RESOLUTIONS. WHEREAS, the annual conference also provides the link between local ministry and global ministry, and

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1 Equalization Members Second Session of The Upper New York Annual Conference June 8-11, 2011 Rochester Convention Center RESOLUTIONS WHEREAS, The Constitution ( 32 of The Book of Discipline 2008) and Discipline ( of The Book of Discipline 2008) of The United Methodist Church require that the number of Lay Members of each Annual Conference be augmented, through the addition of Equalization Lay Members (with voice and vote) so as to equal the number of Clergy Members in the Annual Conference concerned, and WHEREAS, the means for electing these Equalization Lay Members is left to the discretion of each Annual Conference, BE IT RESOLVED, that this policy presented by the Rules Committee and approved by the Committee on Sessions on February 14, 2011, be adopted and serve as the procedure for identifying and recruiting Equalization Members in The Upper New York Annual Conference. Organizational Rules WHEREAS, the organizational plan of The Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (as defined in the Plan of Union of The Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, approved on June 19, 2010, will be as determined by the Annual Conference itself, in such a manner as (1) to be responsive to the Vision and Purpose of the Annual Conference, (2) to be responsive to the Mission of The United Methodist Church, as most recently adopted by The General Conference of The United Methodist Church, 2008, (3) to be compatible with The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2008, and (4) to be reflective of the Rules, and WHEREAS, the annual conference has responsibilities for sharing and assisting the ministry and mission of its local churches by equipping for ministry and by providing linkages for the sharing of ministry through such means as motivation, encouragement, facilitation, coordination, education, training, evaluation, and other forms of support., and WHEREAS, the annual conference also provides the link between local ministry and global ministry, and WHEREAS, in order to fulfill its role with respect to its local churches, The United Methodist Church, and the church universal, the annual conference will elect or otherwise select persons to serve as individuals or as members of specific groups, with understood duties, responsibilities, and accountabilities to the local churches and to the annual conference at large, BE IT RESOLVED that these rules be adopted as the organization rules for The Upper New York Annual Conference. 1

2 COP&HB: Retirement Moving Policy WHEREAS, a policy has been developed a Retirement Moving Policy for Clergy of the Upper New York Annual Conference and was approved by the Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits on January 18, 2011, BE IT RESOLVED that this Retirement Moving Policy for Clergy be adopted by The Upper New York Annual Conference. COP&HB: Past Service annuity Rate WHEREAS, the Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits recommends that the Past Service Annuity Rate for pension payments to retired clergy of the Upper New York Conference be set at $564 per service year for the year 2012, which represents a 2.2% increase over the 2011 rate and is 1.02% of the Denominational Average Compensation, BE IT RESOLVED that the Past Service Annuity Rate be set at $564 per service year for the year COP&HB: Golden Cross Sunday BE IT RESOLVED that the Upper New York Conference Board of Pensions & Health Benefits be authorized to take responsibility for the distribution of funds collected on Golden Cross Sunday in keeping with the historic use of these funds to benefit health and welfare ministries within the conference area. COP&HB: Pre-7/1/2010 Retiree Premium BE IT RESOLVED that Clergy who retired prior to 7/1/2010 will pay on the same scale as previously approved for Post 7/1/2010 retired clergy and the Conference obligation is based on years of service at 3% of actual premium per full time equivalent years of service up to 30 years and 5 years vesting. COP& HB: Revision to Retiree Contribution Policy BE IT RESOLVED that for under age 65 retirees: Conference obligation is based on years of service at three percent (3%) of actual premium per full time equivalent years of service up to 30 years and 5 years vesting. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in addition, the clergyperson will pay 5% of premium for each year the clergyperson is under age 65. At age 65, the retiree will pay the years-of-service formula only. 2

