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Theme, dates and location set as planning for 2025 PNW Annual Conference begins in earnest

The Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Sessions Planning Team recently met to begin their work, preparing and planning this summer’s session. In addition to learning this year’s conference theme, they considered and approved a venue change and a modest modification to the announced conference dates.

During the meeting, PNW Executive Director of Connectional Ministries Rev. David Valera shared that Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth had chosen a theme for the 2025 conferences across the Greater Northwest Area. The theme is “Blessed and Broken,” based on the story of feeding the 5,000 as found in Luke’s Gospel (9:12-17). Just like the disciples, we are called to bring what we have to the table and to recognize that God’s blessing may work in ways that defy our scarcity thinking. 

New location and revised dates

Planning team members also received and approved a plan to move the location of the 2025 PNW Annual Conference Session. As we concluded our time in Richland last summer, it was announced that the 2025 PNW Annual Conference was expected to occur on the conference’s east side again, with Inland and Seven Rivers District Superintendent Rev. Daniel Miranda extending an invitation.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the planned return to the east side has been postponed until 2026. Puget Sound District Superintendent Rev. Mark Galang invited the team to host the 2025 PNW Annual Conference at Bothell United Methodist Church. Conference staff have already been in conversation with the church, and the leadership at Bothell UMC is excited to welcome conference members to their church in June.

The planning team also approved a preliminary schedule for the 2025 annual conference session, which is a modest change from the dates anticipated at the close of the 2024 session. The team is planning for the conference session to begin early on Thursday, June 26 and conclude midday on Saturday, June 28. Initially, members were asked to expect the conference to start on Thursday and conclude on Sunday. Space will be available in the church on Wednesday for conference boards and agencies planning to meet or sponsor pre-conference gatherings.

Report and petition deadline reminders

The planning team also wants to remind people of several upcoming conference-related deadlines established in our rules. 

Reports from conference board and agency chairs are due to the PNW Conference Office by Monday, April 1, 2025, for inclusion in the Pre-Conference Handbook. Please submit your reports by email to Kathy Hogg (khogg@pnwumc.org).

Finally, petitions/recommendations for the 2025 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Session must be in the Conference Office by Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Per conference rules, resolutions submitted by this date shall be included in the Pre-Conference Handbook (PCH), which will be available in May. Accepted petitions will also be included in the PCH to allow members to read and discern prayerfully before arriving at annual conference. A form is available to assist members in submitting their legislation in compliance with conference rules.


Patrick Scriven

Patrick Scriven serves as Director of Communications for the Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church.