Plenary Session Proceedings
Saturday, April 20

1996 United Methodist General Conference

BISHOP WILKE: Let us be in prayer. May we begin in silence as each of us offers our own soul concerns to the Lord.

WILSON-FELDER: Why don't you give God a hand clap of praise? Amen.

BISHOP WILKE: Please remain for a moment, for we'll move into the time of discernment. But now receive this, let's take hands for our MYF benediction? How about that? Been a long time. "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen." Please be seated.

BISHOP BRUCE BLAKE: We would move into our time of discernment at this moment, taking the spirit of worship that we have experienced together, the Word in preaching and in song. I would like to invite you now to the two questions, to join a partner in visiting about "What is my most earnest hope for these next few hours of the General Conference?" and "What do I believe is God's most fervent hope for these next few hours?" Would you turn now to the person next to you. Share about these questions, and in four minutes, I will remind you to share with each other in prayer.

And now, God, may the words of our mouths and the meditation and thoughts of all of our lives be acceptable, God, not to each other, but to you, for you are our strength and salvation. Amen.

This is to remind you that the choir, as they are exiting will be in concert this afternoon at two o'clock, and we would remind you of that time.

We'll now turn to Bill Cook for the Committee on Courtesies and Privileges. Bill. Let us be in order, please.

BILL COOK (Oregon-Idaho): I would like to present a resolution this morning on the retirement of Robert Feaster. "Whereas, Robert K. Feaster was named president and publisher of the United Methodist Publishing House on June 1, 1983, and led the publishing ministry of the United Methodist Church in its celebration of two hundred years of service, while providing visionary leadership to undertake significant changes to make the publishing house an effective agent for advancing the cause of Christianity now and in the twenty-first century. And whereas, his commitment to assuring the highest quality in services and resources inspired and motivated major attention by the staff to share with more people in more places will come to know God through Jesus Christ, love God, serve God, and their neighbor. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the delegates of the 1996 General Conference of the United Methodist Church, meeting in Denver, Colorado, April 16 through 26, 1996, do hereby express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation for the dedicated leadership, exceptional competence, and abiding vision of Robert K. Feaster, as he has led the United Methodist Publishing House in its service to the church and to the world, on the occasion of his retirement, we give thanks for all that he has contributed, and pray God's continued blessings on him, his wife, Barbara, and their family in the years to come." I move that this resolution become part of the official record of the General Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: And I'm sure that you would want to respond in the appropriate way that that would be done.

WILLIAM COOK JR.: I would like now to present Bishop Meadors to make an introduction and presentation. Bishop Meadors.

BISHOP MARSHALL L. MEADORS JR. (Mississippi Area): Bishop Blake, brothers and sisters. It is a high honor and a personal privilege to present to the General Conference a life-long United Methodist; a man committed to family values; devoted to his parents throughout their lives; a responsible and caring husband, father, and grandfather; an active churchman; administrative board member; sunday school teacher; education pioneer and reformer; former two-term governor of the state of South Carolina; the United States Secretary of Education, the honorable Richard Wilson Riley.

RICHARD WILSON RILEY (U.S. Secretary of Education): Thank you so much. Thank you so much. It's a great honor for me to be with you this morning. I had the great pleasure of being the speaker at Higher Education Night last evening, and what a grand experience that was--music from the African University group that was just beautiful.

I'm going to receive a book in a moment entitled Education, the Gift of Hope, and I think this conference will consider the book.

It is a statement of how important education is to all of us as United Methodists in this education/information era.

John Wesley had a strong belief that education really informed faith, and that education was the stepping stone to spirituality that was part of his great mission. The bishops and their spouses last year agreed to a statement which some 36 other religious groups agreed to, saying that they would urge all United Methodist families to support their own children's education, from early childhood right on through college and university and through life. That's a grand statement of support, and this book, I think, entitled Education, the Gift of Hope will be a very positive statement. I urge your positive consideration of it. It's a grand opportunity for me to be with you and God bless you all.

ROGER W. IRESON (General Board of Higher Education): Mr. Secretary, we thank you for your speech last night to the concerns of education. We are grateful for your ministry as a United Methodist layman. Last night we presented you with a presentation copy of Education, the Gift of Hope which we would pray would be discussed in every church, so that churches and educators can make a difference for our young people. Today we have a presentation for the president of the United States, and I call upon Dr. Allen Norris, who chaired the committee which produced the book and is chair of the Legislative Session on Higher Education, to make that presentation.

J. ALLEN NORRIS (North Carolina): Mr. Secretary, I would like to read the inscription on the book that will be presented to you for the president. "Education, the Gift of Hope presented to President William J. Clinton by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church. The church must join hands with educators as we seek more effective ways to prepare our children for a future in which they will find personal fulfillment and will make significant contributions to our world." Mr. Secretary, we ask that you present this copy to the President of the United States.

RILEY: Thank you very much.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you. As we move ahead in our calendar, I would remind the conference of your action yesterday which is my responsibility to implement as your presiding officer. It is not in the DCA today, but this is the official record, and the motion was that for the balance of the '96 General Conference, that the schedule printed in the Daily Christian Advocate be designated as the order of day for the purpose of enforcing time limitation for all segments of our proceedings. This was passed. It simply says that you want us to adhere to the calendar as the order of the day, and under our procedure, the rules would have to be suspended to vary from that.

So we turn now to the report that is in your calendar for the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry report, and Bishop Joel Martinez will be responsible for this report and introduce it. Bishop Martinez.

BISHOP JOEL MARTINEZ (Nebraska): Buenos Dias, pueblo de Dios. Good morning, people of God. When you adopted the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry in 1992 in Louisville, you asked us to report here in Denver in 1996. The national committee which it is my privilege to chair, is now prepared to report to you and to share with you exciting events and blessings of God as we have worked during the quadrennium.

We will begin our report with song, and I call on Mr. Lockwood to come and lead us in the opening song.

JORGE LOCKWOOD: I invite all who are able to please stand and sing with us "De colores," one of the most beloved traditional Hispanic songs.

REBECCA A. YOUNGBLOOD (Mississippi): You may be seated. And grace and peace to you this day. I am Rebecca Youngblood, Mississippi Conference, and vice-chair of the Committee on Hispanic Ministries.

"De colores" is a lively song of faith, but expresses very well our purpose here this morning. "De colores," and so must all love be. God's love is indeed made evident to us in people of every color.

Four years ago this committee came before the General Conference to propose the adoption of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry. With this report today, we come to give account of our work and we invite you to celebrate with us what God is doing, through The United Methodist Church, as we implement this plan together.

YOUNGBLOOD: What has been accomplished since the 1992 General Conference? Reports from across the annual conferences, reports from you, indicate that significant progress has taken place this quadrennium. Earlier this week, all delegates received on your desks two maps, which are copies of maps you will see before you this morning. And I remind you of those maps so that you can refer to them today and later.

Before the initiation of the national plan, 38 of our 72 annual conferences were already involved in some type of ministry with Hispanics. As you can see on the first map, so far this quadrennium 18 additional annual conferences have begun new ministries with Hispanics, including faith communities and new congregations. The next map highlights these conferences for you.

The number of annual conferences participating in some form of ministry with Hispanics has increased during this quadrennium by nearly 45 percent. Today, as our next map shows, 55 conferences across the church have Hispanic ministries, and several others are preparing, even now, to respond to the growing Hispanic population in their midst.

