III. Daily Proceedings Fifth Annual Session of the Indiana Conference June 6-8, 2013 Indiana Convention Center Indianapolis, Indiana

Transcription

1 III. Daily Proceedings Fifth Annual Session of the Indiana Conference June 6-8, 2013 Indiana Convention Center Indianapolis, Indiana The theme was Transform the world... BE A WORLD CHANGER based on Romans 12:1-2. Thursday, June 6, 2013 OPENING WORSHIP & PLENARY SESSION CALL TO ORDER Welcome and call to order by Bishop Michael Coyner at 1:24 p.m. Carolyn Johnson (Conference Secretary) and Becky Huff-Cook (Associate Conference Secretary) tasks include opening roll call, reading of the memorial scroll, documenting names proposing actions, signing certificates credentialing new churches, ministerial orders, retirement, general and jurisdictional delegates and extension efforts beyond the conference boundaries. Motion Carolyn Johnson moves that registration will serve as the official roll call, that the Bar of Conference shall be the main floor of the room, and that the official working documents of the Indiana Annual Conference consists of those reports sent to members either in print or digital format, and those distributed in the registration packets. PASSED. 1.2 INTRODUCTION OF LEADERSHIP TABLE AND DIRECTORS David V.W. Owen retiring Executive Assistant to the Bishop, assists and supports the many functions of the office of Bishop and the work of the Leadership Table. Cindy Reynolds newly appointed Executive Assistant to the Bishop. Shirley Saddler Conference prayer coordinator, keeps Leadership Table focused on our source of power and authority. Andy Kinsey Wesleyan theologian, led us in Wesley s Covenant Prayer available at the Red Phone Booth. Karen Powell Convener for teams that provide the planning and organization of the Annual Conference sessions. The Strategic Planning Team has a four-year quadrennial plan that focuses on Transforming the World through our ordinary lives. This year s theme, BE A WORLD CHANGER, will be followed by themes on call/vision/leadership, social justice and holy conferencing/dialogue and in 2016 sharing the Good News across generations through storytelling. Information is in packets regarding security, help desks and otherwise noted location of restrooms and emergency exits. Helpful ushers can be spotted with unique vests. Thanks given to Conference staff led by Ruth Ellen Needler and the many hours worked to gather details. Staff can be identified by colorful polo shirts. In addition, the Annual Conference Implementation Team worked to provide us the opportunity to gather for worship. Kayc Mykrantz & Ike Williams Co-Conference Lay Leaders. Three books give definitions of lay person. The dictionary (someone who is not trained) and the Book of Discipline 126 ( the witness of the laity their Christ-like example is the primary evangelistic ministry through which all people come to Christ and through which the United Methodist Church will fulfill its mission. ) John Wesley used the term lay person to refer to all those folks who are not clergy. Areas of training for lay people in the Indiana Conference are lay servant classes, district training events, and local church mission teams. To receive training information, contact your district lay leader or Brian Durand, Conference Leadership specialist. The third book is the Bible which says for ALL to be and make disciples. Dave Martin President, United Methodist Men. UMM focus is on three special areas: scouting and civic youth programs (Big Brother Big Sister), food distribution with the Society of St. Andrew (Feed the Hungry), and devotional books for our military and emergency workers. Indiana Conference gave $26,735 for Meals for Millions in Carolyn Maxey President, United Methodist Women. UMW is active in mission primarily to women, children and youth, locally and around the world. Our PURPOSE is to know God, to be in relationship with Jesus Christ, to be a supportive community, and to be in mission. In 2012, UMW provided $13,327 in scholarships to aid 272 Indiana youth and young adults for 25 different individual or group experiences. Other projects include Lucille Raines Residence and the School of Christian Mission. We gave a total of $714,664.41, in Bob Pimlott Convener, Discipleship Resource Team. The team is made up of 26 leader/coordinators from 20 ministry areas. Our goal is to connect clergy and laity with the appropriate resource person. Action item Winners of the Harry Denman Evangelism Award are: Gabrielle Pruitt from Terre Haute Mt. Pleasant UMC (youth), Rev. Robert H. Miller, Jr., retired elder (clergy), and Dennis Pickard from Sheridan UMC (laity). Motion The DRT moves that the Rev. Dr. Kim Reisman be continued as Conference Evangelist, according to of 2012 The Book of Discipline. PASSED Mark Dicken Chair, Trustees. The role of trustees is to steward the resources and protect the legal interests of the Indiana Conference to enable ministry and mission that makes disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Jim Shaw Chair, Committee on Episcopacy. Functions of the Committee are as described in the 2012 The Book of Discipline Welcome back to Bishop Coyner, who was reassigned to Indiana. Helene Foust Youth Ministry. There were over 700 in attendance for Bishop s Youth Rally which will be restructured for 2014 to include both middle and high school youth. Campus ministry will come together with campus minsters from

