Minutes for Wednesday are located at the bottom of this page.
Applauding the selection of Baton Rouge as the Conference location for 2007. Annual Conference 2006 will again be held at Centenary. |
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Appointments are fixed for 2005-2006
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2005
MORNING AND AFTERNOON SESSION
Gathering Music was performed by Connie Breaux – Music Leader and Sam Butler.
Bishop Hutchinson introduced Father Dan Krutz, Executive Director. of the InterChurch Conference. Father Dan thanked Bishop Hutchinson for serving as President of the InterChurch Conference along with Don Cottrill, Bishop Designee and Carl Rhoads as Treasurer. This is the only statewide ecumenical association of churches of this kind in Louisiana. He thanked Louisiana for their support in Christian unity.
Bishop Hutchinson introduced Ken Carder for Bible Study. He spoke on Prevenient Grace. He ended his study with “God will win”.
The African University Choir performed. There are CD’s available for $20 to defray travel expenses for their trip from Africa.
Pat Cobb, Committee on the Journal, reviewed the minutes of the preceding day. They were moved and approved.
Betty Backstrom, Communications Director, has a special copy of the NOW magazine to distribute to each church at the Courtesy Desk.
Mary Jo Henderson, Coordinator for the Blood Center, asked for donations of blood. A Bloodmobile was available in the parking lot from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. for those wanting to donate.
J. Roddy Taylor, Board of Pensions, directed the Conference to page 26 in the Pre-Conference Report. He said they are recommending the funded annuity rate for 2006 by $524 per service year. Benefits to surviving spouses of clergy shall be 75% of the annuity rate. Also on page 30, Report II, there is an abridged version of our Medical and Health Care Program. Carl Rhoads will be sending out a hard copy of this report to all in the program. It is also on our website. From Jan 1, 2005 – May 31, 2005, we have collected in premiums $1,187,190. In this same period of time, we have had claims of $332,850. Our administrative fees for this period of $170,240 provided a reserve of $684,100. We are cautiously optimistic of our new health insurance program. On page 39, Report III, under #II, we are correcting the service years for Louis A. Smith that will add four years of service to his record. On page 41, The Conference Board of Pensions recommends the distribution from the United Methodist Publishing House be donated to the Central Conference Pension Initiative. On page 42, Report V, Statement of Assets of the Board of Pensions total is $10,076,929. The Conference Board of Pensions received $286,153 from the Woolworth Foundation in 2004. The Woolworth Foundation presented us with a check for $342,631.82, an increase of $56,478 over the previous year. The report was moved and approved.
Gail Nelson, Board of Conference Trustees spoke on all 8 resolutions starting on page 44 of the Pre-Conference Report and ending on page 54. The 8 resolutions are:
Resolution #1 – To ratify the sale of the Sieper United Methodist Church, Alexandria District.
Resolution #2 – To ratify the sale of the Ball United Methodist Church, Alexandria District.
Resolution #3 – To discontinue and abandon St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Shreveport District.
Resolution #4 – To discontinue and abandon New Creation United Methodist Church, Shreveport District.
Resolution #5 – Amendment to Annual Conference Policy regarding proceeds of the sale or lease of Conference property.
Resolution #6 – To sell a strip of land in Morganza, Acadiana District.
Resolution #7 – To ratify the sale of the Ruston District Parsonage, Monroe District.
Resolution #8 – To ratify the purchase of the Monroe District parsonage, Monroe District. All 8 resolutions were approved.
Rev. Marie Williams, directed the Conference to page #207 through page 213 to observe the 8 Proposed Constitutional Amendments from the 2004 General Conference and the rationale that followed for each amendment. All 8 Proposed Amendments were approved as stated.
Discerner’s Academy, Katy McKay spoke on her experience on one of her retreat experiences. She encouraged everyone to experience the Discerner’s Academy as a wonderful experience.
Dr. Carl E. Rhoads pointed out some changes in the Nominations Booklet. Page 2 under BR Education Coordinator Kimbra Hammett. Page 3 Monroe Bill Cook and Johnny Riley, these two names should be reversed. On page 12, Baton Rouge District E. Andrew Goff should be added. On Board of Ministry,page 14 excludes local pastors – Make changes within the next 30 days. Page 9 United Methodist Women’s President should be Joyce Thibodeaux. The Nominations Report was accepted.
There was a request for permission to institute Capital Campaign for Senagal and Africa University by Don Avery on page 98 of the Pre-Conference Report.
Mr Lloyd Rollins led us through a power point presentation of the Africa University. He said the university is debt free and 400 students received degrees. They are the models for building Global relationships. He presented a challenge to get $1,000,000 for Africa University. He said we need 555 giving units to build a church, “The Champion for Christ Campaign.” The time period is a3 year period after the Conference. For more information, their website is www.AfricaU.edu.