Within the conferences that already have established ministries, growth has taken place as well. Twenty of these conferences have expanded their ministries during the last several years. Conference reports reveal to us that 494 faith communities have been started in 40 conferences, plus 199 church school extension programs in 19 conferences. These ministries are symbolized on the map by a book or a square. Sixty-six new congregations have been started in 24 conferences. And there are 59 revitalized congregations. These are indicated by a church topped with a cross. Seven hundred ninety-nine outreach ministries have been begun in 41 conferences, and these are symbolized by two clasped hands. Five hundred fifty lay missioners have been recruited and are now trained. And these persons are indicated by a stick figure on the map. We rejoice together in this abundant evidence of God at work in us.

These statistics and resources, however, cannot begin to fully tell the story of what God is doing as the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry is implemented. The plan is first and foremost about people and congregations responding to God's spirit.

Today we welcome three persons whose lives have been impacted by the plan. Our witnesses are Ana Velasquez Stone, a lay missioner from Kansas City; Mel Muchinsky, a pastor from Phoenix; and Lavinia Lavoy, a lay woman from Orlando. We welcome them. Ana.

ANA VELASQUEZ STONE (Kansas City): Buenos dias. I am a lay missioner at Grace United Church in Kansas City, Missouri. I was working as a drywall finisher when I first heard the call to become a lay missioner. I was raised as a Roman Catholic and became a United Methodist Church member at Lynnwood United Church, because, as a Catholic, I did not feel encouraged to grow spiritually, nor did I see the opportunities that were calling, tugging at my heart.

When I was approached by my pastor for this position at Grace United, he asked me to think about it, pray about it--excuse me, this is very touching to me-- and discuss it with my family. On that particular Sunday morning, it was as if God was talking to me, because the sermon was entitled, "How Can I Serve Thee?" and the hymn was, "Here I Am, Lord." How can you refuse when God whispers your name?

I began as the director of Outreach Hispanic Ministries in September of 1992, on a very part-time basis. Within months, I was very full time. I attended one of the first lay missioner training programs at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas, in 1993. When I began as the director of Outreach Hispanic Ministries, there were no programs at Grace United or anywhere else in northeast Kansas City for this rapidly growing Hispanic population. I began by helping to translate for people and to obtain the most basic of needs: food, clothing, and shelter. I was also developing and locating programs that would enhance the lives in adjustment to the United States and Kansas City.

I have spent days and nights in hospitals and homes helping get a young boy out of jail; keeping a 14-year-old girl from getting married and dropping out of school; opening my heart and my home to a homeless family. I have worked with others in the programs implemented at Grace United during the last four years, including: Project Strength, a nutrition-based education and budgeting class; a medical staff to meet basic medical needs; English as a second language; tutoring classes for youth and adults; Hispanic women's support group; counseling group for youth and adults; and parents as teachers, just to name a few.

A Hispanic women's shelter is part of our long-range plans, as there are none in the city at this time. This will include planning and implementing everything in Spanish and will emphasize a strong spiritual base. Our ministries have influenced the com- munity by bringing together people of different cultures, finding harmony in our diversity, bringing peace, understanding, and acceptance where none existed. Providing for the spiritual needs of the Hispanic community was and is a challenge. I have led Bible studies and worship services, prayed with and for persons and families, and have just been here when needed by our Hispanic brothers and sisters.

As a lay missioner, I believe that I am an instrument of God. All that we have accomplished and all of the growth that we have experienced at Grace United and in the community has been as a result of God moving in my life and in the life of Grace United. Grace United is a combined Methodist and Presbyterian Church. Together, they have been instrumental in reaching out to the Hispanic community. Without this combined effort of both, this valuable effort would not have been possible. I am thankful to God that he has seen me worthy to be his disciple. As a United Methodist, I have been given the opportunity to serve Christ and the people of Kansas City. Gracias!

REV. MEL MUCHINSKY (Phoenix, Arizona): A Hispanic man came to my door on the afternoon of May 27, 1994. "Can I use your telephone," he asked. Well, never having met the man, I was rather taken aback, but something within me said, "Yes. This just might be an answer to your prayer." He did use the telephone; he didn't call Miami, Arizona. As I thought, it was Miami, Florida. As it turned out, Orlando Garcia Cara was a Cuban refugee who had just got off the plane in Phoenix, Arizona, a few days before. Experiencing culture shock and disorientation, he looked for a church closest to his apartment. The restrictive chains that he knew around him in Cuba were now thrown off, and he could worship as he pleased, he could evangelize, he could start a faith community. He asked for Spanish Bibles and hymn books, and this our church gladly bought for him. Shortly thereafter we bought Spanish Sunday school material, and Spanish video tapes to enhance his ministry. Initially, the faith community composed mainly of children and youth, but slowly others have been incorporated in that fellowship, adults and whole families.

Seeking to respond to the demographics of the community, Aldersgate United Methodist Church conducted a house-to-house visitation. Each household received a video on the life of Jesus Christ free in the spring of 1994. This survey revealed a population group of Hispanics, anywhere from 12 to 30 percent within a mile radius of the church. Now the time was to act now. We needed to respond to this particular population group, rather than wait until our Anglo-speaking congregation had dwindled in numbers and in strength. And we all know that most churches wait until it's too late.

We made a conscious decision to be in partnership in ministry with Hispanics and Koreans at a special church conference in June of 1994. I believe, during this time, the work of the Spirit was mostly manifest within our local church. Our congregation has been engaged in cross-cultural ministry to those in our neighborhood, and we've really found a new sense of mission to those around us. Five times a year, English, Korean, and Hispanic ministries come together for what is known as a Festival Sunday. Cross-cultural events and fellowship have enlarged both our vision as well as our ministry to the whole world. The faith community established by our Hispanic outreach ministry, continues to grow, and we are constantly involved also in refugee resettlement.

This new Hispanic ministry was a result of my own personal prayer. I had been praying since 1988 for the Lord to send me someone whom I could be in partnership with to this particular community. And, like Abraham, I many times tried to answer my own prayer, and of course I failed. The Lord provided the answer in his own terms, in his own time. I believe that this is the foundation of any ministry--that is prayer. I believe today, that through prayer and our cross-cultural ministry, Aldersgate United Methodist Church is an exciting place to be, and I invite you to celebrate this with us. Thank you. Gracias.

LAVINIA LABOY: Ever since I came to Denver, I have felt all sorts of aches and pains, but nothing has been compared to what I felt this morning, when I had a million butterflies on my stomach just thinking that I have to talk to you today. So if I faint, complain to him, he sent me here. (points toward heaven)

Quite a while ago, I went to visit a friend. He had a terminal illness. When I went there, they had the faith community going on, and I was invited to attend. I was able to see that man, that he testified how God sustained him in this moment in his life. I began to attend those groups and I watched him very closely. I never saw in him signs of sadness, bitterness toward anyone. He inspired me. His character showed me that no matter how alone, sick, and hopeless you might find yourself in life, there is always the friendly hand to sustain one's soul, that of Jesus Christ.

I remember the phrase, "Grow and multiply." Deep inside I began to feel something I had never experienced before, a new-found desire to serve my family, my neighbors, my community, but from a Christ-centered approach. I have been growing spiritually, multiplying my services, my talents, and my love to others, all for one purpose, to please Christ in the best possible way.

In order for the Lord to increase my growth in faith, strength, resignation, and tolerance during this year, I've had the experience of seeing my daughter go through six major operations. If this living Christ whom I met through the faith community group would not have been there with me, I don't think I would have been able to withstand so much suffering and pain. Praise God, for he is real and he can be found! He is with me. I have let him act, and I have accepted his will without questioning why things happened to us. Through him there is no fear, no doubt, no worry, no sadness. This is why I exhorted my friends to consider joining one of these faith communities; for it is the only way to grow, to find real value into your life, the only goal that will satisfy you, for in him lies the answer to all our heart desires. I have discovered the way. I have discovered the light, and I have discovered the truth, thanks to my friends in the faith community group. God bless you all.

