#kac2022 Day 3: Retirees celebrated as part of final day in Owensboro
June 08, 2022
OWENSBORO, Kentucky – The 2022 Annual Conference – the first in-person gathering since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic -- wrapped up Wednesday, June 8, with a recognition of 20 retiring clergy, and business that included approval of the 2023 budget.
“I think it went well because we allowed the presence of God’s spirit to be with us and we extended to one other grace,” Bishop Leonard Fairley said in a brief interview after Annual Conference concluded.
Rev. Tami Coleman, who is concluding three years as Conference Secretary, said: “There was a sweet spirit among us as we celebrated ministries, worshiped the Lord through ordination, remembered those who are now in the great cloud of witnesses, recognized our retirees, and as we attended to the business of Annual Conference.”
Motion to call for GC session
In a piece of business that came before the floor Wednesday morning, Annual Conference members narrowly rejected a motion calling on the Kentucky Conference to petition the Council of Bishops to call a special session of General Conference this year to consider a denominational-separation agreement. The final vote, taken electronically, was rejected 309-307.
Larry Wells, a member of Christ UMC in Bowling Green, presented the motion on behalf of himself: “I move the Kentucky Annual Conference petition the Council of Bishops to call a special session of General Conference, however convened, to meet no later than October 31, 2022, specifically, and only, to consider the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, and to consider extending the time limit in book of Discipline Paragraph 2553 beyond December 31, 2023.”
He said General Conference has been “rendered mute” during a crucial time in the life of the church. He said he believes it was an error to delay General Conference until 2024 before the Protocol or any other separation agreement can be considered.
Tess Welch, a member of the youth and young adult delegation to Conference, spoke against the motion, in part saying that some of the organizers have withdrawn their support. (That news was announced just Tuesday) Wells then spoke again in favor of his motion, before the vote was taken.
Interview with Pastor Adrian Myslinski
Rev. Dr. John Kalz, co-Lead Pastor at Madisonville, interviewed Pastor Adrian Myslinski, of Tarnow UMC in Poland, via Facebook Live. His church is just 100 miles from Ukraine and has been working with many others to help refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of that country.
“It’s a great privilege for us to be a witness to Jesus of them, to be the hands of Jesus, not only the words,” he said.
After the short interview, Kalz prayed for them, urging people to stretch their hands toward Poland. The members gave Pastor Adrian a standing ovation.
Second reading, approval of budget
Kim Keller, Council of Finance and Administration Chair, and Rev, David Garvin, Conference Treasurer, presented the proposed $6.4 million budget and 10% apportionment rate for second reading and a final vote. The Annual Conference approved the budget by a show of hands.
Garvin also shared an update with the $30 million Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy settlement case. He said that the United Methodists will be reviewing Safe Sanctuary policies. He also said that a new charter agreement is expected later this month.
Keller also shared that CFA has shared 33 grants over the past few years. The grants are still available at the Conference website, www.kyumc.org. Also, Our Mission Covenant funds can now be transmitted electronically, and benefits bills also. For more information, contact Conference Controller Heather DuVall at hduvall@kyumc.org.
Keller also said the Conference has collected $1.1 million toward tornado-relief efforts from around the country.
Closed churches
Churches approved for closing, by district, with their closing date: Cave Springs and Sturgis (Owensboro), June 27, 2021; Highland (Heartland), June 30, 2021; Lynch (South East), March 1, 2022; New Salem (South Central), May 1, 2022; and Sturgis (Owensboro), June 16, 2021. Centro de Avivamiento, an uncharted church in Heartland, is also closing.
Retiree Recognition & Sending Forth
A total of 20 retiring pastors were honored. They are: Errol Archerson, Michael Atkins, Todd Benner, Lori Casey, James Fant, Paul Allen Gibson, Cynthia Green, Scot Hoeksema, Mark Jones, David Lile, Todd Love, Beverly Maguffee, Stephen Martyn, Eric Patterson, Jill Ruhl, Farley Stuart, Keith Switzer, James Allen Williams, Jerri Williams, and Scott Wilson.
The retirees represent 551 years of combined service.
Other items
By Alan Wild
OWENSBORO, Kentucky – The 2022 Annual Conference – the first in-person gathering since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic -- wrapped up Wednesday, June 8, with a recognition of 20 retiring clergy, and business that included approval of the 2023 budget.
“I think it went well because we allowed the presence of God’s spirit to be with us and we extended to one other grace,” Bishop Leonard Fairley said in a brief interview after Annual Conference concluded.
