Reflections on Annual Conference 2010: Part I
By David E Braden
Last week was the 171st Annual Conference of the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church. Annual Conference is a time when clergy and laity (non-clergy) gather to celebrate the ministries of the local and regional church, remember those who have died in the past year, celebrate the ministries of retiring clergy, and celebrate the commissioning and ordination of new clergy members. It is also a time to consider the business of the church where clergy and lay representatives from every congregation in the Conference vote on the Conference budget and legislation ranging from clergy compensation to immigration reform and inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in the church.
This year, Holy Covenant was represented by Rev. Kate Floyd (clergy), Rev. Monica Isaac (clergy), David Braden (laity), and Brittany Isaac (laity). Other Holy Covenanters at Annual Conference included Rev. Lisl Heymans Paul, Campus Minister at Agape House; Deaconess Rachel Harvey, Associate Executive Director of the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN); and Audrey Krumbach, Field Organizer at RMN.
The 2010 Annual Conference had a focus on young people and there was a special worship service on Sunday night that involved young people in a significant way. What amazed me most about this service was watching the young people on the overhead screens and seeing a sea of pink, “All Means All” buttons. The “All Means All” buttons are a part of a campaign in the Church to change the discriminatory laws that limit the full participation of LGBTQ people in the church. What a joy and what a witness is was to see this sea of pink from the young people of the Conference!
In the realm of legislation, we had seven petitions focused on inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities within The United Methodist Church. Summaries of these petitions can be found at the bottom of this letter. Many of these petitions included requests for Declaratory Decisions from the Judicial Council (the Supreme Court, so to speak, of The United Methodist Church) to overturn a discriminatory ruling from 2005 that empowered United Methodist clergy to deny people membership based on their sexual orientation. I am thrilled to report that all seven petitions passed on the floor of Annual Conference with supermajority votes ranging from 87-97%. I have confidence that these petitions will be considered by the Judicial Council and I will report back to Holy Covenant later this fall with the outcomes of the Judicial Council’s decisions.
In addition to the LGBTQ Inclusion petitions, the Annual Conference also passed petitions to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform and urge the State of Arizona to end its practice of discriminatory laws, to advance the peace process and normalization of relations in Korea, and the divestment of the Conference from companies that enable the continued occupation of Palestine and inhibit the peace process in Israel – Palestine. The passage of all these pieces reflects, in my opinion, the increased need and importance for us to work together in solidarity across lines of difference and across issues and populations. We never have to be alone in our efforts, and the more we work together, the more we will learn about one another, see the humanity of each other, and glorify God through our work and collaboration.
Last but not least, we also had the joy of witnessing the ordination of Rev. Monica Isaac. Monica’s ordination marks her status as a “fully tenured” clergywoman in Northern Illinois. The ordination service is an all-out liturgical service with clergy in full robes, worshiping with music, the laying on of hands on all those being ordained and commissioned for ministry, as well as feasting together in holy communion. Congratulations Monica on completing the long journey towards becoming a fully ordained deacon in the Church!
In the weeks to come, there will be additional reflections on Annual Conference so that you can gain multiple perspectives on what took place and the various events that transpired. In the mean time, please do not hesitate to contact any of us who attended Annual Conference with questions or comments.
Grace and peace,
David
# |
Name | Rationale |
| 700.01 | Requesting Judicial Council Reconsideration | Decision 1032 contradicts the 2008 Book of Discipline. It violates the constitution of our denomination with its discriminatory language. The Judicial Council has reconsidered other of its own decisions. 1032 is one such decision that in being faithful to our denomination’s integrity, sense of order and membership vows must be reconsidered. |
| 700.02 | Defining Status | The Judicial Council has already upheld the right of an annual conference (Cal/Nevada AC in Decision 702) to define “status” to include sexual orientation and gender identity. We have long welcomed all but by defining status, we make our welcome most clear. By approving this resolution we remain committed to our history of inclusion. |
| 700.03 | Requesting Declaratory Decision | The Judicial Council is asked to clarify its own 2005 Decision 1032 and whether or not the General Conference’s amendment to this legislation made in 2008 supersedes it. The amendment was to change “may” to “shall” affirming the membership of any Christian in good standing to join the UMC. This resolution asks for clarity & consistency in meaning. |
| 700.04 | Reaffirming Membership | It is the UMC Constitution which takes precedence over any decision of the Judicial Council. The NIC Board of Ordained Ministry has affirmed the role of clergy in the receiving of members by profession of faith and vows. This resolution asks for clarity & consistency in meaning. |
| 700.05 | Affirming Inclusion | Pastoral discretion should be valued in supporting and shepherding members, not in excluding them or withholding membership. This gives clergy too much power over decisions of spiritual readiness & faith. This is already the stance of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference which has the right to establish and enforce this stance. It is in agreement and is consistent with our Constitution. |
| 700.06 | We Will Not Discriminate | This resolution makes a clear statement that we as United Methodists do not condone discrimination that leads to the severing of persons from the body of Christ. We seek to protect the rights – civil and otherwise – of persons here and around the world who wish to live freely and safely. Let us speak with a voice of welcome, compassion and courage for those who are too afraid to speak on their own behalf. |
| 700.15 | Confronting Heterosexism | We must not limit the historic evangelistic ministry of our churches. Passing this resolution will allow for the church to speak with courage and relevance to a segment of our society/nation, our youth & young adults, which has become disenchanted with a church that sends mixed messages about who is worthy, welcomed and love by God in Christ. Heterosexism like sexism & racism does not belong in our churches. |
