Three representatives from the Horizon Texas Conference attended the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering in Calgary from Oct. 20 to 24. They are Rachel Shipley Blackwell, Rev. Dr. Chad Johnson and Melissa Clay. The event brought United Methodists from different countries, cultures and generations together to consider what kind of church the denomination wants to become.
Participants worshipped together, built relationships and met in covenant groups. The groups worked to name challenges facing the church and to imagine new practices. Shipley Blackwell described the event as a visioning retreat. "We're not legislating. We're not voting on anything," she said. Johnson said his covenant group asked what is working, what is not working and who is not present in the church's congregations and denomination.
Participants were placed in covenant groups with United Methodists from other regions and contexts. Shipley Blackwell said the experience showed her the church's worldwide connection. "It is one thing to know that we are a connectional church and another entirely to see it in action," she said.