BISHOP MARTINEZ: You have heard the voices, and seen the faces of those who hunger for righteousness and hope, in the videos and the slides. And you have just experienced the deep conviction and been caught up in the joy of a lay missioner and a pastor, and a faithful participant in a faith community. Our committee has proposed, and you will be considering a quadrennial extension of the national plan. We have made this recommendation for continuation for three reasons.

Firstly, many annual conferences are taking good first steps in implementing the plan, while others are just beginning to initiate new ministry. The need to resource our annual conferences is stronger than ever.

Secondly, in just three years the national plan has managed to provide training for 550 lay missioner-pastor teams. This falls short of our original goal, but we feel that we can train an average of 250 additional lay missioner-pastor teams through the new quadrennium and that will move us toward our goal of 2,000 lay missioners.

And thirdly, major work in curriculum development, resources for evangelization, training networks and institutes, and ongoing work with our seminaries and general agencies, will require the plan's continuation.

The plan's effort to develop new ministries, and to strengthen the church's outreach to an ever-growing Hispanic population, has simply not been completed in the period of three years. In the new quadrennium, we propose major financial resources of the plan to go toward annual conference and local church ministry development grants. One of the urgent requests we have heard across the church is for seed money to fund new ministries and revitalization efforts. Our proposal includes a commitment of a million dollars through the quadrennium for such grants. We also want to accelerate the training of lay missioner-pastor teams, as I just indicated. And finally, we intend to increase user-friendly resources in all media, printed, and audio, and video. We have great demands, especially in the area of worship materials, educational resources, and planning resources.

Sisters and brothers of the 1996 General Conference, in its better moments, United Methodism has been characterized by boldness and a passion for the gospel. It has been willing to adapt its strategies to reach people where they are. While some have walked by on the other side, United Methodists in our more faithful moments, have been willing to risk for others. We have been most clearly the church when gospel claims have overcome institutional caution. Sisters and brothers, ...Hermanos y hermanas, we are a colorful gathering here in Denver this week. We're a multilingual community that sings of the one Lord in diverse accents. We're also part of the Pentecost people, which is God's ecumenical church. We share the same Pentecost experience of the Jerusalem market place and of Aldersgate Street. As the Spirit comes among us, hearts are warmed, empty lives are filled, the captives are set free, the weak are empowered, and the timid are emboldened to proclaim the gospel and resurrection power.

This General Conference, all of us together, can be part of such a Pentecost moment in United Methodism--a bold moment, a faithful moment, as our church recommits to support the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry. We conclude, therefore, our report this morning, as we began, inviting you to join us in song as Mr. Lockwood comes to lead us.

LOCKWOOD: The title of our song "Unidos" means united, and it is only "unidos," together, that we can join in doing God's work. It is only hand in hand "tomados de las manos," that we can announce God's love to everyone.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you, and now we turn to Bishop Galvan concerning the presentation of the Hispanic hymnal.

BISHOP ELIAS GALVAN: Bishop Blake, sisters and brothers in Christ, for Spanish speaking United Methodists, this is, indeed, a most meaningful moment. For this is the first time in the history of our church, that the General Conference approves an official Spanish hymnal for the use of the entire church. Your approval came through the consent calendar, item 28, printed in Friday's DCA. We're indeed grateful to the General Board of Discipleship and the United Methodist Publishing House for listening to the voice of the Hispanics, accepting the challenge to publish a Spanish hymnbook, and investing the necessary funds in the production of Mil Voces Para Celebrar.

Just as the United Methodist Hymnal that the General Conference approved in 1988, it created a liturgical renewal in our church. We fully expect this new hymn book to bring a revival in worship in our Hispanic congregations. Mil Voces Para Celebrar has sought to preserve the best translations and the most-liked traditional hymns of our church, but at the same time, it has incorporated the best indigenous hymns from the wealth of a new hymnology coming out of the different Hispanic communities and throughout Latin America. We can say to you without reservations, that Mil Voces Para Celebrar is a worthy contribution to the total church.

We are pleased at the reception that this hymn book has already received. In the short time since its publication, sales have exceeded our expectations, and the edition in red is sold out.

And finally, let me express a special word of thanks to our editor, Mrs. Raquel Martinez, for her able leadership.

RAQUEL MARTINEZ: Just a brief word of explanation about the first page of the Order of Worship which you have received for this presentation: In the Call to Worship you may respond in the language of your choice. Now a very brief word about the central theme of the hymns of praise. The first one, "Al despuntar en la loma el día"--"As Dawn Breaks, and as I see your creation, I feel your presence, just as creation sings to you, I sing to you, O God."

The second one, "Solo tú eres santo": Only you are holy, and worthy of praise. Pour out your Spirit and let your light shine. Let your glory fill this place.

The third song, "Para la gloria de Dios"--"To the glory of God": I sing to the glory of God, I praise God with all my heart.

And the last song: "Cristo es la Peña de Horeb"--"Christ is the Mountain of Horeb", is one of our bi-lingual hymns, and you may sing in the language of your choice.

For the prayer of the day, again, you may pray in the language of your choice. Let us stand as we worship God together. We'll have our Call to Worship.

MINERVA CARCAÑO: (Call to Worship in Spanish, then English)

RAQUEL MARTINEZ: You may be seated. Let us turn to the sampler, page 10, and we will sing stanzas one and two only.

RAQUEL MARTINEZ: Turn to page 15 in your sampler, "Solo tú eres de santo,"--"Only You are Holy."

RAQUEL MARTINEZ: Turn to page two of your program book, and we will sing together, "Para la gloria de Dios" from the Dominican Republic, page two.

RAQUEL MARTINEZ: Page four, we will sing one stanza only of "Cristo es la peña de Horeb"--"Christ is the Rock of Horeb"--one stanza, and you may choose the language.

RAQUEL MARTINEZ: We will do verses one through six of Psalm 24 found on page 30 of your sampler.

ERADIO VALVERDE: [in Spanish]

ANNIE GONZALES: Please stand, and we will sing together "Somos uno en Cristo"--"We are One in Christ Jesus." Turn to page six in your program. Page six. We will sing it once.

MINERVA CARCAÑO: If you would remain standing for the Hispanic Creed found on page seven. [translation in Spanish] With Latinos from around the globe, let us affirm our faith: [in unison spoken in English] We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of the heavens and the earth; Creator of all peoples and all cultures; Creator of all tongues and races.

We believe in Jesus Christ, his son, our Lord, God made flesh in the person for all humanity; God made flesh in an age for all ages; God made flesh in one culture for all cultures; God made flesh in love and grace for all creation.

We believe in the Holy Spirit through whom God incarnate in Jesus Christ makes his presence known in our peoples and our cultures; through whom God, Creator of all that exists, gives us power to become new creatures; whose infinite gifts make us one people, the Body of Christ.

We believe in the Church universal because it is a sign of God's reign, whose faithfulness is shown in its many hues, where all the colors paint a simple landscape, where all tongues sing the same praise.

We believe in the reign of God, the day of the great Fiesta, when all the colors of creation will form a harmonious rainbow; when all peoples will join in joyful banquet; when all tongues of the universe will sing the same song.

And because we believe, we commit ourselves to believe for those who do not believe; to love for those who do not love; to dream for those who do not dream; until the day when hope becomes reality. Amen. You may be seated.

RAQUEL MARTINEZ: For the passing of the peace in a minute, you will have to stand again. We will sing that song on that first page, "La Paz Esté Con Nosotros." It's a Hebrew melody: "Peace Be With Us." May peace always, always be with us. We will stand and sing it together through once. The second time around, I will invite you to greet your neighbors around you with signs of love and peace. Let us stand. "La Paz Esté Con Nosotros."

RAQUEL MARTINEZ: You may be seated.

BISHOP BLAKE: As the--before the final liturgy of the hymnal being presented, I do want to note that as we began the order of the day after worship we were some minutes behind. I'm sure you will want to extend the time for this presentation of the hymnal, and without objection, we will do so. Thank you.

BISHOP GALVAN: Thank you very much. Will you please turn to the offering section? On behalf of the Spanish Language Hymnal Committee, I present a new hymnal, Mil Voces Para Celebrar Himnario Metodista, to the General Board of Discipleship and The United Methodist Publishing House. We're confident that this hymnal will build up the church as we seek to serve the Hispanic community in the spirit of the Wesleyan tradition of good music and joyful praise.

EZRA EARL JONES, ROBERT FEASTER, NEIL ALEXANDER, BISHOP DAVID LAWSON: We receive Mil Voces Para Celebrar with deep thanksgiving to God for your labor of love. We offer this hymnal to the Methodist Church around the world. We especially commend it to our Hispanic United Methodist Church as well as other Methodist Spanish-speaking churches in Latin America and the Caribbean.

[in unison] We rejoice in the publication of Mil Voces Para Celebrar. We celebrate with our Hispanic sisters and brothers in their faithful ministry of singing with 1,000 tongues the wonders of God's grace.

MARTINEZ: Page eight of your programs, and we will close with one stanza only of "Sois la Semilla"--"You are the Seed." One stanza.

BISHOP GALVAN: Will you receive the benediction? [Benediction in Spanish] Amen.

BISHOP BLAKE: I'm sure you would want to express your appreciation to Raquel Martinez, who made this all possible in many, many ways. [applause] Wonderful historic moment in the church, and that's one of our privileges as we are in this place together in these weeks to experience history in the making. And we've experienced that this morning.

Let me share with you that we will move now into the nominations for Judicial Council and the University Senate. This is a time of nominations. After the nominations of the Council of Bishops are placed in nomination, nominations will be open from the floor. These--is it a point of order? We must proceed with the order of the day. What? The nominations will be in a few minutes. Yes, we will recognize you for those nominations.

To prepare you for those nominations, as you make the nominations, they're not to be made with speeches. They're made with names and identification of conference. Be sure you state your name first as the person making the nomination before the nominations are placed before the house. We turn to Bishop Melvin Talbert, the Secretary of the Council of Bishops, to bring you the nominations of the Council of Bishops.

BISHOP MELVIN G. TALBERT: Thank you Bishop, members of the General Conference. I call your attention to page 86 of the DCA. You will find there on page 86 the list of the nominees coming from the Council of Bishops for the University Senate and the Judicial Council. As you reflect upon these nominations coming from the council, I call your attention to paragraph 1517.2 regarding the University Senate.

The first four names, you will discover, have been indeed appointed by the Council of Bishops pursuant to that paragraph. Then I call to your attention the next 12 names, six who are executive officers of United Methodist-related educational institutions and six holding other positions relevant to academic or financial affairs or church relations. You will find those six listed.

Now Mr. President, would you want me to go ahead with the Judicial Council or do you want to stop here for nominations?

BISHOP BLAKE: Let's stop here and receive nominations for the University Senate.

BISHOP TALBERT: All right.

BISHOP BLAKE: I would read to you out of paragraph 1517 in the Book of Discipline that the same daily session at which the above nominations are announced additional nominations be made from the floor, but at no other time. Nominations are now in order for the University Senate. I would recognize the person at microphone three.

JEANNIE TREVINO-TEDDLIE (Central Texas Conference): I would like to put in nomination Dr. Justo L. Gonzales from the Rio Grande Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: Right over here, microphone four.

BENITA ROLLINS (East Ohio): I'd like to place in nomination Dr. Willa Bing-Harris. She's a member of the Metropolitan United Methodist Church and a member of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone three.

GREGORY V. PALMER (East Ohio): A question before a possible nomination. Is Dr. Fred Blumer still on the Senate and therefore does not need to be nominated?

BISHOP BLAKE: Is there someone in the house who can speak to that? Would you hold your question, and we'll try to get an answer and come back to you before the nominations close? I'll recognize microphone 13.

WILLIAM H. HINSON (Texas): I nominate Dr. Maxie Dunham of the Kentucky Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: If I could remind the persons that, including the person that just made the nomination, those persons who have made nominations thus far, there are categories of election. It will be very helpful for the house to know. These will be printed later, but it will be very helpful for the house to know which category these persons are being nominated, whether or not they are chief executive officers of United Methodist-related institutions or the others holding positions relevant to academic or financial affairs or church relationships. Would the persons who have made those nominations return to the same microphone to, yes, to state those in order, and again, state your name to make this clarification.

BISHOP TALBERT: And Bishop, as they're coming, Roger Ireson is prepared to answer the question that was asked down here, when you get to recognize him.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you, we'll get to that in order. Microphone three.

TREVINO-TEDDLIE: Dr. Justo Gonzales would be in the category of a person holding an academic position.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone four.

ROLLINS: Likewise, Dr. Willa Bing-Harris is also one who holds academic qualifications.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone 13.

HINSON: Dr. Dunham also holds a position relevant to academic.

BISHOP BLAKE: Roger Ireson, which microphone are you at?

ROGER IRESON: Fifteen.

BISHOP BLAKE: Fifteen, please. Thank you.

IRESON: Thank you, Bishop. The question was raised about Dr. Fred Blumer. He is a professor at Baldwin-Wallace, which falls into the non-CEO category, has served the past four years on the Senate, and would be eligible for nomination.

BISHOP BLAKE: We'll turn now to microphone three.

PALMER: I would like to place in nomination Dr. Frederick Blumer of the Baldwin-Wallace College for the category, as Dr. Ireson has mentioned.

BISHOP BLAKE: I do not see other nominations; therefore, I will declare that the nominations for University Senate are closed. We'll turn now to the nominations for Judicial Council, and Bishop Talbert will again review the nominations from the Council of Bishops.

BISHOP TALBERT: Bishop Blake and members of the General Conference, I again call your attention to page 86. At the bottom of the page, left hand corner, you will find the nominees coming from the Council of Bishops for Judicial Council. I reference paragraph 2602 of the Book of Discipline. We are being called upon to select and place before you six clergy to fill two places and six lay persons to fill two places. The names are so indicated.

BISHOP BLAKE: Reminding you, from The Book of Discipline, that in this year you will elect two ordained ministers, other than bishops, and two lay persons. After the Council of Bishops will nominate these persons, and the Council of Bishops is required to nominate three times the number of persons to be elected. That is the reason for the number that have been nominated. I would remind you that each of the jurisdictions and central conferences as a group shall be represented by in nomination, which has been done, and therefore there are no other requirements of that nature before the house, and nominations are in order for the Judicial Council. I would turn first to microphone five, over here, the person in the third row, please. Yes.

JANET STEPHENSON (Iowa): I would place in nomination the name of Tom Matheny from Louisiana, and he is a lay person.

BISHOP BLAKE: I would like to facilitate this process, because the cookies wait. Would those of you who wish to make nominations, simply go to a microphone, and I will then be able to call it. If you would allow that, I think that would save us some time. I would turn to microphone eight.

TAL ODEN (Oklahoma): I wish to place in nomination Ed Hill, lay person, Northwest Texas Annual Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: I turn to microphone three.

JO ANN FUKOMOTO (California Pacific): I would like to nominate Judge Levan Gordon from the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone 14.

ROBIN E. BARR (Pacific Northwest): I would like to nominate Jerry Eckert of the Wisconsin Annual Conference. He is a clergy.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone seven.

VERGIL L. DAUGHTERY JR. (South Georgia): On behalf of the delegation from the South Georgia Annual Conference of the Southeastern Jurisdiction, I place in nomination lay person Judge H. Arthur "Mike" McClain to be a member of the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone two.

THOMAS W. EBLEN: I nominate Dr. Charles W. Brockwell Jr. Dr. Brockwell is a clergy member of the Louisville Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone four.

VICKI WOODS (New England): Our delegation nominates Robert K. Sweet Jr., New England Conference, clergy.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone nine.

WARNER H. BROWN JR. (California-Nevada): I place in nomination Dr. John Corry, clergy member of the Tennessee Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone eight.

JOSEPH D. HUSTON (West Michigan): I nominate Steven T. Lett, lay delegate from West Michigan Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone seven

MARY E. AKERS (Northern Illinois): I place in nomination Dr. Larry Dwayne Pickens, clergy member of Northern Illinois Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone eight

WILLIAM K. QUICK (Detroit): I'd like to place in nomination the name of Reynard Kolasa. Thank you.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone seven.

J. PHILIP WOGAMAN (Baltimore-Washington): I wish to place in nomination the name of Dr. Sally Brown Geis of the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference in the lay category.

BISHOP BLAKE: Microphone seven.

LIMERIO C. GARIBAY (East Philippines): I place in nomination Justice Rustico Panganiban, lay leader and lay delegate from East Philippines Annual Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: I declare that the nominations for, I'm sorry, six, excuse me.

BARBARA W. RIDDLE (Florida): I place in nomination the name of Terrell Sessums in the lay category.

BISHOP BLAKE: I declare that the nominations for Judicial Council are closed. Now let me have your attention. I've got an announcement to make about these nominations. We've got an announcement to make before the break, and then we will have the break.

The names of all nominees, identified with the conference to which each belongs, and the biographical sketch, which does not exceed 100 words, shall be published by the Daily Christian Advocate prior to the time, at least 48 hours prior to the time of election. Those persons who made nominations are responsible of submitting this information to the office of the Secretary of the General Conference--by what time today? By 5 p.m. today. Let me make that announcement again. By 5 p.m. today the requirements of the Discipline for the biographical information must be submitted to the secretary for the nominations to be in good order for your elections. We turn to our secretary for an announcement, and then hold just before the break so I can tell you when we will begin again.

CAROLYN MARSHALL: During these last few minutes, it has come to the attention of the platform that there has been a misprint, which has appeared in several copies, a good many copies so it appears, of today's daily edition of the Daily Christian Advocate. It seems to be something that looks like a superimposed reprint on each of the pages, beginning about a third of the way through. If yours is a defective copy, if you will go to the DCA sales office, they will replace it for you. We figured that it would be well for you to have that announcement prior to the break so that might be another thing you can do during the break.

BISHOP BLAKE: Now I have two announcements. First of all, would Alvin Deer of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference move to a microphone please. This is a matter that the General Conference Commission has requested because arrangements have been made for this announcement. And it was inadvertently omitted from the publication. It will not take long, but it will have to do with our, something we will do as we move to our break. They will usually make an announcement for the visitors. But for the visitors, please do not move to the refreshments until the delegates have moved there, because they're required to be back in time, and you are not. And it will be very helpful when we have the break for the visitors to move away from the refreshments so the delegates can move.

Is it a point of order? What is the concern here?

RICHARD E. REEVES (Central Illinois): I expect many of you know that a series of tornadoes have hit the Illinois area. And three churches have been destroyed, and a parsonage has been destroyed. Many homes have been destroyed and will have to be rebuilt. We covet your prayers. Thank you very much.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you very much for that word. Mr. Alvin Deer, a lay delegate of Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. As I say, this was an arrangement made by the general commission on our behalf. And Alvin, we turn to you on microphone number eight.

ALVIN DEAR (Oklahoma Indian Missionary): Thank you bishop. I'd like to begin by quoting a scripture from 1 Peter 3, I mean chapter 2 verse 9, where it says, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people; that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, who once were not a people, but now are the people of God, who have not attained mercy, but now have attained mercy."

I'm addressing you this morning about a special Sunday offering designated by the 1988 General Conference to observe and remind the United Methodist Church of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to the church and to society. Native American Awareness Sunday is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of Easter, which will be tomorrow. Since the General Conference will not be in session tomorrow, the General Conference Committee has graciously allowed us time this morning to reflect on the positive impact that this special Sunday offering has made in the lives of Native American United Methodists.

One half of the special offering taken for Native American Awareness Sunday stays at the annual conference level to support the needs of the Native American ministries. In the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, a portion of the 1995 Native American Awareness Fund benefited the conference enlistment program and local church revitalization campaign. The Minnesota Annual Conference used its funds to send Native American pastors and youth to national training events.

The other half of the offering goes to seminary education for Native Americans and to undergird an urban ministries initiative coordinated by the General Board of Global Ministries.

We, as the Native American community, thank you as a church for helping our people. For instance, we have two observers here, Shirley Montoya, a Navajo scheduled to be ordained in June; Twitty Sombrero, who through Native American Awareness Sunday scholarships is able to work on a doctorate at the School of Theology at Claremont. With these contributions, you are making a difference in the lives of Native American people. This morning as you exit, there will be volunteers located near the exit doors to receive your Native American Awareness Sunday offertory envelope. And in consultation with the general secretary of GCFA, Sandra Kelly Lakore, we have requested that if you fill this out that you put your name, address, your local church, and your annual conference, and the GCFA will make sure that proper credit is made. And as we say in one of our many Native American languages, "Aho."

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you. We will break, and I will look at my clock, and we will begin with calendar items, which will introduce new delegates to the way we act on legislation. We will be doing that in 20 minutes from this minute. Thank you.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you. Let's come to order. Please be seated. Let us be in order so that we work together towards our adjournment time at 12:30. That is binding by your action. We will move now into calendar items. This is the first time in the conference we're dealing with calendar items. We will have an orientation for this from Fitzgerald Reist who is the Coordinator of Calendar. Let's give our attention to be oriented to the handling of calendar items by Fitzgerald Reist. Fitzgerald.

FITZGERALD REIST (Coordinator of Calendar): Thank you. This General Conference we are proceeding in a way that differs from preceeding general conferences, in that we have three distinct types of consent calendars. These will expedite the work of the General Conference a great deal by making it more clear what we are doing as we vote on the various calendars.

Consent Calendar A consists of all of those items which have come from committees with five or fewer dissenting votes, and which relate to changes in the Discipline. The support for Consent Calendar A means that you affirm those changes in the Discipline that have been recommended by the legislative committees.

Consent Calendar B consists of all those items which have come through the legislative committees, again with five or fewer dissenting votes, and addresses non-disciplinary items.

Consent Calendar C are those things for which the legislative committees are recommending nonconcurrence, including disciplinary and non-disciplinary items. And your support of Consent Calendar C means that you agree with those legislative committees that there should be nonconcurrence with those items.

Breaking it into three categories means that there will be less confusion about what we're doing and should make it easier for us to understand also that we're not voting a mixture of concurrence and nonconcurrence items. Consent Calendar A is concurrence. Consent Calendar B is concurrence. Consent Calendar C is nonconcurrence. A vote of support for Consent Calendar C means nonsupport for those suggested changes.

If we could have the graphics on the screen. I'd like you to just take a note. The red bar is the number of petitions that we have received. The tan bar represents the ones that are in committee. The yellow bar are the ones that are calendared. The green bar are the ones that have been voted. In order for us to get through our business and get out of here, all of those bars need to reach the top. You can see we have a lot of work to do. If you will follow the rules with the consent calendars, we can do it very expeditiously.

The consent calendars will, from time to time, be modified. If you would turn in today's DCA to page 176, you will note that Calendar Item 2 has been removed from the consent calendar. It was incorrectly placed on the consent calendar, and it was removed when we received the correct information. Calendar Item 49 was removed from the consent calendar at the request of the five delegates whose names appear below the number.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you, Fitzgerald. We have an announcement to make in terms of this process to be clear, because there are persons on the platform that are chairpersons or presenters from legislative committees. Heads of the delegation: Do not replace these delegates who are on the platform representing legislative committees. They will have key pads for their voting. Let me say this again. Persons who are on the platform, presenting for legislative committees have key pads. Chairs of delegations: Please do not replace them with reserves, for the obvious reason.

We move now to page 93 and turn to Sarah Miller to make motions concerning the consent calendar, and Sarah, I will remind you as you come and remind all the delegates when they move to the microphone, please state your name and conference.

SARAH S. MILLER (Wyoming): Bishop, I move the adoption of the Consent Calendar A01 as amended.

BISHOP BLAKE: Consent Calendar A01 with the deletion of number two. To vote "yes", if you support the recommendation of concurrence. If you vote "no," you are not for concurrence. Please vote when your light goes on. [813 approved]

Consent Calendar A01 is approved.

FITZGERALD REIST: Reminder, Consent Calendar B01 concurs with the non-disciplinary items listed.

MILLER: Bishop, I move the adoption of Consent Calendar B01.

BISHOP BLAKE: Please vote when the light appears. [825 approved]

Consent Calendar B01 is approved.

REIST: Consent Calendar C01 with the removal of Calendar Item 49 represents nonconcurrence with these items.

MILLER: Bishop, I move the adoption of Consent Calendar C01 with the exception of number 49.

BISHOP BLAKE: The motion is before you. Please vote when the light appears.

[846 approved] Consent Calendar C01 is approved.

Thank you. Now we will move to calendar items on page 100 and 101. These will be taken in order as they appear. We will be dealing with item number 78 first, and we would turn to the respective committee chairs. Let us be clear again, that your vote "yes" is to support the recommendation of the committee. If the recommendation of the committee is concurrence, and you agree with that, you will vote yes. Otherwise, vote no. If the recommendation of the committee is for nonconcurrence, and you support that recommendation, you vote yes; otherwise, no.

So you are voting whether or not to support the recommendation of the committee, and the committee chair will state clearly what their recommendation is. As they come forward, they are being asked to, first of all, we know that we are on pages 100 and 101. We know that already. In terms of the reference to the petition, they will indicate to you where it is located, either in the red DCA, or the white Daily Christian Advocate that you all received when you arrived. So we will move in order, and for the legislative Committee on Conferences, we turn to George Hunter III. George.

GEORGE HUNTER III (Florida): I begin with one announcement to the members of the Committee on Conferences, we're asking that you meet in your sub-committees at 2 o'clock today instead of the pre-announced time of 2:30, and then we'll try to meet in full committee at 2 o'clock.

Our committee brings two calendar items to you today, number 78 and number 79. The first you will see is a petition that calls for a mission statement for the General Conference. While the petition itself had merit, ...

BISHOP BLAKE: Would you identify where that petition is for those who want to refer to it? And what page number?

HUNTER: Yes, it's on page 100, well let's see.

BISHOP BLAKE: I believe it's noted on page 178 of the DCA. That would be helpful, so that if delegates have a particular interest, they can have that petition before them. Many times they will not, but that will facilitate our action. Thank you, go ahead.

HUNTER: Thanks. The committee voted 45-15 for nonconcurrence. The petition had merit, but we felt that a mission statement for the General Conference was redundant, since a mission statement prefaces the entire constitution in the front of the Discipline, and therefore, this repeat was not needed.

BISHOP BLAKE: The recommendation of the committee is nonconcurrence. Microphone 12.

FLO S.MARTIN (South Georgia): I move to postpone Calendar Item 78 until the conference has acted on the mission statement for the church which is currently under consideration in the legislative committees on discipleship and the local church.

BISHOP BLAKE: This is a motion to postpone. Is there a second? (second from the floor) Is there discussion? If you would vote?

MARTIN: May I speak to that?

BISHOP BLAKE: Okay, speak to it.

MARTIN: This is an important matter that deserves consideration at the proper time. And it depends on the outcome of the other petitions, so I would move to postpone the action.

BISHOP BLAKE: The motion is before you to postpone. Please vote when the light appears. [Results: yes, 542; no, 346; abstained, 8] Requires a majority vote, and the action is postponed. Move to the next item.

HUNTER: The next item is number 79, a petition recommending that each conference encourage its people to join the annual conference historical society. We judged by a vote of 71-9, that this was not needed, and would set an unwarranted precedent for filling the Discipline with endless recommendations.

BISHOP BLAKE: The recommendation is nonconcurrence. Please vote when the light appears. [852 approved] The recommendation of the committee is sustained as nonconcurrence. George.

HUNTER: Thank you, Bishop. We have nothing further.

BISHOP BLAKE: We turn to the legislative committee on Church and Society. Don Pike.

DON M. PIKE (Central Texas): We're beginning in the red book, page 128. It is Calendar Item 83, petition 20943, right hand column, third down. The title is "Executive Committee Delete 1109" if you're interested in where paragraph 1109 is, it's on page 485 in your Discipline. Let me simply tell you that this is a petition to delete this particular paragraph for the purposes of allowing the rules of operation and the by-laws of the General Board of Church and Society to be contained within their by-laws to remove elements of this nature from the Discipline.

The Discipline continues to grow, so it simply puts the by-laws as the governing factors of the board, and of course, it has to operate within the restrictions of the Discipline, and so the committee recommends, in this particular regard, concurrence.

BISHOP BLAKE: This item is before you. Please vote when the light appears. [850 approved] The committee is sustained in concurrence on Calendar Item 83.

PIKE: All right, continuing on page 128, petition 20942, immediately above that, dealing with the officers listed in paragraph 1108 of the Discipline, on page 485 of the Discipline; the same exact type thing; therefore the committee recommends concurrence.

BISHOP BLAKE: Is this Calendar Item 84?

PIKE: Calendar Item 84.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 84, recommendation of concurrence. Please vote when the light appears. [877 approved] The committee's recommendation of concurrence is sustained on number 84.

PIKE: Next we would direct your attention to Calendar Item 80. And if you would do so, turn to page 1230 in your white DCA. We'll be dealing with petition number 22331, right hand side of the page, second from the top; dealing with paragraph 728.4, can be found on page 363 in the Discipline. The petition calls for the inclusion of the words "in rural and urban areas" in terms of the work of the Board of Church and Society. The sub-committee and the board simply felt like the world is our parish. We shouldn't begin to define this many specific areas. Therefore, the recommendation for Calendar Item 80 is nonconcurrence by a vote of 87 to six.

