Annual Conference members voted for delegates to attend 2008 General and Jurisdictional Conferences. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung led Annual Conference members in prayer, saying, “Discernment is key to God’s work. Be open to new possibilities, new ways of leading the church. Let your minds be inquiring and searching and your hearts open.”

Throughout the voting process, a team of election monitors observed all conference proceedings for sensitivity to inclusion and diversity. Frequent reports were made by the monitoring team on progress toward gender, race/ethnic, age and geographic diversity in election of delegates.

2008 General Conference Delegates

Laity
Roger Curless, Wesley United Methodist Church – Aurora, IL
Harriett McCabe, Grace United Methodist Church – Naperville, IL
Irma Clark, St. James United Methodist Church – Chicago, IL
Jack Ryder, First United Methodist Church – LaGrange, IL
Ana Kelsey-Powell, Morgan Park United Methodist Church - Chicago, IL

Clergy
Rev. James Preston, Northern Illinois Conference - Northwestern District Superintendent
Rev. Deborah Fisher, Grace United Methodist Church – Lake Bluff, IL
Rev. Tracy Smith-Malone, Gary Memorial United Methodist Church – Wheaton, IL
Rev. Margaret Ann Crain, Associate Professor of Christian Education - Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
Rev. Ouk-Yean Kim Jueng, Northern Illinois Conference – Rockford District Superintendent

2008 Jurisdictional Delegates

Laity
Judy Siaba, Humboldt Park United Methodist Church – Chicago, IL
Matthew Kuzma, Holy Covenant United Methodist Church – Chicago, IL
Mark Manzi, St. Andrew United Methodist Church – Carol Stream, IL
Elisa Gatz, Wesley United Methodist Church – Sterling, IL
Pong Javier, Cosmopolitan United Methodist Church – Chicago, IL

Clergy
Rev. Larry Pickens, General Secretary, General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
Rev. Alka Lyall, First United Methodist Church – Freeport, IL
Rev. Oscar Carrasco, Northern Illinois Conference - Elgin District Superintendent
Rev. Juancho Campanano, Wesley United Methodist Church - Aurora, IL
Rev. Luis Reyes, First United Methodist Church – Bensenville, IL

Alternate Delegates

Laity
David Braden, Holy Covenant United Methodist Church - Chicago, IL
Charla Antrobus, Sycamore United Methodist Church – Sycamore, IL

Clergy
Rev. Pamela Lightsey, Dean of Students, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
Rev. Martin Lee, Northern Illinois Conference, Director of Congregational Development and Re-Development