BUSINESS | Thursday, June 15, 2017

Pushing through the work

by Lois Speelman*

Lakesdie Banner

Constitutional Amendments
Gary George explained that the UMC’s Constitution is contained in The Book of Discipline. The document can be amended when approved by 2/3 vote of General Conference delegates and when approved by 2/3 aggravate vote of Annual Conference members worldwide.  Amendments become effective on the date the Council of Bishops certifies the amendments.

George explained the process for voting on the amendments which all lay members and clergy members in full connection are eligible to vote.

Resolution 2017-03
Promoting Human Rights of Palestinians
This resolution asks that the conference create a task force to review actions that can be taken to halt the expansion of settlements and confiscation of Palestinian land and call on governments to forge solutions based on international laws and human rights.

Resolution with substitution of language was adopted.

Submitted by: East Ohio Methodist Federation for Social Action and East Ohio Black Methodist for Church Renewal
Resolution 2017-04

Resolution 2017 - 04
Criminalization of Communities of Color
This resolution calls on churches to offer safe spaces host town hall meetings to discuss police-community relations; to pray; to applaud peaceful mass protests and to oppose punitive measures in response to civil disobedience.

Resolution referred back to makers of resolution.

Submitted by: East Ohio Methodist Federation for Social Action and East Ohio Black Methodist for Church Renewal
Resolution 2017-05

Resolution 5
Christian Behavior toward GLBTQ People

This resolution calls on the conference to demonstrate Christian love for all people; oppose all kinds of hate and physical violence; acknowledge difference over homosexuality and encourages congregations to witness to their communities about the dangers of violent behavior.

Resolution was adopted.

Submitted by: East Ohio Methodist Federation for Social Action and East Ohio Reconciling Ministries
Resolution 2017-06

Resolution 6
Day of Repentance

This resolution asks that the conference declare the last Sunday of June to be a Day of Repentance, providing an opportunity to ask God’s forgiveness for divisive and destructive interactions.

Resolution was adopted.

Submitted by: East Ohio Methodist Federation for Social Action and East Ohio Black Methodist for Church Renewal
Resolution 2017-07

Resolution 7
Maintaining Health Care for the Most Vulnerable

This resolution asks that the conference oppose repeal of the Medicaid expansion; oppose reducing payments to Medicaid; oppose efforts to reduce existing amount of health care coverage and support expansion of health care and insurance so all have access to affordable care. 

Resolution was adopted.

Submitted by: East Ohio Church & Society and the East Ohio Health & Welfare Committees.
Resolution 2017-08

Resolution 8
Maintaining the Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016

This resolution asks that the conference commit to support fully and continually the Biblical, historic and current teaching, positions and polices as stated in The Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016.

Ruled out of order.

Submitted by: Church Council of Shreve United Methodist Church – Shreve, Ohio.
Resolution 2017-09

Resolution 9
To Encourage Churches to Be An Advocate For Those Touched by Addiction

This resolution encourages youth groups and churches to host seminars and workshops on the subject of addiction for their respective congregations; encourages youth and churches to support continuing education on the subject of addiction; encourages youth and churches to dialogue with law enforcement, medical professionals and addiction experts.

Resolution was supported as amended.

Submitted by: Youth Annual Conference

Constitutional  Amendments
Gary George explained that the UMC’s Constitution is contained in The Book of Discipline. The document can be amended when approved by 2/3 vote of General Conference delegates and when approved by 2/3 aggravate vote of Annual Conference members worldwide.  Amendments become effective on the date the Council of Bishops certifies the amendments.
George explained the process for voting. All lay members and clergy members in full connection are eligible to vote.
The Constitutional Amendments vote will be tallied and reported at a later time.

Vacation Bible School
Director Toni McKee introduced the staff and children of the 2017 session of Bible school. The children shared songs with the delegates. 

Report on Daily Proceedings
The total number of delegates attending the 2017 Annual Conference was Clergy: 656; laity: 742 for a total of 1398. 124 persons were first-time attendees.

The 2016 attendance was 1,529 total; 736 clergy and 793 lay members.

Concluding Conference Business
Conference Secretary, Cindy Patterson moved that the 2018 Annual Conference be held June 17-21, 2018.

All materials in the pre-conference be adopted as amended as the official action of the 48th session of the East Ohio Annual Conference.

The conference adjourned with a Service of Commitment to follow.

* Lois Speelman, East Ohio Conference Communications

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