AC 2019 Resolutions

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Common Table

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.   

Submitted by: Julie Wilson

Conference Affiliation: Interim Advocacy and Action Board, EcoJustice

Financial implications are minor. (Allergen-free bread is slightly more expensive.)

Whereas: our Communion liturgy states that “as there is one loaf, we are one in Christ;” and

Whereas: 5-10 percent of Americans suffer from some form of gluten sensitivity or worse, celiac disease [https://glutenintoleranceschool.com/gluten-intolerance-statistics/] and 2 percent of adults are allergic to milk, 1-2 percent are allergic to tree nuts or peanuts, and 0.4 percent are allergic to egg; [https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2720064]

Whereas: offering gluten-free Communion at only one or two stations can feel isolating, degrading, or even shameful to people who suffer from this condition and does not address concerns over other allergens at all;

Be it resolved: that every Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, regional, and district event that offers Communion shall offer only gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free bread so that all may share in a common loaf without fear of cross contamination from allergens. This shall be effective July 1, 2019.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Supporting Deliberations for New Expressions of Methodism

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Submitted by: John C. Hines, Jr., Lay Member to Annual Conference, Mt. Zion UMC in Lothian

Co-Sponsor: Greg Witte, Lay Member to Annual Conference, Cedar Grove UMC in Deale

Whereas: There are many factions within The United Methodist Church who maintain completely different approaches to scriptural interpretation, which yields completely different positions on the matter of human sexuality. Each faction's beliefs are core and uncompromisable, and therefore, are irreconcilable; and,

Whereas: living out these beliefs has led to many years of civil disobedience, in-fighting, hurt, anger, and pain, which will not cease until changes are made; and,

Whereas: the actions of the Special General Conference of 2019 and our Judicial Council have made it clear that the debated doctrines in our Book of Discipline will not be changed, within the foreseeable future; and,

Whereas: leaders from both factions have entered into deliberations to create new and equitable paths to resolve this impasse; and,

Whereas: we all desire to see an end to the in-fighting, and to see all of our members pursue the mission of the church in the manner that they feel led by the Holy Spirit.

Be it resolved: that we lament and mourn the fact that unity, as we have known it up until now, is no longer viable for the future of our church, and we recognize that changes are now necessary. In light of this understanding, the Baltimore-Washington Conference supports the ongoing deliberations between various leaders within our United Methodist Church to explore new expressions of Methodism, wherein all can find a home with like-minded members, without compromise of their core beliefs or encumbered by strained organizational relationships, to worship and minister as they feel led by the Holy Spirit.

The Connectional Table voted non-concurrence on this resolution.

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Purchase a New Episcopal Residence 

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Budget Implications: The net difference between the sale and purchase transactions will require a funding plan by the Conference Trustees and the Council on Finance and Administration that may impact the Conference budget.  There is no debt on the current Episcopal Residence.

Rationale: Sale and purchase of Conference property must be authorized by the Annual Conference   

Submitted by: Conference Board of Trustees 

Whereas: the Episcopal Residence for the Baltimore-Washington Conference was purchased by the Conference Trustees in 1996 and no debt currently exists on the property; and 

Whereas: the Episcopal Residence was remediated in March and April 2019 from a black mold incident that was very disruptive to the Episcopal family; and

Whereas: the Episcopal Residence Committee and Conference Trustees approved relocating the Episcopal family to a 6-month short-term rental home on April 17, 2019; and

Whereas: upon review of the details involved with the mold remediation, the Episcopal Residence Committee and the Conference Trustees recommend taking this opportunity to sell the existing residence and use the proceeds towards the purchase of a new residence; and

Whereas: in accordance with the ad interim procedures for selling Annual Conference property established in paragraph 2515.a of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (2016), consent has been obtained of the presiding bishop and of a majority of the district superintendents; therefore

Be it resolved: that to fulfill the procedures set forth in paragraph 2515 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (2016), the Baltimore-Washington Conference supports the sale of the existing Episcopal Residence and the purchase of a new Episcopal Residence by the Conference Board of Trustees with support by the Episcopal Residence Committee; and

Be it further resolved: that the Council on Finance and Administration will be responsible for approving the funding plan between sessions of the Annual Conference.

The Council on Finance and Administration and the Connectional Table voted concurrence with this resolution. 

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Rotating Venue and Accommodation Stipends for Annual Conference

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Submitted by: Rev. Dr. Rudy Bropleh, Lead Pastor, Asbury Church in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Cosponsors: Pastor Bill Rowley, Chestnut Hill and Shenandoah Memorial Charge; Rev. Jerry Lowans, Washington Square UMC in Hagerstown; Matthew Sichel, Lay Member to Annual Conference, Wesley UMC in Hampstead; Rev. Frankie Revell, LaVale UMC

Whereas: It is in our best interest to have all representatives of our local churches in attendance at Annual Conference; to advise, consent, and share in the celebrations of past achievements and to plan for future ministry for Jesus Christ; and,

Whereas: appropriate venues, which can facilitate our gatherings, particularly in Baltimore, are located at extreme distances from our western and southern local churches; and,

Whereas: these distances can be a burden on those traveling long distances, when our plenary meetings drag into late hours to address necessary agenda items, by requiring these travelers to either put in excessively long hours of commuting or spend more than their budgets allow for accommodations; and, 

Whereas, such burdens often discourage those representatives from experiencing the fullness of Annual Conference, or to forego important deliberations in plenary.

Be it resolved that: The Conference Sessions Committee will research various options for alleviating this burden on remotely located clergy and laity representatives, including, but not limited to the following:

1. The availability, and financial ramifications of another venue for the Annual Conference meetings that is more centrally located, geographically, which would be utilized on a rotating yearly basis with the Baltimore location; and
2. The cost and administrative requirements to provide free accommodations to the clergy and lay delegates who represent local churches that fall outside of a 1.5-hour travel band and those churches that can demonstrate need.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Unrestricted Bequest Received by Centre Street United Methodist Church

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Budget Implications: Provides funding for the long-range strategic plan adopted by the Retreat and Camping Ministries.

Rationale: Receipt of unrestricted bequests by the Conference Board of Trustees require Annual Conference approval for the designation of any expenditures.   

Submitted by: Conference Board of Trustees.

