BOOK OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS

Transcription

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2 BOOK OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS The South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church 2018 Annual Conference Session June 3-5, 2018 Jekyll Island, Georgia This book belongs to:

3 The 2018 Book of Recommendations and Reports Table of Contents Section 1 Preparing for Annual Conference Agenda Bishop Bryan s Welcome Letter Conference Secretary s Letter Information for Conference Members and Visitors SGA Annual Conference Special Offering Mission Outreach Emphasis/ Informational Webinar Health Flex and Wellness Information How to Make a Motion and Parliamentary Procedures Section 2 Recommendations... Recommendations are in AGENDA order 1. Conference Board of Trustees Conference Personnel Committee Commission on Equitable Compensation... a. Statement of Purpose, Policies, and Procedures... b. Minimum Salary... c. Equitable Compensation Churches... d. Equitable Compensation Supplementing Beyond Minimum Salaries... e. Proposed Arrearage Policy Standing Rules Changes... a. Lay Membership... b. Office of Communications... c. Conference Personnel Committee Change... d. Ministerial Records Change... e. Change to Archives and History Committee... f. Change to the Conference Delegation Elections Policy Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits... a. Pre-1982 Pensions and Benefits... b. Clergy Retirement Security Program... c. Personal Investment Plan... d. The Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP)... e. Health Insurance Program... f. Wellness Initiative g. Funding Plan for Retiree Health Care Benefits h. Accumulating Debt for Clergy Benefits i Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan j. Rental/Housing Allowances for Retired or Disabled Clergy Council on Finance and Administration a. Comparison Report b. Report of Receipts and Disbursements c. Budget Factors and Special Offerings d. Pensions and Health Benefits Cost e. Recommendations Regarding Cabinet f. Budget for Section 3 Resolutions A Resolution to appoint a Christian Spirituality Task Force A Resolution from Fort Valley United Methodist Church Section 4 - Consent Calendar... Reports are in ALPHABETICAL order 1. Africa University Archives and History/Arthur J. Moore Museum Board of Laity... a. United Methodist Men... b. United Methodist Women Board of Ordained Ministry

4 5. Conference Center Congregational Development Discipleship Ministries... a. Overview of Connectional Ministries... b. Outreach... i. Three Star Church Challenge... ii. Carruth Mission Awards... iii. Advance Specials... iv. Advance Special Guidelines... v. Covenant Relationship Program... c. Witness... i. General Evangelists Approval... ii. Fully Connectional Churches... iii. Witness Awards... iv. Evangelistically Fruitful Congregations Epworth By The Sea Georgia Pastors School Georgia United Methodist Foundation, Inc.... i. Planned Giving Strategies... ii. Investment Services... iii. Certificate Program... iv. Loan Program... v. Scholarships Higher Education and Collegiate Ministry... a. Georgia Commission on Higher Education and Collegiate Ministry... b. General Board of Higher Education and Collegiate Ministry... c. Schools of Theology... i. Boston University School of Theology... ii. Candler School of Theology... iii. Duke Divinity School... iv. Gammon Theological Seminary v. United Theological Seminary vi. Wesley Theological Seminary Hinton Rural Life Center Lake Junaluska Assembly, Inc Magnolia Manor Methodist Home for Children and Youth a. The Foundation of the Methodist Home Open Door Community House, Inc Pastoral Counseling Services Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Connectional Structure St. Joseph s/candler United Methodist Connectional Federal Credit Union Vashti Center, Inc Wesley Glen Ministries Wesley Community Centers of Savannah, Inc

5 PREPARING FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE The South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church 2018 Annual Conference Session June 3-5, 2018 Jekyll Island, Georgia 3

6 AGENDA The South Georgia Annual Conference 2018 Session Jekyll Island, Georgia ALIVE TOGETHER IN WORSHIP Sunday, June 3, :30 PM Registration Opens (Sunday registration closes at 6:15pm) 4:00 PM Ordination & Commissioning Rehearsal 6:30 PM Opening Worship Service Preacher: Bishop R. Lawson Bryan Offering: Abundant Health Initiative 7:45 PM Laity Orientation 7:45 PM Clergy Session Monday, June 4, :00 AM Registration Reopens (closes at 3:30pm) 8:30 AM First Plenary Session Opening Morning Liturgy Convene and Welcome Organizing Motions Board of Ordained Ministry Introduction of Extension Clergy Receiving New Clergy John Wesley Moment Church Closings Vital Signs: Congregational Development 50 th Anniversary of The United Methodist Church Break (if time allows) Golden Anniversary Awards Retiree Recognition, with Liturgy 12:00 PM Lunch Break The 2018 Book of Recommendations and Reports 1:00 PM Gathering for Families of the Deceased 2:00 PM Memorial Service with Holy Communion Preacher: The Rev. Leigh Ann Raynor Offering: Fund for Special Relief 3:20 PM Afternoon Plenary Session Consent Calendar Episcopal Address Conference Board of Trustees Conference Personnel Committee Equitable Compensation Vital Signs: High Attendance Sundays Resolutions Laity Address Standing Rules Changes/Elections Policy Board of Pensions and Health Benefits (Part 1) Evening Liturgy 5:45 PM Dinner Break The Methodist Home BBQ 4

7 7:30 PM Ordination and Commissioning Service Preacher: Bishop R. Lawson Bryan Offering: Ministerial Education Fund Reception to Follow Tuesday, June 5, :30 AM Morning Plenary Session Energizer Morning Liturgy Teacher: Mrs. Claire Bowen, Plan on a Page Resolutions (if needed) Vital Signs: Multi-Cultural Task Force, Undocumented Neighbors, Disaster Response, Connectional Ministries John Wesley Moment Board of Pensions and Health Benefits (Part 2) Break (if time allows) Conversation on a Way Forward Noon Liturgy 12:00 PM Lunch Break 2:00 PM Afternoon Plenary Session Opening Liturgy Nominations Report John Wesley Moment Finance and Administration Annual Conference Program Committee Invitation to 2019 Annual Conference Closing Motions and Announcements Break 3:15 PM Sending Forth Service (Including the Fixing of the Appointments) 4:00 PM Adjourn 5

8 -./01!23."245!5"35! -; <2=5*0$)7>20 "#$%&#'(!)%$*+, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ of the South Georgia Conference: Thank you for making last year s annual conference session such an inspiring experience! We truly were Alive Together in Christ, and I could feel it. That is why I am looking forward to the 2018 meeting of the South Georgia Conference. Jekyll Island proved to be a very attractive location for delegates and their families. This year we will gather with greater familiarity at the new convention center situated beside the Atlantic Ocean as we greet friends old and new, fellowship together, do business with one another, and worship in unity. Alive Together in Christ, based on Ephesians 2:5, is our quadrennial theme. Each year we will highlight one aspect of how we are Alive Together. This year s conference will focus on the emphasis launched at annual conference 2017: Alive Together in Worship. Delegates went home with resources to use in growing toward a 10% increase in average worship attendance. In a progress report several months ago, I gave examples of remarkable worship increases in local churches from each district. This year-long focus on worship will culminate at annual conference as we continue to recognize and celebrate worship attendance increases we are seeing across the conference. The opening service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 3. The Service of Commissioning and Ordination will be held Monday evening. I will be preaching in each of those services. The preacher for the Memorial Service on Monday is Rev. Leigh Ann Raynor, who retired last year. She is well known and highly respected for her more than 35 years of fruitful pastoral leadership in South Georgia. At the time of her retirement, Leigh Ann had served for seven years as senior minister of Porterfield UMC in Albany. Mrs. Claire Bowen will be our conference teacher and will lead us in a session entitled, Plan on a Page. During this interactive time, laity and clergy delegates will learn how to help their local church develop a strategic plan on a single sheet of paper. Claire is a corporate trainer in Atlanta. She is an active member of Peachtree Road UMC and grew up at Statesboro UMC. Time has been set aside for the annual conference session to receive an update on the work of the Commission on a Way Forward. Dialogues are already being held at the district level. This update will build on what we are already doing and assist us in preparing for the special session of General Conference to be held in In preparation for annual conference, please join me in reading Canoeing The Mountains by Tod Bolsinger. Based on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, this book gives valuable insight into how we can remain Alive Together as we navigate in uncertain times and unfamiliar territory. I commend it to you very highly. This year s special conference mission offering will be designated for an Abundant Health Initiative. Your church has the opportunity to choose from a selection of projects ranging from water filters to health packages that will enrich the lives of people in our own backyard and around the world. You can direct which project(s) you want your special offering to go toward or undesignated funds will be divided between the Abundant Health Advance # and the Special Relief Fund for South Georgia Clergy. Details can be found at I encourage all members of our annual conference to bring a generous offering from your congregation or agency so that together we can make a huge impact to provide abundant health and hope to those who need it most. Alive Together in Worship, R. Lawson Bryan Resident Bishop, South Georgia Area PO Box 7227 Macon, Georgia (478) Fax: (478)

9 A note from the Conference Secretary Dear Lay and Clergy Members of the Annual Conference, The Annual Conference Planning Committee and the Local Arrangements Committee are pleased to welcome you back to the Jekyll Island Convention Center for the 2018 South Georgia Annual Conference Session, June 3-5. An army of volunteers from the Coastal District is busy preparing to host our conference in a spirit of hospitality and with careful attention to our logistical needs. We are grateful for the leadership of our Local Arrangements Chair, Mr. Bill Allen of College Place UMC, and Mrs. Kelly Roberson, our resident expert who has been working in annual conference arrangements for about 16 years. We were pleased last year with the number of families who came to enjoy our location at the beach, and we are excited about that happening again. Our summer camp feel for the elementary-age children will be offered again this year, led by our conference s summer camp leadership. With conference ending late Tuesday afternoon this year, it means that every hour is going to be impactful. Most of the business items for Annual Conference are contained in the Book of Recommendations and Reports (BOR). One of the purposes of the BOR is to allow you to read the recommendations and reports before you come to conference. A good delegate is a prepared delegate. The BOR is being made available for download as a PDF file at no cost from the conference website ( You can also purchase this annual publication as a professionally bound book for a nominal fee through lulu.com. Please check out AC 18 regularly on the conference website as we approach annual conference. There are some reports that will appear on the website which did not make the BOR publication deadline. These reports will be important to have with you. Please download onto your digital device, or print out, all the materials you ll want to have on hand; the Convention Center s wireless internet capabilities may be limited at times. Also, the meeting area may be cool, so bring a sweater or jacket. All business sessions and worship services will be streamed live online at Registration opens at 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon in the right-hand corner of the main lobby of the Jekyll Island Convention Center. To get to our Opening Worship Service, which begins at 6:30 p.m., you will make a left upon entering the main entrance to the lobby of the Convention Center. Look for the digital signs on the wall in the lobby. The space for our Opening Worship will be the main meeting space for our conference. The Laity Session and the Clergy Session will both be held immediately following the Sunday evening Opening Worship Service. The first plenary session will begin Monday morning, bright and early, at 8:30 a.m. in the main meeting space. If another lay member is to attend in the place of the originally elected member (thus becoming the principal lay member), please pass these materials along so they can read them prior to conference. Also, the name and contact information for the correct lay member needs to be shared with your district office or Meredyth Earnest (meredyth@sgaumc.com) before May 15. Please note: There will be a $20 registration fee for all lay and clergy members. Retired clergy not serving a church, along with guests and alternate lay members, are exempt from paying this fee. This fee will be collected at the registration tables at the convention center. Checks may be made payable to the South Georgia Conference. I am excited about the program plans that have been put in place by our Program team, our Worship team, and our Bishop, Lawson Bryan. We look forward to seeing you June 3 on Jekyll Island. Jay Harris, Conference Secretary 7

10 Information for Conference Members and Visitors The next few pages contain information you will find helpful as you make plans to come to Jekyll Island. Additional information and changes will be posted on the conference website, Please contact us if you have any questions. Dr. Jay Harris, Conference Secretary Bill Allen & Kelly Roberson, Co-Chairs, Local Arrangements Venue & Driving Directions: All conference business and worship services will be held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. The convention center is located at 75 Beachview Drive N, Jekyll Island, GA From US Highway 17, you will turn onto Jekyll via the Jekyll Island Causeway. Once on the island you will stay straight until you reach the roundabout. At the roundabout you will veer right and then circle around to your left, which will put you on Beachview Drive. The convention center and parking will be on your right. Handicap parking will be clearly marked. Golf carts will be available to provide assistance for people getting from their cars to the main doors of the convention center. Getting on the Island: In some of our previous venues, we have had parking costs connected to the area around the venue itself or to the hotels in the area. At Jekyll Island, there are no parking fees, but there is a fee to get onto the island. It is $6.00 per 24-hour period. For those who stay on Jekyll and don t leave the island, it will be a one-time fee. Even if you come on the island each day in your own car, you can time your entrances to conceivably pay only twice, since the $6.00 fee is good for 24 hours. Registration: Registration will begin Sunday afternoon, June 3, at 2:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Convention Center. The registration fee for all pastors and lay members to Annual Conference is $20. Retired clergy not serving a church are exempt from this fee. You will pay when you register at Annual Conference. Checks can be made out to the South Georgia Conference. Payment by credit card is available. Hotels: For a list of hotel options, please visit Childcare & Beach Camp: We will be providing childcare for infants through preschool and Beach Camp for children who have completed kindergarten through middle school. Childcare for infants through preschool age children will be available for all worship services and business sessions at Jekyll Island Baptist Church (501 Riverview Drive). We've got lots of fun things planned for our little ones - crafts, games, and lots more! Childcare cost is $5.00 per child/day. Elementary and middle school age children will be participating in Beach Camp hosted by the Camp Connect Leadership Team, under the direction of Suzanne Akins. Beach Camp will be available for opening worship and business sessions only. Cost for the Beach Camp is $5.00 per child/day with additional opportunities for excursions for campers. The gathering place for Beach Camp will be at the Convention Center. Pre-registration for all childcare is REQUIRED by May 28 so we know how to plan for crafts, materials, snacks and lunch as well as to ensure our staffing is Safe Sanctuaries compliant. For all the details and to register, visit or contact Allison Lindsey at allison@sgaumc.com. Displays: Display tables are an extension of reports presented at the Annual Conference session. The displays interpret and celebrate the program ministries of the Annual Conference. Various conference boards, committees, commissions, councils, teams, and related agency displays will be located throughout the Conference Center. Medical Care: First aid and medical care will be available onsite. Should you need medical assistance, please go to the Information Table, and they will direct you to the EMT station. 8

11 Expenses/Per Diem: Clergy and lay delegates who represent a local church shall have their expenses (including registration) paid by the local church (this includes retired clergy who are serving a church). Lay delegates who represent an organization and Extension Ministers shall have their expenses paid by the organization they represent. Retired clergy not under appointment and clergy on disability shall receive a per diem of $65 per day for each day attended. Lay members who do not represent a local church or conference organization shall receive a per diem on the same basis. Retired local pastors who are not serving a church do not qualify for a per diem. Annual Conference Session will be streamed online: Even those who are not able to be on Jekyll Island for the 2018 Annual Conference Session can still be a part of the three-day event. All worship services and business sessions will be streamed live online. Visit for a detailed agenda and link to the streaming (beginning June 3 with the opening worship service). Make sure to tell others in your church. Social Media: A daily recap as well as an entire Annual Conference wrap-up, including a bulletin insert to use in telling the story of the Annual Conference session, will be posted online at Individuals can also follow the conference on Facebook ( or Twitter ( for real time information during the conference session. Hashtag for the conference is #sgaumc. Special Events: Special events and banquets are coordinated by various groups in our conference. Visit for a complete list. The Methodist Children s Home invites all clergy and lay members for a complimentary dinner at the Conference Center on Monday evening. Voting Rights for Lay and Clergy Members: Your official name tag, which you will receive at registration, will let the voting tellers know of your eligibility to vote. Lay Members can vote on the business matters of the annual conference. You will note below that all clergy can vote on business matters, but the Book of Discipline stipulates that only Full Clergy Members (Elders and Deacons) can vote in the clergy session. Lay Members of the Annual Conference: Lay membership shall be composed of the Lay Members elected by their charges, at-large delegates of the district selected by their district superintendent, the Conference Lay Leader, Conference President of United Methodist Men, Conference President of United Methodist Women, Conference President of the Council on Youth Ministries, Lay Delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference, Diaconal Ministers, Lay Staff of the Conference Office of Connectional Ministries, Lay Chairpersons of Conference Committees, Commissions, Councils, Teams or Boards, District Lay Leaders, District Presidents of United Methodist Men, District Presidents of United Methodist Women, District Presidents of United Methodist Youth, and one youth and one young adult by each District. Clergy Members of the Annual Conference: Clergy delegates include Full Elders, Full Deacons, Associate Members, Provisional Elders, Provisional Deacons, Full-time Local Pastors, Part-time Local Pastors, Retired Elders, Retired Deacons, Retired Associate Members, and Retired Provisional Members who retired before The Discipline does not allow Retired Local Pastors to be clergy delegates or vote ( 320.5); however, Retired Local Pastors who have been serving under appointment leading up to Annual Conference can serve as clergy delegates and vote. All clergy delegates and lay members of the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) may attend the Clergy Session, but only ordained clergy in full connection and lay members of the BOM may vote at the Clergy Session. Change in Lay Member: If there has been a change in the lay member representing your local church/charge, please make sure to pass this information on to the correct person. Please share the change with Meredyth Earnest, Conference Registrar, at meredyth@sgaumc.com or let your district office know. Questions: For questions regarding the business of Annual Conference, please contact Dr. Jay Harris at jharris@sgaumc.com. For questions regarding local arrangements or any general questions, please contact Kelly Roberson at or kelly@sgaumc.com. For the latest Annual Conference Session information, visit 9

12 The 2018 Book of Recommendations and Reports 10

13 Mission Outreach Emphasis Agencies within the bounds of our Annual Conference are changing lives as they reflect the ways they are Alive Together in Christ. They are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ as they help to meet the most basic of needs. We are grateful for their work and want to show our gratitude. Each agency listed below will have a collection box in the lobby. They have selected items that will help them in their day-to-day operation. So choose one or choose several, and let s help fill their boxes! Magnolia Manor jigsaw/word search puzzles, hardback books, $10 Walmart gift cards, Kleenex The Methodist Home for Children and Youth personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste) Open Door Community House travel size personal hygiene items and small journals Vashti $10 Walmart gift cards, CEB Student Bibles, sturdy book bags Wesley Community Centers baby wipes, pocket size facial tissue and hand sanitizers Wesley Glen Dove body wash, Aveeno or Eucerin lotions, adult wipes, regular size boxes of Kleenex/pocket size packets of Kleenex Informational Webinar Annual Conference Overview The Annual Conference Session can be daunting for those attending for the very first time. What s the Book of Recommendations and how do I use it? How do I prepare? Will I have to vote on anything? What do I need to report back to my local church? This webinar, led by Dr. Jay Harris, Conference Secretary, will help you navigate the 2018 Annual Conference Session and assist you in making the most of your role as a delegate. To view the prerecorded webinar and to view documents that will be used during our Annual Conference Session visit 11

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15 The 2018 Book of Recommendations and Reports 13

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17 How to Make a Motion Keep this handy and refer to it often; it will help you in the Annual Conference Session. Parliamentary procedure is based on a general regard for the rights of the majority to make decisions in deliberative groups, the rights of a minority to be heard, and the rights of individual members to discuss and vote on issues. Rules are meant to provide that the simplest and most direct method of making decisions in an organization is by making motions (or resolutions, as they are called in more formal form). Secondary motions exist to deal with the main motion or to meet some immediate need of the organization. HOW TO SPEAK TO THE CONFERENCE 1. Remain in your seat and wave your hand. 2. Stay in your place until the chairperson recognizes you. 3. Go to the nearest aisle microphone as soon as you are recognized. 4. Step up where you can speak directly into the microphone. 5. Announce your name, membership (clergy or lay) and church first, and let the Chairperson repeat them before you proceed. HOW TO MAKE A MOTION 1. Write out your amendment or other proposal in advance. 2. Indicate exactly where the change belongs what words come out and what words are added. 3. Sign your name. 4. As soon as you finish reading your motion into the microphone, hand it to a teller to deliver to the secretary seated on the platform. 5. If you must make a motion without preparation, write it down and send it to the secretary immediately afterward. 15

18 Parliamentary Procedures HOW TO UNDERSTAND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE TO DO THIS YOU MUST SAY INTERRUPT SPEAKER SECOND NEEDED MOTION DEBATABLE AMENDABLE VOTE NEEDED MAIN MOTIONS ARE TOOLS USED TO INTRODUCE NEW BUSINESS Introduce Business I move that... No Yes Yes Yes majority Take up matter previously tabled Reconsider matter previously voiced I move that we take from the table... I move that we reconsider No Yes No No majority No Yes No No majority SECONDARY MOTIONS IN ORDER OF PRECEDENCE Adjourn I move to adjourn No Yes No No majority Recess I move we recess until... No Yes No No majority Suspend debate without calling for vote I move that we table No Yes No No majority End debate Limit debate Postpone to specific time Have matter studied further I move the previous question I move debate be limited to... I move to postpone this matter until... I move we refer this matter to... No Yes No No 2/3 majority No Yes No Yes 2/3 majority No Yes Yes Yes majority No Yes Yes Yes majority HOW TO UNDERSTAND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE TO DO THIS YOU MUST SAY INTERRUPT SPEAKER SECOND NEEDED MOTION DEBATABLE AMENDABLE VOTE NEEDED Amend a motion or substitute Postpone indefinitely I move to amend by... or I move to substitute. I move to postpone indefinitely. No Yes Yes Yes majority No Yes Yes Yes majority INCIDENTAL MOTIONS GROW OUT OF THE BUSINESS THE CONFERENCE IS CONSIDERING Correct error in parliamentary procedure Point of Order Yes No No No chair rules Obtain advice on parliamentary procedure I raise a parliamentary inquiry Yes No No No chair rules Request information Point of information Yes No No No none 16

19 PATHWAYS Saturday, August 25 Trinity UMC, Warner Robins, GA Pathways is for churches looking for exciting new ideas, networking opportunities and practical, quality training for their pastors, parishioners, staff, and leaders. This training event will offer workshops specifically designed to help congregations become healthier and better equipped to fulfill the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. This year s Pathways event will focus on equipping the local church to be alive in mission and ministry in our communities and the world. In The United Methodist Church we are truly in ministry and mission from everywhere to everywhere. From Everywhere to Everywhere: Where is your congregation alive in mission and ministry in your community and the world? For more information and to register: Sponsored by the Office of Connectional Ministries