Conference representatives from across the South Central Jurisdiction (SCJ) converged on downtown El Paso on January 19-21, 2026. The New Mexico Conference was the host of the event. Bishop Carlo and El Paso DS, Rev. Dr. Pam Rowley warmly welcomed participants on behalf of the Conference. Rev. Dr. Rowley serves on the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy.

Bishop Carlo reflected on the gathering: “To have ‘all things in common’ as the theme of this event suggests, is really what all of us United Methodists, not just those of us in the SCJ, should be working towards. Lifted from Acts 2 and the description of the early church, the theme invites us to live into the true essence of what it means to be a connectional church and that is to acknowledge that our systems and structures have different gifts and resources but we need to hold all of those together for the sake of the whole. It was an honor to represent the New Mexico Conference in those conversations.”

In the midst of this work, the Futuring Taskforce and the Committee on Episcopacy continued to contend with issues around conference boundaries, number of bishops and what responsibilities of bishops will be. We anticipate that the results of their work will be shared as soon as this coming fall. Bishop Carlo, Pam and Rev. Ross Whiteaker are representing our Conference in this work.

Kathy Jewell, who serves not only as the NM Conference Lay Leader but also as the Jurisdictional Lay Leader said, “It seemed like the gathering was so very inclusive! Bishops, Clergy, Laity, Staff all had a voice and were listened to. With gatherings like this, we connect with our conference stories to engage with other conferences. Our common love that really brought us together was LPI. The students and staff shared their stories and gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the ministry of LPI.” Kathy shared a project with the gathering members where several El Paso churches were working with LPI to share their stories with a broader audience.

As part of our time together, we toured LPI and some attendees participated in the border walk. The LPI students graced us with the music of their praise band and also their mariachi band. We enjoyed their exuberant and faith-filled worship services.

Organizers provided a number of opportunities for guided conversation and networking. Alli Newsom, Communications Director and Executive Assistant to Bishop Carlo served on the planning team for the first discussion including the A2B’s, DCM’s, Treasurers and Communications Directors who often don’t have the opportunity to discuss issues across roles and conference boundaries. The conversations were thought-provoking and reinforced the work that we can do together going forward

Alli said, “While each of the conferences has their own joys and their own struggles, we share many in common. It was helpful to hear how other conferences have solved issues that we also experience. We left with a deeper sense of what being connectional means and how that manifests in a practical sense. Our Jurisdictional brothers and sisters are available to help us do our best work for the Conference. Being with the students and teachers at LPI always gives me hope.”

Other attendees were Dr. Susan Brumbaugh, who serves on the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy and Griselda Sandoval, Treasurer/Statistician.