Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiGeneral Conference Commission (GCC)
April 28, 2026
9am EST
Voting Members Present: Sterling Allen, Shalom Azabe, Tim Beardsley, Mary Blagojevich, Beth Ann Cook, Elie Diko, Jeff Greenway, Joy Griffin, Tsvetan Iliev, James Kawadza, Chipau Audu Kilyobas, Bridget Kirk, Carol Loeb, Norma Morrison, Davies Musigo, Bill Patrick, Charles Puno, Stacy Taylor
Non-Voting Members Present: Laura Ballinger, Ginger Barbee, Rhonda Bourgeois, Lyndsey Clark, Mike Grant, Becci Wood
Not Present: Dianne Burnett, César Gazza, Tom Lambrecht, Tesia Mallory, Nicolas Munongo, Lamar Oliver, Mack Parker, Mike Schafer, Jay Therrell, Molly Williams
Opening Devotion: Beth Ann and Prayer: Norma
Minutes: Approved with correction: change “only a delegation” to “only an Annual Conference can remove a delegate” 12-0
Connectional Council Report, Mike Schafer:
• No report
Event Project Manager, Becci:
• Does the GCC have a preference for opening up registration to Observers? Max is 1300 and we currently have the potential for 1100 registrants.
• Becci and Tom suggest allowing 20 persons daily to attend on a first come first serve basis; and 5 more persons from each Annual Conference. Discussion around how these 5 persons would be selected - Conference Superintendents or Conference Connectional Council?
• MOTION by Jeff, seconded by Sterling that we open up registration to all on a first come first serve basis and hold twenty (20) spots for local walk ins each day. Registration would be open until all spaces are filled. Approved 14-1-1 • In person team meeting - agenda forthcoming - begins at 6:00pm
Finance, Molly:
• The Finance Team recommends that we purchase 1,300 t-shirts for $15,000 to give away at General Conference to be funded from the contingency.
• Designed by Pateka Nomapelo Maka from South Africa
• Due to the contract with HiCorp and the GMC store potentially not coming to Johannesburg, the t-shirts can’t be sold, they must be given away. • APPROVED 11-2-1
International Relations, Elie:
• Elie travelled to the DRC to discuss VISA applications. Attendees from the DRC must apply as a group.
• Met the Nigerian ambassador “in passing” in South Africa and sent him the list of names of delegates, alternates and volunteers. Nigerians will also will apply in a group. Response was positive. Thanks to Chipau and the Conference Superintendent for helping communicate. The cost for VISA fee in Nigeria is around 45 USD, 60,000 Naira.
Translation/Interpretation, Bill:
• KUDO launch at the Episcopal candidate orientation went well, but not 100% perfectly.
• Roberto Chaple (member of the sub team and Spanish speaker) is not able to attend GC
• Team is looking to see if they can adequately cover Interpretation needs with who they have.
Hospitality/Volunteers, Stacy:
• Double checked where GCC members will be during GC - in case they’re needed to help somewhere.
Missions, Tim:
• Chad Yoder (member of Mission’s Team) is moving to Uganda to be a permanent missionary. Prayers for him and his family.
• Deposit is paid for Uncle Tom’s Community Center.
• No construction projects
• May have some shipping costs for VBS kits
• Tim will let Norma know Mission Experience opportunities for the agenda.
Prayer, Laura:
• Prayer guides are all online and translated.
• Discussion regarding prayer rails/kneelers to use for consecration. Elie has been looking into someone who could make some at a cost of 6000 rand (around $362 USD) for two pieces; James has sourced someone to make 8 for $1600 USD - and is working with the Worship team and Chris Ritter (Ecumenical Commission). Beth Ann offered to donate $400 toward the cost of these in honor of her dad, Art Cook. This was graciously accepted.
Housing/Logistics, James:
• James needs to know what is being sent ahead to Johannesburg, so that he can find a place to store the items.
Worship Team, Tesia:
• No report
Legislation, Tom:
• No report
Agenda, Norma:
• No report
Petitions, Lamar:
• No report
Sponsorships, Mack:
• No report
Communications, Dianne:
• No report
Credentialing/Registration, Carol:
• No report
Assembly of Bishops, Bishop Greenway:
• No report
Next meeting: Tuesday, May 12 , 2026 at 9am EST Motion to adjourn by James, seconded by Bridget. Approved 13-0 Meeting closed in prayer.
Minutes submitted by Stacy Taylorze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.