VII. Resolutions & Petitions

Transcription

1 VII. Resolutions & Petitions 241 A RESOLUTIONS ON DISCONTINUATION 1. The Discontinuance of the Pleasant Run UMC as a United Methodist Church Whereas, the Pleasent Run United Methodist Church located in the McCreary County Cluster of the Corbin District of the Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church has become less and less connected with The United Methodist Church, and whereas, at a special called Church Conference, the members of the Pleasant Run UMC voted to withdraw from The United Methodist Church, therefore, be it resolved, that the Pleasant Run UMC will be discontinued as a United Methodist Church, and the building and property will be sold to the people who wish to become an independent local community church, and the proceeds from the sale of the building and property, will be used in the Corbin District by investing the money from the sale into other building projects in the Corbin District, at the discretion of the District Superintendent and the Corbin District Building and Location Team. This action has been approved by Bishop James King and the Appointive Cabinet, and submitted to the entire Kentucky Annual Conference for approval at the June 5-8, 2006 gathering of the Kentucky Annual Conference at Bowling Green, Kentucky. 2. Resolution for the Discontinuance of the Bowen United Methodist Church Whereas, the Bowen United Methodist Church in Lincoln County in the Lexington District has declined in the membership, and Whereas, the remaining members have voted to discontinue the Bowen United Methodist Church at a Charge Conference on May, Be it resolved that the 2006 Kentucky Annual Conference held at Bowling Greem, KY, June 6-9, 2006 declare that the Bowen UMC in Lincoln County be discontinued as a United Methodist Church, and Be is further resolved that the remaining members of said church have the privilege of moving their membership to the church of their choice, with the membership roll being deposited with the District Superintendent.

2 Resolution for the Discontinuance of the Poosey Ridge United Methodist Church Whereas, the Poosey Ridge United Methodist Church in Madison County in the Lexington District has declined in membership, and Whereas, there are no remaining members living of the Poosey Ridge United Methodist Church, Be it resolved that the 2006 Kentucky Annual Conference held in Bowling Green, KY, June 6-9, 2006 declare that the Poosey Ridge United Methodist Church in Madison County be discontinued as a United Methodist Church. 4. Resolution for the Discontinuance of the Ravenna United Methodist Church Whereas, the Ravenna United Methodist Church in Estill County in the Lexington District has declined in membership, and Whereas, the remaining members have voted to discontinue the Ravenna United Methodist Church at a Charge Conference on February 5, 2006; Be it resolved that the 2006 Kentucky Annual Conference held at Bowling Green, KY, June 6-9, 2006 declare that the Ravenna UMC in Estill County be discontinued and that said property be sold with the consent and direction of the Kentucky Annual Conference Trustees, and Be it further resolved that the remaining members of said church have the privilege of moving their membership to the church of their choice, with the membership roll being deposited with the District Superintendent. t

3 Resolution for the Discontinuance of the Wallace United Methodist Church Whereas, the Wallace United Methodist Church in Madison County in the Lexington District has declined in membership, and Whereas, there are no remaining members living of the Wallace United Methodist Church, Be it resolved that the 2006 Kentucky Annual Conference held at Bowling Green, KY, June 6-9, 2006 declare that the Wallace United Methodist Church in Madison County be discontinued as a United Methodist Church. 6. Property Matter - Resolution for Discontinuance of Ninth Street United Methodist Church WHEREAS the Ninth Street United Methodist Church, being an African American urban church located in the city of Covington in Kenton County, has a long proud history; and WHEREAS the district superintendent has recommended discontinuance of Ninth Street United Methodist Church and transfer of membership to the office of the Covington District of the United Methodist Church; and WHEREAS the consent to discontinue has been granted by the presiding bishop, a majority of the district superintendents, and the district board of church location and building and all proper Disciplinary requirements have been complied with, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ninth Street United Methodist Church be discontinued and that the real and personal property both tangible and intangible be transferred to the Kentucky Annual Conference and disposition of said properties be cared for by the Conference trustees in keeping with the 2005 Book of Discipline paragraph 2548 and Kentucky Annual Conference policies.

4 Louisville Korean United Methodist Church Resolution Whereas, the Immanuel United Methodist Church (established in 1946) and the Louisville Korean Church were merged by resolution to form the Louisville Korean Church on April 1, And, whereas the Louisville Korean congregation has continued to decline in membership with a total of 24 members in 2005, And, whereas at a called Church Conference on May 7, 2006, the members of the Louisville Korean United Methodist Church voted, 4 in favor with one abstention, to close the church and have made disposition for all remaining church funds, And, whereas, the District Superintendent recommends that the remaining membership of the Louisville Korean United Methodist Church be allowed to transfer to the church of their choice, Be it resolved, in accordance with paragraph ,2 of the 2004 Book of Discipline, that the Louisville Korean United Methodist Church be declared discontinued on this the 16th day of May, Be it further resolved, that the church building property, located at 1563 Clara Avenue, be deeded over to the Breath of Life United Methodist Church for the use of that congregation for continued worship and ministry. B RESOLUTIONS ON MERGERS 1. Resolution on Merger of the Greenwood and Broadway United Methodist Churches Whereas, the Greenwood UMC in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has in recent years struggled to maintain its attendance and strength to carry on its ministries; and Whereas, Broadway UMC in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has been investigating a means to expand its ministries through a multi-site opportunity; and Whereas, at duly constituted church conferences the Greenwood UMC voted on May 17, 2006, to merge with the Broadway UMC and the Broadway UMC voted on May 23, 2006, to merge with the Greenwood UMC; and Whereas, the District Superintendent has approved of the merger; and Whereas, the resident Bishop and District Superintendents of the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church have approved the action proposed in this resolution; Therefore be it resolved that in accordance with the 2004 Book of Discipline and the merger agreement of said churches that the Greenwood and Broadway United Methodist Churches be declared merged; and Be it further resolved that the name of the newly merged church is Broadway United Methodist Church and all

5 245 assets and real property of the former churches become the assets and real property of the Broadway United Methodist Church. Be it further resolved that the members of the Greenwood, UMC will become members of the Broadway UMC. If a member chooses to join another church, letters of transfer will be provided from the Broadway UMC. C RESOLUTION FOR RESTART 1. Resolution for the restart of the West Broadway United Methodist Church Whereas, West Broadway United Methodist Church located at 3620 West Boradway in Louisville, Kentucky, has voted 16-0 in a duly called Church Conference on January 8, 2006 to become a Restart Church, surrendering their charter and placing the faith community under the leadership of the Kentucky Conference New Church and Congregational Development Team and the Louisville District, Be it resolved that West Broadway United Methodist Church is a Restart congregation, working as a cooperative parish ministry with Genesis United Methodist Church to form West End Ministries. D RESOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE OF CHARGE LINES 2006 Changes in Charge Lines Ashland District 1. Place Catlettsburg First with West Catlettsburg to form the Catlettsburg/West Catlettsburg Charge. Bowling Green District 1. Dissolve the Elkton Circuit. Pleasant Hill becomes a station church. Providence and Mt. Sharon form the Providence/Mt. Sharon Charge. 2. Dissolve the Cub Run Circuit. Cub Run becomes a station church. Wilkerson Temple and Dorseys Chapel form the Wilkerson Temple/Dorseys Chapel Charge. 3. Dissolve the Greenwood/White s Chapel Charge. White s Chapel becomes a station church.greenwood merges with Broadway

6 246 Columbia District 1. Dissolve the Columbia Circuit. Tarters, Glens Fork, Mt. Carmel, and Emory Chapel become station churches. Covington District 1. Place Foster with Concord (Bracken County) and Neave to form the Concord/Neave/Foster Charge Elizabethtown District 1. Place Bewleyville with Irvington/Webster to form the Irvington/Bewleyville/Webster Charge. Lexington District 1. Place McKendree with Robert s Chapel to form the Robert s Chapel/McKendree Charge. Madisonville District 1. Dissolve the Eddyville/Fairview Charge. Eddyville and Fairview become station churches. 2. Dissolve the Herndon/Layfayette Charge. Herndon and Layfayette become station shurches. 3. Dissolve Parkview/Nortonville Charge. Parkview and Nortonville become station churches. 4. Dissolve the Providence First/Rosebud Charge. Providence First and Rosebud become station churches. 5. Place McMurray Chapel with Cedar Grove to form the Cedar Grove/McMurray Chapel Charge. Prestonsburg District 1. Dissolve the Wayland/Horn Chapel Charge. Wayland and Horn Chapel become station churches. Change in District Boundries 1. Etend the boundary of the Louisville District to include Overdale UMC, which formerly was in the Elizabethtown District. E OTHER RESOLUTION Whereas, the Grace Community Church was organized under the 2000 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church paragraph 259 and is listed in the 2001 Conference Journal on page 268 under the question, What local churches have been :a) Organized? ; and Whereas, the Immanuel United Methodist Church pioneered this effort with families from their church; and Whereas, this newly organized church was never chartered but was given GCFA recognition by receiving an official number as if it had been chartered, Therefore, be it resolved that in accordance with paragraph the persons who joined the Grace Community Church, wich never converted a constituting conference, be acknowledged as members of the Immanuel United Methodist Church and that the GCFA number be discontinued for the Grace Community Church.

