Each year—traditionally in June for the North Georgia Conference—all clergy members and an equal number of lay members attend their conference’s Annual Conference session and meet together to worship, fellowship, and to conduct the business of the conference, which may last 3-5 days. During these sessions, members of the conference hear reports of past and ongoing work; adopt future goals, programs and budgets; ordain clergy members as deacons and elders; and elect delegates to Jurisdictional and General Conferences (every 4 years). The bishop presides over these meetings. The 2017 Annual Conference will begin with a lay orientation session and clergy executive session on Tuesday morning, June 13. Opening Worship will be held at 2 pm Tuesday and will be followed by the call to order of the session. Conference will conclude on Thursday, June 15. A schedule will be provided in the Annual Conference Handbook.