General Conference 2008

The General Conference Session of 2008 concluded its business at 11:14 local time.  Followed by a sermon from Bishop Palmer.  Frankly it took a while to start listening as I was ready to simply get back to the hotel.

So what happened today?

The committee on the General Conference Agenda made a motion that was easily carried that the 2012 session have no business scheduled on the Sunday of its meeting!  Yippee.

The budget passed easily.

The close votes of the day were with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.  (An agency the United Methodist Church began in 1972)  The RCRC is getting hammered by the far right with many half truths and just plain lies.  (Where is all this fear and hatred coming from?)  The UMC has voted to continue its support and affiliation with the RCRC but by a very narrow margin. 

Some surprising good news of the day.  One of our delegation noticed that on a consent calendar item the UMC has made the following statement (altering Paragraph 161 A for those following in their program) “The family: We believe the family to be the basic human community through which persons are nurtured and sustained in mutual love, responsibility, respect and fidelity.  We affirm the importance of loving parentsfor all children.  We also understand the family as encompassing a wider range of options than that of the two-generational unit of parents and children (the nuclear family)  We affirm shared responsibility for parenting where there are two parentsand encourage social, economic, and religious efforts to maintain and strengthen relationships within families in order that every member may be assisted toward complete personhood.”

This was a hard day for the “IRD” a far right conservative group with political motivations to change the church.  The items they brought to the General Conference were generally defeated by good margins.

I sat on the floor for the closing speed legislation session.  It was at first frustrating as people would go the the microphone on an issue that wasn’t going to be a close vote.  Eventually everyone stayed seated and in the final hour we passed 30 items. 

 Presently it is 2:00 A.M. and I still haven’t packed!

 Peace Ya’ll,

Bruce

As I sit here at 10:45 pm on Friday, the last day of general conference a few different feelings are flying around in my head.  Most prevalent is the exhaustion.  We are all tired, but I think that the presiding bishop is showing it the most. The delegates are obviously in a hurry to get out of here, they are moving quite quickly, and are extremely annoyed with anyone who wants to speak at all.  Not the best way to make decisions by any means, but at this point it seems to be the only way.

I’m also both excited and saddened to be leaving.  I am anxious to get home and just have some sense of normal return, not that my life it exactly normal.  I’m also really looking forward to sleeping…a lot.   I will greatly miss the constant immersement in all things methodist.  For the most part people here are loving and nice.  It is a strong community of committed people, and such a powerful experience.

What I will not miss, however, is the constant campaigning by all sides on issues, the sometimes unethical, immoral, and underhanded tactics some people feel the need to use, and of course the lack of sleep.

I wont talk about the legislation tonight because we are moving so fast that it is hard to keep up. I will tell you that some exciting things have happened, maybe by sneaking by in people’s haste. Hopefully Bruce will feel like talking about it more.

More later when I have more energy.

Nico

After finishing Wednesday’s blog post at 2:00 A.M. (Thursday technically I suppose) I slept for 3 hours and got up for what I knew would be another important morning.

The western jurisdiction meeting went well and we had the opportunity to meet Angela Brown from the Cal-Nevada A.C. who we had helped elect to the Jurisdictional Council.

As I sit here I can’t recall what the morning legislation was.  Oh yeah, it was around the report on the world wide church which for now is simply changing the language of the international “Central” conferences to “Regional.”  There was some argument about the possibility of the US becoming a regional conference and that will be part of a larger study in the next quadrennium.

There was a beautiful moment of witness on the brokenness of our church around the issue of homosexuality.  The Bishops participated in a variety of ways which was very impressive.  Basically about 200 volunteers from around the country came dressed in black and formed a cross in the aisles.  At the center communion table it was shrouded in black and we were invited to lay a veil on the alter for the brokenness of the church.  It is clear now from the 45-55 vote and the participation from the delegates that this is no longer a small minority vs. the majority, we are a church of many minds broken over one issue and YET also one church together in hope.  I really believe that. 

We are ONE diverse church.  I believe God’s call for us is to learn how to be in relationship while we disagree.  That unity is well displayed in our ability to come together in mission.  Perhaps that is why the whole basketball thing is so important.  It is something we can focus on and agree about together.  Saving lives for the here and now is a value of our discipleship in following Jesus Christ. 

Today will have more legislation and busy-ness.  But it is also a time of reflection on a week filled with many moments of basic human frailty and also many moments of humanity experiencing the the living God.  Pray for one more day of Holy Conferencing.

We’ve been in Plenary for thousands of moments today. Really really long day. And I even got a late start!

Right now they’re all working on adopting constitutional amendments. Expect some excitement at your annual conferences this year.

Back to work.

-mary-

ps, at this rate, we won’t finish everything. There are still like 90 petitions to deal with. And only tomorrow to do the work.

Early in the Conference during a Nothing But Nets presentation , Bishop  Bickerton of Western Penn. came out bouncing a basketball signed by all the Bishops.  The basketball is up for sale at auction.  The PNW held the highest bid at $8,500 last night.  This morning Western Penn has enter a bid of $15,000.  It would be a great symbol of our ability to do wonderful works of grace and mercy.  Every time I say ..that’s a lot of money…I am reminded that every $10 is a child greeting a new day  in Africa without malaria.  So it’s money well spent, but we are depending on you back home to call the Conference office and make a dollar committment right now SO WE CAN BRING THE BALL HOME.

CRAIG

What a day. I don’t know where to begin.

The day began innocently enough. The Western Jurisdiction meeting was light and hopeful with understanding that not all the votes would go the way most western delegates would prefer.

Mary and I shared a fun moment running to Starbucks to get the delegation on the floor their supply of coffee for the day. It seemed like an appropriate Northwest moment.

We learned that the “Global Ministries Committee” was still meeting and as of the morning there were still 120 “calendar items” to go. On average this meant we would have ten minutes for each item.

After an Africa University presentation it was time to get started with Church and Society II at 10:55 A.M.

We began with a proposed new Social Creed. It was presented as a litany and it works well that way. Eventually after much debate instead of replacing the social creed we added the litany to be alongside the creed. It should be a powerful worship document. This passed at 11:46 A.M.

There were several petitions going fairly quickly then we came to #1195 making a statement opposing homophobia and heterosexism. FIRST, let me tell you that the body approved the statement. So the UMC is NOT in favor of homophobia. However, one of the most painful moments of the day occurred in the debate when one of the African delegates was translated to have said “It is too bad the United Methodist Church is advocating things that come from the devil.” This was a terribly painful moment for many. There is obviously a huge cultural divide in the United Methodist Church presently and we MUST do something about our relationship with those in the central (international) churches.

We then adjourn for lunch.

Coming back from lunch there was a silent demonstration as we entered the convention center with people forming lines to be a witness as we entered. I signed “Thank You” to many of them as I entered.

After lunch I began to take my seat at the visitors section when David comes to me with the pass for reserves and he hands it to me. I said, “Really?” I was so honored for David to give me his seat for this important afternoon. (It is also worth noting that Elaine gave her seat to Sharon as well.)

We started with what I was the proposal that I published here last night. It WOULD have replaced the phrase “incompatible with Christian teaching” in paragraph 161 (but that phrase IS also found also in paragraph 340.)

Page # 2266, Item #1186, Petition# 80449, Page #324 in the ADCA. (Yes it takes us all those numbers to work out what is before us.!) This begins at 2:45

Some notable events from the debate. People from Texas speak FOR inclusion! 3:25 and amendment failed that made me begin to think that we might actually replace paragraph 161. Then another attempt to amend fails 60 - 40. Finally at 3:45 we are voting on all that is before us. I need to explain that there was also a “Minority Report.” In the interest of avoiding a long discussion about General Conference Parliamentary procedure let us just say that this was an alternate to the statement I reported to you dear readers yesterday and it retains the damaging language. The Minority Report is what eventually passed by a margin of 55% to 45%.

This is a historically narrow result. Those who are working for inclusion gained SO MUCH! In order to achieve this result many votes for inclusion had to come from the southern conferences. Obviously it was a very emotional time. Then we had a life memory holy moment.

