MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ELDERS 9 March 2002 Members present: Rev. Elder Troy Perry (Moderator) Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson (1 st Vice-Moderator) Rev. Elder Don Eastman (2 nd Vice-Moderator/Treasurer) Rev. Elder Darlene Garner (Clerk) Elder Mel Johnson Rev. Elder Nori Rost Rev. Elder Hong Tan Staff present: Ms. Margaret Mahlman (Chief Financial Officer) Ms. Jane Warner (Executive Director GLOBAL OUTREACH The Philippines The Board of Elders met with Rev. Judy Dahl, Director of Global Outreach. 02.03.BE.01 02.03.BE.02 Move to advise MCC Manila that, should it continue communication and/or relationship with Rev. Richard Mickley and/or [name of his group], UFMCC will withdraw recognition of MCC Manila as an affiliated church. Move to reaffirm that retired clergy Rev. Richard Mickley is not in The Philippines as a representative of UFMCC. Therefore, he is directed to cease and desist from representing Metropolitan Community Churches. AFFIRMATION OF VOTES TAKEN SINCE OCTOBER 2001 02.03.BE.03 Move to affirm the unanimous approval on 16 January 2002 of the Board of Elders policy regarding Late Tithes and Assessments, as amended to read: Late Tithes and Assessments (January 2002, subject to annual review) As a Fellowship, we have covenanted to do ministry together, as a global denomination, as well as through the ministry of local churches. To that end, we designate a portion of offerings to be used in common to provide particular services and to further our ministry around the world. We budget our global ministries based on the tithing from our churches. If a church is unable to pay, it directly impacts our ability to carry out our mission together. At the same time, we want to work with all of our 1
churches to strengthen them so that no church is burdened by tithing, but rather is able to invest in the common good. The Policy of the General Council regarding late tithes (II.14.1) continues to be in effect. In the matter of forgiveness of late tithes, the Board of Elders has been given the responsibility for granting forgiveness and has delegated the responsibility and authority for developing and implementing such policy to the Finance Team of the General Council. The Finance Team shall monitor implementation of the policy and report regularly (at least quarterly) on its use as part of the UFMCC financial monitoring systems. The Finance Team has adopted the following: Release from or reduction in the amount of tithes due the UFMCC from a local church will be considered only in the following circumstances: 1. In cases where there has been a felonious action on the part of church officers that would constitute a breach of fiduciary responsibility, which is obviously the cause of the church s inability to meet its financial obligations for the period of unpaid tithes in question. 2. When an unexpected and sudden event in a church s external environment adversely and directly impacts the financial position of the church. Examples may include but not be limited to major losses due to catastrophic occurrences such a weather events, fire, theft, vandalism, or terrorism. In either case, specific documentation must accompany the request for such action. Action to release a church from tithes due the UFMCC will be taken by the General Council s Finance Team and reported to the Board of Elders, General Council and District. Deferral of payment of tithes due the UFMCC will be considered for a specific period of time under the following circumstances: When a church finds itself in severe financial circumstances and takes appropriate action to adopt a realistic budget that assures it can meet its obligations including the current amount of tithes due the UFMCC, its District and the Board of Pensions (if in the USA), a deferral of payment of past due tithes may be granted for a period of up to one year, at which time the financial status and a payment schedule agreement will be initiated or an additional deferral considered. A deferral of payment of past due tithes may also be considered when a church commits itself to pay any past due tithes and assessments from unrestricted bequest(s). Action to grant a church a deferral of payment may be taken by the Chief Financial Officer and reported to the Board of Elders, General Council and District. 2
