Published: Jan. 20, 2022

This year, the Asbury First Annual Church Conference will be held on Sunday, January 30 following the 11 am service and will be a Virtual Conference with an in-person component.
 
The Upper New York Conference informed us that if we do an “in-person” conference, the votes of the people watching on the livestream will not count. However, if we do a “virtual” conference and have the people who are in-person vote in the same way as those watching on the livestream, then everyone’s vote will count. To that end, we ask that those who plan to attend the virtual conference in-person bring a device (i.e. smartphone or tablet) to connect with our voting system. Look for more instructions on that, along with all of the Church Conference materials, next week.
 
We recognize that this will create a challenge for those who might want to be in-person, but do not have access to a device. Rest assured that we will do everything in our power to make sure that everyone who wants to vote (and is eligible) may do so. Some will also recognize that, just like last year, the virtual nature of this church conference, will mean that the work of this year’s conference will have to be ratified at some point in the future when we are able to safely gather with a fuller representation of our community.
 
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we, once again, try to balance the business of the church with the safety of the community.

— The Asbury First Staff