Sunday, February 24 — The morning session was opened by Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata (Phoenix Episcopal Area) who welcomed all in attendance and called everyone to worship. The Council of Bishops then entered in processional to “Lift High the Cross”. Worship concluded with a unifying message from Council of Bishop President Kenneth Carter of the Florida Episcopal Area (https://tinyurl.com/GC2019OpeningAddress). Bishop Carter spoke of telling his story, our stories, and God’s story. “Your story is not the only story. So, we sit in these places, these privileged places, to share our stories and to listen to the stories of others. The good news is that God has a story too”, said Bishop Carter. He went on to talk about what divides us and breaking down those divisions through Christ. “Could it be that Jesus has already broken down the dividing wall of hostility that is between us and made peace through the blood of the cross?”, Bishop Carter reminded the delegates to remember that God is able to heal divisions and separations.
“Bishop Carter’s sermon this morning was powerful and reminded us of our task as delegates as we look for a way forward”, said Rev. Dr. Tom Salsgiver, Clergy Delegate, Assistant to the Bishop.
Following the message from Bishop Carter; Gary Graves, Secretary of the General Conference, named Bishop Christian Alsted from the Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference as presiding bishop for the morning. The session quickly moved into business, completing roll call and establishing the bar of the conference. The Committee on Agenda and Calendar presented their report, which was adopted. Next, the Committee on Reference presented their report. Finally, the Plan of Organization and Rules of Order for sustaining votes received a ‘yes’ vote.
The morning continued with a presentation from the Commission on a Way Forward. Moderators for the Commission, Bishops Ken Carter (Florida), Sandra Steiner Ball (West Virginia), and David Yemba (Congo) introduced the commission with a brief overview. Rev. Dr. Tom Salsgiver was joined by Rev. Julie Hager Love to introduce the commission’s members. Rev. Jasmine Smothers presented the One Church Plan, followed by Mazvita Machinga who presented the Connectional Conference Plan. And lastly, Rev. Jessica LaGrone, gave an overview of the Traditional Plan.
The morning closed with members of the commission conveying their experience working together. They spoke of the tremendous love and respect they have for one another, the difficulties of coming from so many diverse backgrounds and agreeing to disagree on viewpoints; and avoiding approaching each other with judgment or anger but with mutual understanding, admiration, and love.
The afternoon began with the business of prioritizing the petitions. Delegates voted on all petitions as either a ‘High or “Low’ priority. The results below are all petitions, ranked in order of priority, as decided by the general conference body.
After prioritization, the general conference moved into electing the legislative committee. Rev. Joe Harris (Communications Director, Oklahoma Conference) was elected Chair; Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau (Secretary, Central Congo Conference) was elected Vice-Chair, and Carlene Fogle-Miller (Pastor, North Georgia Conference) was elected Secretary. Following the vote, petitions were open for discussion with the legislative committee. First was the petition that addressed Wespath pension liabilities of departing churches and the accrued benefits of departing clergy. In the legislative committee’s first vote, delegates passed Wespath’s petition 768 to 44, which moved it on to the plenary session. Concerns about being so close to scheduled adjournment led delegates to vote to adjourn early and begin Monday with discussion of the Traditional Plan.
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| Prayer was the foundation of the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS |
