Calling and Faithfulness - and a Longing for Renewal

From May 28 to 30, 2026, the Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in Poland met in Paprotnia (near Warsaw).
 
“Where does God want to lead us as UMC? Who do we want to be – and what should our church look like in the coming years? How can we live out our mission and be close to people? Are we witnesses of Jesus Christ – or are we merely observers?” A lively exchange took place on these and other questions at this year’s Annual Conference of the UMC in Poland. To involve as many people as possible, small discussion groups were formed. For Esther Stauffer, who had traveled to Poland as a delegate of the Switzerland-France-North Africa Annual Conference, these conversations were, on the one hand, an impressive form of open communication. On the other hand, however, they were also an expression of a longing for a church that is blossoming anew.
 
Questions about the present and future of the UMC in Poland also resonated in the report by Leading Superintendent Andrzej Malicki – though he also emphasized the personal dimension: a calling is not a personal ambition, but is rooted in a personal encounter with God. And the church needs people who are faithful to God, who allow themselves to be sent by Him, and who live out their respective callings in everyday life. With a renewed heart and a life shaped by the values of Jesus Christ.
 
A controversial topic was the reorganization of the charge conferences. On the one hand, cautionary voices were heard, warning that, for example, “the dissolution of a congregation is a one-way ticket.” On the other hand, stories of hope were also shared, such as that of a congregation that, by human standards, had been on the verge of dying. After a time of prayer, however, new people suddenly joined, and eventually a second congregation was even able to be established.
 
The fact that there is a shortage of pastors in the UMC Poland is also a reality. Although the church maintains a theological seminary that produces an average of one graduate per year, not all of these individuals enter full-time ministry in the UMC. Consequently, there are currently discussions about raising the age limit for appointments.
 
Encouraging examples of church life emerged in the numerous reports from the commissions and working groups:
 
• For the first time in a long while, a national winter camp for children was held.
• Numerous men participated in a three-day hiking camp.
• A pastoral hotline was operated for people with addiction issues and their families.
• 14 congregations continue to support people in and from Ukraine.
• A total of 12 programs and worship services were broadcast by radio and television programs with national reach. In addition, there are also regular contributions from the UMC on local and regional radio stations.
 
The church’s financial situation is challenging. Many questions are currently being raised, particularly in light of properties that are in some cases in dire need of renovation, but also given declining project support from abroad. One potential solution is to attempt to generate more revenue through better utilization of church properties.
 
Also for financial reasons, and additionally to streamline the leadership structure, the Annual Conference decided to reduce the number of districts from four to three. To lighten the load on the leading superintendent, Andrzej Malicki, Superintendent Adrian Myśliński has now been made co-responsible for the Central District.
 
But there are not only challenges, according to Esther Stauffer. She has also experienced much love and devotion from people who gave of themselves and – sometimes with very simple means – trusted in God to do what they could.
 
In addition to the meeting sessions, the times of celebration were important elements of the conference: the opening worship service with Holy Communion, the memorial service for brothers and sisters who had passed away during the past conference year, and a time dedicated to those celebrating anniversaries. The Annual Conference concluded with the sending forth into the new conference year – for the first time, incidentally, as early as Saturday afternoon.  
 
Source: Esther Stauffer / Urs Schweizer, Assistant to the Bishop
 
Photo © Pastor Damian Szczepanczyk: District Superintendent Adrian Myslinski (left) and Pastor Wojciech Ostrowski from Warsaw UMC (right)