this intent with some adjustments.  Read more about 2025 Church Conferences from DS John Kasper.

2025 Conference Schedule:

  • September 28
      • 2:30 pm – Zone 3: Midland – Gladwin  
        To be held at Midland County: Hope UMC (5278 N Hope Rd, Hope, MI 48628)
      • 6:00 pm – Zone 4: Arenac – Bay – Saginaw
        To be held at Essexville: St Luke’s UMC (206 Scheurmann St, Essexville, MI 48732)
  • October 5
      • 2:30 pm – Zone 2: Clare – Isabella
        To be held at Rosebush UMC (3805 School Rd, Rosebush, MI 48878)
      • 6:00 pm – Zone 1: Osceola – Mecosta
        To be held at United Methodist Ministries of Mecosta County, Big Rapids First UMC Campus (304 Elm St, Big Rapids, MI 49307)
  • October 12
      • 2:30 pm – Zone 6: Clinton – Gratiot
        To be held at St. Louis: First UMC (116 S Franklin St, Saint Louis, MI 48880)
      • 6:00 pm – Zone 5: Ionia – Montcalm
        To be held at Greenville: First UMC (204 W Cass St, Greenville, MI 48838)

Click here to read more.

2025 SPRC Schedule:

NOTE:  Pastors are not to be in attendance at SPRC meetings.

2025 Forms:

The biggest change this year is the clergy evaluations no longer have a numeric scale, and the table to report continuing education is no longer part of the form.  Other changes include:

  • The Joint Dialogue questions are slightly different.
  • Most Word forms now have the option to add an electronic signature to them.
  • The GCFA forms (Finance, Trustees, Fund Balance, Insurance) have not yet been updated with the new Book of Discipline, so we had to move forward with using the old forms again this year.
  • The Clergy Compensation Form has been revised to reflect the new Wespath Retirement Plan Compass that will begin January 1, 2026.
  • The finalized 2026 Conference Health Insurance Premiums Chart will be released after the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) meeting in September.
  • Remember that any Lay Servants who wish to remain active MUST complete their Annual Reports and be voted upon as part of the motions at the Church Conference.

Unless otherwise noted on the form instructions, your church/charge/circuit forms are due at least 2 weeks prior to your Church Conference (Clergy Evaluation forms are due at least 1 week prior to your SPRC meeting).

Church Conference Packets:

The attachments (2026 Central Bay District Budget and Leadership) linked below are for your church(es) to use in preparation for Church Conferences.  There are some district leadership spots noted with “XXX” — these are open positions.  Contact Rev. Ray Francis, District Leadership Team Chair, if you would like to nominate someone.

The Central Bay District Office does NOT require a printed hardcopy of Church Conference packets; however, your church(es) will likely produce a packet (printed or digital) for that your members can use to review materials prior to voting.  Please include the following documents:

  • 2026 Central Bay District Budget
  • 2026 Central Bay District Leadership
  • Business of the Church Conference (form)
  • Membership Report (form) + names of those who have been baptized and/or have become new members since your 2024 Church Conference
  • 2024 Church Conference Minutes (signed by Recording Secretary)
  • 2026 Nominations (form or a separate list of those nominated for leadership roles if the SAS form doesn’t fit your church’s structure)
  • Church Committee Reports (Finance/Trustees/Men’s Ministry/Women’s Ministry have forms; others as provided)
  • Pastor’s Report (no form for this – pastors are encouraged to share their Pastor’s Report in worship as well.)

These documents are NOT to be included in packets:

  • 2026 Clergy Compensation Recommendation
  • Clergy Self-Evaluation
  • SPRC Assessment of Clergy
  • SPRC & Pastor Joint Dialogue
  • Certified Lay Servant/Speaker/Minister Annual Report(s)
  • Appointment Advisory Form

Final digital packets can be emailed to Melanie Zalewski (but are not required — I am tracking using the forms checklist).

|
Central Bay District