BISHOP BLAKE: Item 80 is before you. The recommendation of nonconcurrence. Please vote when the light appears. [830 approved] The recommendation of the committee is sustained for nonconcurrence on Item 80.

PIKE: Calendar Item 81 in the white DCA on page 1231. You will find it, it's petition 22332; right hand side of the page, second from the top. It is a petition to amend the first paragraph 1104. You can see the inclusion of statement there. The committee, in turn, recommends nonconcurrence on the basis of the fact that it's a duplication of language and policy that is already in existence within the Discipline, and therefore is unnecessary. Recommendation is nonconcurrence by a vote of 77 for, 15 against.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 81 is before you. Please vote when the light appears. [818 approved] Recommendation of the committee is sustained, nonconcurrence on Calendar Item 81.

PIKE: Calendar Item 82 can be found in your white DCA on page 1231, petition 22333, at the very bottom of the right hand column; reference to paragraph 1104 which can be found on page 484 in the Discipline. It is the vote of the committee for nonconcurrence. The committee believes that the lines of accountability are sufficient in terms of our protocol as a denomination and, therefore, this is unnecessary. Nonconcurrence by a vote of 79 to 12.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 82 is before you. Please vote when the light appears. [777 approved] Committee's recommendation of nonconcurrence is sustained on Calendar Item 82.

PIKE: Calendar Item 85, white DCA, page 1232, petition 22726, left hand column, very bottom of the page. Amending paragraph 1104. Change the word "prime" to "a significant." The committee did not feel like there was enough distinction in the change of those two words to merit its approval, and therefore, the recommendation is nonconcurrence by a vote of 83 to 7.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 85 is before you. Please vote when the light appears. [862 approved] Recommendation of the committee of nonconcurrence on Calendar Item 85 is supported.

PIKE: Calendar Item 86, page 1232, petition 22335, immediately above the one on which we just acted. Committee votes nonconcurrence by a vote of 72 to 17. The committee believes that what is asked for in this particular statement is already provided for in the language we have in the Discipline and therefore is unnecessary.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 86 is before you. Please vote when the light appears.

The committee's recommendation of nonconcurrence is sustained on Calendar Item 86. [837 approved]

PIKE: All right. This completes our report, and I will assume that the balance of the reporting of the Legislative Committee on Church and Society will go equally well.

BISHOP BLAKE: We turn now to Higher Education and Ministry. J. Allen Norris Jr.

J. ALLEN NORRIS JR. (North Carolina): We are looking at Calendar Item 87. This will be found in the red DCA, page 823, on the right hand column near the bottom, petition number 20631, funding of the Division of Chaplains and Related Ministries. And the committee recommendation is nonconcurrence. The rationale of the committee for the recommendation of nonconcurrence: the Division of Chaplains and Related Ministries, as a part of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, receives World Service monies. The majority of the legislative committee supports this method of funding and nomenclature and, therefore, non-concurred with the change proposed in the petition. Bishop, I move approval of the recommendation for nonconcurrence.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 87 is before you. Please vote when the light appears. [851 approved] The committee's recommendation of nonconcurrence is sustained on Calendar Item 87.

J. ALLEN NORRIS: Thank you. That's our only item at this time.

BISHOP BLAKE: I turn to Carl Stewart for Independent Commissions.

CARL E. STEWART (Louisiana): Thank you, Bishop. I am joined on the platform by Becky Haase from California-Pacific Conference and subcommittee chair of one of the subcommittees. We will consider Calendar Item 88 of the DCA and petition number 20483 found on page 904 in the Advance Edition of the DCA, the red book. The petition calls for the elimination of the annual conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women. The committee recommends nonconcurrence. The rationale is that the Discipline appropriately provides for an annual conference Commission on Status and Role of Women. I move the adoption of the committee recommendation of nonconcurrence.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 88 is before you. Please vote when the light appears. [705 approved] The recommendation of the committee for nonconcurrence is sustained on Calendar Item 88.

STEWART: We will next consider Calendar Item 89, which involves two petitions: 20381 and 20465. These are found on page 905 in the red book, Advance Edition One. The essence of both the petitions is to amend para. 741.2 of The Discipline, which provides for the membership, the number, and composition of the annual conference Commission on Status and Role of Women. The petition would, first, delete language in the second sentence which gives the number; and secondly, the petition would substitute text allowing for membership to be determined by the annual conference. The committee recommends nonconcurrence, and the rationale of the committee is that the current wording of para. 741.2 gives appropriate guidance and latitude to the annual conference with respect to the membership and composition. Bishop, I would move the adoption of the committee report.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 89 is before you. Please vote when the light appears. [799 approved] Recommendation of the committee of nonconcurrence on Calendar Item 89 is sustained.

STEWART: We are now considering Calendar Item 91, and it involves petition number 21557. It's found on page 1391 in the white book, Advance Edition, Vol. 2. The essence of the petition is a resolution which affirms the ministry of Gideons International yet strongly encourages the Gideons to reconsider its membership criteria, which currently excludes women. The committee concurs in the resolution, with an amendment in the last paragraph which substitutes the word "gender" for the word "sex." The committee recommends concurrence with the petition as amended, and the rationale of the committee is that the Gideons ministry will be enhanced by a membership which includes women. Bishop, I move the adoption of the committee report.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 91 is before you. Microphone two.

CAROL A. SMITH (Missouri East): I am a member of the Independent Commissions committee, and there was dissent to the report in the committee, and I wish to speak in opposition to the committee decision. When the vote was taken on this petition, information regarding the guidelines for membership in Gideons International was unavailable. There are three criteria for membership. You must be a born-again believer; you must be a member in good standing in your local church and recommended for membership by your pastor; you must be employed in a supervisory position, i.e. business and professional occupations. Men of evangelistic denominations are welcomed in membership. Many United Methodists are members. Wives of members are active in auxiliary work. The organization is a world-wide, independent, ecumenical organization to win people to Christ.

I would encourage the General Conference to endorse the work and mission of the Gideons International, leaving the composition of their membership to their prayerful decisions of Gideons International themselves, recognizing, thereby, the dignity of their polity without endorsing or condemning their membership policies. I would encourage a vote of nonconcurrence of the committee action on this petition. Thank you.

BISHOP BLAKE: This is a speech against the committee's recommendation. Is there a speech in favor of the committee's recommendation. Microphone five.

DONNA JONES (Kentucky): I'm a single woman. There's no place in the Gideon organization for someone like me. Therefore, I would support the committee's recommendation.

BISHOP BLAKE: I believe you're ready to vote. The committee's recommendation on Calendar Item 91 is concurrence. Vote when the light appears. [636, yes; 307, no;] Recommendation of the committee of concurrence on Calendar Item 91 is supported by the body.

STEWART: Thank you, Bishop. This concludes our work at this time. I appreciate it.

BISHOP BLAKE: Turn to Janice Huie for the Local Church.

JANICE RIGGLE K. HUIE (Southwest Texas): Calendar Item 92 please. It can be found in your white book, right hand column, page 1405. Page 1405. Left hand column, excuse me. Para. 113, the petition number is 22671. This is placed in the section on the Discipline under the ministry of all Christians in the subsection on inclusiveness. The committee voted for nonconcurrence based on the concerns that the definition of the word "exaggerated" is open to many interpretations. Who will decide the definition raises other questions; and the context in which the word "exaggerated" will be defined raises still more questions. We believe that, regardless of your position on this issue, that this legislation creates more problems than it helps. We recommend nonconcurrence.