2 each UM affiliated campus this July to launch a bold new vision for Indiana campus ministries. Glenn Knepp will be leading the team beginning July, Jennifer Huff Young Adult. Lion and Lamb Festival in September of 2013 is a community of hope for all ages gathering to share gifts, inspire authentic conversation, and passionately follow God in the world. Jim Coy Outgoing chair, Camp Board. Last summer 3,252 went to camp. Of those campers, 495 reported making a first-time commitment to Jesus Christ and over 200 senior high students responded to a call to some form of Christian ministry. Facilities were improved with a new entrance and new cabins at Epworth Forest. The goal for Camp Indicoso is to make it a destination camp for youth activities in a three state area serving southern Indiana and beyond. Anne Rosebrock Chair, Board of Ordained Ministry. The Board is in ministry to recruit, credential, and support those providing professional leadership in ministry in the local church and in extension ministry 635.2a The Book of Discipline New software Pathways to Ministry is to be used for individuals moving through candidacy to ordination. Group candidacy mentoring was launched. Continuing education grants were increased and each district has access up to $10,000 for continuing education events. Greg Rittenhouse Chair, Board of Pension & Health Benefits. Our work is vital to our current class of retirees as well as our active clergy and lay participants. Doug Anderson Interim Chair, Church Development. Rita Gaither-Gant Convener, Mission Resource Team. Goals are to connect local congregations in mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ; to strengthen, develop and renew Christian congregations and communities; to alleviate human suffering and to seek justice, freedom and peace. Representatives are from a variety of mission program units including United Methodist Women, Volunteer in Mission (led North Central Jurisdiction in number of volunteers), Disaster Response ($650,000 given in 2012), Global Health (Imagine No Malaria), Parish Nursing/Health Ministries, Second Mile Giving such as Special Sunday, Bishop s Christmas offering, support of Conference and General Church Advance projects and covenant relationships with mission personnel of the General Board of Global Ministries. Darren Cushman-Wood Social Advocacy, Justice and Ethnic Ministries Team. Advocate for justice in the practices of our congregation, conference, and related ministries and to focus and enhance ecumenical relationships. Matthew Stultz team leader, Communication team. Dan Gangler, Director of Communication. We are in the process of improving the conference website, increasing the use of social media such as Facebook & Twitter, assist Conference groups in event promotion, evaluate and increase use of communication technology during annual conference sessions. David Byrum Cabinet chair. Ron Frieden Chair, Council on Finance and Administration. Its purpose is to develop, maintain, and administer a plan of fiscal and administration policies, procedures, and management services for the annual conference. Jennifer Gallagher is the treasurer and chief administrator. Bishop Coyner introduced the directors Jim Bushfield, Director of Connectional Ministries; Brent Williams, Director of Administrative Services & Human Resources; Dan Gangler, Director of Communication; Jennifer Gallagher, Director of Financial Services; Doug Anderson, Interim Director of Church Development; Kent Millard, Director of Generosity and Gratitude. Bishop Coyner shared his five emphases during the next quadrennium. 1) Excellence in leadership, 2) Vital Congregations, 3) Reach new generations for Christ, 4) Carry and share the vision of God s rules in our hearts and in society, 5) Efficient administrative support. 1.3 NOMINATING COMMITTEE Lisa Schubert Nowling, chair. Nominations report (handout) with the following corrections/additions: page 1 Leadership Table add David Neckers as Director of Church Development; add Milt Ashby as the Church Development representative. page 3 Church Development change name to Church Development Committee; add David Neckers as Director of Church Development; add Steve Clouse as Senior Associate Director of Church Development; remove members Alejendro Godoy and Joe Williams. page 6 Mission Resource add Jim Byerly, Disaster Response Coordinator, add Perry Richards, clergy member, class of page 6 Social Justice & Advocacy remove Bob Kumpf, Christian Unity Coordinator; remove Diana Sturm, COSROW Coordinator and replace with Brenda Burnworth. page 9 Board of Ordained Ministry add Craig LaSuer and Diana Sturm as clergy members. page 19 Asbury Towers Rev. John Eley, Executive Director, Jennifer Ritchey, Social Services Director. Motion to accept Nominating Report as corrected. PASSED. 1.4 COUNCIL ON FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Ron Frieden, chair. Initial presentation of 2014 budget proposal and conference financial policies. Motion to adopt the financial policies (handout) as printed. Notable changes were for moving policies; 2014 equitable compensation minimum salary for full-time elders is $39,112, full-time associate and probationary members is $37,808, full-time local pastors is $35,852; and 2014 salary for District Superintendents and directors is $86,046. PASSED. The 2014 budget proposal of $13,534,334 was presented (handout) and designated: Disciples Give to Missions $4,380,214 (32%), Disciples Engage in Missions $2,117,170 (16%), Disciples Grow as Disciples $2,215,090 (16%), Disciples Make New Disciples $2,410,930 (18%), Disciples Worship $2,410,930 (18%). Tithing receipts down from previous year. The proposed budget reflects a 100% payment of General Church apportionments. This budget will be considered at end of annual conference session. Jennifer Gallagher, Conference treasurer, presented a report from the

3 Tithing Task Force of a new electronic giving pilot program using debit or credit cards. This was in use during the annual conference session for any offerings at kiosk machines. 1.5 AFRICA UNIVERSITY CAMPAIGN Bill Keith, chair, presented the following motion: Motion To endow a chair for a professor in the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources and endow at least 4 scholarships for Africa University students by raising $1.6 million over the next 3 years. Bill Keith moved to adopt this goal and receive permission to move forward with the campaign. PASSED. 1.6 RULES AND STRUCTURE COMMITTEE Jim Bushfield, chair. In addition to the report (handout) there is an addendum regarding the attendance policy for all boards, agencies, or teams allowing replacements by convener. Rev. Bushfield clarified that this is a guideline to allow conveners to replace members, not a mandate. Motion to adopt the Rules and Structure report. PASSED. 1.7 COURTESY Frank Beard and Ed Fenstermacher, 2012 General Conference delegates. Motion in order to help the Indiana Conference develop a process for electing delegates to the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conferences that might include more holy conferencing around these important elections, we move that the Indiana Conference request Bishop Coyner to name a Holy Conferencing Task Force to explore options and bring a proposal to the 2014 Session of the Indiana Conference for the election process to be used in PASSED. 1.8 CABINET REPORT David Byrum, chair. First priority of the Cabinet is to help the Bishop match pastors to churches in order to thrive. Summer interviews with pastors are essential. The Cabinet wants and needs to listen to pastors and churches. Farewell to Cindy Reynolds (North District) to Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Brian White (Southeast District) to Carmel St. Mark s, Craig LaSuer (Northwest District) to West Lafayette First, David VW Owen (Executive Assistant) to retirement. Welcome to Larry Whitehead (North District), Bev Perry (Southeast District), Chris Newman-Jacobs (Northwest District). Motion to adopt the Cabinet Resolutions (handout) with the following corrections - page Lockerbie Central United Methodist Church of Indianapolis, Indiana, located in Central District and on page 4.15 remove Talma United Methodist Church, at this time, so that the Conference Trustees can complete their work. PASSED. Dismiss for Clergy and Laity Sessions. SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE & CELEBRATION OF LIFE Conference secretary, Carolyn Johnson, read the names of those clergy and clergy spouses who died in the past conference year: Clergy Russell Anderson, Richard Bennett, Stan Buck, Orla Bradford, Macklyn Bradish, David Cummings, Larry Curtis, Ivan Emily, Sheldon Garriott, John Gaus, Robert Gingery, Kenneth Holdzkom, Earnest Howard, August Huber, Alfred Keller, James Keith, Donald LaSuer, John Mangum, Mary McGawn, John McFarland, Emerald Joe Miller, Joseph Newton, Harold North, Charles Nunery, Henry Oakes, William Offutt, Lyle Rasmussen, Jack Snell, Edward Susat, James Swan, John Swank, Richard Thistle, George Weister, Russell Wilbur, Jack Williams, Roger Wrigley. Spouse Helen Abts, Lois Aebersold, Mary Barger, Joyce Berg, Marjorie Blake, Carol Bonham, Ruth Gentry Boring, Ellen Brashares, Vera Darleen Campbell, Norma Carmin, Neoma Colpitts, Betty Dixon, Ruth Ellen Edwards, Susanna Ellis, Elvera Martin Esche, Betty Jo Fields, Irene Garner, E. Marie Giles, Donald Rocky Ginder, M. Virginia Hershberger, Bernice Kennell, Mildred Kessinger, Vivian Laffin, Dorothy McCord, Elvira Miller, Rosemary Morin, Frances Peterson, Agatha Powell, Rose Sievers, Edward Skiba, Clare Stone, Mary Summitt, Mary Wardrip, Naomi Winter, Marcie Young. Friday, June 7, 2013 OPENING WORSHIP & PLENARY SESSION CALL TO ORDER Call to order by Bishop Coyner. 2.2 ROLL CALL Conference secretary, Carolyn Johnson, reported the total number of attendees at 1,902 (laity 832, clergy 809, guests 261). 2.3 INDIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, INCORPORATED Mark Dicken, President of the Corporation, called to order the annual meeting of the Corporation. The report is found on the inumc.org website. Of note, 12 discontinued and abandoned local churches and a district parsonage were sold for $455,000 net revenue for districts and the annual conference. We distributed $58,392 in earnings from the Shera Fund. Ten percent or $5,839 was reinvested to build the corpus and protect against inflation; 80% of the remainder or $42,042 was distributed to the Indiana Conference Compassion Fund and 20% or $10,511 was distributed to the Central Conference Pension Initiative. Both former Conference headquarters buildings have been sold. Net proceeds from the sale of the Bloomington office were $640,363. Net proceeds on the sale of the Marion office have not yet been determined. The Board continues to offer a voluntary Conference-wide property insurance program through Church Mutual. The sale of the Oakwood Park property was completed by the court appointed receiver in December 2012 to a

4 private developer. The Annual Conference has been fully repaid for its expenses for maintaining the property prior to its sale. Meeting adjourned. Motion The Indiana Conference Board of Trustees recommends that the Indiana Conference Council on Finance and Administration invest the net proceeds from the sales of the former North Indiana Conference headquarters building and the former South Indiana Conference headquarters building to be held for future Indiana Conference headquarter needs. The Indiana Conference Board of Trustees shall annually determine what portion of the net earnings on said funds be reinvested to build the corpus of said fund and what portion be applied to expenses of the lease of the current Conference headquarters. PASSED 2.4 LOAN & SAVINGS MINISTRY AND THE UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION OF INDIANA Manet Shettle, President. The Loan Fund continues to see robust growth in our deposit base and has never had a loss from a loan due to the strength of our borrowers. The Loan Fund worked with the Conference Church Development Team to assist Barnes UMC in reducing its liability by $500,000. A total of $35,175 was granted to 7 churches with facility related issues. Priority was given to churches with safety concerns and handicap accessibility issues. The United Methodist Foundation of Indiana is a sister ministry to the Loan Fund. The Foundation works to expand the understanding and development of stewardship within our Conference. Areas of cooperation were with the Board of Ordained Ministry to develop a streamlined scholarship process; Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary to give seminary students the opportunity to participate in Dave Ramsey s Financial Peace program; General Board of Pensions helping clergy understand their retirement options, and working with local churches to develop a stewardship ministry. The Foundation manages over 80 endowments and trusts. Projects that were supported through the Foundation were clean water in Africa with Clay UMC, empowerment series for the women of Brightwood Community Center and ministry serving orphans in Guatemala with Greensburg UMC. The distribution check for this year from the Minister s Retirement Fund is $223,000 to the Indiana Conference in support of our retired clergy. Rejuvenate Ministry, created through a grant from the Lilly Endowment in 2008, became an integrated ministry of the Foundation in It focuses on strengthening clergy excellence in leadership by expanding financial management skills of our clergy and laity. Lilly Endowment pledged up to $3,000,000 in a matching grant. A little over $1.2 million has been raised, to date. We ask the Annual Conference to affirm the 2016 class of Forrest Bowers, Gene Robbins, Jim Shaw, Terri Svihla, Wes Zirkle. AFFIRMED 2.5 CONSTITUIONAL AMENDMENTS Carolyn Johnson, Conference secretary, presented the rationale for proposed constitutional amendments voted by General Conference April-May Full members, deacons, full elders and all lay members can vote; you may debate but not amend and a two-thirds approval vote is needed. (886 ballots submitted including 9 blank ballots) ( 6) The proposed amendment acknowledges God s action in conferring the gift of the Church by including praying for unity among the tasks of the Church (adds pray ). Yes 871 No 6 ( 14) The proposed amendment would allow the General Conference to meet at other times during the calendar year on dates better suited for younger delegates and those with parenting responsibilities (asking for a different time other than April or May). Yes 841 No 36 ( 32) The proposed amendment revokes the connotation that leadership training is only about preaching in order to develop skills and enhance the spiritual gifts of the laity (changes terminology from lay speaker to lay servant). Yes 856 No 21 ( 40) The proposed amendment gives the power of boundary decisions to jurisdictional and central conferences, bodies that include lay persons (expands authority of jurisdictional and central conferences). Yes 687 No BOARD OF PENSIONS AND HEALTH INSURANCE Greg Rittenhouse, Chair, and Brent Williams, Director of Administrative Services. A video is available on the General Board of Pension s website gbophb.org outlining changes in 2014 to the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP). A Task Force was created to study the sustainability of the Retiree Health Subsidy due to budget concerns. Underwriting $1 million is sustainable, but significant reserve funds are no longer available. Core values were established (1) care for surviving spouses (2) keep current subsidy recipients (3) to insure the sustainability of whatever the recommendation would be. Sustainable Retiree Health Subsidy proposal 1) Continue the surviving spouse subsidy at the current flat rate of $250 per month; 2) continue the current subsidy for retirees and the retiring classes of 2013 and 2014, decreasing that subsidy from $5 to a sustainable $4 per service year beginning January 1, The current thirty-year service limit would be unchanged; 3) for those retiring after July 1, 2014, the subsidy would be discontinued. Retirement Health Costs Prefunding Proposal Matching contributions over and above the 1% that is a part of the 2014 CRSP change. (For participants who contribute at least one percent to their UMPIP account, the local church will match that one percent with a contribution to the participant s Defined Contribution account.) For participants who make at least 2% of plan compensation contribution to their UMPIP account, the local church will match the first 1% in the participant s Defined Contribution account and the second percent in the participant s UMPIP account. Furthermore, for participants who make at least a 3% of plan compensation contribution to their UMPIP account, the local church will match the first 1% in the participant s Defined Contribution account and the second and third percent in the participant s UMPIP account Past Service Rate a 2% increase in the 2014 Past Service Rate, this increases the Past Service Rate from $646 to $659.

5 Upon recommendation of Health Flex and our consultants, we are postponing any action on Exchanges (a key part of the Affordable Care Act) until the 2015 Plan year. We will be continuing the Health Flex program for all of our active participants for Motion the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits moves adoption of its report, including the resolutions that were a part of their electronic report, which includes (1) the Sustainable Retiree Health Subsidy proposal, (2) the Retirement Health Costs Prefunding Proposal, and (3) a 2014 Past Service Rate of $659. Bishop Coyner asked if the annual conference session wished to vote, by a show of hands, on the report in its entirety. DEFEATED Amendment to Motion Curtis Hurley to vote on parts 1 & 2 together and #3 separately. DEFEATED Amendment to Motion Jonathan Gosser to amend what is before us by combining parts 2 & 3 (or slides 2 & 3). DEFEATED After much discussion, it was determined that the members wished to vote on each proposal individually. Motion that the 2014 Past Service Rate be increased by 2% from $646 to $659. PASSED. Motion to accept the Retirement Health Costs Prefunding Proposal for the 2% additional matching contributions. PASSED Motion - Continue Medicare supplement for surviving spouses at $250 per month. PASSED Amendment to Motion Darren Cushman-Wood and Mark Dicken move to amend the report of the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits addendum #1 to delete the words beginning: reduce the subsidy...by $1 per service year. And further, to continue the present policy of the Indiana Conference at the existing amounts for retirees, their spouses and surviving spouses. Discussion AGAINST this is not sustainable; monies better in retirement (Greg Enstrom). FOR budgeting is about priority (Russ Abel); general apportionments are paid at 95% but at the cost of retirees (Kent Millard). Brent Williams stated the pension plan was designed prior to 1982 and all received same rate of pension at $659 pretty much the minimum. From 1982 to 2007, the DAC was in the market plan and CPP was built up so all received at the same dollar value, assuming the church made payments on time. With the 2008 program, everyone receives at 1.25% of DAC, which means that retirees are now in better shape financially. AMENDMENT PASSED with referral to Council on Finance and Administration on how to fund the plan. 2.7 CHURCH DEVELOPMENT David Neckers and Ed Fenstermacher, conveners. In the past 3 years there have been 185 churches that participated in the Fruitful Congregation Journey, the Conference s primary process for Church Development. The Fruitful Congregation Journey consists of three steps: (1) helps churches develop leaders that understand key concepts that foster effective ministry. (2) churches, with the help of an on-site assessment team, identify their greatest strengths, concerns, and then next steps called prescriptions to address each of the concerns. (3) churches implement each of the prescriptions with the help of a coach. It takes about three years to complete the three steps. We have 20 churches that are finishing, or have finished, the final step. Of those churches 90% weren t growing when they entered FCJ, but over half of these same churches grew during the process. In comparison, during this same period, only 29% of our conference churches grew. We are working on a way to tailor the program for our smaller churches. At present the program is designed for churches with a worship average of 50 people or more. Sergio Reyes, Gethsemane UMC in Fort Wayne, is working to plant Spanish speaking churches around the conference. Sharon Washington and Steve Clouse, introduced two new church starts, The Branches Community Church in Avon (Alex & Krista Hershey) and Riverside Church in Jeffersonville (Daniel & Sarah Payton). Prayer was offered by Bishop Coyner for the new church start pastors. Doug Anderson, interim Director, gave thanks for the work of retiring Director, Mark Gough, and shared that Sergio Reyes is doing great work close to the Chicago area. Barnes UMC will partner to develop a new Hispanic ministry. We are looking for 2,000 United Methodists who will give toward the church planters program. Doug then announced that the new Director of Church Development will be David Neckers. 2.8 COURTESIES Jim Bushfield noted the presence of Dr. Robert Manuel (University of Indianapolis President), Dr. Philip Amerson, (President of Garrett Theological Seminary), Mary Zibuo (Missionary, General Board of Global Ministries), Gary Henderson (Executive Director, Global Health Initiative of United Methodist Communications), Sarah Wilkie (Publisher of The Upper Room) ANNUAL CONFERENCE SESSION Carolyn Johnson announced the dates of the 2014 sixth Annual Conference Session as June 5, 6, 7, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Editorial note: After the Annual Conference Session concluded, Bishop Coyner moved the 2014 dates to May 29, 30, 31, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana.) 2.10 COUNCIL ON FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Ron Frieden, chair. Audit of the 2012 Conference accounts has been completed. The earlier action of the amendment to the Board of Pension and Health Benefits report causes an unfavorable factor for the 2014 budget. The increase will be $900,000 ($700,000 needs to be budgeted as $200,000 will come from the Foundation). With this increase, the new budget would be $14,106,000. If every church would tithe, the tithe income would be $15,000,000, which would cover the budget. Motion to adopt the 2014 tithe budget of $13,250,000 and the 2014 spending plan budget of $14,106,000. ADOPTED

6 2.11 ADJOURNMENT Bishop Coyner adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2014 A SERVICE OF CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY THE ORDER FOR COMMISSIONING AND ORDINATION WITH GIVING AND RECEIVING OF APPOINTMENTS Baptisms Callie Marie Weiner Johnson (daughter of Sean and Abigail Johnson), Asher David Reed (son of Kevin and Julie Reed), Robert Victor Stephens (son of Chris and Michelle Stephens) Commissioned Kara Ann Bussabarger, Mary Therese Crouse, Thomas Leo Hoffmeyer, Jennifer Noelle Huff, Matthew Robert Lipan, Barbara Louise Marshall, Scott Alan Taylor, Jim Robert Tormey, Melissa Gail Zimmerman Provisional Member Rebecca Lynn Smith Ordained into the Order of Elder Bessie Narbell Adams, Daniel Seunghyun Cho, Christopher Stephen Gadlage, Lauren Hall, Anthony Joseph Hunley, Jacob William Juncker, Kimberly Jean King, Matthew Wayne Landry, William George Nickrand, Steven Paul Rundel, Damon Louis Soper, Anthony David Stone, Gregory Wayne Waggoner REFERRALS FROM THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013 SESSION Bishop Mike Coyner - to name a Holy Conferencing Task Force to explore options and bring a proposal to the 2014 Session of the Indiana Conference for the election process to be used in Council on Finance and Administration - to invest the net proceeds from the sales of the former North Indiana Conference headquarters building and the former South Indiana Conference headquarters building to be held for future Indiana Conference headquarter needs. Council on Finance and Administration - how to fund the new spending plan budget of $14,106,000, as a result of the amended Board of Pension and Health Benefits report.