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| The 2019 Special Session of the General Conference. Photo by Shawn Gilgore, SUSUMC |
Janelle Walker, Asst. Director of Communications, SUSUMC
Tuesday, February 26 — The morning started with a spirit-led worship service. Mr. Fred Brewington of the New York Conference delivered a reflection message on courage and assurance. “From Jesus’ viewpoint, fear is counteracted by faith, and the outcome is peace. What do we do when we are afraid? When we face danger? When we face uncertainty? Do we hide? Do we close our eyes? Do we find comfort in someone’s arms? Do we dwell in “worst-case scenarios”? Do we pray? Can we will ourselves to not be afraid? Probably not. But what we can do is have faith: the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. And what we seek is peace, knowing that God holds us by the hand, resting in the assurance of God’s presence with us,” Mr. Brewington said.
Business followed shortly after. First was a vote to approve a timeline for the Central Conferences to adopt the plan which was sustained. Wespath petitions 90016-90017 were adopted with amendments.
Followed by Judicial Council decision 1377 which ruled: Petitions 90032, 90036, 90042, 90043, 90044, 90046, 90047 are constitutional.
Petitions 90033, 90034, 90038 violate paragraphs. 20 and 58 in the Book of Discipline and are unconstitutional.
Petitions 90037, 90038, 90039, 90040 violate the principles of legality and are unconstitutional.
Petition 90045, the second sentence is unconstitutional.
Petition 90059 violates paragraph. 33 and 41 and is unconstitutional.
Petition 90066 violates p. 33 unconstitutional.
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| The 2019 Special Session of the General Conference. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS. |
Next, the One Church Plan was brought forth as a minority report. Rev. Tom Berlin of Virginia presented the plan to the delegation. Very emotional arguments for and against the plan were brought to floor. Followed by a moment of powerful unifying prayer by the delegates in front of the stage. The vote to substitute the Minority Report (One Church Plan) was voted down (449 to 374).
Following the vote, the debate on the Traditional Plan was next. An emotional Shayla Jordan (age 21) of the Great Plains Conference, gathered with many young delegates on the floor to argue against the Traditional Plan. “People speaking here don’t represent the church that will be for years down the road,” she said. The morning ended with a no vote for an amendment to petition 90032.
The afternoon began with more debate of the Traditional Plan. Amendment after amendment were brought to the Conference floor. Presiding Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey of Louisiana was challenged on several decisions and was upheld on all of them. At one point, Carlene Fogle-Miller of Florida, who served as Secretary during the previous Legislative Committee, made a motion to refer rumors of bribery to the Committee on Ethics, which was passed.
After passionate arguments for and against, the Traditional Plan was brought to motion to vote. But, Bishop Harvey allowed for several calls of order that challenged the Traditional Plan, including a call for a report from the General Council of Finance and Administration, which was denied. A final vote for the Traditional Plan followed, which was passed by a vote of 438 to 384 (53.28% to 46.72%).
Rev. Donna Pritchard of the Oregon-Idaho Conference was the last delegate to speak, stating that the Western Jurisdiction will continue to be “One Church”.
The day ended as it began, with worship. Council of Bishops President Kenneth Carter then made a brief statement and the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference was adjourned.
United Methodist News Service story: https://tinyurl.com/GC2019Feb26
