Consolidated Committee finalizes plans for 

An annual ‘Unity Summit'

        At the CME Convocation in Atlanta, Ga., the CME Committee to plan for a Consolidated Connectional Meeting concluded the first phase of preparation for the first meeting together of key departments and ministries of the church, beginning next year. Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Convocation Chairman, along with Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr., Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., and Bishop Teresa Snorton, led the Committee in finishing the business of laying the cornerstone for the future.

Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. Convocation Committee Chairman

          Since the conclusion of the last General Conference in July of 2010, the Committee, consisting of the College of Bishops, General Officers and Connectional leaders, has met at scheduled, regular connectional meetings to bring structure to an effort designed to streamline the fiscal and programmatic activities of the church by reducing the number of annual connectional meetings.  Meeting at the 25th Convocation, the Committee made decisions regarding core registration, format and planning team, date of the event, and name. Additional parameters and deadlines for going forward were also set.
The name of the consolidated meetings will be The CME Unity Summit, which is scheduled to first convene in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 25-29, 2012. Scheduled to conduct business at the Unity Summit are the General Connectional Board, the Women’s Missionary Executive Board, Ministry to Men and Young Adult Retreats, and the activities of what is currently known as the CME Convocation, including departmental meetings and training. Committees which will now move forward with the planning process are Finance and Budget (including registration/operations/scheduling and sponsorship subcommittees); Program Committee (including plenary, workshop and education subcommittee, and worship subcommittee); a host committee, and Public Relations Committee.