Whereas: on December 17, 2018, the Centre Street United Methodist Church in Cumberland, Maryland received an unrestricted bequest from the Rice Estate in the amount of $25,000, and

Whereas: the Centre Street United Methodist Church was closed on June 30, 2018, with all real and personal, tangible and intangible property conveyed to the Baltimore-Washington Conference Board of Trustees, and

Whereas: in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraphs 2549.6 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (2016), the bequest to a closed church shall become the property of the annual conference board of trustees, therefore

Be it resolved: that through the administrative responsibilities of the Conference Board of Trustees and in coordination with the Cumberland-Hagerstown District Superintendent, the Rice Bequest be designated by the Baltimore-Washington Conference to support non-urban ministries in Allegany County.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 3, 2019

The Council on Finance and Administration voted concurrence on this resolution. The Connectional Table voted non-concurrence.

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Amending the Rules: Duties of the Rules Committee 

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Submitted by: Mark Gorman

Conference Affiliation: Rules Committee

Whereas: The process for changing the structure of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference is not detailed in the current Policies and Procedures manual;

Whereas: The need for a clearer process became evident in the most recent attempt to change the Annual Conference’s structure;

Whereas: In the past, the Rules Committee has played a vital role in determining the best structure for the Annual Conference; 

Be it resolved: that paragraph 3002.5.e) be added to Rules of the Session as follows: The Rules Committee shall be consulted in advance and review all proposed changes to the structure of the Annual Conference and shall report its concurrence or non-concurrence to the Annual Conference as well as through available outlets such as the pre-conference publication, the Connection, and the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference website.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Resolution to Provide Nursing and Pumping Accommodations Within the Bar at Annual Conference 

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Submitted by: Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, Good Shepherd UMC, Baltimore

Co-Sponsors: Rev. Lemuel Dominguez Milford Mill UMC, Pikesville; Rev. Heather Olsen, Lisbon UMC, Lisbon; Rev. Laura Norvell, Ferndale UMC, Ferndale; Rev. Julie Wilson, Calvary, UMC, Frederick; Rev. Michelle Mejia, Eastport UMC, Annapolis; Rev. Laurie Gates Ward, Good Shepherd UMC, Waldorf; Rev. Margaret Clemmons Grace UMC, Hagerstown; Rev. Leo Yates, Magothy UM Church of the Deaf/Extension Ministry-Maryland DORS

Whereas: there are no provisions for nursing or pumping mothers at Annual Conference;

Whereas: childcare at Annual Conference does not begin until 6 months of age;

Whereas: all clergy are required to attend Annual Conference in full;

Whereas: the lack of provisions for clergy and laity delegates and their very young children prohibits them from full participation to which they are elected and called to serve;

Whereas: accommodations outside the bar of Annual Conference disenfranchises the delegates and their churches;

Whereas: Annual Conference days are long and include three meals per day for adults;

Whereas: Paragraph 161(B) in the 2016 Book of Discipline states, “We believe the family to be the basic human community through which persons are nurtured and sustained in mutual love, responsibility, respect, and fidelity;” and Paragraph 162(C) affirms that children are “acknowledged to be full human beings in their own right, but beings to whom adults and society in general have special obligations…[and] children have the rights to food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and emotional well-being…;”

Whereas: Resolution 2023 in the 2016 Book of Resolutions names the challenges and need for support in all forms for clergy families;

Whereas: the American Academy of Pediatrics states, “breastfeeding is a natural and beneficial source of nutrition and provides the healthiest start for an infant. In addition to the nutritional benefits, breastfeeding promotes a unique and emotional connection between mother and baby.” The AAP acknowledges that there are many benefits to breastfeeding and health risks with not breastfeeding and reminds pediatricians that “breastfeed[ing] should be considered an investment in the short- and long-term health of the infant, rather than a lifestyle choice” and recommends that all children be fed breastmilk until at least 1 year of age (https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Reaffirms-Breastfeeding-Guidelines.aspx);

Be it resolved: that The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church will inquire on the registration form for Annual Conference each year as to the need for nursing and pumping accommodations and provide them within the bar to ensure the full inclusion of these women. We commit ourselves to work with the Arrangements Committee and other appropriate parties to:

1. Ensure this space has access to all conference proceedings, be voted to be an extension to the bar, and be within reasonable distance from the floor.
2. Specifically designate this area for nursing and pumping persons and be identified with proper signage and have adequate privacy.
3. Provide comfortable seating; access to electrical outlets from the seating; a table next to the seating; and a refrigerator for the safe storage of expressed milk. If possible and practical, access to a sink, a changing area, and trashcan will be provided. These items may be included in the rental of the facility (such as a table, chairs, or curtains) or borrowed from a local church to keep costs at a minimum.
4. Make reasonable accommodations as requested by any parent/guardian for the feeding of their young children.
5. Consult with two to three current or recent nursing or pumping women to ensure the adequacy of the designated space.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Requiring Consultations for Restructuring Proposals

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Submitted by: Mark Gorman

Conference Affiliation: Rules Committee

Whereas: restructuring the Annual Conference often has broad and significant implications;

Whereas:  it is advantageous to have input on restructuring proposals from experienced Annual Conference leaders;

Be it resolved: that all proposals to restructure the agencies, boards, and/or committees of the Annual Conference shall first be presented to the Discipleship Council and the Nominations Committee for consultation and votes of concurrence or non-concurrence before being considered by the Annual Conference.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Resolution Pertaining to Attendance at Meetings for General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegates

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  (See the note at the conclusion of this resolution.)

Submitted by: Rev. Melissa Rudolph

Conference Affiliation: 2016/2019 BWC General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegation

This resolution amends the rules of the session regarding expectations of delegates as adopted by the 2014 Annual Conference.

Whereas: clergy and laity are elected to represent the Baltimore-Washington Conference the year prior to the quadrennial gatherings of United Methodists for the General and Jurisdictional Conferences and any special sessions of those bodies, according to the process adopted by the 2014 Annual Conference under the provisions of the Discipline; and

Whereas: said election is decided upon by the clergy and lay members of the Annual Conference in order to have a diverse body, representative of the Baltimore Washington Conference; and

Whereas: members of the delegation meet monthly in preparation for their work on behalf of the annual conference, gathering to build relationships, engage in Holy Conferencing, learn about proposed legislation, and worship and pray together at meetings that are scheduled in advance for the entire year. And, that members of the delegation are in covenant with one another to fully participate in these gatherings; therefore

Be it resolved: that members of the delegation are expected to be present at all meetings prior to General and Jurisdictional Conference. Excused absences are limited to those conflicts with the calendar that are shared in writing with the Chairs and secretary of the delegation by September when the meetings commence, illness for the delegate or members of their immediate family for whom they are providing care, bereavement for the loss of a family member, and inclement weather. Absences not communicated in a timely fashion or for reasons outside of these will be considered unexcused. Additionally, delegates must attend at least half of the meeting to be counted present. A delegate is allowed two unexcused absences, after which they shall be removed from the delegation. Beginning with the 2020 delegation, the attendance record of the previous delegation will be published prior to elections.

