Under the theme "Love Boldly," the 153rd Pacific Northwest Annual Conference gathered June 23–25 in Spokane Valley with Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth presiding. Members elected 2028 General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates, approved clergy benefits legislation, celebrated New Connections UMC's merger, ordained five clergy, commissioned one, and endorsed the "No Hate in WA State" campaign. A special session will address the unfinished 2027 budget.
In a video report, Conference Secretary Rev. Shirley DeLarme recaps the PNW Annual Conference, which gathered under the theme "Love Boldly," approving clergy compensation, disability benefits, and advance specials. Delegates celebrated New Connections UMC's formation, honored retirees, ordained new clergy, and elected delegates. Justice work, creation care, indigenous truth-telling, and accessibility remained central priorities throughout.
The second full day of the 2026 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference moved through a full agenda of worship, business, and recognition — opening with a celebration of 70 years of women's ordination and closing with the completion of the election of delegates to the 2028 General and Jurisdictional Conferences. In between, the conference honored retiring clergy, debated budgets, and voted to endorse the "No Hate in Washington State" campaign.
The 2026 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference honored three #BeUMC Award recipients whose lives and ministries embody what it means to be United Methodist — loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously. From weekly community meals to courageous acts of faithful resistance, this year's honorees demonstrate how discipleship takes root in real communities and transforms the lives of those around them.
The Pacific Northwest Annual Conference holds its 153rd session June 23–25 at Spokane Valley UMC, with livestreaming available at pnwumc.org/pnwac. Key business includes electing delegates to the 2028 General and Western Jurisdictional Conferences, processing sixteen petitions, and receiving board reports. Worship highlights include preaching from three bishops, a Memorial Service, a Celebration of Ministry Transitions, and a closing Service of the Ordering of Ministry.
Electing our lay and clergy delegates to the 2028 General and Western Jurisdictional Conferences will be a top priority when members gather for the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference in June. Before we can start our election process, we need to have nominees to elect.
Three bishops will lead worship at the 2026 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Session, gathered under the theme "Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously." Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth will preach at Opening Worship, Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank at the Memorial Service, and Bishop Mande Muyombo at the Service of the Ordering of Ministry — each bringing a distinct voice and perspective to the conference's call to bold love.
The lay members of the 2026 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference will elect an Associate Conference Lay Leader when they gather in Spokane Valley (and online) this June. The Associate Lay Leader serves on the Board of Laity and must be available to attend Annual Conference. The Associate Conference Lay Leader works closely with the Conference Lay Leader to lead the Board of Laity and fulfill other responsibilities. More information can be found in the PNW Conference Rules (Rule VI, Sec. 3. e.)
Interested individuals are invited to contact PNW Conference Lay Leader Falisha Hola (falishahola@gmail.com) with questions about the role.
The election will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd, during the Laity Session. Nominees may digitally submit a flyer (up to one single letter-sized page) to be included in the pre-Conference Handbook prior to May 1st. Flyers should be submitted to Kathy Hogg at khogg@pnwumc.org.
Nominations may also be made from the floor during that session. All nominees must be willing to serve and present—in person or online—to be included on the ballot.
The Pacific Northwest Annual Conference, in partnership with United Methodist Communications, is pleased to announce the #BeUMC Awards.
The #BeUMC Awards recognize individuals and congregations who exemplify the spirit and mission of the United Methodist Church: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Recipients of this award also reflect our shared UMC vision – to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
Each year, every Annual Conference is invited to take part and present awards to:
One outstanding lay person
One outstanding clergy
One outstanding congregation
These new recognitions will be given for the first time at the 2026 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference, which will take place June 23-25, 2026, at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church.
Nominations for the 2026 awards are now open and can be submitted online using this form. The nomination deadline is April 15.
We encourage all Pacific Northwest United Methodists to nominate a clergy member, a lay person, or a congregation, and to help us, as a conference, lift up our stories of faith, service, and leadership that inspire the wider connection and bear witness to what it means to #BeUMC today.
For more information, please contact Director of Communication Patrick Scriven at pscriven@pnwumc.org.
United Methodists from across the Pacific Northwest gathered for #PNWAC25 to worship, reconnect, and discern together what it means to be “Blessed and Broken.” From heartfelt sermons and retiree celebrations to bold decisions on justice and inclusion, the Spirit was moving among the people.