3 COP&HB: Replace Retiree Health Subsidy BE IT RESOLVED that the Upper New York Annual Conference continue to provide a nonconference Retiree Health Subsidy through 2012, and a Conference Retiree Assistance Program to provide financial assistance to retirees for any purpose, including health insurance, when total income from all sources is less than the Conference minimum salary for local pastors, up to $5,000 annually. COP&HB: Housing/Rental Allowance WHEREAS the religious denomination known as The United Methodist Church has and functions through Ministers of the Gospel who are duly ordained or licensed; and, WHEREAS the practice of The United Methodist Church is to provide a parsonage or a rental allowance as part of the gross compensation for each of its active ordained or licensed ministers; and, WHEREAS pensions paid to retired ordained or licensed ministers of The United Methodist Church are considered as deferred compensation and are paid to said retired ordained or licensed ministers in consideration of previous, active service, and disability benefits are considered payments in lieu of compensation for active service; and, WHEREAS the Internal Revenue Service has recognized that the Upper New York Conference is the appropriate organization to designate a housing/rental allowance for retired ordained or licensed ministers who are members of this Conference; and, WHEREAS the disabled minister has the same legal relationship to an Annual Conference as does the retired minister and, thus, this Annual Conference is also the appropriate organization to designate a housing/rental allowance for a disabled ordained or licensed minister who is a member of this Conference; BE IT RESOLVED: 1. An amount equal to 100% of the pension payments received by a retired minister, or 100% of the disability/incapacity benefit payments received by a disabled minister, during the year of 2012, be and is hereby designated as a housing/rental allowance respectively for each retired or disabled ordained or licensed minister of The United Methodist Church who is or was a member of the Upper New York Annual Conference, and its predecessor conferences, at the time of his or her retirement or disability; 2. The pension or disability/incapacity payment to which this housing/rental allowance applies shall be the pension or disability payment resulting from all service of such retired or disabled ordained or licensed minister from all employment by any local church, Annual Conference, General Agency, or institution of The United Methodist Church or any former 3

4 denomination that is now a part of The United Methodist Church, or from any other employer who employed the minister to perform services related to the ministry and who elected to make contributions to the pension or benefit funds of The United Methodist Church for such retired minister's pension or disabled minister's benefits. NOTE: The housing/rental allowance which may be excluded from a minister's gross income is limited to the lesser of: 1) the amount of the housing/rental allowance designated by the minister's employer or other appropriate body, 2) the amount actually expended by the minister to provide his or her housing, or, 3) the legally determined fair rental value of the parsonage or other housing provided. As specified in Rev. Rule , 1971 C.B. 92, "the only amount that will qualify for exclusion under section 107 (2) of the Code as a `rental allowance' is an amount equal to the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities". COP&HB: Retired Pastors Emergency Assistance WHEREAS, the Conference Board of Pensions & Health Benefits has identified the need to provide emergency financial assistance to Retired Pastors and Surviving Spouses and has recommended an Emergency Assistance Program that has outlined eligibility, process, and funding levels, BE IT RESOLVED that this recommendation and policy be adopted by the Upper New York and the Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits be authorized to implement the Retired Pastors Emergency Assistance Plan. Communications BE IT RESOLVED that churches in the Upper New York Annual Conference who have the resources provide the church office and the pastor access to Internet services, each church should have an address to use for electronic communication, and each church name a person to serve as a communications coordinator to help in guiding the communication strategy of that individual church. CF&A: Budget BE IT RESOLVED that the proposed budget of $10,718,402 for the year ending December 31, 2012 is adopted. CF&A: Ministry Shares Resolution WHEREAS the Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) of the Upper New York Annual Conference is responsible per of the Book of Discipline to recommend to annual conference for its action and decision the formulas by which apportionments to churches for duly authorized conference funds shall be determined; and 4

5 WHEREAS the CF&A of the Upper New York Annual Conference wishes to keep the formula easy to understand and as equitable as possible across all churches, and WHEREAS a church s operating income can be used as a gauge for both membership and the worship space, and WHEREAS following the examples of Scripture of proportional giving (Leviticus 27:30 A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord ) and giving based on income (1 Corinthians 16:2 Each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income ); BE IT RESOLVED that the ministry shares formula be based on a calculated percentage of income as follows: CF&A will develop a proposed total Annual Conference budget for the upcoming year. A total operating income will be developed prior to Annual Conference Sessions by summing line 67 from the most recently completed and submitted General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) statistical reports of all churches. An income percentage will be developed by dividing the proposed total Annual Conference budget by the total operating income. The individual church s ministry share will be determined just prior to the year being budgeted by multiplying the income percentage by the church s total operating income from line 67 of the GCFA reports submitted in June just prior to the year being budgeted. The individual church s ministry share will be invoiced on a monthly basis. AND WHEREAS the economic climate and financial changes facing churches across the Upper New York Annual Conference is fully recognized and in keeping with the principles of the book The Three Simple Rules, A Wesleyan Way of Living (Rueben P. Job, 2007) of 1) Do no harm, 2) Do good and 3) Stay in Love with God; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the maximum change in ministry shares from 2011 to 2012 for any individual church will be capped at 10%, both in increases and decreases. Nominations & Leadership: Report BE IT RESOLVED that the Nominations and Leadership Report be adopted as presented. Districting Task Force: Enact Provisions of Para. 660 of The Book of Discipline WHEREAS the Districting Task Force was empowered with the task of discerning, articulating, and offering recommendations to the Bishop, the Cabinet and the Annual Conference regarding: a. The Role of the District Superintendent as supervisor and pastor; b. The necessary number of Districts; 5

