United Methodists celebrate clergywomen at annual gatherings
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A UMNS photo courtesy of the Minnesota Annual Conference Bishop Sally Dyck leads worship at the Minnesota Annual Conference in St. Cloud.
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United
Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck leads worship at the 2006 Minnesota Annual
(regional) Conference, where 1,000 delegates met in St. Cloud, May
3-June 2. A UMNS photo courtesy of the Minnesota Annual Conference.
Photo # 06745. Accompanies UMNS story #407. 7/7/06
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July 7, 2006
A UMNS Report
By Linda Green and Milse Furtado*
At regional gatherings this year, United Methodists celebrated
the 50th anniversary of clergywomen receiving full clergy rights and affirmed
their commitment to helping the U.S. Gulf Coast recover from last fall’s
hurricanes.
While those topics dominated the United Methodist Church’s annual sessions in
May and June, church members also tackled a wide range of other concerns,
including social issues such as immigration and gay marriage, the strengthening
of ministries around the globe and the possible mergers of some annual
(regional) conferences.
Sixty of the 63 U.S. conferences had filed annual reports by July 7, along with
a handful of conferences in Europe and Africa that had gatherings in the same
period.
Clergywomen
Fifty years ago, following action by the denomination’s General Conference, 27
women took the initial steps toward full clergy rights. Today, 9,749 clergywomen
worldwide serve the denomination. At its meeting two years ago, the General
Conference mandated 2006 as a yearlong celebration for the denomination. As of
2005, about 22 percent of United Methodist clergy were women.
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A UMNS photo by e-Review Florida The
Rev. Beth Gardner, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Bunnell,
Fla., is ordained at the 2006 Florida Annual Conference.
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The
Rev. Beth Gardner, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Bunnell,
Fla., is among more than 20 women ordained, licensed and commissioned
June 2 at the "Witness With Power" 2006 Florida Annual (regional)
Conference. A UMNS photo by e-Review Florida. Photo # 06746. Accompanies
UMNS story #407. 7/7/06 |
Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey highlighted the 50th anniversary in his state of
the Western North Carolina Conference address. “We have passed the time for any
church ... to object to a pastoral appointment because the appointee is female.”
He told the conference that 50 years “is long enough. Be ready. It’s that
simple.”
Members of the Yellowstone Conference were told by Minnesota Bishop Sally Dyck
that “even full clergy rights, however, is not full acceptance. ... We are
becoming the church our grandmothers envisioned us to be, thanks be to God. And
thanks to the men of the church who opened the way. Now it is up to all of us to
?pay it forward’ and keep the light alive for women everywhere.”
Hurricane response
Along the Gulf Coast, conference members expressed thanks for the outpouring of
support they have received since Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall Aug. 29,
and Hurricane Rita, which followed a month later.
Ed Blakeslee, Mississippi United Methodist Katrina Response coordinator,
emphasized the connectional system as vital to recovery efforts. “We still need
prayers, and we still need help,” he said.
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A UMNS photo by Fred Koenig A youth choir performs at the Missouri Annual Conference in Springfield.
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A
youth choir performs at the Missouri Annual (regional) Conference of
the United Methodist Church in Springfield. More than 1,500 members
attended the 2006 session, June 9-12. A UMNS photo by Fred Koenig. Photo
# 06747. Accompanies UMNS story #407. 7/7/06 |
The Mississippi Conference gave thanks for the $4.9 million received as of May
31 through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and other appeals for
Katrina relief and rebuilding.
The Rev. Paul Dirdak, director of UMCOR, praised storm recovery efforts
throughout the Louisiana Conference. Nearly a million volunteer hours have been
recorded in the state through the efforts of mission teams that have come from
all over the United States and as far away as Mexico and South Africa to provide
assistance.
United Methodists in East Texas contributed more than $2.2 million to hurricane
relief efforts. Area churches spent an additional $2.6 million ministering to
evacuees in their communities — providing shelter, food, transportation and
other support. The Texas Conference’s Southeast District, where all 52 United
Methodist churches and more than 94,000 homes were damaged by Hurricane Rita,
has been assisted by 203 teams of 2,150 volunteers since October. Those work
teams have volunteered more than 53,000 hours, which if billed at the national
average construction salary of $18, would have cost more than $1 million, a
conference official said.
