Reports from across our United Methodist connection this week:
Diverse group hears plans, and 2020 General Conference planning

Diverse group of United Methodists explores separation

Photo of the theologically diverse group of United Methodists seeking a way to resolve the current impasse in church discipline.

HERNDON, VA:  A group of theologically diverse United Methodists met at Floris United Methodist Church in Virginia on Friday and Saturday to continue seeking a way to resolve the impasse on the ordination of LGBTQ members and the blessing of same-gender marriages in the denomination.

Organized by bishops from Central Conferences, the meeting was attended by Tom Berlin and Junius Dotson, representing Centrists; Jan Lawrence and Randall Miller, representing Progressives; and Patricia Miller and Keith Boyette; representing the Conservatives.

Also, in attendance were Bishop John Yambasu, Bishop Christian Alsted, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey and Bishop Thomas Bickerton. Bishop Gregory Palmer and Bishop Ciriaco Francisco were invited to the meeting but were unable to attend.

Joris Brombach, a layperson from Germany, was also in attendance, representing Central Conference lay and clergy. Two other persons from Mozambique and the Philippines were invited to the meeting but were unable to attend.

During the candid and prayerful discussions, the group agreed that it seems inevitable that there will be some form of separation of the church as a way to resolve the impasse.

The participants listened to presentations from some of the plans that were being discussed, including the Indianapolis and the UMC Next plans, both which offer separation as gracious ways for the future of the church.

In upcoming meetings, the group hopes to reach a consensus of what might be the future of the denomination by using a professional, non-United Methodist mediator to help in navigating the differences.

Plans for 2020 General Conference Nearing Completion

Commission chair Kim Simpson, left, confers with the Rev. Gary Graves, secretary of the General Conference, at a Commission meeting in Lexington, Ky. Photo by Diane Degnan, United Methodist Communications

Lexington, KY: In their final meeting before the 2020 General Conference, the Commission on the General Conference came together on August 7-9, 2019, in Lexington, KY, to complete plans for the quadrennial legislative event.

Kim Simpson, who has been serving as Secretary of the Commission, was elected chairperson to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former chairperson Duncan McMillan. Vice-chair Mujinga Kashala was not able to attend the meeting and declined to assume the office of chair by succession. The Rev. Gary George was elected as the new secretary of the Commission.

The 2020 General Conference will see changes in the Daily Christian Advocate, which will be fully digital and available through a Daily Christian Advocate website. The Advance Daily Christian Advocate will still be printed as well as items in the daily editions that need to be voted on, but the proceedings of the General Conference, delegate lists and news articles will be on the website only. Improvements to the website include highlighting items that are currently being discussed so they are easy to find. 

The theme selected for the 2020 General Conference will be “…and know that I am God,” based on Psalm 46:10. A logo to accompany the theme is being designed by United Methodist Communications.

The Dakotas-Minnesota Area host team reported that a website with volunteer opportunities and information about the local area has been created at gc2020welcome.org. To show hospitality, the local host committee intends to greet every delegate, invited guest, bishop and spouse with a handmade purple scarf. United Methodists in Minnesota and the Dakotas were invited to help knit or crochet the scarves. Support for the project far exceeded the goal, with between 13,000 and 14,000 scarves made for the occasion.

These women were busy at Cross Winds UMC in Maple Grove MN, knitting some of the welcoming "Lydia" scarves to be given to every delegate and visitor coming to the 2020 General Conference. Photo by David Stucke, Dakotas Conference Communications.

Kellie Schmeal, Relationship Director for the General Council on Finance and Administration, provided an update on ministry partnerships. Of the $800,000 goal, there are commitments for $500,125 so far. 

Moses Kumar, General Secretary of the General Council on Finance and Administration, presented the Treasurer’s report and gave an overview of apportionment collections and trends. 

The commission accepted motions for consideration in the treasurer’s report, which included approval of the 2020 budget based on projections and a $29/day meal per diem recommendation with lodging expenses to be paid directly to each hotel. There will be a suggested voluntary registration fee of $10/day and a potential future request from GCFA of up to $250,000 from the contingency fund. The budget recommendations for 2021-2024 were also approved.

The program committee wrapped up their work on the schedule for the 2020 General Conference, which begins at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5. Each day will begin with worship and will adjourn by 6:30 p.m. with the exception of Saturday, May 9, when legislative committees may meet until 9:30 p.m. Highlights of the schedule include the Episcopal Address and the Young People’s address on May 6 and the Laity Address on May 7. 

The Rules Committee recommended some additional rule changes along with changes made at previous Commission meetings. The committee also made assignments of new paragraphs for legislative committees based on action of the 2019 Special Session: ¶1504.23 (Wespath) to Financial Administration and ¶2553 (Disaffiliation) to Conferences.

The Education and Innovation Committee recommended the production of a media device such as a flash drive or DVD to be distributed to delegates to the 2020 General Conference with information to prepare them for General Conference and made recommendations for a post-conference delegate survey for 2020. The committee also recommended a Central Conference delegate orientation in Minneapolis immediately prior to General Conference on May 2-3, subject to available funding. The commission will create a steering committee to design and implement the orientations on site before conference begins. The committee also welcomed an invitation from the connectional outreach committee of the GCFA Board to discuss having General Conference Staff travel to central conferences for head of delegation and other logistical trainings. There will also be an all delegate orientation before business starts on May 5.

2024 General Conference

The Commission on the General Conference announced that the 2024 quadrennial legislative event will not be held in Manila, Philippines in 2024 as planned. The report of the executive session was that space was not available for the entire two weeks necessary and no bid was received from the facilities contacted in the bid process. Financial considerations or the current church climate were not factors in the decision. Other cities are currently under consideration.

Bishop Rudy Juan said that he was disappointed that the event would not be held in the Philippines, but respects the decision of the Commission. "It is my prayer that in 2028, we can still hold it in the Philippines. The Philippines UMC is excited and ready to receive visitors."

2019 General Conference

The Commission on the General Conference adopted the recommendations of the task force created to oversee an independent investigation into allegations of voting improprieties at the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference.