New York Annual Conference. Call to the 215th Session of the. Bishop Martin D. McLee, Presiding. Registration Information Voting for GC and NEJ

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1 New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church 20 Soundview Ave White Plains, NY The Prophetic Church Pray about it. Talk about it. Be about it. Call to the 215th Session of the New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Bishop Martin D. McLee, Presiding Hofstra University June 4-7, 2014 INSIDE: Registration Information Voting for GC and NEJ Delegates Reminders

2 March, 2014 CALL TO CONFERENCE 1 A Call to the New York Annual Conference Beloved New York Annual Conference: Grace and peace unto you. The 2014 Annual Conference Session will be held June 4-7 at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York. Our honored guest preacher and speaker will be the distinguished Reverend Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr., well-known commentator of the Disciple Bible Study Series produced by Abingdon Press. Dr. Holmes will share from our theme: The Prophetic Church: Pray About It, Talk About It, Be About It (2 Corinthians 3:17). We will also share our inaugural Reverend Bill Perkins Lecture to be delivered by the Reverend Dr. Pamela R. Lightsey, Associate Dean, Boston University School of Theology. Our own Reverend Dr. Charles Ferrara will lead the morning Bible Study. As you prepare for Annual Conference, expect a joy filled experience that will impact you personally. All My Prayers, Bishop Martin D. McLee Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 A Message from Our Lay Leader Dear Lay Members of the New York Annual Conference: Grace and peace to you all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord! It is with joy that I issue you this call to the 215th Session of the New York Annual Conference to be held at Hofstra University, from Wednesday June 4th to Saturday June 7th, All God s People in All Places, And in All Times, Are Called to Love And to Serve. Ministry of the Laity The Laity Session will be held in the arena of the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Wednesday, June 4th beginning at 1:00 pm. Lay delegate candidates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences will be introduced during this session. Eligible lay persons should declare their candidacy to be a delegate by April 1st. (Please see NYAC Rules Elections of General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegates, pages in the 2013 Journal & Yearbook, especially noting Rule 88a for declaring one s candidacy.) Detailed information will also be posted online and in the Lay Member s Guide to Annual Conference. We anticipate a time of rich fellowship, dynamic preaching and praise-filled worship as we thankfully reflect on the past and prayerfully plan for the future. Peace, Renata Smith Conference Lay Leader Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15

3 2 CALL TO CONFERENCE March, 2014 INFORMATION FROM THE ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE The Committee on Accessibility, chaired by Stephanie Parsons, has been actively working both to define its mission in our conference and also to understand the best way that we as guided by the Spirit may help the conference move ahead. We are looking forward to having a table at conference to help all understand the issues as they apply to our congregants, our congregations, our clergy and our communities. Pastor John LeCain, a member of our committee, will be a liaison between individuals with accessibility issues and the conference staff. Please contact John with any questions or concerns you may have regarding accessible accommodations, area transportation, meals, arena/plenary matters or other accessibility concerns that may arise. The Committee on Accessibility looks forward to helping make this Annual Conference an event at which all feel welcome! Please contact John LeCain. john.lecain@nyac-umc.com Phone: , Address: P.O. Box 176, Kerhonkson, NY Invitation to Bible Study and Morning Worship Our own Rev. Dr. Charles Ferrara will lead the morning Bible Study on Thursday at 8:30am in the arena. Our inaugural Reverend Bill Perkins Lecture will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Pamela R. Lightsey, Associate Dean, Boston University School of Theology on Friday at 8:30am in the arena. Early morning worship and communion will be held at 6am Thursday and Friday mornings in the Greenhouse (lower level of the Student Center). Meet Rev. Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr., Guest Speaker Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. is Pastor Emeritus of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, where he served for 28 years. He was Adjunct Professor of Preaching at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University for 24 years. Known as much for his community activism as his preaching and teaching, Dr. Holmes was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from , while he also served as a United Methodist District Superintendent. He is the author of five books and is widely known for his role as narrator and host of the well-known Disciple Bible Study video series produced by Abingdon Press. In 2001, Dr. Holmes was recognized as one of the civil rights movement s Invisible Giants in the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Alabama.

