2020 Annual Conference Resolutions
Resolution 1: Election of Delegates
Submitted by Rev. Mark Gorman, Baltimore-Washington Conference Rules Committee
Whereas, a constitutional amendment was approved by the General Conference in 2016 and, subsequently, by two-thirds of the aggregate votes of the annual conferences of The United Methodist Church that added the requirement that all delegates to General Conference and jurisdictional conferences be elected by a minimum of a simple majority,
BE IT RESOLVED that: Paragraph 3011.10.c) of the Rules of the Annual Conference Session be amended to read as follows: Clergy and lay delegates to the General Conference shall be elected first by separate ballot, to be followed, after all the delegates to the General Conference have been elected, by balloting for delegates to the NEJ. After all NEJ delegates have been elected, four clergy and four lay persons shall be elected as alternates to the NEJ. All delegates and alternates must be elected by a minimum of a simple majority of the votes of the members present and voting, clergy members voting for clergy delegates and lay members voting for lay delegates.
The Discipleship Council voted to concur with this resolution.
The Connectional Table voted to concur with this resolution.
Resolution 2: Conference Deadlines
Submitted by Rev. Mark Gorman, Baltimore-Washington Conference Rules Committee
Whereas, in 2018 the deadline for resolutions to be submitted to the Conference Secretary before Annual Conference was moved to April 1 (2018 Conference Journal p. 303); and
Whereas, it is unclear from the Conference Journal whether the Annual Conference intended to make that change permanent; and
Whereas Conference Communications has said an April 1 deadline is unrealistic for having materials prepared for Annual Conference; and
Whereas the Rules Committee had intended to change the deadlines for both resolutions to Annual Conference and reports from the various committees and agencies due to the Annual Conference each year
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that that each year the Conference Secretary, in consultation with Conference Communications and the Connectional Table, shall set a deadline for resolutions to Annual Conference and a deadline for reports from the various committees and agencies no earlier than January 31 and no later than March 1 (the deadline for resolutions and the deadline for reports may be the same date); And
Be it further resolved that the Conference Secretary shall announce the deadline(s) for resolutions and reports at least ninety (90) days in advance of the deadline(s) on the Conference website, in the UMConnection, and in the e-Connection.
The Discipleship Council voted to concur with this resolution.
The Connectional Table voted to concur this resolution.
Resolution 3: Use of Conference Funds to Support LGBTQIA+ Faithful and Their Allies
As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found inconsistent with the current Book of Discipline.
Submitted by Rev. Deborah Scott, Lovely Lane UMC; and Rev. Angela Flanagan, Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling Methodists (BWARM)
Whereas, the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference has a tradition of adopting resolutions in the past supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community; and
Whereas, we are especially concerned about the rising suicide rate of LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults; and
Whereas, thousands of refugees and asylum seekers are targeted in their home countries specifically because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity each year; and
Whereas, the BWC Discipleship Council adopted a vision statement in response to legislation enacted during the 2019 General Conference that includes, "We dream and work for a church that acts now, not later, in accordance with Scripture, with the Articles of Religion, with the Confession of Faith, with the General Rules, and with the Constitution of The United Methodist Church. We will adhere faithfully to the legislative enactments of the General Conference, but only insofar as our consciences permit us to conclude that such legislation is consistent with those higher authorities;" and
Whereas, the first of the General Rules is to do no harm:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that section ¶ 613.19 of the Book of Discipline, which prohibits the use of annual conference funds from going to “any gay caucus or group or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality” is considered to be nonbinding within the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration stated that until the General Conference takes action during its May 5-15 session, the impact of the resolution is indeterminate and the CFA is therefore neutral on the content of this resolution.
The Connectional Table voted to concur with this resolution.
Resolution 4: Conservation of Conference Ministry Funds to Avoid Church Trials
As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found inconsistent with the current Book of Discipline.
Submitted by Rev. Deborah Scott, Lovely Lane UMC; and Rev. Angela Flanagan, Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling Methodists (BWARM)
WHEREAS, the first general rule that John Wesley gave the people called Methodists mandates “doing no harm;” and
WHEREAS, The United Methodist Church has singled out LGBTQIA+ persons and those that minister fully to them with particularly discriminatory and punitive measures; and
WHEREAS, much of the “Traditional Plan” passed by the Special Session of the General Conference at its February 2019 meeting and upheld by the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church at its April 2019 meeting enhanced these punitive measures; and
WHEREAS, the passed and affirmed legislation known as the “Traditional Plan “also significantly diminished the ability of bishops to address filed complaints singled out in the approved legislation with anything less than a church trial; and
WHEREAS, the cost of conducting multiple church trials would significantly impact the ability of the Baltimore-Washington Conference to continue its ministry “to inspire and equip local faith communities to develop disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world;”
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that no Baltimore-Washington Conference funds or monies (either directly through payments or indirectly through directed time of employees of the conference) shall be expended for the purpose of background investigations, complaints, just resolutions, or church trials pertaining to the disqualification from ministry for being an LGBTQIA+ person and/or any clergy officiating at a same-gender wedding, unless the respondent asserts their right to a full complaint process.
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration stated that until the General Conference takes action during its May 5-15 session, the impact of the resolution is indeterminate and CFA is therefore neutral on the content of this resolution.
The Discipleship Council affirmed CFA's statement.
The Connectional Table voted to concur with this resolution.
Resolution 5: Baltimore-Washington Conference Invited to Live into the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation
As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found inconsistent with the current Book of Discipline.
Submitted by Rev. Deborah Scott, Lovely Lane UMC; and Rev. Bryant Oskvig, Campus Ministry American University
Whereas the BWC has embraced open, inclusive churches and tables welcoming all God's children; and
Whereas we want to restore the mission of The United Methodist Church to Make Disciples of All, at the same time not doing any harm;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the BWC will live into the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace no matter what happens at GC 2020.
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration stated that until the General Conference takes action during its May 5-15 session, the impact of the resolution is indeterminate and CFA is therefore neutral on the content of this resolution.
The Connectional Table voted to not concur with this resolution.