173 rd MEMPHIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE DAILY MINUTES. FIRST DAY Sunday, June 3, 2012

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1 173 rd MEMPHIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE DAILY MINUTES FIRST DAY Sunday, June 3, 2012 Laity & Clergy Executive Sessions: Beginning at 3 p.m., the Laity gathered in Clayton Hall of Jackson First UMC. Dennis Walker, outgoing Co-Lay Leader of the McKendree District, addressed the Laity. Mike Freeman, Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministry, spoke about the name change to occur in 2013 to Lay Servant Ministry as a result of actions taken at the 2012 General Conference. At the same time, Interim Bishop Ben Chamness convened the Clergy into Executive Session in the sanctuary of Jackson First UMC. David Comperry, of the Board of Ordained Ministry, called on the Registrars who presented the disciplinary questions and candidates. The candidates were approved and the report of the Board of Ministry was ADOPTED. Memorial Service: Gathering at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary of Jackson First UMC the Conference remembered 25 saints of the Church in a service of Word and Table. Dr. Deborah Smith, pastor of Centenary UMC, proclaimed the Word in a sermon entitled Living and Dying in Faith. Laity Banquet: The 2012 Laity Banquet was held at 6 p.m. in the gymnasium of Jackson First UMC. Gloria Holt, former Lay Leader of the North Alabama Annual Conference, was the keynote speaker. Opening Worship: The Conference gathered in the Carl Perkins Civic Center at 7 p.m. for worship. The Rev. Shane Stanford, Senior Pastor of Christ UMC, proclaimed the Word in a sermon entitled Running to the Fire. Music leadership was provided by members of the worship praise team from Covenant UMC. SECOND DAY Monday, June 4, 2012 Devotional Time: The Rev. Paul Scheirer, pastor of Aldersgate UMC, presided at Holy Communion in the Madison Room of the Carl Perkins Civic Center at 7 a.m. Wesley Prayer Walk: Delegates and friends participated in a prayer walk from the Civic Center to the Criminal Justice Complex at 7:30 a.m. Morning Session: Bishop Chamness called the Conference to order. Carlie Vowell, a youth from Martin FUMC in the Dyersburg District, opened the session in prayer. 1

2 David Russell, Conference Secretary, made the following organizing motions for the Annual Conference. Motion 1 The Bar of the Conference be the main floor and stage area of the Carl Perkins Civic Center. MOTION CARRIED. Motion 2 The official attendance record for this session of the Annual Conference be recorded from the confirmed online registrations and those clergy and lay registration forms turned in at the registration tables in the Lobby of the Civic Center. MOTION CARRIED. Motion 3 All cell phones to be in silent mode throughout the Annual Conference Session. MOTION CARRIED. Motion 4 All speakers, except those presenting reports from authorized bodies of this conference, be limited to three minutes. MOTION CARRIED. Motion 5 The adoption of the agenda as printed, subject to necessary amendments by the Chair, with the provision the following be made the Order of the Day at their announced time. All worship services All Bible studies The Celebration of Ministries Report Tuesday afternoon The Workshops on Tuesday afternoon MOTION CARRIED. Motion 6 Members of Bishop Chamness and Rev. Roger Hopson s family and staff as well as spouses of the Cabinet; Mrs. Martha Manuel, Office Manager of the Memphis Conference Connectional Ministry Team; all District Lay Resource Leaders; Ms. Alea Morris, Assistant Conference Treasurer Ms. Sheiola Owens, Assistant Conference Benefits Officer; guest District Superintendents and Extended Cabinet members from the Tennessee Annual Conference; Dr. Vincent Walkup, President of the Nashville Area Foundation; and others who will make presentations during reports be allowed to be seated within the Bar of the Conference. MOTION CARRIED. Bishop Chamness nominated Mark Whitlow and Kevin Floyd to be the Chancellors of the Conference. They were ELECTED. Richard Clark, Jackson District Superintendent, introduced the mayor of the city of Jackson, Jerry Gist, who extended greetings to the Annual Conference. Bishop Chamness lifted up the theme of the Conference which is Extravagant Generosity. He then introduced Dr. Douglas Meeks to lead the Conference in Bible Study. 2

3 Bible Study: Dr. Meeks used the Nicodemus passage from John 3 as a starting point. Four words will always be the right answer in terms of Wesleyan theology. 1. Grace 2. Love 3. Holiness love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. 4. Revival Only loved and forgiven people give extravagantly. Extravagant generosity and good stewardship begin with worship. [Morning Break] Jerry Severns, Chair, presented the initial report of the Council on Finance &Administration including initial budget report of CF&A. The budget will be open to perfection as reports of the various committees and work area reports are adopted. David Comperry, Chair, presented the report of the Board of Ministry. He pointed out the Conference is blessed with 40 Full time Local Pastors and 44 Part-time Local Pastors serving congregations. Rebecca Russell Alexander Provisional Deacon Jason W. Jones Provisional Elder Martha Dell King Provisional Elder David Coleman Stewart Provisional Elder Gregory Scott Shrein Taylor Provisional Elder Derek Wayne White Provisional Elder Ryan Boatright and Toni Watson were presented as newly elected Elders in Full Connection and answered the historic questions. David Atkinson, Chair, presented the report of the Board of Pensions. With a minor editorial correction the report of the Board of Pensions was ADOPTED. Scott Alford, Chair, presented the report of the Clergy Wellness Commission found on pages of the action packet which was sent to all delegates. The report was ADOPTED. Passing of the Mantle: Commissioning & Retirement Recognition Service 3

4 Commissioned Candidates Rebecca Russell Alexander Provisional Deacon Jason W. Jones Provisional Elder Martha Dell King Provisional Elder David Coleman Stewart Provisional Elder Gregory Scott Shrein Taylor Provisional Elder Derek Wayne White Provisional Elder Retirees Cecil Bellew James Michael Elliot Craig Stephen Ramsey Myra Bennett Wesley Fears William E. Tate James Cooper Robert Fejes Kenneth Uselton Ronnie Cunningham Merrill Douglas Meeks Bill Elkins Joseph Moseley [Lunch Break] Afternoon Session: Bishop Chamness presided. Jeremy Holland, a youth from Gadsden UMC of the Brownsville District, opened the session in prayer. Charles Gilliland presented a report from the United Methodist Men. Josh Gonzalez, of the Brownsville District, presented the young person s address. Shirley Williams, president of the Jackson District UMW and Angie Cherry, president of the Dyersburg District UMW, presented the report of the United Methodist Women. Immigration in the Bible, Haiti and Poverty are some of the sessions which will be presented at the CMEE School at Brownsville FUMC on July Sandra Burnett recognized Carolyn Hawthorne, a Deaconess, serving as a parish nurse in Jackson. Sandra Burnett, Conference Lay Leader, presented the Laity Address. The District Lay Leaders modeled the clothing one needs to be dressed for action. 4

5 Mike Freeman, Director of Lay Speaking for the Annual Conference, spoke of the ministry of Lay Speakers. By action of General Conference, Lay Speakers will be called Lay Servant Speakers beginning in January of Bishop Chamness, introduced specials guests of the Conference. These included his wife, Joy, with whom he is celebrating 52 years of marriage today. Gay Crew, the Adminsitrative Secretary and Susan Icenhour, assistants in the Episcopal office were presented. [Afternoon Break] Richard Clark introduced Joy Chamness who addressed the Annual Conference. appreciation were given to Roger & Cynthia Hopson, Gay Crew and Susan Icenhour. Gifts of Joe Geary, Dean of the Cabinet, presented the report of the District Superintendents. The report was ADOPTED. Joe Geary, Dean of the Cabinet, presented the charge-line changes. APPROVED. The changes were Steve Cavitt, Superintendent of the Dyersburg District, presented a resolution dissolving the Olivet UMC. RESOLUTION APPROVED. Steve Cavitt, Superintendent of the Dyersburg District, presented a resolution for discontinuance of the Christ UMC. RESOLUTION APPROVED. Gary Shorb, co-chair, presented a progress report of the Committee on Uniting Memphis and Tennessee Conferences. The report was RECEIVED. Gary Shorb presented the report of Methodist-Le Bonheur Healthcare. Bill Vaughn gave a ringing endorsement of the responsiveness of Methodist-Le Bonhuer Healthcare. The report was ADOPTED. Bill Lawson, Chair, presented the report of the Board of Trustees. The report was ADOPTED. Roger Hopson, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, presented the report of the Nominations Committee. The nominations were APPROVED. Sandra Burnett, Chair, reported no resolutions had been submitted to the Resolutions Committee. 5