Report of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, speakers were Dr. Pat Day and Dr. Carl Rhoads. Dr. Pat Day asked us to look at the Pre-Conference Report, page 4, and the total for 2006 is $7,408.00. The new number should be $7,513,167. That is a 2.4% increase over our previous year. On that same page, you will see Gulfside. Don Avery, St. John’s UMC, Baton Rouge spoke. They are in dire straits and need a $5,000 increase. They are in the process of building a new structure which will be named after Bishop Alford Norris. The Multi Cultural Director would need $100,000 added which would bring the total Administration Conference Fund to $1,296,783. The LA Interchurch Conference Fund was increased by $5,000, Equitable Salaries was raised from $35,000 or 350% increase which was addressed this week. Pastoral Care would increase $12,000 because of the Lilly Grant for the Pastoral Effectiveness. District Superintendent’s base salary will get a 4.25% raise. There is money in reserve to cover this raise. We are responding to help Missouri Annual Conference with $30,000 to help them pay for a performance bond with a $600,000 lawsuit. If this money is needed, they will repay in an interest free loan. If the appeal is lost by the Missouri Conference, the money could be lost and it would be considered a gift. This is part of connectionalism of each Conference. The adoption of the CFA Report was approved.
Greetings from Lydia Patterson Institute was given by Dr. Socorro deAnda. This is the only institute that tends to the Hispanic community. They serve the students and prepare them for college. She thanked the Conference for our support.
Greetings from Mt. Sequoyah, John Altland,Executive Team, came to thank the Conference for our support and service. The Louisiana Conference sends more folks to help than any in this area. Please be involved with Mt. Sequoyah. They invited all to come for renewal and train clergy. It is a special place for renewal.
Carl Rhoads made announcements.
Bishop Hutchinson adjourned for lunch.
Gathering Music – Director, Lee Cooke, Jan Cooke, Luke Fleming, Violinist, “O How I Love Jesus”
Grace Note #4 - Rev. Wybra Price, spoke on John Wesley’s life. Use God’s grace in your life. John Wesley said,“Best of all God is with us.”
Committee on Rules, Lyndle Bullard, Don Cottrill and Buzzy Anding asked that the rules be put on the Internet. These are the additional proposed changes to the Conference Structure and Rules Report. Page 165 – Article II, C.F. Change to read:
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration may elect an Audit Review Committee of not more than twenty-five members; “AT LEAST HALF [OF WHOM] SHOULD BE PERSONS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND WHO ARE CHOSEN FOR THEIR EXPERTISE IN AREAS RELATED TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.” (¶615) Consideration shall be given to inclusiveness in the selection of persons to serve on the committee (see 2000 Book of Discipline ¶124.138)
The Bishop shall be an ex officio member of the Audit Review Committee.
Page 167 – Article III, C. – Add quotation marks to the beginning and end of the quote from the 2000 Book of Discipline, ¶608.2.
Page 167 – Article III, D.1. Replace the last sentence of the first paragraph of this section with the following: “The Provost, Director of Connectional Ministries shall serve as an officer of the Annual Conference and shall sit on the Appointive Cabinet, without vote.”
Page 168 – Article III, D.3. – Add the following: “The CCFA shall review and approve this allocation before its inclusion in the proposed Conference budget.”
Page 168 – Article III, D.4 – In the second paragraph, the first sentence, replace the word “counsel” with “meet with.” Replace the last word of the second paragraph from “conference” to consultation.”
Page 170 – Article IV, A.8. In the second sentence, replace the words” and at least thirty years of age” with the words, “and of legal age.”
Page 172 – Article IV, D.4. In the second sentence, replace the words “to Annual Conference” with the words, “if needed, which must be elected to equalize the lay and clergy membership of the Annual Conference.”
Page 173 – Article IV, E.1. In the second sentence, delete the word “also.” Replace a. and b. with the following: “a. an equal number of clergy and laypersons”, and “b. an equal number of women and men.”
Page 174 – Article V. A.2. Replace the last sentence with the following: “funds for the support of the District Missioner shall come from the Conference budget as approved by the CCFA, with additional funding from District funds as approved by the District.”
Page 178 – Article I., L. Add to the first sentence the following:, “with the exception of the Board of Ordained Ministry, which the Book of Discipline provides with the possibility of persons to serve up to twelve years.”
Page 179 – Article I, R. In the third paragraph, replace the words, “as needed, available, requested and approved” with the words “if available and approved.”
Page 181 – Article I, Z. After “#878” add, “#900, and #983.”
Committee of Petitions, John Deschner, discusedded A Call to Prayer and Reflection. This petition was carried and approved.
Report from Lafon Home Board, Dr. Don Cottrill, gave the report. We have been blessed with the Lafon Home as a nursing home. It is experiencing financial and personnel issues and keeping people at the home. They were faced with $850,000 health costs. Someone stepped up and bought it and took it over. Board of Directors and Board of Trustees approved to manage the home. The Resolution states for a request to have LA Conference to handle the home facilities. This would allow the home to operate by the Board of Directors of the home and the Board of Trustees of the Conference. The resolution was carried and approved.
Mimi McDowell and Pat Day graciously extended an invitation to Centenary College for the 2006 Session of Louisiana Conference.
Darryl Tate, Ken Reed, Larry Miller and Buzzy Anding are inviting you to Baton Rouge for the 2007 Annual Conference. Mayor Kip Holden waived $24,000 expense to come to
Baton Rouge.
Bishop Hutchinson led the Sending Forth Service and dismissed the Conference with a blessing.
