Day Ten: May 20, 2016

Delegates Approve Quadrennial Budget

One of the primary responsibilities of General Conference is to approve budgets for upcoming ministry and programs. On Friday, May 20, 2016, delegates to General Conference approved a $604 million budget for the next quadrennium. The conference amended the original budget adding $5 million to the World Service Fund for Central Conference Theological Education Fund. This fund supports theological education and pastoral training in Africa, the Philippines and Europe. More here. 

Court Rules on Question of Authority

(UMNS) - In response to a request for review from General Conference 2016, the United Methodist Judicial Council has found no conflict between two of its previous decisions or between specific paragraphs in the church’s constitution. Decision 1321, issued May 20, said that Paragraphs 16 and 33 of the constitution “assign specific authority and responsibility to the General Conference and to the annual conferences in The United Methodist Church. They are not in conflict.” More here. 

Votes to Note

Petition Number 60226 was passed in today’s afternoon plenary session. The vote revises paragraph 507 in the Book of Discipline. Point 10 was added that says, “All petitions that have been approved by a legislative committee shall receive a vote by the plenary session at that year’s General Conference.” The rationale discourages filibustering and delay tactics, as well as encourage effective time management of the legislative process.

Yesterday delegates voted to create a new Lay Order of Ministry that would include Deaconesses and Home Missioners.

SEJ Episcopal Nominee Videos Available Online

Fourteen Episcopal candidates from the Southeastern Jurisdiction presented to delegates and guests on Tuesday, May 17 and Wednesday, May 18, 2016, during lunch breaks at General Conference. All candidates were asked to answer two questions within a six-minute time frame. The first question asked nominees to name two of the most important accomplishments in their ministry, while the next question allowed this group to inform SEJ delegates where their passion lies and how they would bring it to life, if elected. Elections for Bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction Conference will be held July 12-15, 2016, at Lake Junaluska, NC. Click here to see nominee videos. 

2020 General Conference will be held in Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN, will be the site of the 2020 General Conference, tentatively scheduled for May 5-15, 2020. Minneapolis is part of the Minnesota Annual Conference, which has more than 70,000 members and 353 congregations, and along with the Dakotas Conference, constitutes the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church.

Highlights of General Conference 2016

AWF Delegates Elected to Lead GC Committee Work

GC2016: Rule 44 Does Not Pass

Furr Elected as SEJ Representative for Commission of the General Conference

Ester Participates in Deaconess & Home Missioner Consecration

Term limits for bishops fails at GC2016

Council of Bishops Make Statement Regarding Church Unity

Prayer a Vital Component of GC2016

GC2016 celebrates Africa University

Council of Bishops Offers a Way Forward, Delegates Approve Plan

AWF Episcopal Nominee, Bryan, Speaks with SEJ Delegates and Guests

Imagine No Malaria celebration rocks the house

29 new missionaries commissioned at General Conference

COSROW Celebrates Milestone Anniversaries for Clergy Women

Petition, caucus condemn use of Native Americans mascots

Church ends membership in reproductive health coalition

AWF Reserve Delegates Provide Support and Prayer

AWF Clergy Works on GC Secretary Staff

Agency focuses on increasing men’s church involvement

Complete coverage on General Conference can be found on our Website at www.awfumc.org and through United Methodist News Service. Photos above by Luke Lucas, AWF, and UMNS. 

AWF Delegate Prayer & Profile

Merciful God,

As we come to the close of General Conference, God, I ask that you heal our church. Many of us came with our own agendas thinking that they are yours.  We are tired, worn out and troubled, but God, we will continue with endurance the long race set before us. Help us, God, to stay focused on the course of the race, let us not be sidetracked by our own agendas. Lord, we should all have been praying not our will, Lord, but yours be done. God, please forgive us and heal our church. Forgive those of us who leave this conference thinking our side has won. Heal those who leave brokenhearted feeling their side has lost. God I pray for a “united” United Methodist Church, a church that strives to do your will and understand your ways, and a church that obeys your commands. 

Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart, we have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Protect us as we travel back to our homes. Through your Holy Spirit, fill us with love and grace and we continue to love and serve you. In the name of Jesus Christ, your only son and our Lord and Savior, AMEN.
-Beverly Maddox

Beverly is an AWF lay delegate and is a member of Clear Springs UMC in the Baypines District. She has served on two General Conference delegations and three Jurisdictional Conference delegations. She has been nominated to be the next Alabama-West Florida Lay Leader pending a vote at the upcoming annual conference session. 

AWF Photo Galleries from General Conference 

Luke Lucas, AWF Communications Specialist, covered general conference through photography. He captured our delegation and friends at work. Click here to see galleries. Photo by Luke Lucas, AWF.

After General Conference

For analysis, news stories, follow up, and looking back: 

Live Stream Archives: Find on-demand and downloadable versions of the daily General Conference plenary sessions, worship, and addresses.

Legislation Tracking: Search for legislation submitted by petition number, keyword or submitter for information regarding the actions taken on each piece of legislation. 

General Conference Website: Continue to read news from General Conference 2016 at the General Conference website. 

Social Media: Follow the hashtags #UMCGC and #GC2016

Miss One? 

If you were unable to catch the action of General Conference, click on the daily archive below for Alabama-West Florida Conference daily updates. 

Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Monday, May 16, 2016
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Thursday, May 19, 2016