Plenary Session Proceedings
Wednesday, April 24: Morning Session
BISHOP GEORGE W. BASHORE (Pittsburgh Area): We certainly want to offer our thanks and gratitude for the stirring music, and for the presence of those from Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. We are deeply indebted to you for giving us the dance in our spirits. (applause)
We also want to express thanks for those who have led us in worship. For Bishop William Dew and the others who shared of themselves and presented the Word. Now may we please gather, and if we could begin to watch and listen to the conversation subside, we can move on to the items which are before us. So will you please take your seats.
And will those who are visitors, please, we ask for your courtesy so that we will be able to hear and move on with our business. I think we've had a great setting, this morning. I'm reminded of the 150th Psalm. "Praise God with the trumpet sound. Praise the Lord with lute and harp. Praise the Lord with tambourine and dance. And praise the Lord with strings and pipe. Praise the Lord with clanging cymbals and praise the Lord with loud clashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord."
We have started on this wonderful note, as we seek today to join in the dance with the Lord of the dance. Now, we need to enter into our time of discernment. Several persons have spoken to me and expressed concern about this time. They've indicated that as we have shared our hopes, sometimes that period has turned into a time of complaint and negativism. I would like to read another portion from one of the psalms, and then suggest as you turn to one another, that maybe we ought to concentrate more on the second part than on the first part, about looking at what our hopes are for the next few hours, but to try to delight in what God's hopes are for us as a General Conference in these next hours. Listen to these words from the 84th Psalm. "Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs. The early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength. The God of gods will be seen in Zion."
We have seen the God of gods at work. We have celebrated the new Hispanic hymnal. We have been thrilled about seeing the choir here from Africa University and beginning to see the results of the commitment to Jesus Christ, the Lord of the dance, on the part of the General Conference. Let's spend now this time together, one on one, and let's share together the celebrations of God's hopes being fulfilled, and what those hopes are for us as a General Conference. Talk one on one and then we'll have our time of prayer.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, now. If you will enter into a brief time of prayer with your partners, please.
BISHOP BASHORE: We'll turn to Jerry Reist now who will guide us through our morning agenda. Jerry.
FITZGERALD REIST (Coordinator of the Calendar): Thank you, Bishop Bashore. We will be dealing today with the calendars found in your DCA, numbered 7, volume 3, number 7. Sarah OK? Consent Calendar A04 is found on page 303, and the list of items removed begins on page 482. There are no changes from the list removed that's printed in the DCA on pages 482 and 483. Given the number, I don't suppose.. Do you want me to read each one?
BISHOP BASHORE: It is not necessary. I think they can see those. Sarah?
SARAH MILLER: Bishop, I move the adoption of consent calendar A04 with the exceptions noted on pages 482 and 83.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. that is before us. I don't see anyone wishing the floor. We are ready to vote. When the light goes on, please vote. Somebody turning on the light? [It wasn't ready] All in favor, will indicate with the uplifted hand, pleased. Thank you, those opposed like sign. And, it is approved. Thank you.
FITZGERALD REIST: Consent Calendar B04 is found on page 329. You'll notice the corrections, Calendar Items 639 and 640 have been placed on Consent Calendar B04. The corrections are found on pages 483 and 484. I have no additional corrections.
SARAH S. MILLER (Texas): Bishop, I move the approval of Consent Calendar B04 with the exceptions noted.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Those in favor will indicate with the uplifted hand please. Those opposed, like sign. Thank you. I believe our technology is set up for the next item. And, I think I threw them a curve on this so, we'll proceed this way.
REIST: Consent Calendar C04 is on page 339. The corrections to that or the removals from that are page 484. There are no other changes.
MILLER: Bishop, I move the approval of Consent Calendar C04, with the exceptions noted.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right thank you. All right, I don't see any cards. Are we ready to vote? If you approve, will you indicate with the uplifted hand, thank you. Those opposed like sign. Thank you. And that is approved.
REIST: I just wanted to say that I'm glad the correction to my misstatement about the 10 delegates needed to lift was not made until after the sessions were over. It was so much easier to find five names we could read that way.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Sarah?
MILLER: A note about the agenda: you have it printed in today's DCA, but I want to change it. I learned this morning, that many of the members of our Korean-American delegations are leaving this evening. We had intended to consider the Korean-American missionary conference proposal tomorrow. Cashar? Oh I'm sorry. He's got his hand up. Is that wrong?
BISHOP BASHORE: Is this a point of order? No, go ahead Sarah.