4 E VENT DETAILS FOR CONFERENCE Accommodations Housing costs are in addition to your registration fee and are dependent upon the accommodations chosen. If Hofstra campus housing is chosen during registration, the costs will be as follows: Single: $50.25 per person per night Double: $40.25 per person per night Hotels are only available by calling them directly. See the bottom of page 5 for a listing of hotel options and rates. Meals During online registration, you will indicate which meals you will attend. If you have registered and paid for conference, meals in the Student Center from Wednesday dinner through Saturday breakfast are included. Visitors and reserve lay members will be charged for each meal requested unless they have registered and paid to attend the entire conference. Those attending special meals (e.g. the meeting of Church & Society), will be charged an additional fee, since such separate locations incur additional expense to the conference. Retired Clergy Attending the One-Day Session This year there will be a one-day Thursday registration for Retired Clergy/ Spouses which will cost $20 per person; you will register online for this. If accommodations are needed at Hofstra for Wednesday and/or Thursday night, please make that choice when you register online; the prices for housing are listed above. Remittance Payments must be made in one of two ways: 1) by credit card/debit card through PayPal during registration, or 2) by check made payable to NYAC and mailed to NYAC, Attn: Fran Collins, 20 Soundview Ave, White Plains, NY within two weeks of the online registration. Voluntary Contributions over and above registration cost can also be made during the online registration process. Please make this clear in your remittance. We thank you in advance! Refunds will be sent after Annual Conference to those who notify Barbara Eastman (website@nyac.com) and Conference Secretary Fred Jackson (confsecy@nyac.com) by May 23, 2014 of their inability to attend the Annual Conference session. Your notification will serve two purposes: 1) to allow you to receive a refund, and 2) to be excused from all or part of the Annual Conference session. Conference Rules As part of our contract with Hofstra University, there are rules and regulations that we must relay to you. In the online registration form, you will find a link to these rules. Please take the time to review. At the end of the form, you will be asked to acknowledge that you have read and agree to these rules. Legislative Section Changes Sign up for legislative sections will take place during online registration. Changes can only be made at Hofstra in the checkin area up to 10am on Thursday. Questions If you have questions about your registration, please contact the following: Housing/ general questions: Barbara Eastman at or website@nyac.com Accessibility concerns: John LeCain at or john.lecain@nyac-umc.com Payments: Fran Collins at or fcollins@nyac.com (continued on next page) March, 2014 CALL TO CONFERENCE 3 Registration Please register for Annual Conference as soon as possible. The link to the online registration can be found here: Registration closes on May 21, There will be NO onsite registration at Hofstra this year everyone who wishes to attend and receive credentials must register online. Registration fees covering meals and participation costs of the conference are shown below. Your cost depends upon the timing of your registration, providing an incentive to register early. The fees may be paid by check or charged to a credit card via PayPal (no account is needed) you make that choice during the online registration. You will receive a confirmation with a link where you can review all of the options you have chosen, your total charges, and the mailing information for checks. Please print this confirmation information and bring it with you to conference. The fees are as follows: Registration completed prior to May 1, $225 May 1 until May 21, $250 One-day fee for clergy retirees and spouses for Thursday, June 5 - $20 each Your registration is not complete until payment has been received either by receipt of your check or by credit card at the time of online registration. Check-in begins on site at Hofstra, 10am on Wednesday, June 4th in the lobby of the arena. After noon on Thursday, check-in moves downstairs to the business office in the Pride Lounge. Check-in hours at the Arena: Wednesday, June 4-10am to 9pm Thursday, June 5-8am to 9pm Friday, June 6-9am to 5pm