BISHOP BLAKE: Calendar Item 92 is before you. Number seven, microphone number seven, please.

VICTOR W. GOLDSCHMIDT (North Indiana): Based on the comments we just heard, I'd like to move an amendment that the word "exaggerated" be deleted.

BISHOP BLAKE: The amendment is before you to delete the word "exaggerated." Is there a second. It is supported. I believe you're ready to vote. Those who would support the amendment to eliminate the word ...

HUIE: Bishop. Bishop. May I speak to the amendment?

BISHOP BLAKE: Yes, Janice, pardon me. Yes, you may.

HUIE: I believe that we would not support the amendment, that we would prefer that it remain as it is. This is the intent of the legislation, and just vote it up or down the way the maker intended it.

BISHOP BLAKE: Please, the amendment is to delete the word "exaggerated." Please vote when the light appears.

[375, yes; 555, no; 9, abstained]

BISHOP BLAKE: The amendment is defeated. The main motion is before you on calendar 92. The main motion is the committee's recommendation of nonconcurrence. Please vote when the light appears. The recommendation of the committee for nonconcurrence on Calendar Item 92 is sustained.

JANICE HUIE: This completes our report at this time.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you. Please, I think you will be able to receive this word with some satisfaction. I'm going to ask Carolyn to bring some announcements. Please hold your chairs, because I do want to say one thing.

I also would like to have William Cook stand. William Cook, who was before you earlier with courtesies and privileges. If you have items that you believe you would like to have brought before the conference in terms of special privileges, it really helps all of us to have those organized by that committee. These often times are concerns about--that have already been expressed in this conference, for instance. William Cook is the chair of the Committee on Courtesies and Privileges. Please channel those through him, because as a committee chair, he always has access to determine whether or not those items should be on the agenda. Thank you for your cooperation.

Ok now, what is your item? Number three? Please come to the microphone number three.

YOUNGSOOK C. KANG (Rocky Mountain): Point of order. Calendar Item 90 was not considered.

BISHOP BLAKE: We are aware of that, and when a legislative committee chair makes a presentation, it is their option when, whether or not they call every item that's in the DCA. That's not necessarily required. Do you have an answer to that? Fitzgerald?

FITZGERALD REIST: Calendar Item 90.

BISHOP BLAKE: Please identify yourself.

REIST: Fitzgerald Reist, Coordinator of the Calendar. Calendar Item 90 has been moved to the Consent Calendar. The vote was incorrectly recorded. The correct vote places it on the correct, on the Consent Calendar. It is now on Consent Calendar A02. If you look in your DCA for today, you'll find it as the first item as a correction on the calendar.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you for that information. Thank you. Let's turn to the secretary for announcements.

CAROLYN MARSHALL: A reminder that the Hispanic ensemble and the mariachi band will sing at a special concert time from 1:30 to 2:00 this afternoon, with the St. Luke's choir singing from 2:00 to 2:30 in what after two days has become the usual area, the prefunctionary area near Hall A.

We've been reminded several times to bring to the attention of the entire body that the Sunday evening performance of the Montana Logging and Ballet Company will be at 8 p.m., not at 7:00, which has been published in several places.

An announcement that the legislative committee on General and Judicial Administration will meet at 2 p.m.

And a reminder that those 100-word bios--we urge you to keep them to 100 words, because that is what will be published--for both the University Senate and for the Judicial Council are to be in the secretary's office, room C204, by 5 p.m. this afternoon. The University Senate is not judicial--or is not disciplinary, a disciplinary requirement; however, it was a recommendation which came from the body at the 1992 General Conference, and we are prepared to publish them.

Bishop White, who is President of the Council of Bishops, has asked for a moment to make an announcement.

BISHOP BLAKE: No, we still have our committee chairs to report. We got finished much earlier than we anticipated, so I wanted to be sure that Bishop White comes ahead. And we do have our committee chairs to report to us.

BISHOP WOODIE WHITE: Thank you very much. I think the members of the conference and my colleagues would like to know that word has been received that Bishop Kulah is on his way to the General Conference.

BISHOP BLAKE: And we are aware that the lay delegate from Liberia, Mr. Cox, has arrived, and we celebrate his arrival and the anticipation of Bishop Kulah. [applause] In both of them, you will have an opportunity to greet them later in the conference.

I believe, John, did you have a request as a person I just introduced? And then we will turn to the Committee on Presiding Officers report and the Committee on Agenda and Calendar report.

JOHN THOMAS (South Indiana): Bishop Blake, you just--my name is John Thomas, South Indiana. You just called the attention of the conference to where I was seated. I now need to announce that there will be a meeting of the members of the Commission on General Conference at 2 p.m. this afternoon in room A210. Thank you.

BISHOP BLAKE: He did say thank you, which surprised me. [laughter] We'll turn to the Committee on Presiding Officers report. Rex Bevins.

C. REX BEVINS (Nebraska): Bishop Blake and members of the conference, one bishop in the Council of Bishops has referred to me as the "fickle finger of fate" [laughter] as I've approached bishops about their presiding assignments. The "fickle finger of fate" has rested on three bishops for Monday, Monday's session, April 22nd. On Monday morning, Bishop William Grove of the Albany area; Monday afternoon, Bishop Elias Galvan of the Phoenix area; Monday evening, Bishop Thomas Stockton of the Richmond area.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you. We turn to Sarah Miller for the Committee on Agenda and Calendar report.

SARAH S. MILLER: Thank you, Bishop. This is probably the last time we will adjourn early, don't you think?

BISHOP BLAKE: I hope not. [laughter] This group hopes not as well.

MILLER: We've had an unhurried consideration of business this morning. As the week progresses, the time will get shorter and things will be more urgent. I think the body is to be commended for the way in which they handled the legislation this morning. For the remainder of the day, we'll be in legislative committees afternoon and evening. While there is some time suggested on the agenda for that, of course you can adjust those times --meeting earlier, meeting later, as you wish.

I want to note the agenda that is proposed for Monday April 22nd. Is that on the screen? It should be on the screen soon. We will be having in the morning the Native American Ministries report and the Baptism Study report. And the remainder of the day will be devoted to calendar items in the afternoon and evening.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you for that report. We have one additional announcement from our secretary.

MARSHALL: The Committee on Ordained and Diaconal Ministries will meet this afternoon at 1:30; 1:30 Ordained and Diaconal Ministry legislative committee.

BISHOP BLAKE: As Bishop Emilio de Carvalho from the nation of Angola comes--I'm sorry, I see-- number 12 do you have an item of privilege? What is your request for microphone 12? Go to the microphone, please. Microphone seven.

VERGIL L. DAUGHTERY, JR. (South Georgia): V.L. Daughtery Jr., South Georgia Conference. A point of information and a point of clarity concerning the Judicial Council nominations. At the end of the process, I think the chair instructed us to take the biographical sketches to Carolyn Marshall's office. Some of us have done that. We've now been handed a document instructing us to take them to the DCA office. Which should we do?

BISHOP BLAKE: We'll have the secretary respond.

MARSHALL: We'd appreciate if you could bring them to the secretary's office. The DCA office will be provided with them, but we do need to coordinate them. Thank you very much.

BISHOP BLAKE: Thank you for the inquiry. I do want to compliment you on the way you have worked to accomplish your tasks. Enjoy the lunch hour tremendously with the extra minutes you have. And we will ask Bishop Emilio de Carvalho from Angola to dismiss us with prayer.

BISHOP de CARVALHO: Shall we stand and receive the benediction? [benediction] Amen. end Proceedings

General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn