Welcome to the Central Conference 2025

Welcome to 23rd session of the Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Welcome to all the elected delegates and members of the conference, to the European United Methodist bishops, to our retired bishops, to bishops and leaders from our full communion partner churches, to ecumenical secretaries, to guests from the world wide denomination, and to guests from the annual conferences.

A special welcome to bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, who is the official guest from the Council of Bishops and will preside at the episcopal election.
Several guests will lead bible study and devotions.

I look forward to meeting delegates and guests, and for us to engage in Christian conferencing discerning Christ’s path for us as United Methodist in Northern Europe and Eurasia.

Due to the expected disaffiliation and upon the request of the four Eurasia annual conferences, the opening session will be in a hybrid format and include: Presentation, the vote to declare the present relationship between the United Methodist Church and the Central Russia, the Northwest Russia and Belarus Provisional, the South Russia Provisional, and the Eastern Russia and Central Asia Provisional Annual Conferences dissolved, and final greetings, prayers and goodbyes. The four Eurasia annual conferences participating online will then leave the conference to reorganize as an autonomous Methodist church, and our central conference will continue its work.

I will deliver my last episcopal address, and three laypeople will share the laity address.

We will elect a new bishop for the coming eight years.

We will discuss many reports and proposed adaptations to Book of Discipline.

We can look forward to an engaging future oriented central conference.

I am grateful to our host the Denmark annual conference and Jerusalemskirken UMC, Copenhagen. - They will bless us with music and good hospitality.

I encourage you to pray for the central conference, for our deliberations and decisions, for the candidates for the episcopacy and the episcopal election, and for the development and witness of the United Methodist Church in the Nordic, Baltic and Ukraine region.

To all of you, welcome to wonderful Copenhagen!

Bishop Christian Alsted

Welcome to Copenhagen

The Methodist Church in Denmark and the Copenhagen Methodists look forward to welcoming all the representatives and guests to Copenhagen for the 2025 Central Conference.

We hope you will have inspiring and productive days here in our beautiful city. We will try to serve with all the best we have to offer, hospitality, good food, great music and shared faith in the future of our connection.

The Methodist Church in the Copenhagen area consists of Solrød Frikirke situated South of the city, Golgata, a new faith community in Frederiksberg, Jerusalem Church in the center of Copenhagen, and The International Congregation predominantly made up off Ghanaian immigrants.

The ministries of these communities focus on music (African/American gospel) worship with children and parents, small group ministry, ministry with immigrants, scouts and a variety of worship stiles.

Copenhagen is also home to the Methodist Central Mission with both traditional and innovative programs to reach out to people in need.

We all pray that God’s grace, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the wisdom of Holy Spirit will guide your work these busy days and evenings.

Welcome in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Ole Birch