Immediately following the vote the chair was trying to get us to a 20 minute recess. However, in order to do that he had to have a report for the judicial council, which was at least 4 pages of text that the secretary of the conference had to read out loud. As I was listening to this Mary sends me a text, “look behind you.” Behind us the RMN folks in the visitor sections were all standing in witness. Then others on the floor began to stand. Slowly word got to the front and according to one person on the podium 45% of the floor was standing and 80% of the gallery. As more began to stand from the back came music in the form of “Jesus loves me . . .” A thousand people begin singing in witness, all while the poor secretary is still droning out the judicial council report. I will never forget that moment. It was a powerful witness.

So while the vote did not go the way many of us might have hoped, change is coming.

Well it has been quite an afternoon.  The incompatibility language in the social principles was upheld and some new language added.  It was a sad moment for some and a victory for others.  The only dim light of hope was that the vote is getting closer each General Conference… this time 55% to 45%.  I may live long enough to experience a church where the doors, minds and hearts are really open but the light of hope is so dim indeed.  We carry on where we can.

At 60 years old I sometimes think and act as if I have nothing else to learn.  But OH how wrong I am.  I continually learn from my friends from other cultures.  As I listen and observe it becomes clear to me how little I understand about cultural differences, nuances and values.  The delegates from the Central Conferences give us a tremendous learning opportunity here at General Conference. The delegates come from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Philippines.  They bring their excitement and expectation but meet confusion and strange customs.  The General Conference is making progress but we have a long way to go as United Methodists in a worldwide church.   We could look closer to home, in our own Annual Conference and see that we also have a long way to go in our efforts toward cultural competency, inclusion and sensitivity.  We move forward one step at a time.

We just voted not to change the Discipline with regards to the pastor having authority to decide who can be a member of the local church. This relates to Judicial Council decision 1032.  Pastors still have the authority and responsibility to decide who can be a member.   There was a 15 minute singing protest.  The gallery sang Jesus Loves Me. The atmosphere has settled down but the emotion is still running high.

Craig Parrish signing off

Patrick informed y’all of the vote taken this afternoon. I would put more swear words in this, but it’s a church blog. Stay tuned to my private web-journal to see my inner sailor come out.

I can’t begin to describe the depths of my anguish right now. There haven’t been 10 minutes since that vote was taken that I have not shed tears. The most complete statement I can make right now is that this was not fair. It’s not fair, and it’s not right.

I encourage you to go watch the video of the session. Listen to the aftermath. Know that behind where the camera is pointing, half (well, 45%) of the delegates are standing, and most of the thousand or so people in the stands. One bishop was standing, Bishop Jack Tuell, and another dear to our hearts in the PNW had his hand over his heart. Someone on the podium was crying. A page resigned her page-ry to take off her nametag and put on a rainbow stole, joining the standing group.

I know that most of my delegation has been through this before, they know how to handle it, or at least have had the emotions before. But this was my first time, and I had so much hope for this conference.

I guess even if we fail to pass everything else, at least we have the judicial council closer on the left…

-mary-

I believe what follows is the new version of  ¶161 G from the Social Principles, for those of you, like myself, intently following the events in Ft. Worth on the live feed. Below you will find the newly adopted language, and links to the 2004 version and the work frem the legislative committee.This was voted on this afternoon at General Conference and comes from the minority report out of the legislative committees. 

Patrick

The New Version:

  G) Human Sexuality-We affirm that sexuality is God’s good gift to all persons. We call everyone to responsible stewardship of this sacred gift. Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relations are affirmed only within the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage We deplore all forms of the commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation of children and for adequate protection guidance, and counseling for abused children.  All persons, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation, are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured and to be protected against violence.  The Church should support the family in providing age-appropriate education regarding sexuality to children, youth and adults.

We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. All need the ministry of the church in our struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm that God’s grace is available to all.  We will live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us.

1.  Fox, H Eddie  2.  Yoou, Dogo Jean  3.  Dunnam, Maxie D  4.  Furr, Steve P  5.  Baumgardner, Karl  6.  Arant, Turner  7.  Junk, Tom M   8.  Sikes, Marget   9.  Wright, Kimberly (Kim) Hicks  10.  Wood, Steven  11.  Rinehart, Jerry   R1.  Henson, Selena

2004 Book of Discipline - Social Principles

Click here for the work of the Legislative Committee.

Links to pictures of the Happenings at GC can be found at the
PNW’s General Conference Coverage home page:
www.pnwumc.org/generalconference