7 247 F. PETITIONS TO THE KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE 1. Petition to the Kentucky Annual Conference THE PROGRESSIVE UNITED METHODISTS OF KENTUCKY (PUMOK) petition the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church as follows: WHEREAS, Our Lord asked the disciple Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me, to which Peter replied Yes, Lord; and WHEREAS, in response, Our Lord directed Peter to tend and shepherd His sheep; and WHEREAS, Our Lord has advised that when we feed the hungry, when we provide drink to the thirsty, when we invite the stranger in, when we clothe the naked, when we visit the sick, and when we come to those in prison, we feed, assuage the thirst of, invite in, clothe, visit and come to Him; and WHEREAS, the prophet Micah, has reminded us that God has told us that what is required of us but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God; and WHEREAS, the prophet Amos has passed on to us the words of God that we should.. let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream; and WHEREAS, the reductions contemplated in the 2007 Kentucky Annual Conference Budget in the area of social justice and outreach place the burden of balancing the budget on the oppressed and the disadvantaged and the marginalized among Jesus flock; NOW THEREFORE, the PROGRESSIVE UNITED METHODISTS OF KENTUCKY hereby petition the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church to restore funding in the 2007 Budget for the following budget items to at least the level as in the 2006 WORKING budget: Annual Conference Ministries Pool (2006 WORKING BUDGET TOTALS -- $62,676.00) CHILDREN AND POVERTY CHRISTIAN UNITY AND INTERRELIGIOUS CONCERNS COMMISSION ON RACE AND RELIGION COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS AND ROLE OF WOMEN NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES PEACE WITH JUSTICE, CHURCH AND SOCIETY RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SHALOM COMMUNITIES SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRIES TASK FORCE JUSTICE AND ADVOCACY MINISTRIES POOL DISASTER RESPONSE EAST AFRICA INITIATIVE MISSION PERSONNEL AND FUNDS REFUGEES/IMMIGRATION VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION MISSION POOL RED BIRD MISSIONARY CONFERENCE: said restoration to be funded by a corresponding decrease in the proposed increase to conference salaries in the 2007 budget.

8 248 Respectfully submitted, PROGRESSIVE UNITED METHODISTS OF KENTUCKY APRIL DuVAL, PRESIDENT and MEMBER FOURTH AVENUE UMC DAVID STIERLE, TREASURER, and MEMBER CHRIST CHURCH UMC REFERRAL: Committee on Resolutions/Petitions referred the petition to the Personnel Committee of the Primary Task Team and the Council on Finance and Administration. RECOMMENDATION: The Personnel Committee of the Primary Task Team and the Council on Finance and Administration recommended non-concurrence. ACTION: The vote of the conference affirmed non-concurrence. 2. Petition to the Kentucky Annual Conference THE PROGRESSIVE UNITED METHODISTS OF KENTUCKY (PUMOK) petition the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church as follows: WHEREAS, on November 2, 2005, the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church issued a Pastoral Letter in response to Judicial Decision 1032; and WHEREAS, the Bishops affirmed that the General Conference has clearly spoken through the denomination s Constitution on inclusiveness and justice for all as it relates to church membership; and WHEREAS, the Bishops fully affirmed that All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking the vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection; and WHEREAS, the Bishops called upon all United Methodist pastors and laity to make every congregation a community of hospitality; and WHEREAS, the GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE PROGRESSIVE UNITED METHODISTS OF KENTUCKY commit PUMOK to the historic, Wesleyan tenets Of United Methodists: social justice and social action as well as a willingness to speak, teach, live, and preach the prophetic word as given to us by the prophets and our Lord Jesus; and WHEREAS, the GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE PROGRESSIVE UNITED METHODISTS OF KENTUCKY commit PUMOK to promote the cause of justice for ALL God s children and to fostering understanding and acceptance among ALL of God s children; NOW THEREFORE, the PROGRESSIVE UNITED METHODISTS OF KENTUCKY hereby petition the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church to adopt the following Resolution: RESOLVED: That the Kentucky Annual Conference hereby whole-heartedly endorses the Pastoral Letter of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church dated November 2, 2005, which was in response to the decision of the Judicial Council in matter No styled, In Re: Review of Bishop s Decisions of law in the Virginia Annual Conference Related to the Authority of a Pastor under 214 and 225 of the 2004 Discipline to Exercise Judgment in Determining Who May Be Received into Membership in the Local Church. Respectfully submitted, PROGRESSIVE UNITED METHODISTS OF KENTUCKY APRIL DuVAL, PRESIDENT and MEMBER FOURTH AVENUE UMC DAVID STIERLE, TREASURER, and MEMBER CHRIST CHURCH UMC