In an effort to provide long-term recovery and relief assistance, Northwest
Texas adopted a giving goal of $10 a month for all conference clergy and lay
members for the church recovery efforts related to the Gulf Coast hurricanes.
The New Mexico Conference also encouraged giving $10 a month until the next
conference session to Louisiana pastors and churches, as a way to build
connectedness.
The Virginia Conference dedicated health and recovery and relief kits, and four
tractor-trailers were needed to transport the items. In addition, the conference
collected $54,387 in monetary donations.
Mergers
Several annual conferences reorganized to serve local congregations more
effectively. Some redrew district lines and some considered merging. Eight
annual conferences voted to create new conferences or to begin merger process
plans and discussions.
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A UMNS photo courtesy of the Baltimore-Washington Conference The Rev. Ann Leprade dances during a worship service of the Baltimore Washington Annual Conference.
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The
Rev. Ann Leprade dances during a worship service of the Baltimore
Washington Annual (regional) Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Nearly 2,000 clergy and lay members gathered at the Marriott Waterfront
Hotel in Baltimore, May 25-27. A UMNS photo courtesy of the
Baltimore-Washington Conference. Photo # 06748. Accompanies UMNS story
#407. 7/7/06 |
The North Indiana and South Indiana conferences are a step closer to uniting
into one following an affirmative vote tallied by both conferences. A task force
is to develop a merger plan for recommendation to the 2007 Indiana annual
gatherings. If approved by both conferences, and later by the United Methodist
North Central Jurisdiction gathering, the merger could take effect in 2009 or
2010.
Along with the Detroit Conference, West Michigan members voted to enter a
process that would, if successful, merge them into one Michigan Area conference
in 2009. Representatives from the North Central New York, Troy, Western New York
and Wyoming annual conferences have been meeting to explore the possibility of
uniting some or all of the conferences. A joint committee will present findings
at the 2008 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in Harrisburg, Pa.
In his opening address, Bishop Robert Schnase called on the Missouri Conference
to face the reality that during the past 40 years, the population of Missouri
had increased 29 percent while membership in the United Methodist Church had
dropped 32 percent. A task force was commissioned to evaluate every aspect of
ministry in the annual conference in the coming year with an eye to aligning
mission, ministry and money. The goal is to boost worship attendance in the
conference by 5,000 within six years.
Immigration
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A UMNS photo courtesy of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference Children sing at the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference.
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Children
sing at the Illinois Great Rivers Annual (regional) Conference of the
United Methodist Church, which met June 8-11 at the Peoria (Ill.) Civic
Center. The gathering, themed "By Faith … In Tents," promoted the living
out of the Wesleyan concept of Means of Grace through works of piety
and works of mercy. A UMNS photo courtesy of the Illinois Great Rivers
Annual Conference. Photo # 06749. Accompanies UMNS story #407. 7/7/06 |
The immigration issue played a role in U.S. annual conference proceedings as it
has done in border states in the country. Six annual conferences urged churches
to take action and called on elected officials to support fair and just
immigration laws.
Wisconsin passed a resolution on U.S. immigration policy that calls upon elected
officials to enact dignity and humanitarian policies to ensure the safety and
basic human rights of immigrants and refugees. The New England Conference voted
to commit to study and prayer on local and global issues of migration, to oppose
any further militarization of the Mexico-U.S. border, and to support
comprehensive immigration reform.
Rio Grande called on its 95 congregations to become sanctuary churches,
recognizing that reaching out to immigrants is part of an evangelical call. “We
are called to extend ?radical hospitality’ to all, regardless of origins or
status,” the conference members said in a resolution on immigration reform. The
conference also called on elected officials to allow undocumented immigrants,
who are contributing to U.S. society, to remain in the states and become
permanent residents and eventually citizens; increase visa numbers to eliminate
long waiting periods for families; and provide for guest workers to receive fair
wages, fair treatment, protection under the law and status as permanent
residents.
Torture
Media throughout the world have highlighted instances of torture and abuse of
prisoners and detainees by the U.S. military and government agencies. Both
Detroit and Northern Illinois declared opposition to the use of torture by the
government. Northern Illinois approved a resolution stating that the use of
torture by the U.S. government is “both widespread and systematic.” It condemned
“any and all” use of torture against U.S. detainees “for any purpose” and
demanded legislation be written to “cease and desist from these un-Christian
practices.”
Iran
At least six annual conferences declared opposition to war against Iran and
support for peace in the Middle East. Central Texas postponed indefinitely
affirming the Council of Bishops’ Resolution on the War in Iraq. The Pacific
Northwest Conference urged attention to all human rights abuses in the Middle
East and to work for implementation of an international bill of human rights.
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A UMNS photo courtesy of the California-Nevada Conference Full clergy rights for women in the United Methodist Church are celebrated at the California-Nevada Annual Conference.
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The
50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women in the United
Methodist Church is celebrated at the 158th California-Nevada Annual
(regional) Conference, June 13-15, in Sacramento, Calif. A UMNS Web-only
photo courtesy of the California-Nevada Conference. Photo # 06750.
Accompanies UMNS story #407. 7/7/06 |
The South German Conference also issued a resolution expressing concern about
the current political conflict involving the European Union, the United States
and Iran. The conference opposes all military options and supports stronger
diplomatic efforts.
Northern Illinois acted on breaking down the walls of hostility between
Palestinians and Israelis, North and South Koreans, and Christians and Muslims.
North Central New York approved a process of dialogue, shareholder action, and
as a last resort, divestment from companies “that are supporting in a
significant way the occupation of Palestine by Israel.” The preamble to the
resolution noted the success of divestments in changing the policy of apartheid
in South Africa.
The New York Conference passed a petition calling for the impeachment of
President George Bush. The petition laments the president’s actions regarding
Iraq and Iraqi detainees, wiretapping, the response to Hurricane Katrina, and
the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib. “THEREFORE, the New
York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church considers these to be high
crimes and misdemeanors and urges the impeachment of George W. Bush,” the
conference said.
Marriage and homosexuality
As U.S. courts hear judicial requests to define marriage as the union between
man and woman, at least eight annual conferences took action on the issue.
Wisconsin reaffirmed a 2005 motion opposing the proposed state constitutional
marriage amendment and supporting an informed, respectful dialogue with people
of all opinions. The Dakotas Conference adopted a resolution affirming laws
defending marriage and adopted a resolution rejecting a South Dakota ballot
measure against same-sex unions. The adopted resolution cites potential
discrimination of elderly people living in same-sex households in rural areas,
saying: “The full repercussions of the law are not known.”
The Holston Conference passed a resolution “affirming laws defending marriage.”
The resolution states, “?Be it resolved that we continue to affirm the United
Methodist stance on marriage and support laws in our state that protect the
definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”
Petitions passed by the Minnesota Annual Conference recommend changes to the
Book of Discipline that would make the church’s ministries, including
membership, ordination and marriage, open to all people, regardless of sexual
orientation and other factors.
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A UMNS photo courtesy of the Kentucky Annual Conference Bishop James R. King preaches during a worship service at the Kentucky Annual Conference in Bowling Green.
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Bishop
James R. King preaches during a worship service at the Kentucky Annual
(regional) Conference of the United Methodist Church. The June 5-8
gathering was held at the Patsy Sloan Convention Center in Bowling
Green. A UMNS photo courtesy of the Kentucky Annual Conference. Photo #
06751. Accompanies UMNS story #407. 7/7/06 |
The California-Nevada Conference sought to “liberalize” sections of the Book
of Discipline, passing resolutions dealing with marriage, human sexuality
and sexual orientation, and would remove restrictions on ordaining gay clergy,
celebrating homosexual unions and funding gay caucuses. The conference also
voted to prohibit discrimination in receiving members into United Methodist
congregations, and voted to oppose controversial Judicial Council Decision 1032.
Numerous conferences considered resolutions about the decision, which sparked
churchwide debate when it was issued by the church’s top court last fall. That
decision and a related judgment, Decision 1031, dealt with the case of the Rev.
Ed Johnson, pastor of South Hill (Va.) United Methodist Church, who blocked a
practicing homosexual from joining the congregation.
Johnson was placed on involuntary leave by his clergy peers last June, but the
Judicial Council ruled in his favor in October, and he was returned to his
pulpit. The council reaffirmed its decision in May.
While the denomination’s Book of Discipline holds gay people to be people
of sacred worth, it also officially states that the practice of homosexuality is
incompatible with Christian teaching.
At least 15 annual conferences stated that homosexuality is not a barrier to
membership; four said it is a barrier to membership; and two said it is not a
barrier for ordination.
The Rocky Mountain Conference invited pastors to “voluntarily relinquish the
authority granted them by the Judicial Council Decision 1032” and receive those
willing, after suitable instruction, to affirm the membership vows.
The Florida, Peninsula-Delaware and North Carolina conferences also considered
statements or resolutions on the Judicial Council’s decisions.
Florida delegates discussed a statement of support for a pastoral letter written
by the denomination’s Council of Bishops in response to Decision 1032. The
letter affirmed inclusiveness in church membership, stating “homosexuality is
not a barrier.”
A second resolution, titled “Integrity,” expressed gratitude to the Judicial
Council for “affirming the crucial role of pastors in the reception of new
members, advocating a lifestyle that is compatible with Christian teaching and
maintaining the integrity of membership vows.”
A third resolution asked for a petition from the Florida Conference to the
General Conference to amend Paragraph 214 of the Book of Discipline to
include a sentence that prohibits the exclusion of individuals from membership
based on their sexual orientation or “gender identity.” The conference did not
approve the resolutions but referred them for later discussion.
Health care
In early June, a United Methodist physician described United Methodist clergy as
being among the least-healthy professional groups in the United States. Numerous
conferences addressed funding health care plans for clergy — both active and
retired — and lay employees. In the Mississippi Conference, more than 100
runners and walkers participated in the second annual 5K run/walk, a new
wellness event. A bike ride called Circuit Ride preceded the annual conference
gathering.
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A UMNS photo by Caryl Kelley District superintendents are sent forth during an appointment setting ceremony at the Florida Annual Conference.
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District
superintendents are sent forth during an appointment setting ceremony
at the 2006 Florida Annual (regional) Conference of the United Methodist
Church, June 1-3, at the Lakeland (Fla.) Center. A UMNS photo by Caryl
Kelley. Photo # 06752. Accompanies UMNS story #407. 7/7/06 |
The Arkansas Conference added a new strategic initiative to its vision
statement, emphasizing the importance of self-care for clergy, staff and laity
and to facilitate health ministries for body, mind and spirit through its
churches. The conference also introduced “Holy Healthy United Methodist Church,”
a three-year, faith-based health and wellness program for the conference. In
endorsing the program, Bishop Charles N. Crutchfield pledged that he and the
nine district superintendents would attempt to lose a combined 100 pounds by the
next annual conference session.
Wisconsin affirmed a Wellness Covenant to increase attention on both spiritual
and physical health. The Peninsula-Delaware Conference’s board of pension
sponsored a health fair during its annual gathering, where it introduced a new
wellness program for staff as well as anyone interested in a healthier
lifestyle. Bishop Marcus Matthews led a health walk around the University of
Maryland-Eastern Shore campus.
Global connections
In the spirit of Methodism founder John Wesley, who said the “world is my
parish,” 10 annual conferences established relationships with areas and churches
inside and outside the United States. The Desert Southwest Conference voted to
partner with the United Methodist Mission Church of Honduras, and the Alaska
Missionary Conference will deepen its ministry with the native people of Alaska
as well as strengthen its growing connection with the Oklahoma Indian Missionary
Conference. Oregon-Idaho signed a new partnership agreement with the Liberia
Annual Conference.
Many conferences voted to give their annual gift from the United Methodist
Publishing House — money given to support clergy pensions — to the Central
Conference Pension Initiative. The initiative is raising money and developing
systems to provide pensions for retired pastors and their survivors in Africa,
parts of Europe and Asia.
HIV/AIDS has become a pandemic in countries across the world, and 11 conferences
collected offerings for the Global AIDS Fund. Yellowstone encouraged all
conference churches to observe Global AIDS Sunday annually on Valentine’s Day or
the first Sunday after Feb. 14. It was suggested that observances have a central
theme of “Have a Heart” with “Honor Those You Love: Give to Fight Global AIDS”
and “Make a Difference in the Lives of Others” as sub-themes. Seventy-five
percent of the special offering will go to the appropriate UMCOR Advance, and 25
percent will be retained to support AIDS ministries within the conference.
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A UMNS photo courtesy of the Kentucky Annual Conference A child brings forth a basket of bread during a worship service at the Kentucky Annual Conference.
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A
child brings forth a basket of bread during a worship service at the
Kentucky Annual (regional) Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The June 5-8 gathering was held at the Patsy Sloan Convention Center in
Bowling Green. A UMNS photo courtesy of the Kentucky Annual Conference.
Photo # 06753. Accompanies UMNS story #407. 7/7/06 |
The United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Committee is sponsoring “Lighten the
Burden,” a gathering of United Methodists working to fight AIDS set for Sept.
8-9 in Washington. The conference offers opportunities for learning,
skill-building and networking and includes speakers, workshops, inspiration and
discussion groups.
The importance of native languages and its use in the churches of the Oklahoma
Indian Missionary Conference was the basis for an approved resolution calling
for the organization of a native language contest to be held at the annual
conference session. The contest is aimed at promoting the use and teaching of
indigenous languages.
In addition, wording was added to the resolution stating that: “THEREFORE, we
recognize in spite of America’s efforts to limit the official language to
English only, that we have a right to speak the language of this land, and that
using our languages is an important expression of our original sovereignty.”
Bishop Benjamin Boni of Côte d’Ivoire, the bishop in charge of the new
church-related mission in Senegal, presided over the mission’s first annual
meeting June 17-18. A large crowd celebrated the new United Methodist mission,
including church leaders from other denominations, United Methodist churchwide
agencies and officials from the Senegalese government.
At the annual meeting, the 15 Senegalese United Methodist congregations reported
on their work, including advocacy for health care, job training and farming
ministries for women, children and youth. Nine candidates were approved for
ordination as elders, pending one more year of study and trial. In a country
where Christians make up only 4 percent of the population, United Methodist
congregations in Senegal are steadily growing. In 1989, the United Methodist
Mission in Senegal began, and the first congregation was founded in 1995.
Last fall, the directors of the Board of Global Ministries officially made the
mission initiative in Senegal a mission. The churches have between 30 and 100
members each.
New and discontinued churches
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A UMNS photo courtesy of the Kentucky Annual Conference The praise band leads worship at the Kentucky Annual Conference.
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The
praise band leads worship at the Kentucky Annual (regional) Conference
of the United Methodist Church. The June 5-8 gathering was held at the
Patsy Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green. A UMNS photo courtesy of
the Kentucky Annual Conference. Photo # 06754. Accompanies UMNS story
#407. 7/7/06 |
Five conferences celebrated 21 new church starts or new congregations, and five
conferences discontinued 14 congregations. South Georgia affirmed the ministry
of congregational development, and eight new church starts, nine revitalized
congregations and 19 Hispanic congregations are now under the congregational
development umbrella. Alabama celebrated efforts to start 10 new congregations
in the next year.
Southwest Texas adopted a bishop’s initiative on new church development,
designed to reverse three straight years of membership losses in a region with
major population growth. The plan includes authorization for a capital
fund-raising campaign for starting new congregations and ministries and
revitalizing existing congregations.
Other news
Annual conferences also ordained clergy, licensed local pastors and commissioned
others, conducted remembrance services, hosted the Africa University choir and
participated in activities to help the poor and hungry.
Nine conferences reported increases in giving for churchwide apportionments,
including Texas, which paid 100 percent of its apportionments for the first time
since 1972.
The Iowa Conference had a morning of “worshipful work” that included a “blitz
build” of a Habit for Humanity house in Ames, eight other hands-on projects and
16 workshops.
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
Furtado, an intern at United Methodist Communications, is a senior
communications major at United Methodist-related Rust College in Holly Springs,
Miss.
News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.
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Resources
The Annual Conference
2006 Annual Conference Reports
Facts About Church Structure
Council of Bishops
International Clergywomens Consultation
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