6 c. The staff and support services needed for each District d. The boundaries for each district; and WHEREAS, particular emphasis has been on the importance of districts for keeping churches and their lay and clergy representatives connected to the Annual Conference and to one another. It was stressed that effort must be made to strengthen the connections at the district level as a way of strengthening the local church and living out the vision of our annual conference, and WHEREAS, the primary concern identified by the Task Force is the need to address the issue of the relationship between District Lay Leaders, the local churches, and the District Superintendent; and secondly, has recommended that the work of this Task Force be continued so that further discussion and exploration of issues can be undertaken. BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Upper New York Annual Conference empower each District Lay Leader, in consultation with their District Superintendent, to form a District Lay Leadership team to enact the provisions outlined in Paragraph 660 of The Book of Discipline. This will ensure cohesive and consistent lay leadership across the conference and facilitate effective communication between the laity, local church, District Superintendents, and Conference Leadership structure. Districting Task Force Continuation of Task Force BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Upper New York Annual Conference authorize the continued work of the Districting Task Force under the direction of the Bishop and the Conference Leadership Team, with funding provided by the Conference Leadership Team. Clergy Compensation WHEREAS The Upper New York Annual Conference convened a Blue Ribbon Clergy Compensation Task Force composed of individuals assigned by the Bishop, related to the Conference Leadership Team, and including representatives of the cabinet, clergy (both ordained and licensed) and laity, and WHEREAS, the Task Force was given the task of discerning, deliberating and determining the following: 1.) A plan for standardizing minimum compensation across the new conference; 2.) Recommendations regarding what elements should constitute a complete clergy compensation package; 3.) Consideration of what constitutes a missional full time appointment; 4.) Recommendations regarding compensation levels with respect to years of service; 5.) Recommendations regarding benefits and reimbursable matters; 6.) Consideration of pre-tax contributions by clergy to health insurance and other benefits; and a plan of interpretation for clergy and laity; and 6

7 WHEREAS, after months of prayerful and faithful deliberations, the Clergy Compensation Task Force has completed its work and considered the issues under its care, Clergy Compensation Minimum Base Compensation BE IT RESOLVED that a standardized Minimum Base Compensation be set for The Annual Conference that requires the following: a.) A base salary of $35,000 for all full time clergy persons. (Less than full-time appointments shall receive a base salary pro-rated according to the appointment). b.) Credential increment based on status as follows: o Full connection: 10% ($3,500) $38,500 o Provisional: 8% ($2,800) $37,800 o Associate: 6% ($2,100) $37,100 o FT LP completed Course of Study 4% ($1,400) $36,400 o FT Local Pastor: none ( -0- ) $35,000 c.) An additional $200 per year for time in Grade (i.e., number of years in credential level for up to 15 years.) d.) An additional $500 for each additional church on the pastoral charge (over one). Clergy Compensation: Minimum Base Compensation Phase-In BE IT RESOLVED that churches/charges where the 2011 Base Compensation is lower than the 2012 Minimum Base Compensation will be given three years to attain each year s Minimum Base Compensation established by the Conference, according to this schedule: 2012: Increase by 1/3 of the difference between the 2011 Base Compensation and the 2012 Minimum Base Compensation. 2013: Increase by 2/3 of the difference between the 2011 Base Compensation and the 2013 Minimum Base Compensation. 2014: The full 2014 Minimum Base Compensation will be paid. Clergy Compensation No decrease in current appointment BE IT RESOLVED that whatever action is taken by the Annual Conference in regard to its minimum base compensation, no pastor s salary can be decreased as a result of this recommendation, as long as they retain their current appointment. 7

8 Clergy Compensation Salary Increase Recommendation for 2012 BE IT RESOLVED that, in addition to Minimum Base Compensation, all churches are encouraged to offer a salary increase of no less that 1.75% for 2012 Clergy Compensation Accountable Reimbursement Plan and Time Off Policy BE IT RESOLVED that the Accountable Reimbursement Plan and Time Off Policy recommended by the Clergy Compensation Task Force, and outlined in lines of this report, including amendment made to Days off be adopted. Clergy Compensation Clergy Housing Compensation Policy BE IT RESOLVED that the Clergy Housing Compensation Policy recommended by the Clergy Compensation Task Force, and outlined in lines of this report, including amendment made to line 27 on page 72, be adopted. Clergy Compensation Honorarium for Pastor Supply BE IT RESOLVED that the honorarium for Pastor Supply be set at $90 for one service and $75 for each additional service, plus mileage reimbursement at the current IRS rate for A base salary of $35,000 for all full time clergy persons Safe Sanctuaries WHEREAS God has called us to make disciples of Jesus Christ with concern that our ministries safely protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation; and WHEREAS Jesus taught that Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, (Mark 9:37 NRSV) and If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6 NRSV); and WHEREAS The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church state that children must be protected from economic, physical, and sexual exploitation and abuse 1 ; and WHEREAS at each child s baptism, we affirm our responsibility to their safety by our congregational response, pledging: With God s help, we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that this child, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, 2 and confirmed and strengthened in the way to leads to eternal life. ; and WHEREAS as Disciples, we affirm Christ s commandment to love our neighbors and serve as witnesses of Christ s power to transform lives; and The Book of Discipline 162C 2 The Book of Worship, Baptismal Covenant, Congregational Pledge II 8

9 WHEREAS the resolution Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in the Church was adopted in 1996 and readopted in 2000, 2004 and by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church, thus becoming the impetus for all Annual Conferences and congregations to implement abuse prevention policies; and WHEREAS The General Board of Discipleship has identified Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the 4 Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in the Church, as an official resource of The United Methodist Church equipping churches to develop a child and youth abuse prevention policy; THEREFORE be it RESOLVED: That we, The Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) of the United Methodist Church engage in the ministry of the Gospel in ways that assure the safety and spiritual growth of all in our care. To that end we covenant to: 1. follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers, 2. implement prudent operational procedures in all program and events, 3. educate all of our workers with children, youth and vulnerable adults regarding the use of appropriate policies and methods, 4. have a clearly defined procedure for reporting a suspected incident of abuse that conforms to the requirements of state law and 5. provide for crisis response, crisis intervention and media inquiries should an incident occur. 5 And be it FURTHER RESOLVED that all church/charge, districts, agencies and ministry groups shall adhere to The Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuaries policy and the governing body [e.g. Church Council/Administrative Board] of the church/charge shall be responsible for its implementation. 1. Each church/charge, district, agency and ministry group shall have a Safe Sanctuaries committee or team in place no later than December 31, 2011; 2. A copy of each agency and ministry group s Safe Sanctuaries policy shall be on file in the Office of the Director of Connectional Ministries by May 31, 2012; 3. The implementation of this policy in conference ministries other than local churches shall be the responsibility of the Office of the Director of Connectional Ministries and shall be implemented by May 31, A copy of each church/charge s Safe Sanctuaries policy shall be on file in the appropriate district office by December 31, The minimum standards and procedures contained in The Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuaries policy shall be implemented by December 31, 2012 and reviewed annually thereafter by the church s Charge Conference. A progress review on the creation of the policy will be conducted by the District Book of Resolutions, page 245, 3084, Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in the Church. 4 Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church for Children and Youth; Melton, Joy Thornburg, Copyright 2008 Discipleship Resources 5 Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church for Children and Youth; Melton, Joy Thornburg, Copyright 2008 Discipleship Resources, page 141 9

