Annual Conference 2014 -- Digital communication is dominant aspect

By HOLLY McCRAY

On May 26-29, Annual Conference delegates will meet in the state’s capital city to worship and conduct business at two locations: OKC-St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and UM-affiliated Oklahoma City University.

About 1,200 people are expected to attend.

Digital communication is a dominant aspect of the meeting. The Annual Conference information hub is:

www.okumc.org/annual_conference

"The planning team is intentionally moving to a more paperless event, for efficiency and environmental reasons," said Joe Harris, Annual Conference secretary and director of communications.

• Register online to attend

You can sign up now. Go online to the hub and click the "Registration" button.

The form simplifies signing up for any person attending. It’s a one-stop site, with options to make meal reservations, enroll for YAC (Youth at Conference) and childcare, donate to the special offering, and more.

The dedicated team that will process your form encourages your careful attention as you fill it out.

You must make your own lodging plans. Find information on the hub: "Hotel Information" and "OCU Lodging." Deadlines apply.

The Tower Hotel (formerly Marriott OKC), 3233 Northwest Expressway, is the primary Conference hotel. Another option is OCU, which offers rooms in United Methodist Hall and meal plans.

• Pre-Conference Workbook in digital format

A delegate will not receive a print copy unless ordering it on the registration form. Price is $15. Now in production, the Workbook will be posted online for viewing or downloading to your personal digital device. You may print it if you wish.

• Bring your personal digital device

Wireless connectivity is being expanded for the Freede Wellness Center at OCU, to accommodate the growing preference to connect digitally. Your response to the final question on the registration form will assist that planning.

Open seating at the Freede Center is planned this year, rather than seating delegates in district groups. Designated areas will permit limited "emergency" charging of digital devices.

For those delegates that require printed material, a reserved seating area will be designated, for easier distribution of paper copies.

• Live streaming

Live streaming of the worship and business sessions again will be available. A high-speed Internet connection is crucial. The link will be activated through the hub when Annual Conference begins.

Invite your friends at home to watch and learn about United Methodism during this week! They can join in virtual worship and gain education about Oklahoma UM connectional ministries that make a difference in the name of Christ.

• Clergy, schedule your portrait session now

Go online to the hub and choose "Lifetouch Photos."

The company Lifetouch Church Directories will create a new, professional clergy directory for the Conference. Photo sessions are for clergy only. All clergy are requested to participate. Each will receive free wallet-size photos and a directory.

• Digitally challenged?

Delegates who have trouble with online registrations or Internet access are encouraged to contact their local-church office or District Office for assistance. Retired clergy who have trouble may contact Jan Polson in the United Methodist Ministry Center, 405-530-2064.