Rev. Tami Coleman, who is concluding three years as Conference Secretary, said: “There was a sweet spirit among us as we celebrated ministries, worshiped the Lord through ordination, remembered those who are now in the great cloud of witnesses, recognized our retirees, and as we attended to the business of Annual Conference.”
Motion to call for GC session
In a piece of business that came before the floor Wednesday morning, Annual Conference members narrowly rejected a motion calling on the Kentucky Conference to petition the Council of Bishops to call a special session of General Conference this year to consider a denominational-separation agreement. The final vote, taken electronically, was rejected 309-307.
Larry Wells, a member of Christ UMC in Bowling Green, presented the motion on behalf of himself: “I move the Kentucky Annual Conference petition the Council of Bishops to call a special session of General Conference, however convened, to meet no later than October 31, 2022, specifically, and only, to consider the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, and to consider extending the time limit in book of Discipline Paragraph 2553 beyond December 31, 2023.”
He said General Conference has been “rendered mute” during a crucial time in the life of the church. He said he believes it was an error to delay General Conference until 2024 before the Protocol or any other separation agreement can be considered.
Tess Welch, a member of the youth and young adult delegation to Conference, spoke against the motion, in part saying that some of the organizers have withdrawn their support. (That news was announced just Tuesday) Wells then spoke again in favor of his motion, before the vote was taken.
Interview with Pastor Adrian Myslinski
Rev. Dr. John Kalz, co-Lead Pastor at Madisonville, interviewed Pastor Adrian Myslinski, of Tarnow UMC in Poland, via Facebook Live. His church is just 100 miles from Ukraine and has been working with many others to help refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of that country.
“It’s a great privilege for us to be a witness to Jesus of them, to be the hands of Jesus, not only the words,” he said.
After the short interview, Kalz prayed for them, urging people to stretch their hands toward Poland. The members gave Pastor Adrian a standing ovation.
Second reading, approval of budget
Kim Keller, Council of Finance and Administration Chair, and Rev, David Garvin, Conference Treasurer, presented the proposed $6.4 million budget and 10% apportionment rate for second reading and a final vote. The Annual Conference approved the budget by a show of hands.
Garvin also shared an update with the $30 million Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy settlement case. He said that the United Methodists will be reviewing Safe Sanctuary policies. He also said that a new charter agreement is expected later this month.
Keller also shared that CFA has shared 33 grants over the past few years. The grants are still available at the Conference website, www.kyumc.org. Also, Our Mission Covenant funds can now be transmitted electronically, and benefits bills also. For more information, contact Conference Controller Heather DuVall at hduvall@kyumc.org.
Keller also said the Conference has collected $1.1 million toward tornado-relief efforts from around the country.
Closed churches
Churches approved for closing, by district, with their closing date: Cave Springs and Sturgis (Owensboro), June 27, 2021; Highland (Heartland), June 30, 2021; Lynch (South East), March 1, 2022; New Salem (South Central), May 1, 2022; and Sturgis (Owensboro), June 16, 2021. Centro de Avivamiento, an uncharted church in Heartland, is also closing.
Retiree Recognition & Sending Forth
A total of 20 retiring pastors were honored. They are: Errol Archerson, Michael Atkins, Todd Benner, Lori Casey, James Fant, Paul Allen Gibson, Cynthia Green, Scot Hoeksema, Mark Jones, David Lile, Todd Love, Beverly Maguffee, Stephen Martyn, Eric Patterson, Jill Ruhl, Farley Stuart, Keith Switzer, James Allen Williams, Jerri Williams, and Scott Wilson.
The retirees represent 551 years of combined service.
Other items
- Mission offering: Fairley announced that the total collected Tuesday during the Mission Celebration is $72,233, with more still coming in from churches across the Conference.
- Bishop’s Operational Team: Chris Morgan and Ann Jones shared a letter from the team It called for a time of renewal and to step out in faith “a movement empowered by the Holy Spirit.” Disciple-making at the center.
- Camp & Retreat Ministry: Rev. Michael Sweeney shared about the Conference’s camping ministry, and a short video introducing the new Aldersgate Director, Haley Andes, was shown. (The video can be seen here, and a profile of Andes is here.)
- Conference Secretary: Fairley recognized Coleman, who has served as Annual Conference Secretary since 2020, thanking her for her work in the midst of the pandemic, and she was presented a parting gift of a quilt with a picture of the Conference Office. “It’s been an absolute privilege to serve you these last few years,” Coleman said. Rev. Darren Brandon, of St. Paul in Louisville, will become the new Conference Secretary.
- Annual Conference 2023: Fairley also announced that next year’s Annual Conference will again be held in Owensboro on June 5-7.