MILLER: So, we have moved things around to enable us to consider the Korean-American Missionary Conference this morning at 10:30, which would then have us move the items for ministry to this evening. Let me review the revised agenda for this morning because we've juggled times to make it work. We expect to vote on nominees to the Judicial Council as soon as I'm done. Then we would take up some items from Discipleship, including United Methodist Men. If there is time, we would go to General and Judicial Administration items. Then at 10:10, we would take the special offering for pages and marshals just prior to our break. And then at 10:30 come back for calendar items related to the Korean-American Missionary Conference. Our lunch will be at 11:30 as scheduled.
BISHOPS BASHORE: All right, thank you for that information, Sarah. Some of us thought we were going to be dealing with the ministry study this morning and have spent a good many hours in relationship to that. But God is a God that takes us through interruptions and changes, and so we'll make the adjustment. Thank you. Yes? Is there a point of order here?
CASHAR EVANS JR. (North Carolina): I move that the General Conference request an oral argument for the referral of Petition 21560, Calendar Item A04838 to the Judicial Council.
BISHOP BASHORE: I wonder, would you mind repeating, maybe standing away a little bit away. I was having a hard time. Would you repeat that information for us please?
EVANS: I move that the General Conference request an oral argument for the referral of Petition 21560, Calendar Item A04838 to the Judicial Council.
BISHOP EVANS: Where is that found, please? Can you tell the page?
EVANS: 308 and its at the bottom of the left column. If I could get a second, I'd be glad to speak to this.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, you have it.
EVANS: When this petition came in, it included a request for a Judicial Council decision, and my motion just asks for an oral argument, sir.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, that is before us, any discussion? You know what it is before us then? We'll have you vote when the light is on. [Results: yes, 523; no, 225]
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, that has been approved. Thank you very much. Now I think we're ready to move along to the item of voting on the nominees to the Judicial Council. Let me say a word about the procedure for the voting. You know that we will be selecting two persons from the list of nominees.
BISHOP BASHORE: When we consider the nominees, we will vote two times. Each time that we vote, you will enter the number corresponding to the person for whom you wish to vote. Reminder, if you change your mind while the green light is on, press the star key to cancel, and enter the correct number for your vote. Now, you will be voting twice, which means you will be voting for two persons. We will go through the entire process first and you will vote for one. When that is completed, we will come back through the list of names, and you will vote, then, for your second person. I need to mention to you that you cannot vote for the same person twice. That if you do that, with the wonders of technology, that will be known and your vote will be considered invalid for that person. Are we clear?
We will throw the names on the screen, and then when I indicate, you will vote for one person. All right, you will see there 15 names. Now these names are done with their complete names. We will then throw onto the screen all fifteen names with just their last name. Now, those names are before you. Please vote for one person. Press your key of the number. All right, vote when the light is on. Now it's on. All right proceed. All right, it will take a little time for the results to be tallied. We will now put on the screen the names of the clergy, and follow the same procedure. Oh, I'm sorry. We need to have the second opportunity for the lay. Thank you. The lay names, nominees, will be placed on the screen again. They're there. Now you will vote for your second person when the light is on. All right, thank you. Now that will take a little time to tally the results.
Now, we will turn to the list of the clergy. They will be placed on the screen, please. It's on the way. Yes, second screen. All right, the complete names have been before you, and now we will have all the names on one screen. We are ready now to vote for one person. All right, when the light is on, please vote. All right, we're ready for the names to appear again. Now you are ready to cast your second vote for the clergy. When the light is on, please vote.
Now, it's my understanding that it will take a little while yet to tally the results, so at this moment, there is a key celebration taking place in the life of our church, especially involving the part of the family from the former Evangelical United Brethren Church that will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the merger of the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren in Christ Church. We have been asked by the Commission on General Conference to take a few moments to celebrate this occasion, and we will turn to Bishop Paul Milhouse out of the former Evangelical United Brethren tradition who will lead us.
BISHOP PAUL W. MILHOUSE: Mr. Chairman, delegates, visitors, I've been asked to remind you about this celebration which will be in two events: one at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the other Dayton, Ohio, on November the 16th this year. This is the anniversary of the birth of the Evangelical United Brethren Church which united with the Methodist Church in 1968. In the Methodist church, you remember, was a 1939 reunion of Methodist-Protestant, and the north and south branch. The Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1946 was the result of a union of the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren.
The Evangelical Church came out of the preaching of Jacob Albright who preached among the German-speaking people in the colonial days. He was born in Pennsylvania, reared and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, later joined the Methodist Church because he was attracted by the spiritual discipline that he witnessed among the Methodist people. As he preached, congregations were formed, and in the early 1800's three of them came together and organized the newly organized Methodist Conference. Then they changed the name to Evangelical Church, and elected Albright as their bishop. When they came into the union in 1946, they brought four conferences from Germany, two conferences from Canada and work in Nigeria and Japan.
