FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2026
Glenview, Ill — The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) has released a monitoring report regarding the Virtual Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering. This virtual event precedes the October 20-24 event to be held in Calgary, Canada, later this year. GCSRW is mandated by the United Methodist Book of Discipline ¶2101 to monitor for “inclusiveness in the programmatic and administrative functioning of The United Methodist Church.”
“While this event was formatted in an iteration that GCSRW has not quite monitored before, our ability to be nimble and flexible with procuring and training monitors ensures that we are able to effectively carry out our work,” stated Rev. Katrena King, director of monitoring and resource development.
The April 25 virtual gathering involved 15 small breakout groups that required simultaneous monitoring. The report provides details about these small group discussions, participant demographics, observations regarding participation and leadership, as well as successes and challenges encountered throughout the process.
In February, GCSRW joined the Design Team for the 2026 Leadership Gathering and has worked to integrate monitors as seamlessly as possible. With the virtual portion of the event complete, the agency can now shift its focus toward the in-person aspects of monitoring within a unique space involving numerous small groups.
King further shared, “In a way, the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering allows GCSRW the opportunity to pilot new monitoring tools and resources that can lead to implementing institution-wide best practices. With General Conference 2028 approaching, we are able to be attuned to how monitoring can continue to evolve.”
This report is intended to be the first of several connected to the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering, as the October event will consist of multiple days of conversation focused on the future of The United Methodist Church.
Individuals and conferences seeking additional support related to monitoring are encouraged to utilize GCSRW’s Monitoring Toolkit as a training and reference guide.
GCSRW extends sincere appreciation to the volunteer monitors who stepped into this work with only a week of advance notice. The agency is grateful for the commitment and leadership of Sheila, Sophia, Emily, Joscelyn, Joe D., Sylvia, Kelli, Joe K., Grace, Kalamba, Angel, Lorrin, Galen, and Gray. Their contributions were invaluable to this work.