10 Superintendent as part of the pastoral conversation and the church s 2011 Charge Conference. And, finally, be it FURTHER RESOLVED that The Upper New York Annual Conference create the Committee on Sexual Ethics (membership to be established by the Bishop and the Conference Leadership Team in consultation with the Nominations and Leadership Development Committee) to address these issues of policymaking, training, accountability, and crisis response as it relates to: Sexual Ethics for clergy and laity -- providing education resources and support for training. (2008 Book of Resolutions, page 136; ; 2008 BOD paragraphs 341.5, 361, 605.8) Safe Sanctuaries -- establishing minimum standards and procedures, providing training programs and assisting local churches and Conference ministry programs in reducing the risk of abuse to children, youth and vulnerable adults. Crisis Response providing a policy and procedures for crisis response, and appropriate training and resources for responders, as well as local churches/charges, clergy, and laity. (2008 Book of Discipline, paragraph 361) Discontinuance of Westernville UM Church WHEREAS, Rev. Sung Ho Lee, District Superintendent, has met with and guided the congregation of the Westernville United Methodist Church, and has assessed the potential of the _Westernville United Methodist Church, including the past, present and potential ministry of the local church; WHEREAS, Rev. _Sung Ho Lee, District Superintendent, has determined that the _Westernville United Methodist Church no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated, and has recommended that the _Westernville United Methodist Church be discontinued pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; WHEREAS, Rev. _Sung Ho Lee, District Superintendent, has recommended that upon discontinuation, all real and personal property of the _Westernville United Methodist Church be transferred to the Annual Conference, sold [or leased] and the net proceeds of such sale be added to the New Starts fund or a fund for the same purpose; WHEREAS, Rev. _Sung Ho Lee_, District Superintendent, had recommended that the membership of the _Westernville United Methodist Church be transferred to the _North Western United Methodist Church, or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select; and 10

11 WHEREAS, pursuant to the two attached Resolutions, the Bishop, a majority of the District Superintendents, and the _Mohawk District Board of Church Location and Building have all duly resolved and consented to Rev. _Sung Ho Lee s recommendations with respect to the discontinuation of the _Westernville United Methodist Church, the future use of the real and personal property and the transfer of membership; RESOLVED, that the _Westernville United Methodist Church be and hereby is discontinued; and it is further RESOLVED, that all real and personal property of the _Westernville United Methodist Church be and hereby is transferred to the Annual Conference, sold and the net proceeds of such sale be added to the New Church Starts fund or a fund for the same purpose; and it is further RESOLVED, that the membership of the _Westernville United Methodist Church be transferred to the _North Western United Methodist Church, or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select. Discontinuance of Grafton WHEREAS, Rev. Richard Barton District Superintendent, has met with and guided the congregation of the Grafton United Methodist Church, and has assessed the potential of the _Grafton United Methodist Church, including the past, present and potential ministry of the local church; WHEREAS, Rev. _Richard Barton, District Superintendent, has determined that the _Grafton United Methodist Church no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated, and has recommended that the _Grafton United Methodist Church be discontinued pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; WHEREAS, Rev. _Richard Barton, District Superintendent, has recommended that upon discontinuation, all real and personal property of the _Grafton United Methodist Church be transferred to the Annual Conference, sold [or leased] and the net proceeds of such sale be added to the New Starts fund or a fund for the same purpose; WHEREAS, Rev. _Richard Barton_, District Superintendent, had recommended that the membership of the _Grafton United Methodist Church be transferred to the United Methodist Church located in Berlin, or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select. WHEREAS, pursuant to the two attached Resolutions, the Bishop, a majority of the District Superintendents, and the _Finger Lakes District Board of Church Location and Building have all duly resolved and consented to Rev. _Richard Barton s recommendations with respect 11

12 to the discontinuation of the _Grafton United Methodist Church, the future use of the real and personal property and the transfer of membership; RESOLVED, that the _Grafton United Methodist Church be and hereby is discontinued; and it is further RESOLVED, that all real and personal property of the _Grafton United Methodist Church be and hereby is transferred to the Annual Conference, sold and the net proceeds of such sale be added to the New Church Starts fund or a fund for the same purpose; and it is further RESOLVED, that the membership of the _Grafton United Methodist Church be transferred to the _United MethodistChurch located in Berlin, or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select. GENERAL CONFERENCE PETITIONS SUPPORTED BY UPPER NY ANNUAL CONFERENCE P Remove condemnatory language on homosexuality Amend 161F as follows: Removing the phrase: The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching (lines 20 and 21 on p. 119 of Pre-Conference Journal). P Update Civil Equal Rights Amend 162J as follows: add words civil marriage, civil unions (line 11 on p. 121 of Pre-Conference Journal). After debate for and against the measure, the question was called and affirmed. P Remove language regarding laws in civil society defining marriage Amend 161B deleting the last sentence as follows: We support the laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. After debate for and against, the question was called and affirmed. P End discrimination against homosexual clergy Remove Para (lines on p. 122 in Pre-Conference Journal). P Moral standards of homosexual clergy Amend Paragraph After debate for and against, the question was called and affirmed.. 12