TWO CHURCH CONFERENCES
Church Conferences are the highest decision making groups in the United Methodist Church. They typically deal with legal and polity matters. The only items that can be discussed at a Church Conference are the agenda items published in advance according to the United Methodist Book of Discipline. All members of First United Methodist Church are eligible to vote. You have to be present to vote. Non-members of First United Methodist Church are welcome to attend and speak, but not vote. Our Dec. 6 Church Conference is held every year with the required published items you see on the agenda. The Dec. 1 Church Conference has been recently called to deal with pending Boy Scout of America bankruptcy and liability issues. Ruth Walls , Lay Leader and formerly involved with Boy Scouting , has been working diligently with the Annual Conference on behalf of First Church. The Trustees and Church Council have recently in the past few months been specifically brought into these conversations. The identified decision needs to be made to proceed in the legal process. The Board of Trustees are the legal body of our congregation. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Susan.
SPECIAL CHURCH CONFERENCE
December 1, 6p, Zoom, Rev. Forrest Wells, presiding The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for bankruptcy after numerous suits were filed for sexual abuse. As part of the bankruptcy process, United Methodist local churches across the country had the opportunity to file a proof of claim. Filing a proof of claim indicated, among other things, that the local church had a right to be indemnified/protected by BSA as well as BSA insurance policy coverage for any claim filed against the local church by a scout survivor. Your congregation was in the past and/or is presently a charter organization and could have a lawsuit filed by an abuse survivor against your local church. Your local church filed a proof of claim and now has the opportunity to vote on the bankruptcy plan. Because local churches' votes must be received by December 14, 2021, and because we will not know if all United Methodist local churches will be covered against BSA claims until November 23, 2021, all United Methodist local churches that filed a proof of claim must prepare now to record their vote. The congregation’s vote is critical to ensure United Methodist local churches are protected from a lawsuit filed concerning an individual claiming they were abused while in a scouting program associated with the local church. A church conference has been set for _December 1, 2021 to approve the following motion. We the First United Methodist Church (approve) (disapprove) the BSA plan of reorganization and give authority for the chair of the board of trustees to execute the plan ballot document. (the exact wording will be provided after Nov. 23).
ANNUAL CHURCH CONFERENCE December 6, 7 pm, Sanctuary, Rev. Joyce Rinehart presiding Our annual church conference will be held, in person, Dec. 6. The agenda for the annual meeting follows.
CHARGE CONFERENCE 2021 AGENDA
ELECTION OF SECRETARY FOR CHARGE CONFERENCE
OPENING WORSHIP/PRAYER
BISHOP JUNG VISION VIDEO and REFLECTION
Bishop's YouTube link: https://youtu.be/wEdBdzvRasc
MINISTRY REVIEW JOYS, CHALLENGES, DREAMS AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE
ACTIONS THAT REQUIRE A VOTE
Lay Leadership Report (Church officers for 2021)
Approval of Pastoral Compensation for 2021 including resolutions
Care and Removal of Names
Approval of Lay Servants- as needed
Approval of Candidates for Ministry- if needed
Approval of 2021 Budget is NOT required but may be considered if ready
REPORTS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A VOTE BUT SUBMISSION REQUIRED
Membership Audit
Finance Committee Report
Fund Balance Report (2020 report should have been submitted)
Trustee Report
BENEDICTION AND ADJOURNMENT