9 249 RECOMMENDATION: Committee on Resolutions/Petitions recommended a substitute motion that read: The KY Annual Conference hereby endorses the Pastoral Letter of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church dated November 2, We further affirm our trust in our Bishop, James King, to represent the United Methodist people of KY as this dialogue continues. ACTION: The conference voted concurrence with the following substitute that was moved from the floor: Be it resolved that the KY Annual Conference affirms our Bishops in their concern that our congregations be places of hospitality, welcoming all to receive the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We urge them to reaffirm the role of the pastor as leader of the congregation, charged with preaching the gospel, teaching our United Methodist doctrine, and preparing persons for professing membership in the local congregation. 3. National Hunger Awareness Day WHEREAS, over thirty-six million Americans struggle with the reality of hunger even though God has blessed the United States of America with more than adequate resources, including an extraordinary abundance of food, to provide for the material needs of all her citizens; and WHEREAS, the only factor hindering the creation of a hunger-free America is the political and moral conscienceto make it so; and WHEREAS the prophets continually call the nations and rulers to care for the poor and that Jesus said how we respond to the poor demonstrates how we respond to him; and WHEREAS, National Hunger Awareness Day has been established as a platform for faith-based and domestic hunger relief organizations to raise awareness about hunger in America and the work they do to create a hungerfree America; and WHEREAS, the annual observance of National Hunger Awareness Day has been set for June 6th each year; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church formally and actively recognizes National Hunger Awareness Day as a time to unite and stand in solidarity with and for the poor and those who minister to the; and be it RESOLVED FURTHER, that all congregations of the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church are encouraged to lift up the poor and hungry in prayer, receive an offering for relief of the poor, actively minister to serve the poor locally, contact their state, local and national representatives on behalf of the poor, or in some other appropriate way observe National Hunger Awareness Day during the morning worship service on a convenient Sunday in June each year, and throughout the year continue to stand in solidarity with the poor until hunger is eliminated from our land. Proposed by Kentucky United Methodist Men RECOMMENDATION: Committee on Resolutions/Petitions recommended concurrence. ACTION: Conference affirmed concurrence. 4. Expression of Thankfulness Clergy and Laity of Closing Churches Whereas, church in district found ways to offer Christ in its community in the past; and Whereas, its laity and appointed pastors found viable ways to offer Christ in its day; and Whereas, people's lives were celebrated and valued in a vital community of faith for a period of time; and Whereas, men and women encountered Christ, heard and responded to the call of God to serve Him as pastors, missionaries, and servant-leaders throughout the world; and Whereas, over time, population shifts, demographics, paradigm shifts, and the inability to encounter and invite others to know Christ to keep this individual church viable; and Whereas, through prayer and discussion, the local church determined it no longer had a viable ministry to reach people for Jesus Christ; and Whereas, it is recommended by both the local church and district leadership to redistribute church membership and funds of that local church to another United Methodist church or another ministry within the United Methodist Church at large;

10 250 Therefore, be it resolved that each individual district where the church is closing, through its own conferencing, seek and find appropriate and worshipful ways to express their thankfulness to God for the ministry provided by the laity and pastors who served there in that particular church. Proposed by Rev. Robert Cooper, Columbia District RECOMMENDATION: Committee on Resolutions/Petitions recommended non-concurrence on this resolution and offered a substitute resolution that states, Be it resolved that each individual district where the church is closing, through its own conferencing, seek and find appropriate and worshipful ways to express their thankfulness to God for the ministry provided by the laity and pastors who served there in that particular church. One such instrument is the Order for Disbanding a Congregation found on page 650 of the United Methodist Book of Worship. ACTION: The conference concurred with the substitute resolution. 5. Motion and Petition of Highland United Methodist Church to the Kentucky Annual Conference in session June 5-8, 2006, Bowling Green, Kentucky The Administrative Council of Highland United Methodist Church hereby endorses the Council of Bishops letter of November 2, 2005 Lake Junaluska regarding the Judicial Council s decision to uphold a pastor s refusal of membership to a practicing homosexual. In that letter, the Council of Bishops affirmed the Social Principles (Para. 161g Book of Disciplines) and stated that...homosexuality is not a barrier [to membership in the church]; and further The Administrative Council of Highland United Methodist Church petitions the Kentucky Annual Conference to approve/support the above-referenced Council of Bishops letter and to encourage all United Methodist congregations to be faith communities of hospitality for all persons. Motion and petition adopted on the 21 st day of May, 2006 Karen R. Howe Chair, Administrative Council Ron Gaddie, Pastor Highland United Methodist Church RECOMMENDATION: Committee on Resolutions/Petitions recommended a substitute motion that read: The KY Annual Conference hereby endorses the Pastoral Letter of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church dated November 2, We further affirm our trust in our Bishop, James King, to represent the United Methodist people of KY as this dialogue continues. ACTION: The conference voted concurrence with the following substitute that was moved from the floor: Be it resolved that the KY Annual Conference affirms our Bishops in their concern that our congregations be places of hospitality, welcoming all to receive the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We urge them to reaffirm the role of the pastor as leader of the congregation, charged with preaching the gospel, teaching our United Methodist doctrine, and preparing persons for professing membership in the local congregation.