5 4 CALL TO CONFERENCE March, 2014 EVENT DETAILS FOR CONFERENCE (CONT) Display Tables Display Tables are available with reservations through Rev. Ann Pearson. Please send your request to or in writing to: Rev. Ann Pearson, New York Annual Conference, 20 Soundview Ave, White Plains, NY Space is offered to conference and church agencies on a first-come, firstserved basis. What to Bring with You to Hofstra If you are staying on campus in a Hofstra Dormitory: Hofstra will provide you with: One pillow, bed linens, one towel, and one blanket. You should provide for your accommodations: An extra blanket or two Soap, washcloth, flashlight Rooms have only an overhead light, so you may want to bring a table lamp. Hangers for your clothes closet Please note: Telephones in the dorm rooms can only be used to call on campus. To call outside, you must use your own cell phone or calling card from a pay phone. Whether or not you are staying on campus: Comfortable walking shoes A holder for your papers consider a loose-leaf binder and three-hole punch Extra money to contribute to session offerings and/or if you plan to visit the Cokesbury bookstore A sweater (the arena can get cold) Bible for studies and/or meditation When you check in, you will receive the following: Conference booklet containing all reports, petitions and resolutions (the pre-conference booklet will also be available on Hand-held voting device (for voting members of conference) Name badge color coded for voting Housing/accommodations information (if appropriate) Menus for each meal Campus map Conference telephone directory including emergency information Check-out procedure sheet Brightly colored sheet for permission to speak during sessions All other papers will be found on the Document Tables in the arena or they will be handed out within the bar of the conference. Hofstra Facilities Information The arena is where the Plenary Sessions take place, check-in occurs, and where the Cokesbury bookstore is located. WiFi is available in the arena and other areas of the campus. Cell phones must be turned off in the arena during Conference sessions. The Student Center is where you will find: Dining Hall Many Legislative Sessions Guest Services Desk Lounge Area: Snacks and coffee will be available each evening in front of the Dining Hall immediately opposite the Hofstra bookstore. Call for Health Kits! Health kits will be collected on Wednesday and Thursday in the arena. For information about building a health kit, go to: The Blueprint for Wellness Biometric Screening will once again be held during Annual Conference. Active clergy and their spouses who are enrolled in HealthFlex should consider participating and earning $100 per person! This is the first step to completing the Health Quotient and saving on your annual deductibles in Details on registration for this screening to follow. Special Rates for Conference Members at Area Hotels Conference members must contact the hotels directly using the information listed to the right. The number of rooms is limited, and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations Deadline: April 30th if rooms are still available. Make reservations early! Once each hotel books the allotted NYAC reservations, no more reservations may be made at the special rate. Hotels are listed by their approximate distance from Hofstra.

6 March, 2014 CALL TO CONFERENCE 5 PLEASE READ PRIOR TO REGISTRATION LEGISLATIVE SECTIONS SECTION 1: MINISTRIES OF WITNESS Committee on Accessibility, Conference Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, Hispanic American Council, Mission u, Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM), United Methodist Men, United Methodist Women, Walk to Emmaus, and petitions related to Witness Ministries. SECTION 2: CONNECTIONAL MINISTRIES AND MINISTRIES OF NURTURE Camping and Retreat Ministry, Children s Ministry, Commission on Higher Education and Campus Ministry, Hispanic Consultant, Learning Center, Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members, Conference Ministries Vision Table, District Councils on Ministries, Mission and Outreach Ministries, Older Adult Ministries, Conference Council on Youth Ministries, and petitions related to Ministries of Nurture. Societies & Institutions: Africa University, Black College Fund, Boston University School of Theology, Candler School of Theology, Drew University Theological School, The Long Island Council of Churches, United Theological Seminary, Wesley Theological Seminary. Note: Submissions from agencies which have no reporting responsibility to the Conference are included herein for information purposes. SECTION 3: MINISTRIES OF ADVOCACY Conference Board of Church and Society, Ecumenical Korea Peace Conference, Task Force on Immigration, Justice for Our Neighbors (NYAC-JFON), Immigration Project, Commission on Religion and Race, Committee to Study a More Inclusive Church, and petitions related to Advocacy. SECTION 4: LEADERSHIP/ COMMISSIONING Committee on Cross-Racial and Cross- Cultural Appointments, Committee on Episcopacy, Conference Lay Leader, Committee on Lay Servant Ministries, Board of Ordained Ministry, Parish/Faith Community Nurse, and petitions related to Leadership/Commissioning. SECTION 5: CLERGY CARE & CONFERENCE FINANCE Commission on Equitable Compensation, Council on Finance and Administration, Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, and resolutions related to Clergy Care and Conference Finance. SECTION 6: ADMINISTRATION Commission on Archives and History, Conference Archivist, Commission on Conference Sessions, Journal Examination Committee, Parish Development Missional Priorities (EMLC) Commission, Conference Personnel Committee, Conference Rules Committee, Conference Secretary s Office, Strategic Economic Analysis Task Force, United Methodist City Society, and petitions related to Administration. CORPORATE SESSION REPORTS & RESOLUTIONS Board of Trustees, United Methodist Frontier Foundation and Corporate Resolutions are presented in plenary sessions. Long Island Marriott Hotel and Convention Center Miles 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale Rate: $ occupancy tax For reservations call and provide the agent with the group name NY Annual Conference of United Methodist Church, or go to www. LongIslandMarriott.com and enter UMCUMCA in the group code box under Special Rates and Awards. All rooms are non-smoking. A limited number of rooms are available at this rate for Tuesday, June 3, When registering online, verify your CHECK-IN date as the default includes Tuesday. Red Roof Inn Miles 699 Dibblee Dr, Westbury Rate: $ occupancy tax For reservations call , and use the code B NY. All rooms are non-smoking. LaQuinta Inn & Suites Garden City Miles 821 Stewart Ave, Garden City Rate: $ occupancy tax (Wed & Thurs nights) Rate: $ occupancy tax (Fri night) For reservations call , and use the code 2056 GRAUSZ. Best Western Mill River Manor Miles 173 Sunrise Hwy, Rt 27, Rockville Centre Rate $ occupancy tax For reservations call , and use the code NYAJ.

7 6 CALL TO CONFERENCE March, General & Jurisdictional Delegate Elections Number of Delegates We have been allotted: a) four (4) clergy and four (4) lay delegates to General Conference, who will also be delegates to the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference; b) four (4) clergy and four (4) lay delegates to the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, who, in order of their election, will be reserve delegates to the General Conference, and c) six (6) clergy and six (6) lay reserve delegates for the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference. These reserve clergy and lay delegates to the jurisdictional conference may act as reserve delegates to the General Conference when it is evident that not enough reserve delegates are in attendance at the General Conference. Consideration shall be given to electing an inclusive delegation (Discipline 124, 138) to jurisdictional conference. Clergy Who May Vote The clergy members of the annual conference who are deacons and elders in full connection, associate members, those provisional members who have completed all of their educational requirements, and local pastors who have completed course of study or an M. Div. degree and have served a minimum of two consecutive years under appointment immediately preceding the election are eligible to vote. Clergy Member Candidates In order to be a candidate as a delegate to General or the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conferences, you must be a clergy member in full connection. At the time of registration for annual conference, any eligible clergy member of the New York Annual Conference may withdraw his/her name from consideration as a prospective delegate to General and jurisdictional conferences. This does not preclude them from then requesting reinstatement of their names at a later time. Laity Who May Vote All lay members of the annual conference are eligible to vote. Lay Candidates The lay delegates to the General and jurisdictional conferences shall be elected by the lay members of the annual conference without regard to age, providing such delegates shall have been professing members of The United Methodist Church for at least two years preceding their election, and shall have been active participants in The United Methodist Church for at least four years preceding their election, and are members of the annual conference electing them at the time of the General and jurisdictional conferences. Please see New York Annual Conference Rule 88a in the 2013 Journal for more detailed information. Timing The balloting process for clergy shall begin during the Executive Session (clergy session); lay delegate candidates will be introduced during the Laity Session. Both of these sessions will be held on Wednesday, June 4, Important Dates & Deadlines: March 1 April 1 April 23 May 1 May 21 May 23 June 1 June 4-7 Early-Bird Registration ($225) for Annual Conference opens: Declaration by Lay Candidates for General & Jurisdictional Conferences due. See page 6 of this call, and Section K of the Conference Rules, pp of 2013 Journal. Pay special attention to Rule 88a. All Annual Conference reports (not more than 700 words), resolutions and petitions to appear in Pre-Conference Booklet due (Rule 27); send to confsecy@nyac.com. The reports, resolutions and petitions will be periodically posted online beginning late April. Late Registration ($250) for Annual Conference opens Registration for Annual Conference closes. Note: NO ONSITE REGISTRATION AT HOFSTRA Cancellation of registration due in order to receive refund send to website@nyac.com Petition to be excused from attending part or all of 2014 Annual Conference session send (preferred) to confsecy@nyac.com 215th Session of New York Annual Conference

8 March, 2014 CALL TO CONFERENCE 7 Travel Directions to Hofstra University Most GPS units allow you to select or search for Hofstra University in the Points of Interest section. If you need an address for navigation, use: 900 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, NY For detailed directions, please visit By Rail Road (from NY City) The Long Island Rail Road provides regular commuter service from Pennsylvania Station in New York City to the Hempstead Station, which is less than two miles from Hofstra s campus. Take the Long Island Rail Road East on the Hempstead Branch to the final stop Hempstead. Depending on the day and time, a complimentary blue Hofstra bus may be waiting at the station to take visitors and students to the Hofstra campus. The bus makes several stops on campus. Otherwise, take a taxi for a short 5-minute trip to the Hofstra Campus. Online, go to for complete Long Island Rail Road information and schedules. By Bus Long Island Bus provides public bus service serving Hempstead, Hofstra University, Nassau University Medical Center, Levittown, Farmingdale, Melville, Sunrise Mall, Babylon, via Hempstead Turnpike. Colonial Square Dorms Campus Map Hofstra USA Mack Arena Bill of Rights Dorm University Club Student Center N Adams Playhouse W E S Map Legend