Gather 2021 facilitates annual Covenant connections through the 135th Covenant Annual Meeting, Ministerium Annual Meeting and Vocation Development, and the Ordination Service. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are meeting virtually for the first time in our history. We lament that last year’s Gather was canceled. Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to impact our ability to meet in person this year. Although we are sad that we will not be able to meet in person, we are grateful that we can gather virtually. Together we will continue to fulfill the mission of the Covenant through this important time of communal discernment.

Who Attends?

Delegates

These are the official representatives from congregations and other Covenant entities. A delegate is entitled to full voice and vote in the Annual Meeting. Delegates are elected and named by their sending body. Every congregation is entitled to representation as stipulated in the Covenant Bylaws.

How many delegates can a church send to the Annual Meeting?

According to the Covenant Bylaws, Article VII, Section 7.4, member congregations shall be entitled to representation as follows (based on the church’s 2019 Annual Statistical Report 2019 membership data provided):

• 0-99 members: 2 delegates
• 100-224 members: 3 delegates
• 225-449 members: 4 delegates
• 450-699 members: 5 delegates
• 700-999 members: 6 delegates
• 1000 + members: 7 delegates

Each delegate to the Annual Meeting shall be a member of the church and can only represent one entity.

General Conferees

A general conferee is any adult participant at Gather ’21 who is not an official delegate. General Conferees may observe the Annual Meeting silently and may receive meeting materials electronically.