6 Sandra Burnett of the Paducah District moved and it was seconded for the Memphis Annual Conference to endorse Randy Cooper as an Episcopal candidate. MOTION CARRIED. Sky Lowe-McCracken presented the report of the Equitable Compensation Commission. The report was APPROVED. David Russell, Conference Secretary reminded the Conference of the photos being taken for the directory and that all parking on the ground floor level of the Civic Center is reserved. Joe Thornton closed the afternoon session in prayer. [Supper Break] Evening Worship Ordination Service: Bishop Ben Chamness proclaimed the Word. THIRD DAY Tuesday, June 5, 2012 Devotional Time: The Rev. Gregory Waldrop, pastor of Fountain Avenue UMC, presided at Holy Communion in the Madison Room of the Carl Perkins Civic Center at 7 a.m. Wesley Prayer Walk: Delegates and friends participated in a prayer walk from the Civic Center to the Plaza at City Hall at 7:30 a.m. Morning Session: Bishop Chamness presided. Alex Story, a youth from Broadway UMC in the Paducah District, opened the session in prayer. David Russell, Conference Secretary, lifted up the support services available throughout the Carl Perkins Civic Center including the Hospitality Room, Cokesbury Room and the Health Fair provided by Methodist-Le Bonheur Health Care. Lunch is available at Jackson FUMC through their youth with all proceeds going to missions. Pictures for the clergy directory were being taken in the hallway of the Civic Center. Bible Study: Douglas Meeks led the Annual Conference in Bible Study. We usually get holiness wrong. Holiness is God working in us Perfect holiness would be a perfect love of God and a perfect love of neighbor The Wesleyan way is never to give up hope for anybody because God does not give up hope for anybody. [Morning Break] 6

7 Scott Alford, Chair of the Wellness Commission, asked James Finger, Conference Treasurer, to clarify a line item in the Wellness Commission report. James explained the item is merely an actuarial projection that changes as circumstances change. Bishop Ben Chamness gave the state of the Church report with a focus on the concept of connectionalism. 1. Apportionments 2. Appointments 3. The Covenant relationship within the orders of ministry. 4. The Annual Conference, which is still the primary unit of the UMC. 5. The person and office of the District Superintendent. 6. We are truly a global Chuch, with bishops and laity from around the world. 7. The Puublishing House 8. We are nimble enough to respond to arising needs quickly John Bonson, Chair, presented the report of the Connectional Ministry Team. Elyse Bell, Lay Resource Leader, of the Paris District, and Denise Russell, Lay Resource Leader of the Dyersburg District shared stories of extravagant generosity. Trina Morrison, Executive Director, shared about the ministry of Hannah s Hope. Michael Blake, Executive Director, shared about the ministry of Reelfoot Rural Ministries. Brent Porterfield, Executive Director, shared about the ministry of the United Methodist Neighborhood Centers. John Bonson lifted up some of the benefits the Annual Conference has received from the Cal Turner Center. Sue Engle, one of six Action Team Leaders and Lay Resource Leader for the Paducah District, reported on the work of the various Action Teams and ministry taking place in the Paducah District. Joe Moseley, Chair, gave the report of Church Vitality and New Church Development. Sammie Tillman led the Conference in the chorus of How Great Is Our God. John Bonson highlighted one change in the CMT budget which did not change the bottom line. Report was RECEIVED. 7

8 Greetings were extended to Dr. Ann Burkholder from Candler School of Theology. Linda from Pisgah UMC in the Dyersburg District thanked the Annual Conference for their support in building repairs and how much the connection meant to Pisgah. Vin Walkup, President, shared the report of the Memphis & Tennessee Conference United Methodist Foundation. He also lifted up the ministry of the Society of Saint Andrew and had Jerry Severns and James Finger present this year s awards to each other. Bishop Chamness acknowledged and expressed appreciation to the Nashville Area Cabinet. Sandra Burnett, Chair, presented the report of the Site Committee. Collierville UMC has extended an invitation for Annual Conference in 2013 to meet June 2-5. The site committee recommended accepting this invitation. MOTION CARRIED. [Lunch Break] Afternoon Session: Bishop Chamness presided. Richard Clay Wilson, from Gleason UMC in the Paris District, opened the session in prayer. Elyse Bell, Paris District Lay Resource Leader, introduced a video presentation of Richard Clay Wilson, a nine year old from Gleason who has raised $4,784 for the Peanut Butter Project. Richard then opened the Tuesday afternoon session in prayer. Selena Henson and Randy Cooper presented a report on the actions of General Conference. Randy commented that we will not legislate ourselves to unity or revival. Johnny Jeffords, of the Asbury District, reminded our delegates who will be voting for Bishops at the Jurisdictional Conference of this Conference s endorsement of Randy Cooper for the Episcopacy. Randy Cooper presented the nominations for the pool at Jurisdictional Conference. Nominations APPROVED. Larry Kaler, CEO, presented the report of Wesley Senior Ministries. He introduced Liz Clayton as the new President of the Wesley Senior Ministries Foundation. 8

9 Nancy Eubanks presented a report on Volunteers in Mission. 25 UMVIM Teams worked in six different countries in the last year. John Bonson, CMT Director, presented a list of churches celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. Cynthia Hopson presented a report on the Black College Fund. 96.3% of every dollar that comes into the BCF goes directly to historically black colleges. This means the BCF has a very small administrative cost. She then introduced Ms. Jessica Love, a student at Rust College. Gary Lawson, Executive Director, presented the report of Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly. In 2011, $74,000 was provided in camper scholarships. Last year, 591 volunteers gave over 39,000 hours in service to God and God s Kingdom at Lakeshore. Bill Walker, Lakeshore s Director of Development, highlighted that this year marks Gary s 20 th year of service as the Executive Director of Lakeshore. Phil Craig, Conference Scouting Ministries Coordinator, presented a report on Scouting Ministries. David Russell, Conference Chair of Evangelism, presented the Harry Denman Awards on behalf of the Foundation on Evangelism. The Youth recipient, a member of Martin FUMC in the Dyersburg District, is Carlie Vowell. She is the first Youth recipient in the Memphis Annual Conference. The Lay recipient, a member of Northside UMC in the Jackson District, is Lisa Clements. The Clergy award was presented post-humously to the Rev. Eulas Greer and was accepted by his widow, Betty. Andrew Halford, Chair, presented the report of the Division of Higher Education. The highlight of the report was shared by Stephen Fonville who reported on the new campus ministry taking place at the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus. Andrew Halford moved to amend page 13 of the CF&A Budget to adjust the University of Memphis line item by a total addition of $12,138. AMENDMENT CARRIED. Linda Warren Seely shared a presentation on Access to Justice. This is an effort initiated by the Tennessee Supreme Court to provide access for indigent citizens to the justice system. Anthony Schaffer of the Paducah District asked for a moment of personal privilege in requesting prayer for those whose lives have been affected by pancreatic cancer. Bishop Chamness closed the session in prayer. 9

10 [Workshops 4 to 5 p.m.] [Dinner Break] Evening Worship: The Rev.Melvin Amerson proclaimed the Word with a sermon entitled: My Eyes, My Heart, My Hands. FOURTH DAY Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Devotional Time: The Rev. Deborah Suddart, Associate Pastor of St. Paul UMC, presided at Holy Communion in the Madison Room of the Carl Perkins Civic Center at 7 a.m. Wesley Prayer Walk: Delegates and friends participated in a prayer walk from the Civic Center to the First Responder Center at 7:30 a.m. Bible Study: Douglas Meeks led the Annual Conference in Bible Study. Morning Session: Bishop Chamness presided. Ryan Pattat, from the Lafferty Circuit in the McKendree District, opened the session in prayer. Gregory Waldrop announced a one day Spiritual Growth Event on November 9 th for Lay and Clergy and the Clergy Spiritual Life Retreat on March 4-6, John Holt won the free kindle drawing held by Life Touch. Imagine What s Next will be held in St. Louis for young adults considering the call to ministry. Bishop Chamness clarified that action taken yesterday amending the Higher Education budget line item was in fact out of order. However, it was referred to CF&A as required by our standing rules. Jerry Severns presented the budget recommendations of CF&A. increase of $12,138 to the Higher Education line item. CF&A recommended an Bill Vaughn of the Jackson District moved Section 6 of the CF&A Report be changed to read we recommend that all conference authorized travel be reimbursed at the IRS rate. Furthermore, in Section II of CF&A s salary recommendations the following figures be substituted: $67,200 for $70,000 and $19,300 for $20,

11 Mr. Vaughn agreed to sever the motion into two parts. Vaughn motion 1 which would set all conference authorized travel reimbursement at the IRS rate FAILED. Discussion followed on the Vaughn motion 2. David Comperry asked for clarification on the effect of the Vaughn amendment. The effect would be to maintain the current salary of the District Superintendents. Troy Ann Poulopoulus asked if the potential merger with the Tennessee Conference was considered. Vin Walkup, shared there is a gap of approximately $12,500 in the salary; however, there are multiple pieces of the salary packages in both conferences including insurance. Autura Hampton called for the question. The call for the question PASSED. Vaughn motion 2 to eliminate any salary increase for the Districts Superintendents CARRIED. Birgitte French asked for clarification on the CMT staffing. Tammy Carroll, Asbury District, sought clarification on the salaries of the CMT Director and the Conference Treasurer. By rule, these are the same as those of the District Superintendents. The CF&A Budget, as amended and totaling $9,130,627, was APPROVED. David Russell, Conference Secretary, shared that videos may be ordered through Lane Camp. Evaluations of Annual Conference are available in the lobby and on-line. Please turn in name tags so they may be used in following years. Closing Worship: The Rev. Joy Weathersbee proclaimed the Word. Bishop Chamness declared the appointments as printed in the Appointment Book to be FIXED. Bishop Chamness sent the Conference forth with this blessing: During this together we have reminded of the extravagant generosity of Almighty God;. how He has touched our lives, how He has influenced us and how He expects us to be representatives of that extravagant grace, that extravagant love that He has bestowed upon us. May we go forth from this place and be God s people. Amen. Adjournment Sine Die 11