Note: Questions have been raised by the Conference Rules Committee about the constitutionality of this resolution and about attendance policies for delegates in general. See Judicial Council Decision No. 592 (http://www.umc.org/decisions/41486).

The Connectional Table voted non-concurrence on this resolution.

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Called Back to Our Methodist Roots

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Submitted by: Lovely Lane, BCS, UMC, Baltimore, MD (Mother Church of Methodism),
Rev. Deborah Scott, Pastor
John Strawbridge, Lay Leader
Baltimore Washington Historical Society, Rev. Dr. Emora Brannan, President
Baltimore Washington Archives and History, Rev. Dr. Emora Brannan, Chair

Whereas: Methodism began as a spiritual movement to renew a decaying institutional church and serve the outcast, the marginalized, and the poor in response to those 18th century Anglicans who tried to quash a spiritual movement of inclusion and love; and 

Whereas: early Methodism was often messy, was based in small groups, empowered women, gave enslaved persons a sense of freedom, and created a vision of justice and liberation; and

Whereas: anyone who claims to be a Methodist but who acts like one of those dogmatic 18th century Anglican prelates is NOT faithful to Methodist tradition; and

Whereas: anyone who says there are limits to whose hearts can be strangely warmed, is NOT faithful to Methodist tradition. The deepest Methodist identity is that of hearts on fire with love, of risk and rebellion, of holy revolutions, of challenging ecclesial authorities who say "NO," of listening to the voices of the outcast, specifically now our LGBTQ+ siblings; and

Whereas: people who are currently claiming to be "traditional" are really innovators and revisionists, who are turning us into something we aren't (see footnote 1); and

Whereas: John Wesley did not start a church. He wanted to renew a church that had become narrow, moralistic, and cold. He wanted to renew it through new hearts, a courageous spirit, community that included the least and the unwanted, and with passion for Jesus. It was a FEARLESS spiritual movement. Without courage and risking all for love, there would be no Methodists; and

Whereas: Methodism got "nice" when it accommodated to slavery. So, the "traditionalist" Methodism that is taking over our church would make us complicit with white supremacy and slave-holding. There was always another Methodism — the kind that shook the American South to its core in the 18th century — the revolutionary, inclusive, heart-centered, Jesus-fired Methodism that scared authorities; therefore

Be it resolved: that we are being called back to our roots. The world is our parish. We are challenging all to be authentically traditional without fear, inviting all to renewal with hearts strangely warmed; and

Be it further resolved: that we need to do a better job of understanding our historical roots. It is time for the real Methodist tradition to get reborn. We are called back to our roots to be rambunctious rebels against unjust societies and the unholiness of the dominions of this world; and

Be it further resolved: that we need to set history right. We've got a real chance here to be the sort of Methodists our founding generation dreamed when, at the Christmas Conference of 1784 at Lovely Lane, the Methodist Episcopal Church in America was born; and

Be it further resolved: that the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church request the General Conference of the UMC to affirm the need for an Easter Conference (not tied to a specific date) to resurrect the church of our roots, at the Mother Church of the denomination, Lovely Lane, Baltimore City Station, to be reminded what it meant to be a traditional Methodist in 1784 and what that means today, in light of our rich history. May it be so!

Footnote 1:  Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey April 29, 2019 "I believe one of the reasons it has been so difficult to make the Traditional Plan fully constitutional is because it is not who we are.  We are people of justice, grace, inclusion, reconciliation, and restoration and the Traditional Plan falls short of embracing these important tenets of our faith. I believe in the authority of scripture and as Wesleyan Methodists believe we interpret scripture using tradition, experience, and reason.  We each bring who we are, what we have experienced, where we grew up, where we went to school to our understanding of the scriptures. To deny that is to deny the whole person of God."

Note:  This is a petition to be sent on behalf of the BWC to General Conference 2020.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Calling for an Adjourned/Special Session of Annual Conference

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Submitted by: Rev. Debbie Scott, Pastor Lovely Lane UMC in Baltimore;
Phil Potter, National UMC in Washington UMC
John Strawbridge, Lay Leader, Lovely Lane UMC in Baltimore

Whereas: we have historically had one day adjourned (special) sessions of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference to deal with specific agenda items (i.e. finance and budget); and

Whereas: we are all still trying to process the actions of the Special General Conference Feb. 2019 intended to find A Way Forward and the rulings of the Judicial Council April 2019 in response to the constitutionality of the Traditional Plan as amended; and

Whereas: many conversations are being held across our denomination in response to the decisions of this Special General Conference; and

Whereas: we often are not able to fully discuss legislation brought to annual conference because of time constraints; and 

Whereas: this is a critical period of discernment for all who affiliate with the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church, both lay and clergy; and 

Whereas: it would be helpful for local churches within the bounds of our Annual Conference, the Conference Trustees and the Conference Council on Finance and Administration to have more time to make and implement plans for the future; therefore

Be it resolved: that in consultation with Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference requests our bishop, in accordance with Par. 369.6 of the Book of Discipline (“A special session of the annual conference may be held at such a time and at such a place as the bishop shall determine...”) to call a one day special session of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference no later than Nov. 16, 2019, (preferably a Saturday to facilitate attendance for as many as possible) to fully understand options available to us and decisions we might make as an annual conference and individual churches in response to the January 1, 2020, anticipated implementation of policy established in St. Louis Feb. 2019 at the Special General Conference; and 

Be it further resolved: that additional legislation concerning these specific matters must be received by the Conference Secretary by Oct. 7, 2019.

The Connectional Table voted non-concurrence on this resolution.

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Representation of LGBTQIA+ Persons on Conference Commissions, Committees and Agencies

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Submitted by: Rev. Debbie Scott and Rev. Angela Flanagan, Co-Chairs of the Advocacy Committee for BWARM

Whereas: for 46-plus years, The United Methodist Church has overtly discriminated against LGBTQIA+ persons in its written laws and its actions; and

Whereas: the decisions made by The United Methodist Church over these years have been made without including LGBTQIA+ persons in the conversations or at the table; and

Whereas: the Baltimore-Washington Conference is a conference that welcomes LGBTQIA+ people into our congregations; and

Whereas: the Baltimore-Washington Conference encourages its congregations to be in ministry with the LGBTQIA community; and

Whereas: the Baltimore-Washington Conference committed itself to become an inclusive conference during its 2014 session; and

Whereas: the Discipleship Council of the Baltimore-Washington Conference just released an inclusive vision statement; and

Whereas:  LGBTQIA+ persons, like their heterosexual siblings, faithfully participate in their local congregations and at all levels of the denomination, through their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness; and 

Whereas: the Baltimore-Washington Conference commits itself to broad representation in all of its considerations and in its leadership; and

Whereas: identities, including LGBTQIA+, are intersectional and a person can understand and identify themselves in multiple way; therefore

Be it resolved: that ¶6002.5 (Agency Inclusion and Geographic Representation) of the Policy Manual of the Baltimore-Washington Conference be amended with the insertion of “LGBTQIA+ persons,” after the words “persons with disabilities.” The paragraph would now read:

“Insofar as possible, it is recommended that the membership on agencies include one‐third clergy, one‐third laywomen, and one‐third laymen (with the exception of the Board of Ordained Ministry, the Board of Diaconal Ministry and other agencies as prescribed by the Book of Discipline). It is further recommended that special attention be given to the inclusion of clergywomen, youth, young adults, older adults, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ persons, and racial and ethnic persons. It is further recommended that earnest attempts be made to assure equitable district and/or regional representation on all agencies."

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Resolution on Conservation of Conference Ministry Funding

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline. 

Submitted by: Rev. Debbie Scott, Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists (BWARM)  

Co-Sponsors: Rev. Angela Flanagan, BWARM; Rev. Bryant Oskvig, BWARM; BWARM Steering Committee

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 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 we aspire that no Baltimore-Washington Conference funds or monies (either directly through payments or indirectly through directed time of employees of the conference) would be expended for the purpose of background investigations, complaints, just resolutions, or church trials pertaining to LGBTQIA+ ordination and marriage. 

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Do No Harm through the Ordination Prohibition

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline. 

Submitted by: Rev. Debbie Scott, Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists (BWARM)

Co-sponsors: Rev. Angela Flanagan, BWARM; and the BWARM Steering Committee

Whereas: Whereas, Jesus modeled an inclusive love that took him to the margins of his society, offering love, healing and reconciliation to all; and we seek to follow Jesus’ way by welcoming all — in the fullness of who they are — into the fullness of the Body of Christ today; and

Whereas: Jesus refused to deny ministry to those defined as outside church laws (for example, the woman at the well, John 4:4-26) and refused to cast judgment on those deemed to have violated church laws (for example, Jesus refusing to cast blame on the man born blind in John 9:1-7), so too we should refuse to deny being in ministry with those defined by UMC laws as being “incompatible with Christian teaching” and we too should refuse to cast judgment on those deemed to have violated church laws by participating in same-sex marriages; and Whereas, our understanding of Scripture leads us to understand God’s love and inclusion for all outweighs church laws that incorrectly interpret God’s words in Scripture as being exclusionary; and 

Whereas: we recognize the good the church has done throughout the centuries in bringing the Gospel message to people throughout the world, and we acknowledge that the church has not always done so without error and without inflicting harm; and 

Whereas: the church’s acceptance of the larger societal belief systems that are sexist, racist, xenophobic, and homophobic have hampered the church’s witness in the world and caused harm to people based on who they are, wrongly believed to be “less than” by these ideologies, in contrast to God’s creation of all things that are good (Genesis 1:26-31); and

Whereas: the church’s understanding of tradition is guided by an ever-broadening proclamation of the Gospel to include all people and welcome all people as members of the church in the fullness of who they are, just as, over the centuries, The United Methodist Church has realized the errors of its ways and opened its ministry practices to include people of color, women, and other people once deemed to be outsiders; and

Whereas: social and demographic research over the last two decades has shown consistently higher rates of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults, ranging from 50 percent to 400 percent greater than for heterosexual youth and young adults; and 

Whereas: more recent research shows that religious identity, greater religiosity (stronger faith), and more active practice of religion are among the factors that increase the risk of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation of LGBTQIA+ youths and young adults; and

Whereas: the church’s understanding based in reason leads us to understand the actual harm that the church is committing through its discriminatory policies placing LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults who perceive higher levels of institutionalized forms of discrimination at greater risk of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation as well as other health risks such as substance abuse and internalized homophobia; and

Whereas: research has shown that religion and religiosity provided protective factors that lead to improved mental health status and provided a protective factor against suicide and suicide ideation, but that the reverse is true for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults today, where religion, religiosity and church-based institutional discrimination actually increase the likelihood of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation; and

Whereas: the church’s understanding based in experience leads us to understand from our own ministry practice the actual harm that the church’s discriminatory ministries, policies and procedures are inflicting upon our LGBTQIA+ siblings; and

Whereas: the first rule of Methodism is to “Do No Harm” (¶103), which is found in the “Our Doctrinal Standards and General Rules” in the Book of Discipline to give it priority over other matters of doctrine; and

Whereas: the rule to “Do No Harm” is also protected under the “Restrictive Rules” of the Book of Discipline’s Constitution, specifically by ¶21 Article V, which states that “The General Conference shall not revoke or change the General Rules of Our United Societies;” and

Whereas: individual clergy promise to uphold the General Rules of the Church (¶336, number 7) as an article of their ordination, thereby committing that they will do no harm in the practice of their ministry; and

Whereas: we know from our understanding of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience, that the current Book of Discipline, ¶304.3, declaring “homosexuality” as “incompatible with Christian teaching” imposes actual harm on LGBTQIA+ persons and thus violates the first General Rule, to “Do No Harm,” as suicide, suicide ideation, and self-harm are extreme forms of harm that are being imposed on LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults based on the church’s teaching in ¶304.3; therefore

Be it resolved: that the Baltimore-Washington Conference repents of the harm that church laws and practices have done to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, all those who love them, and those who are in ministry with them; and

Be it further resolved: that we aspire to understand that ¶ 304.3 of the Book of Discipline is hereby considered by the Baltimore-Washington Conference to be in contradiction to the General Rules of Methodism, specifically to do “Do No Harm,” and would thus be no longer binding on the ministries, policies and procedures of the Baltimore-Washington Conference; and 

Be it further resolved: that the decision of the February 2019 Special Session of the General Conference, to adopt the Traditional Plan and uphold and strengthen sanctions related to 304.3, is also considered to be nonbinding on the ministries, policies and procedures of the Baltimore-Washington Conference; and 

Be it further resolved: that we aspire that ¶ 2702.1 sentences (a) and (b) of the Book of Discipline — which identifies chargeable offenses against clergy to include: “being a self-avowed practicing homosexual,” “conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions,” or “performing same-sex wedding ceremonies”— are also considered to be nonbinding within the Baltimore-Washington Conference; and 

Be it further resolved: that we would aspire that the nonbinding nature of ¶304.3 of the Book of Discipline that removes guidance from the Board of Ordained Ministry and the clergy session of the Baltimore- Washington Conference to make such determinations as to how they should proceed on matters of ordination concerning ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals is also considered to be nonbinding within the BWC; and

Be it further resolved: that in its desire to take no actions that do harm to LGBTQIA+ children of God, the Baltimore-Washington Conference aspires to neither make nor follow rules or policies that discriminate against LGBTQIA+ persons, including specifically the following: 

• The Board of Ordained Ministry and the clergy session shall determine the qualifications and suitability for ministry based on criteria relevant for the practice of ministry without regard for the gender identity/gender expression or sexual orientation of ministry candidates;

• No charges shall be made against any clergy for “being a self-avowed practicing homosexual,” as per ¶ 2702.1.

Footnotes to resolution:

1.  Ann Haas, et al., “Suicide and Suicide Risk in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations: Review and Recommendations,” Journal of Homosexuality, 58 (2010):1, 10-51. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662085/.

Michael King, et al., “A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide, and deliberate self harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people,” BMC Psychiatry (2008)8:70. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-8-70.

2. Megan C. Lytle, et al., “Association of Religiosity With Sexual Minority Suicide Ideation and Attempt,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54 (2018):5, 644–651. URL accessed 3/24/19 at:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.01.019.

3. David Barnes and Ilan Meyer, “Religious Affiliation, Internalized Homophobia, and Mental Health in Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals,” American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 82 (2012):4, 505-515. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01185.x.  

Jeremy Goldbach, et al., “Minority Stress and Substance Use in Sexual Minority Adolescents: A Meta-analysis.” Prevention Science 15 (2014), 3: 350-363. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11121-013-0393-7 .

Mark Hatzenbuehler, “The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth,” Pediatrics 127 (2011):5, 896-903.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/5/896.

4.  LA Taliaferro, et al., “Spiritual well-being and suicidal ideation among college students,” Journal of American College Health, 58 (2009)1, 83-90.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19592357.

YJ Wong, et al., “A systematic review of recent research on adolescent religiosity/spirituality and mental health.” Issues in Mental Health Nursing 27 (2006)2:161-183.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16418077.

5.  Jeremy Gibbs, “Religious Conflict, Sexual Identity, and Suicidal Behaviors among LGBT Young Adults.” Archives of Suicide Research 19 (2015)4: 472-488.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4706071/.

Kelly Schuck and Becky Liddle, “Religious Conflicts Experienced by Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals,” Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy 5 (2001) 2, 63-82. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J236v05n02_07.

6. For example, see:
https://rmnetwork.org/shamed-how-the-umc-contributed-to-my-sons-death/.
For a powerful personal testimony on how a local church through its witness of inclusion changes lives and offers hope, listen to Eric P.’s testimony at Capitol Hill UMC on March 17, 2019 on how the church saved his life; found at:  https://chumc.net/eric-p-testimonial/.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Do No Harm through Marriage Prohibitions    

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline. 

Submitted by: Debbie Scott, Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling Methodists (BWARM)

Co-Sponsors: Rev. Angela Flanagan, BWARM; BWARM Steering Committee

Whereas: Whereas, Jesus modeled an inclusive love that took him to the margins of his society, offering love, healing and reconciliation to all; and we seek to follow Jesus’ way by welcoming all—in the fullness of who they are—into the fullness of the Body of Christ today; and   

Whereas: Jesus refused to deny ministry to those defined as outside church laws (for example, the woman at the well, John 4:4-26) and refused to cast judgment on those deemed to have violated church laws (for example, Jesus refusing to cast blame on the man born blind in John 9:1-7), so too we should refuse to deny being in ministry with those defined by UMC laws as being “incompatible with Christian teaching” and we too should refuse to cast judgment on those deemed to have violated church laws by participating in same-sex marriages; and

Whereas: our understanding of Scripture leads us to understand God’s love and inclusion for all outweighs church laws that incorrectly interpret God’s words in Scripture as being exclusionary; and   

Whereas: we recognize the good the church has done throughout the centuries in bringing the Gospel message to people throughout the world, and we acknowledge that the church has not always done so without error and without inflicting harm; and  

Whereas: the church’s acceptance of the larger societal belief systems that are sexist, racist, xenophobic, and homophobic have hampered the church’s witness in the world and caused harm to people based on who they are, wrongly believed to be “less than” by these ideologies, in contrast to God’s creation of all things that are good (Genesis 1:26-31); and

Whereas: the church’s understanding of tradition is guided by an ever-broadening proclamation of the gospel to include all people and welcome all people as members of the church in the fullness of who they are, just as, over the centuries, The United Methodist Church has realized the errors of its ways and opened its ministry practices to include people of color, women, and other people once deemed to be outsiders; and 

Whereas: social and demographic research over the last two decades has shown consistently higher rates of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults, ranging from 50% to 400% greater than for heterosexual youth and young adults (1); and 

Whereas: more recent research shows that religious identity, greater religiosity (stronger faith), and more active practice of religion are among the factors that increase the risk of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation of LGBTQIA+ youths and young adults (2); and 

Whereas: the church’s understanding based in reason leads us to understand the actual harm that the church is committing through its discriminatory policies placing LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults who perceive higher levels of institutionalized forms of discrimination at greater risk of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation as well as other health risks such as substance abuse and internalized homophobia (3); and

Whereas: research has shown that religion and religiosity provided protective factors that lead to improved mental health status and provided a protective factor against suicide and suicide ideation (4),  but that the reverse is true for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults today, where religion, religiosity and church-based institutional discrimination actually increase the likelihood of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation (5) ; and

Whereas: the church’s understanding based in experience leads us to understand from our own ministry practice (6) the actual harm that the church’s discriminatory ministries, policies and procedures are inflicting upon our LGBTQIA+ siblings; and

Whereas: the Baltimore-Washington Conference is a vital conference that is proud to be welcoming LGBTQIA+ people in our churches and encourages its churches to be in ministry with the LGBTQIA+ community; and

Whereas: the Baltimore-Washington Conference in 2011 passed the resolution, “Allowing a Pastoral Response to Requests for Same-Gender Marriages and Civil Unions,” which states that “Notwithstanding the foregoing [¶ 341.6], in those civil jurisdictions where homosexual persons have been granted the right to same gender marriage or civil union, ceremonies celebrating those marriages or unions may be conducted in our churches and by our ministers, the decision being the right and responsibility of the pastor;” and

Whereas: the first rule of Methodism is to “Do No Harm” (¶ 103), which is found in the “Our Doctrinal Standards and General Rules” in the Book of Discipline to give it priority over other matters of doctrine; and

Whereas: the rule to “Do No Harm” is also protected under the “Restrictive Rules” of the Book of Discipline’s Constitution, specifically by ¶ 21 Article V, which states that “The General Conference shall not revoke or change the General Rules of Our United Societies;” and

Whereas: individual clergy promise to uphold the General Rules of the Church (¶ 336, number 7) as an article of their ordination, thereby committing that they will do no harm in the practice of their ministry; and

Whereas: we know from our understanding of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience, that the current Book of Discipline, ¶ 341.6, that prevents clergy from celebrating homosexual unions and churches from hosting such celebrations, also imposes harm on LGBTQIA+ persons as a form of institutionalized discrimination and thus violates the first General Rule, to “Do No Harm,” as suicide, suicide ideation, and self-harm are extreme forms of harm that are being imposed on LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults based on the church’s practices proscribed in ¶ 341.6; therefore

Be it resolved: that the Baltimore-Washington Conference repents of the harm that church laws and practices have done to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, all those who love them, and those who are in ministry with them; and   

Be it further resolved: we aspire that ¶ 341.6 of the Book of Discipline would be considered by the Baltimore-Washington Conference to be in contradiction to the General Rules of Methodism, specifically to do “Do No Harm,” and is thus no longer binding on the ministries, policies and procedures of the Baltimore-Washington Conference; and

Be it further resolved: that we aspire to see the decision of the February 2019 Special Session of General Conference, to adopt the Traditional Plan and uphold and strengthen sanctions related to ¶ 341.6, would also be considered to be nonbinding on the ministries, policies and procedures of the Baltimore-Washington Conference; and

Be it further resolved: that we aspire to understand ¶ 2702.1 sentence (b) of the Book of Discipline—which identifies chargeable offenses against clergy to include: “conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions,” or “performing same-sex wedding ceremonies”—would also be considered nonbinding within the Baltimore-Washington Conference; and

Be it further resolved: that in its desire to take no actions that do harm to LGBTQIA+ children of God, the Baltimore-Washington Conference aspires to neither make nor follow rules or policies that discriminate against LGBTQIA+ persons, including specifically the following:

• Clergy are free to officiate any weddings, regardless of the couple’s sexual orientation or gender identities, based on the clergy member’s conscience concerning the appropriateness of their union.
• No charges shall be made against any clergy for officiating weddings for same-sex couples.
• Individual congregations are free to set their own policies as to who may have weddings on church property, so long as all such policies treat all couples, regardless of their gender identity/gender expression or sexual orientation, the same.

Footnotes:

(1)  Ann Haas, et al., “Suicide and Suicide Risk in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations: Review and Recommendations,” Journal of Homosexuality, 58 (2010):1, 10-51. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662085/.

Michael King, et al., “A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide, and deliberate self harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people,” BMC Psychiatry (2008)8:70. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-8-70.

(2)  Megan C. Lytle, et al., “Association of Religiosity With Sexual Minority Suicide Ideation and Attempt,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54 (2018):5, 644–651. URL accessed 3/24/19 at:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.01.019.

(3)   David Barnes and Ilan Meyer, “Religious Affiliation, Internalized Homophobia, and Mental Health in Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals,” American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 82 (2012):4, 505-515. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01185.x.  

Jeremy Goldbach, et al., “Minority Stress and Substance Use in Sexual Minority Adolescents: A Meta-analysis.” Prevention Science 15 (2014), 3: 350-363. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11121-013-0393-7 .

Mark Hatzenbuehler, “The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth,” Pediatrics 127 (2011):5, 896-903.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/5/896.

(4)  LA Taliaferro, et al., “Spiritual well-being and suicidal ideation among college students,” Journal of American College Health, 58 (2009)1, 83-90.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19592357.

YJ Wong, et al., “A systematic review of recent research on adolescent religiosity/spirituality and mental health.” Issues in Mental Health Nursing 27 (2006)2:161-183.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16418077.

(5)  Jeremy Gibbs, “Religious Conflict, Sexual Identity, and Suicidal Behaviors among LGBT Young Adults.” Archives of Suicide Research 19 (2015)4: 472-488.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4706071/.

Kelly Schuck and Becky Liddle, “Religious Conflicts Experienced by Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals,” Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy 5 (2001) 2, 63-82. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J236v05n02_07.

(6)  For example, see: https://rmnetwork.org/shamed-how-the-umc-contributed-to-my-sons-death/.
For a powerful personal testimony on how a local church through its witness of inclusion changes lives and offers hope, listen to Eric P.’s testimony at Capitol Hill UMC on March 17, 2019 on how the church saved his life; found at:  https://chumc.net/eric-p-testimonial/.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Resolution to Do No Harm Across the Northeast Jurisdiction  

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline. 