A Payment Schedule Agreement for past due tithes can be entered into by a local church with the UFMCC for past due tithes. To enter into such an agreement, the church must commit to paying current tithes, assessments and pension payments due on time. The payment amount due monthly should be realistic and workable given the church s financial position and needs. The UFMCC Treasurer and the District must approve such an agreement. 02.03.BE.04 Move to affirm the unanimous approval on 10 January 2002 of the following resolution: Resolved to authorize Don Eastman to act as Secretary of the Board of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (Corporation) on any and all documents of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (Corporation) relating to the line of credit and banking transactions to be signed on or about January 10, 2002. 02.03.BE.05 Move to affirm the unanimous approval on 10 January 2002 of the following resolution: RESOLVED to authorize Justin E. Tanis to be an authorized signatory on any and all Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches accounts held by Preferred Bank. 02.03.BE.06 Move to affirm appointments to the Phase 1 Regional Elder Nominating Committees, as made by the Board of Elders on 23 January 2002 (with Garner and Johnson not participating in the vote): Region 3: Region 4: Ms. Suzanne Chin Dr. Holger Kohlhoff Mr. Manuel Guzman-Arizmendi Ms. Alison Warder Rev. Eva O'Diam, Chair Mr. Marlow Valentine, Chair Mr. Stephen Harte Rev. Brent Hawkes Ms. Elaine German Ms. Maria Mota Region 7: Rev. Wanda Floyd, Chair Rev. Paul Whiting Mr. Hector Carlos Ibarra Rev. Brent Hawkes Ms. Maria Mota 3
ECUMENICAL AND INTERRELIGIOUS CONCERNS 02.03.BE.07 02.03.BE.08 Move to authorize the Moderator to appoint Rev. Ed Paul and Rev. Diane Fisher to work with Jane Warner to formulate a recommended plan of action for ecumenical concerns. Move to refer input received from Ms. Kerri Mesner and Mr. Stan Kimer to Rev. Paul and Rev. Fisher. HIV/AIDS 02.03.BE.09 Move to thank Rev. Robert Griffin for his faithful service as HIV/AIDS Project Manager. 02.03.BE.10 Move to approve the following plan for HIV/AIDS ministry in 2002: 1. The Staff Resource Development Team will develop resources for web-based delivery and partner with other HIV/AIDS organizations to leverage and expand resources for local churches; 2. Rev. Elder Don Eastman will follow-up on immigration issues with US authorities; 3. Rev. Elder Hong Tan will attend the World Conference on AIDS in Barcelona; 4. Rev. Elder Troy Perry will serve on a Religious Roundtable sponsored by the National Institutes of Health in the US; 5. UFMCC will continue to interface with other faith communities on HIV/AIDS; 6. Rev. Elder Darlene Garner will explore possibilities for MCC to develop strategic alliances in Africa; and 7. The Executive Director will work with others to develop a long-term strategic plan, to be submitted to the Board of Elders for approval no later than the September. BYLAW PROPOSALS 02.03.BE.11 Move to consider a proposed Bylaw amendment as submitted John Fowler: UFMCC Bylaw Article I Current language: Each affiliated local church group will use the name Metropolitan Community Church as part of its official title. The group may add either a prefix or a suffix to distinguish it from other affiliated local church groups, such as: "Grace Metropolitan Community Church", 4
"Metropolitan Community Church of Tallahassee", Metropolitan Community Church, Ashland" or "Springfield Metropolitan Community Church". Proposed language: "Each affiliated local church group will use the name Metropolitan Community Church as part of its official title. The group may add either a prefix or a suffix to distinguish it from other affiliated local church groups, and the name of the city, suburb, or town where the church group is located, such as: "Grace Metropolitan Community Church, Durban", "Metropolitan Community Church of Tallahassee", Metropolitan Community Church, Ashland" or "Springfield Metropolitan Community Church". Rationale: I believe that too many MCC's are difficult to identify in terms of locality, as there is no mention in their name of the city, suburb or town where they are located (e.g., where is "All Saints MCC"? "Spirit of Life MCC"? MCC of the Good Shepherd"?) M/S; FAILED; Unanimous 02.03.BE.12 Move that the Board of Elders work with the Commission on the Laity Facilitating Council to develop a Bylaw amendment that will integrate the Commission on the Laity into the new structure for presentation at the General Conference 2003. The proposed amendment is to be submitted to the Board of Elders at the September 2002 meeting. LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Rev. John Fowler requested that if a C-1 Transit Visa for the first Regional Conference of Region 1 is not issued by 1 June 2002, the Regional Conference be transferred to Auckland, New Zealand, where there would be equality of access for all Clergy, Lay Delegates and church members who desire to attend. 02.03.BE.13 Move to deny the request due to the following factors: (1) UFMCC is legally bound by an existing contract with the hotel; and (2) UFMCC is seeking the appropriate blanket waiver. MODERATOR S APPOINTMENTS The Moderator announced the appointment of Rev. Arlene Ackerman to serve as a member of the Corporate and Legal Team and Rev. Elder Darlene Garner to serve as Chair of the Corporate and Legal Team. 5
BOARD OF PENSIONS The Board of Elders will advertise for applicants to be considered for appointment to the Board of Pensions (USA). INTERNATIONAL JUDICIARY POOL Rev. Elder Don Eastman announced the appointment of the following individuals to serve on the International Judiciary Pool: Rev. Jan Skaggs Mr. Steve Torrance Rev. Eva O Diam BYLAW CLARIFICATIONS 02.03.BE.14 Move to propose that General Council re-issue the 2003 UFMCC Bylaws document to reflect more fully General Conference decisions related to restructuring and to correct the Clerk s oversights. The proposed revisions will be submitted to General Council for approval. The revised Bylaws document will then be republished, with a cover letter of explanation. (Note: Proposed new language is underscored.) 02.03.BE.15 Move to propose that General Council approve correction of Article V.D.2.a (Government, Organization, and Officers / Fellowship / Board of Elders / Term of Office) (page 9, lines 12-13) Rationale - This revision is needed to reconcile the 2003 Bylaws with Article V.E.2.b (Government, Organization, and Officers / Fellowship / Board of Elders / Term of Office) (page 12, lines 22-24) of the Bylaws that are effective from July 2001 through December 2002, which reads: TERM OF OFFICE: The term of office for Elders elected by General Conference in 1999 and 2001 shall expire at General Conference in 2003. The term of office for Elders elected by Regions shall be six (6) years. This revision is also needed to clarify that the Moderator Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry will continue in position until his retirement at the conclusion of General Conference to be held in 2005. Current language - a. TERM OF OFFICE: The term of office for members of the Board of Elders shall be six (6) years. Proposed revision - Add the following language: (1) For the purpose of transition, the term of office for members of the Board of Elders elected in 1999 and 2001 shall expire at the conclusion of the General Conference to be held in 2003. 6
(2) For the purpose of transition, the term of office of the Moderator shall expire at the end of General Conference to be held in 2005. (3) For the purpose of transition, the Vice-Moderators and Clerk shall be elected by and from the Board of Elders no later than 31 December 2002. The term of office for the Vice-Moderators and Clerk so elected shall expire at the end of General Conference to be held in 2003. 02.03.BE.16 Move to propose that General Council approve the following revisions to correct the Clerk s oversights: V.B.4.b (Government, Organization and Officers / Local Churches / Pastor / Conflict Resolution), page 5, line 32 Rationale This section of the Bylaws concerns conflict resolution (rather than ministry of reconciliation ) and the responsibility of the Elder serving the Region to respond to requests for intervention. Currently reads: Within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the request for reconciliation, the Elder serving the Region Change to read: Within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the request for intervention, the Elder serving the Region V.B.4.c (Government, Organization and Officers / Local Churches / Pastor / Removing the Pastor from Office), page 5, line 42 Rationale To correct the reference; Article V.B.2.b no longer exists. Change Article V.B.2.b to read Article V.B.4.b. V.B.9 (Government, Organization and Officers / Local Churches / Disaffiliation), page 7, line 16 Rationale Clarifies to whom such notice should be given, as was stated in Board of Elders Recommendations for UFMCC Structures and Systems and affirmed by vote of General Conference. Change to read: Should a local church desire to disaffiliate from the UFMCC, the local church shall notify the Elder serving the Region. A denomination representative must be allowed to meet with the congregation. 7
VIII.A (Church Meetings / Fellowship), page 13, line 4 Rationale The subject of this section of the Bylaws is actually limited to the General Conference and World Jubilee. Other meetings of the Fellowship (Regional Conference and Local Church) are addressed separately in VIII.B and VIII.C. Currently reads: A. FELLOWSHIP Change to read: A. GENERAL CONFERENCE AND WORLD JUBILEE VIII.A (Church Meetings / Fellowship), page 13, lines 21-23 Rationale Clarifies that proxy and/or absentee voting is not allowed at General Conference, Regional Conferences, or Congregational Meetings. Remove No proxy and/or absentee ballots shall be allowed in any business meeting of this Fellowship, except where specifically provided for in these Bylaws from Article VIII.A and show separately as a new Article VIII.D PROXY VOTING. IX.B. (Church Finances / Reporting), page 14, line 39 Rationale Tithes are provided to UFMCC. Assessments are currently provided to Districts. District will no longer exist as of 1 January 2003; therefore, assessments will no longer be due. Currently reads: General Fund must be added to the income figures for that month, and tithes and assessments paid on them. Change to read: General Fund must be added to the income figures for that month, and tithes paid on them. JUDICIARY PROCESS 02.03.BE.17 Move to refer recommendations for improvement of the judicial process submitted by Elder Mel Johnson and Rev. Debbie Martin to the Transition Team, which is conducting the overall review of the judiciary process for approval by the Board of Elders. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, Clerk 8