Due to COVID-19, Indiana United Methodist leadership made the difficult decision to hold our 2020 Indiana Annual Conference virtually, as they were committed to “Do no harm.”
Members were encouraged to participate in Annual Conference through a Zoom webinar. A few members opted to participate at regional sites: College Avenue UMC (Muncie), LaPorte First UMC, Wesley Chapel Floyds Knobs.
At the Indiana Wesleyan University site, extra precautions were taken to ensure health and safety. Members sat with rows and seats between them to ensure social distancing. The podium was cleaned after each speaker.
Between the morning and afternoon sessions, the Chapel was sanitized.
Hand sanitizing stations were placed on stage so that Bishop Trimble could clean his hands before laying hands on those being ordained/commissioned.
A plastic shield was placed between Bishop Trimble and those being commissioned/ordained to minimize the risk of spreading germs as bishop laid on hands and prayed.
Traditionally, those being commissioned have a group photo taken with Bishop Trimble. This year, individual photos were taken instead.
The 2020 Indiana Annual Conference proved to be a year like no other as members worked to “Do no harm” by meeting virtually and having safety precautions in place.