Submitted by: Rev. Debbie Scott, Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists (BWWARM) 

Co-sponsors: Rev. Angela Flanagan, BWARM; BWARM Steering Committee 

Whereas: Jesus modeled an inclusive love that took him to the margins of his society, offering love, healing and reconciliation to all; and we seek to follow Jesus’ way by welcoming all — in the fullness of who they are — into the fullness of the Body of Christ today; and

Whereas: Jesus refused to deny ministry to those defined as outside church laws (for example, the woman at the well, John 4:4-26) and refused to cast judgment on those deemed to have violated church laws (for example, Jesus refusing to cast blame on the man born blind in John 9:1-7), so too we should refuse to deny being in ministry with those denied by UMC laws as being “incompatible with Christian teaching” and we too should refuse to cast judgment on those deemed to have violated church laws by participating in same-sex marriages; and

Whereas: our understanding of Scripture leads us to understand God’s love and inclusion for all outweighs church laws that incorrectly interpret God’s words in Scripture as being exclusionary; and 

Whereas: we recognize the good the church has done throughout the centuries in bringing the Gospel message to people throughout the world, and we acknowledge that the church has not always done so without error and without inflicting harm; and

Whereas: the church’s acceptance of the larger societal belief systems that are sexist, racist, xenophobic, and homophobic have hampered the church’s witness in the world and caused harm to people based on who they are, wrongly believed to be “less than” by these ideologies, in contrast to God’s creation of all things that are good (Genesis 1:26-31); and

Whereas: the church’s understanding of tradition is guided by an ever-broadening proclamation of the gospel to include all people and welcome all people as members of the church in the fullness of who they are, just as, over the centuries, The United Methodist Church has realized the errors of its ways and opened its ministry practices to include people of color, women, and other people once deemed to be outsiders; and

Whereas: social and demographic research over the last two decades has shown consistently higher rates of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults, ranging from 50% to 400% greater than for heterosexual youth and young adults (1); and 

Whereas: more recent research shows that religious identity, greater religiosity (stronger faith), and more active practice of religion are among the factors that increase the risk of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation of LGBTQIA+ youths and young adults (2); and

Whereas: the church’s understanding based in reason leads us to understand the actual harm that the church is committing through its discriminatory policies placing LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults who perceive higher levels of institutionalized forms of discrimination at greater risk of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation as well as other health risks such as substance abuse and internalized homophobia (3); and

Whereas:  research has shown that religion and religiosity provided protective factors that lead to improved mental health status and provided a protective factor against suicide and suicide ideation (4), but that the reverse is true for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults today, where religion, religiosity and church-based institutional discrimination actually increase the likelihood of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation (5) ; and

Whereas: the church’s understanding based in experience leads us to understand from our own ministry practice (6) the actual harm that the church’s discriminatory ministries, policies and procedures are inflicting upon our LGBTQIA+ siblings; and

Whereas: the first rule of Methodism is to “Do No Harm” (¶ 103), which is found in the “Our Doctrinal Standards and General Rules” in the Book of Discipline to give it priority over other matters of doctrine; and 

Whereas: the rule to “Do No Harm” is also protected under the “Restrictive Rules” of the Book of Discipline’s Constitution, specifically by ¶ 21 Article V, which states that “The General Conference shall not revoke or change the General Rules of Our United Societies;” and

Whereas: individual clergy promise to uphold the General Rules of the Church (¶ 336, number 7) as an article of their ordination, thereby committing that they will do no harm in the practice of their ministry; and 

Whereas: we know from our understanding of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience, that the current Book of Discipline, ¶ 304.3, declaring “homosexuality” as “incompatible with Christian teaching” imposes actual harm on LGBTQIA+ persons and thus violates the first General Rule, to “Do No Harm,” as suicide, suicide ideation, and self-harm are extreme forms of harm that are being imposed on LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults based on the church’s teaching in ¶ 304.3; and

Whereas: we know from our understanding of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience, that the current Book of Discipline, ¶ 341.6, that prevents clergy from celebrating homosexual unions and churches from hosting such celebrations, also imposes harm on LGBTQIA+ persons as a form of institutionalized discrimination and thus violates the first General Rule, to “Do No Harm,” as suicide, suicide ideation, and self-harm are extreme forms of harm that are being imposed on LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults based on the church’s practices proscribed in ¶ 341.6; and

Whereas: in light of the actions of the Baltimore-Washington Conference to adopt the resolutions named “Do No Harm through Ordination Prohibition,” “Do No Harm through Marriage Prohibitions,” “Representation of LGBTQIA+ On Conference Commissions, Committees and Agencies,” “Conservation of Conference Ministry Funding,” and/or “Caucus Funding to Do No Harm,” we seek to inform and promote consistent policies among the Annual Conferences of the Northeast Jurisdiction; therefore

Be it Resolved: that the Baltimore-Washington Conference repents of the harm that church laws and practices have done to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, all those who love them, and those who are in ministry with them; and

Be it Further Resolved: that the Secretary of the Baltimore-Washington Conference shall share with the Conference Secretaries and bishops of each of the Annual Conferences of the Northeast Jurisdiction the following resolutions: “Do No Harm through Ordination Prohibition,” “Do No Harm through Marriage Prohibitions,” “Representation of LGBTQIA+ On Conference Commissions, Committees and Agencies,” “Conservation of Conference Ministry Funding,” and “Caucus Funding to Do No Harm;” and

Be it Further Resolved: that we urge the Bishop of the Baltimore-Washington Conference to work with the Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops to develop nondiscriminatory LGBTQIA+ ministries, policies and procedures governing the Annual Conferences of the Northeast Jurisdiction.

Footnotes: 

(1) Ann Haas, et al., “Suicide and Suicide Risk in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations: Review and Recommendations,” Journal of Homosexuality, 58 (2010):1, 10-51. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662085/.

Michael King, et al., “A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide, and deliberate self harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people,” BMC Psychiatry (2008)8:70. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-8-70.

(2)  Megan C. Lytle, et al., “Association of Religiosity With Sexual Minority Suicide Ideation and Attempt,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54 (2018):5, 644–651. URL accessed 3/24/19 at:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.01.019.

(3)  David Barnes and Ilan Meyer, “Religious Affiliation, Internalized Homophobia, and Mental Health in Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals,” American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 82 (2012):4, 505-515. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01185.x.  

Jeremy Goldbach, et al., “Minority Stress and Substance Use in Sexual Minority Adolescents: A Meta-analysis.” Prevention Science 15 (2014), 3: 350-363. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11121-013-0393-7 .

Mark Hatzenbuehler, “The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth,” Pediatrics 127 (2011):5, 896-903.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/5/896.

(4)  LA Taliaferro, et al., “Spiritual well-being and suicidal ideation among college students,” Journal of American College Health, 58 (2009)1, 83-90.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19592357.

YJ Wong, et al., “A systematic review of recent research on adolescent religiosity/spirituality and mental health.” Issues in Mental Health Nursing 27 (2006)2:161-183.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16418077.

(5)  Jeremy Gibbs, “Religious Conflict, Sexual Identity, and Suicidal Behaviors among LGBT Young Adults.” Archives of Suicide Research 19 (2015)4: 472-488.  URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4706071/.

Kelly Schuck and Becky Liddle, “Religious Conflicts Experienced by Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals,” Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy 5 (2001) 2, 63-82. URL accessed 3/24/19 at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J236v05n02_07.

(6)  For example, see: https://rmnetwork.org/shamed-how-the-umc-contributed-to-my-sons-death/.
For a powerful personal testimony on how a local church through its witness of inclusion changes lives and offers hope, listen to Eric P.’s testimony at Capitol Hill UMC on March 17, 2019 on how the church saved his life; found at:  https://chumc.net/eric-p-testimonial/.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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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 was found consistent with the current Book of Discipline. 

Submitted By: Rev. Debbie Scott and Rev. Angela Flanagan, Co-Chairs Advocacy Committee for the BWARM Steering Committee

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: 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 it be aspirational 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,” would be considered nonbinding within the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

The Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.

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Resolution to Affiliate with the Western Jurisdiction

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found inconsistent with the current Book of Discipline.  

Submitted By: Rev. Debbie Scott and Rev. Angela Flanagan, Co-Chairs Advocacy Committee for the BWARM Steering Committee

Whereas: in 2014 the Baltimore-Washington Conference passed a resolution to “commit itself to work for the full civil and ecclesiastical rights and privileges of all persons, including LGBT persons;” [i] and

Whereas: in 2018 the Baltimore-Washington Conference passed a resolution encouraging “the adoption of a proposal by the Special Session of the General Conference in Feb. 2019 that would allow for the full inclusion of persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations when it comes to matters of, but not limited to, marriage, performing marriages, and ordination;” [ii] and

Whereas: the Special Session of the General Conference in Feb. 2019 passed the Traditional Plan that reinforces exclusionary polity rather than working towards full inclusion and whereas Judicial Council found significant portions of it constitutional and enforceable; and

Whereas: the Western Jurisdiction has already been functioning as an inclusive church and has stated that they cannot and will not comply with the actions of the Special Session of General Conference 2019; [iii] and

Whereas: the Western Jurisdiction has declared its intention “to continue to be one church, fully inclusive and open to all God’s children, across the theological and social spectrum;” [iv] and

Whereas: the Western Jurisdiction has named its desire to be a “home for all God’s people” and have specifically stated it will provide “a Safe Harbor for clergy in our conferences as well as across the connection who face the threat of complaints and/or the loss of credentials because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or ministry with and for our LGBTQIA+ siblings;”[v] and

Whereas: the Western Jurisdiction is in fruitful conversation and partnerships with others who are seeking a new future for the UMC, including but not limited to the UMC-Next Gathering and the UMForward gathering; and

Whereas: the Western Jurisdiction’s vision, practice, and future are more in line with the statements already made by the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference; therefore

Be it resolved: that the Baltimore-Washington Conference shall disaffiliate with The United Methodist Church and shall afterward affiliate with the Western Jurisdiction.

[i] 2014 Baltimore-Washington Conference Journal, p. 591
[ii] 2018 Baltimore-Washington Conference Journal, p. 512
[iii] http://westernjurisdictionumc.org/as-we-make-our-way-back-home/
[iv] Western Jurisdiction Statement on the floor of the Special General Conference, Donna Pritchard
[v] http://westernjurisdictionumc.org/as-we-make-our-way-back-home/

The Connectional Table voted non-concurrence on this resolution.

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A Resolution on the Constitutionality of Discipline Paragraph 304.3

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule, Para. 3006.2.c, this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and was found inconsistent with the current Book of Discipline.

Submitted by: Rev. Jackson Day

Whereas: Paragraph 304.3 of the 2016 Discipline states ““The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in the United Methodist Church;” and

Whereas: This provision clearly bases the required action on its incorporated statement of claimed Christian teaching; and

Whereas: no such doctrine or teaching is stated in Paragraph 104 of the United Methodist Constitution (Section 3 – Our Doctrinal Standards and General Rules) which includes the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church, the Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and the General Rules of the Methodist Church, and other constitutionally protected doctrines of the United Methodist church; and

Whereas: the Constitution, Paragraph 59, Article 1, provides a process by which new doctrines which override the Restrictive Clauses can be adopted in the UMC, requiring a two-third vote of the General Conference at which the new doctrine is proposed and a ¾ affirmative vote of all the members of all the Annual Conferences present and voting; and

Whereas: this doctrinal statement in Paragraph 304.3 was not approved as a standard or rule of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine as an amendment to the UMC constitution when it was first adopted in 1972 or in any subsequent year, nor were the members of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference or any Annual Conference afforded their constitutionally-protected right to vote on such an establishment of a new doctrine; therefore

Be it resolved: the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference affirms that Paragraph 304.3 and all other paragraphs of the 2016 and previous Disciplines based upon this or reflecting this paragraph, including Paragraphs 161G, 341.6, 613.19, 806.9, and 2702.1b, are and have been, null and void from the beginning; and

Be it further resolved: that all prior actions of the Baltimore-Washington Conference conducted in observance of this paragraph, may be reviewed and revised in the context of this affirmation; and

Be it further resolved: that the Baltimore-Washington Conference, in recognition of the unconstitutionality which we perceive this paragraph has, shall not treat this paragraph as a legitimate clause of the Discipline, or acknowledge its existence in our proceedings and actions.

Background – Quotations from Discipline:

161G Social Principle: “The United Methodist church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” 

304.3 Ordination. “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in the United Methodist Church.

341.6, Unauthorized Conduct. Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.

613.19 Council on Finance and Administration (and 806.9, General Council on Finance and Administration). “No annual conference board, agency, committee, commission, or council shall give United Methodist Funds to any gay caucus or group or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality or violate the expressed commitment of the UMC “not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. The council shall have the right to stop such expenditures. This restriction shall not limit the Council’s ministry in response to the HIV epidemic, not shall it preclude funding for dialogs or educational events where the Church’s official position is fairly and equally represented.”

2702.1b Charges. “practices declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings, including but not limited to: being a self-avowed practicing homosexual, or conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies.”

The Connectional Table voted non-concurrence on this resolution.