PROGRAM & REPORTS Annual Conference
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PROGRAM & REPORTS Annual Conference June 18-19, 2021 Online Conference Christian Conferencing Listed below are two examples of how Christians need to relate to one another as we engage in serious dialogue, particularly over issues that often divide us. In a world and in a time where the manner in which we address one another is significant, it is critical that we in the church find ways to dialogue with each other as people of faith. Holy Conferencing Principles • Every person is a child of God. • Listen before speaking. • Strive to understand from another’s point of view. • Speak about issues, do not defame persons. Disagree without being disagreeable. • Pray, in silence or aloud, about decisions. Let prayer interrupt your busy-ness. Strive to accurately reflect the views of others. “[Make] every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3 NRSV MISSION/VISION STATEMENT The Mission of the Susquehanna Annual Conference is to equip local churches to fulfill their mission as we: Grow spiritual, transformational leaders Equip congregations for vitality and create new places for new people Connect with each other and the world So that: Alive in Christ together, the Susquehanna Conference will embody the beloved community of disciple-making congregations. TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I Organization ................................................................................................................................ 5 Conference Offering .................................................................................................................... 12 Retirements ................................................................................................................................. 13 Celebration of Life ........................................................................................................................ 14 SECTION IV-A Recommendations ...................................................................................................................... 17 Advance Specials ......................................................................................................................... 18 Board of Pensions ........................................................................................................................ 23 Commission on Equitable Compensation ................................................................................... 35 Council on Finance and Administration ...................................................................................... 37 Resolutions................................................................................................................................... 39 Res-1 Mental Health .................................................................................................................... 40 Res-2 Disability Awareness Sunday ............................................................................................. 40 Res-3 A Call to Work Towards Unity ............................................................................................ 41 Res-4 Reaching People with the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Hope of the World ................ 41 Res-5 Unity in Mission ................................................................................................................. 42 Res-6 A Call to End Conversion Therapy ...................................................................................... 42 Res-7 The Susquehanna Declaration .......................................................................................... 43 Res-8 United Methodist Stewardship Foundation Merger with United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania ............................................................ 45 Res-9 United Methodist Stewardship Foundation and United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania Agreement and Plan of Merger ............................................................................ 46 SECTION IV-B Reports ......................................................................................................................................... 57 Board of Pensions ........................................................................................................................ 58 Board of Trustees ......................................................................................................................... 58 Council of Finance & Administration ........................................................................................... 63 Committee on Nominations ........................................................................................................ 68 JOURNAL CORRECTION FORM ................................................................................................... 81 JEREMIAH J. PARK Resident Bishop Dear Clergy and Lay Members of the Susquehanna Conference, Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Healer of our Brokenness, and Hope of the World! Welcome to the Twelfth Session of the Susquehanna Conference. While it is not ideal that we will not be able to gather in person, it will be great to be the Body of Christ together. Thanks be to God that God is not limited by time or space. I know with calm assurance that God will be in our midst, even as we gather virtually. As we convene on June 18-19, 2021, we will continue to praise God with our theme: Vision of the Beloved Community. As we gather as an Annual Conference, we know that God will challenge and equip us to be a church in witness of the Kingdom of God. God’s desire and God’s expectation is that we, the followers of Jesus the Christ, will live and proclaim that God’s kingdom is one of love, commitment to justice and mercy and to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. During our time together, we will remember the words of Jesus: “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) As disciples of Jesus Christ, together we will continue to build the Beloved Community of Christ that is so desperately needed for such a time. As we do what we are called to do, may we be beacons of light of the Beloved Community for the sake of making disciples and transforming the world. My beloved, I am looking forward to our two days together. Together with You in Ministry, Jeremiah J. Park KATHLEEN E. KIND Chair, Annual Conference Sessions Committee For over a year we have been pivoting into pirouettes while trying to figure out what a new normal might actually look like and here we are again, at our next session of the Susquehanna Annual Conference. This year, as well, is not normal in that we will not be together under one roof, but we will be together across our various online networks. As we gather to do the work and worship of the Church, it will not quite be the same and we will miss having the opportunity to see one another and get caught up at what often feels like our Annual Conference family reunion. However, we do come together because the Church has a mission to fulfill of being followers of Jesus, who help others to become followers of Jesus. And so, as we anticipate this time of holy conferencing (as well as we can do that online) and care for the business that is before us, it is my hope and prayer that we enter into our work keeping an eye on the mission and are renewed in our call to make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. On the Journey Together, Kathleen Kind SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION Organization Conference Officers, Cabinet and Connectional Ministries Staff ................................................ 6 Conference Lay Leadership ......................................................................................................... 8 2020 Conference Sessions Committee ........................................................................................ 8 Important Information ................................................................................................................ 9 Schedule of 2020 Annual Conference ......................................................................................... 10 Rules of Procedure ....................................................................................................................... 11 Conference Offering .................................................................................................................... 12 Retirements ................................................................................................................................. 13 Celebration of Life ........................................................................................................................ 14 5 SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION Conference Officers, Cabinet, Connecting Ministries Staff Conference Officers: Resident Bishop Jeremiah J. Park 303 Mulberry Drive Suite 100, Mechanicsburg PA 17050-3198 (717) 766-7871 Clergy Assistant to the Bishop: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Salsgiver [email protected] FAX (717) 766-3210 Ministerial Services/Reports: Rev. Gregory C. Myers [email protected] Executive Administrative Assistant: Christy Mackey [email protected] Administrative Assistant: Sarah Filizzi [email protected] Conference Secretary Cindy Weaver (717) 545-0525 [email protected] Conference Secretary Assistants: Rev. Jane O’Borski, Rev. Douglas