Laity Know-Before Email #2

May 14

Want to receive Annual Conference updates and reminders during the session via text? Text MOAC to 844-461-1474 to get on the list.

MOAC26 is just around the corner! This is the second of three know-before-you-go emails that will be sent ahead of Annual Conference. Miss our last email? View it here! Read on for more details and don’t forget to check out www.MOACinfo.com for all your Annual Conference-related needs.

Conference Workbook Now Available

The MOAC26 Conference Workbook is now available to view and download at www.MOACinfo.com/downloads. We will not be printing copies of the Workbook but invite you to print a copy of your own if print is your preferred format. The Conference Workbook contains logistical details, reports from Methodist institutions and business, including:

The agenda is available, too!

We know you’ve been itching to get your hands on the full agenda. It’s available in a few different formats at www.MOACinfo.com/events. The special meals schedule is available on that page as well.

Pre-Conference Briefing

Join us at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 21 (one week from today!), on our Facebook page or on www.MOACinfo.com/watch for our virtual Pre-Conference Briefing. Bishop Farr and ministry leaders will share updates ahead of our Annual Conference Session in June. See the agenda and watch the livestream at www.MOACinfo.com/events/pre-conference-briefing.

Special Gathering Opportunities

4th Day Communities Gathering
All members of 4th Day Communities (Cursillo, Camino, Walk to Emmaus, The Great Banquet, etc.) are invited to an informal gathering over the lunch break on Saturday, June 6. We will meet in the Calhoun Room on the third floor of the Embassy Suites property. This will give us an opportunity to meet others from different communities and build a stronger relationship between all of us. Finger foods and beverages will be provided. For information contact Kirk Duncan at 3sqroot@gmail.com.

LGBTQ Breakfast Invitation
If you are a member of the LGBTQ community and would like to be included in an invitation-only breakfast during Annual Conference, we’d love to make sure you’re on the list. Please reach out to Heather Dease (hdease@moumethodist.org) for more information or to request an invitation. This gathering is designed as a space for connection, encouragement and mutual support as we prepare for the work of Conference together.

Black Laity and Clergy Collective Gathering
Registration for this dinner was included in the Annual Conference registration form. Join us at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 5, for dinner, worship and planning. Make sure you claim a seat at this important event by May 15!

Workshops

Workshops are back this year at Annual Conference! You can sign up for workshops or check what workshop you signed up for through your Annual Conference registration.

We still have six workshops with seats remaining that you can register for:

A Church Brave Enough to Heal: Practical Pathways for Churches to Support Community Presented by Rev. Charity Goodwin and Ashley Pondoff
Advocacy 101: How a Justice Ministry Can Transform Your Church and Community Presented by Trish Gunby
Living as Salt and Light in God’s Mission: Practicing Mutuality and Solidarity Presented by David McCormick
Mission Trips as Discipleship Presented by Rev. Dr. Chris Reyes
Spreadsheets and Sanctuaries: Salt and Light Behind the Scenes Presented by Rev. Andy Blacksher
Strategic Ministry Planning: Why Clarity Matters for Being Salt and Light Presented by Rev. Brett Reith

You can learn more about workshops at www.moacinfo.com/workshops.

Lay Events at Annual Conference

Is this your first time attending Annual Conference as a lay member? Make sure to register for the FREE first-time laity lunch! This year's lunch will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 5. Lunch registration is a part of your Annual Conference registration. Additionally, on the current agenda, the Lay Session for all lay members will be at 4:45 p.m. on Friday, June 5.

Parking and Dining in St. Charles

Related to dining, the St. Charles Convention Center is proximate to the Streets of St. Charles as well as historic downtown St. Charles. Both areas have several restaurants. If you are concerned about wait times for a table, make sure to call the restaurant ahead to see if they take reservations for large groups or utilize a waitlist app. There will be light lunch options available through the Compass Café in the St. Charles Convention Center.

Regarding parking, for those staying at the Embassy Suites, there is parking on the hotel side. For attendees staying offsite at other hotels or lodging, there is ample free, uncovered parking onsite at the Convention Center.
Use these resources as you plan your weekend in St. Charles:

St. Charles Dining Guide
Specials Meals Schedule
Please note: Most special meals are invitation only.

Ways to Prepare for Conference

Offerings
During our 2026 Conference Session, we’ll take up two offerings – one during the Service of Recognition on Saturday and one during Celebration of Ministry on Sunday. Read up on where the monies will be directed and how you can give at www.moacinfo.com/offerings.

Accessibility at Annual Conference
We’re excited to continue to offer accessibility services this year in St. Charles. We plan to offer captioning as well as assisted listening devices for the duration of the Session. ASL interpretation services, large-print materials and wheelchairs are available upon request. Want to learn more? Reach out to us via our contact form.

Returning This Year: A Prayground!
Praygrounds are dedicated spaces in the sanctuary where young disciples can engage in worship in age-appropriate ways. Praygrounds usually have room for kids to get up and move around, tables where they can color or read, and sensory toys to help keep their hands engaged. At MOAC26, the prayground will be in the front right corner of the plenary space. Read more

Recycling and EarthKeeper Opportunities at Annual Conference

The EarthKeeper booth at Annual Conference will be collecting used batteries, old writing utensils and clean plastic bags for free recycling. The booth will be located near the MOAC Office, just outside the doors to the main plenary area. Keep your eyes open for paper recycling containers near the Exhibit Hall as well.

Eligible Batteries: most small batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt), hearing aid type batteries, rechargeable and not rechargeable batteries will be accepted.
Eligible Writing Utensils: pens, mechanical pencils, markers, highlighters, caps, wooden pencils and crayons.
Eligible Clean Plastic Bags: plastic shopping bags, produce bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, bubble wrap, air pillows, product wrap (e.g., from paper towels, toilet paper), zipper-top food storage bags and plastic shipping envelopes (labels removed).

The booth will also have free samples of compostable, Keurig-style, single-serve coffee pods. Each pod includes a promo code for a 15% discount.
For more information about recycling in your area, sustainable coffee programs at your church or other related information, please free to reach out to the following Missouri EarthKeepers:

A More Sustainable Conference Session
Grow in creation justice by adopting one or two eco-friendly practices while at Annual Conference! Missouri EarthKeepers offer these easy tips:

Refill and Reuse: Bring a reusable water bottle, coffee mug, shopping bag and snack containers. The Convention Center offers free water refill stations and recycling bins throughout the property.
Go Low-Waste: Try solid toiletries, bamboo toothbrushes and reusable razors to cut down on plastic.
Travel Smarter: Pack light, carpool when possible and choose accommodations that prioritize sustainability.

Let’s care for creation together — one small change at a time! Learn more about EarthKeepers at umcmission.org/earthkeepers.

Questions? Contact us via our contact form.