The United Brethren Church, as a result of the preaching of Phillip William Albright--or Otterbein, who preached among the people of eastern Pennsylvania and in the Shenandoah Valley. Otterbein was reared in the Reform Church. He came to the United States in response to an appeal that was made in the chapel of Hetterbaun University where he was teaching. Mr. Slatterer who had been in America, worked among the German Reform people, went back to the Dutch Reform Church to Amsterdam, reported on the sad condition they were in and asked for money. The Dutch Reform Church said we will provide money for six missionaries to go to America. Slatterer went down to Hetterbaun, preached in the chapel, asked for six volunteers. Professor Otterbein and six students responded. They landed in New York in 1752, began preaching among the German-speaking colonists. Most of these people had come from Palatinate of Germany where the Black Plague had devastated the country and the population, and then the 100 Years War had just about destroyed their villages and their farming. So they came as indentured servants and by the time they served out their time to pay for passage, they were still about as poor as they were before. Otterbein, from his pastorate in Baltimore preached among these people. Then he met Martin Boehm preaching to the Mennonite preachers one day. He went up to him after the sermon and he said, "Der seine bruder, we're brethren." And together they brought together a group of preachers in 1800 and organized the United Brethren Church. When this church came into the union of 46, we brought conferences from Sierra Leone, the Philippines, Japan and China, and Hong Kong, and I've been told, that there are 13 bishops of the present council who have their spiritual roots in the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
Bishop Maynard Sparks who is not able to be here and myself were members of the uniting conference in 1946, and we came into the United Methodist Church as bishops of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. And, as I call these names, of these bishops, I would like for them to stand and remain standing: Wayne Clymer, George Bashore, Thomas Bangura, Reuben Job, Hermann Sticher, Joe Yeakel, Walter Klaiber, Sharon Rader, Joseph Humper, Neil Irons, Peter Dabale. And then I would like to ask among the delegates and visitors those of you who have your spiritual roots in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, would you stand, please. We might see where you are. [applause] Thank you.
BISHOP BASHORE: Thank you very much. In the spirit of what has been mentioned, I know that we will wish to work [wir sind Brudern und Schwestern] today in Jesus Christ. And so we will be working in that. Yes? I see a flag back there. Number 9, please.
GRAYSON ATHA (W. Ohio): I should have spoken at the time the agenda was mentioned, but I'm a little slow sometimes. We have some really major items to come up, and we've done two of the studies, we have two more to come. Last night, twice a motion has been made to limit debate. That was squelched because there were important items coming up. Today we had one of those important items and were told that folks need to leave so we need to adjust to do something about that. I'm really feeling uncomfortable that we continue to deal with items that ... and we delay some of the major items that we have before us. I really don't have a motion to make, but I'm feeling very uncomfortable about the way the agenda is proceeding, and I may be the only one here, but I wanted to express that and I would like to see the Agenda Committee really address this matter. Perhaps they have, and everything's been done. I'm just giving my perspective on it.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. I know there are others who agree. We need to move on so that we can take care of the Calendar Items which are before us. Now, I think we're ready for the results of the election for Judicial Council. They will be placed before us and then we will move on for another ballot.
BISHOP BASHORE: For the lay persons first. All right, you will note that we need 426 to elect. There is no election. All right, you have the listing and the votes that have been cast. We'll be ready now for another ballot...Yes, is there a point of order? A request. Well, we'll listen to it while we're waiting. All right, number 7, I guess.
KATHARINE LEHMAN (North Indiana): Could we see the numbers again? That happened so quickly--we could take another look please?
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. They have heard the request, but they're ready to put up the clergy results, so let's get the clergy results, then we'll try to respond to your request. I believe they're ready for the clergy results now. All right. You notice that we needed 444 votes for election. No one has been elected. All right, Bevins, 400; Corry, 312; Brockwell, 238; Tews, 212; Sweet, 147; Chalker, 109; Collins, 102; Topolewski, 82; Pickens, 70; Cain, 60; Eckert, 40. Now the results of the lay ballot will be presented to you again. Valid votes 1,702, valid ballots 896, needed to elect 426, invalid ballots 36.
All right, Matheny, 283; AsKew, 270; Geis, 233; Gray, 170; Plowman, 130; Hill, 129; Sessums, 94; Bonney, 78; Lett, 69; Panganiban, 55; Church, 54. Gordon, 52; Kolasa, 35; McLane, 26; Danburam, 24. Now I believe we'll see which one appears on the screen. We will follow the same procedure again since no one was elected, so we will have two ballots for each, clergy and laity. Yes microphone 9. It's a point of order? Question, all right.
NYLE HERSHBERGER (Western Pennsylvania): What constitutes an invalid ballot?
BISHOP BASHORE: Well, I don't know that completely. If you voted for the same person twice, that would be an invalid ballot. Or you may have voted for a number that was not there, also. All right. All right, are we ready to place this on the screen? Now the names are being placed in front of you again. This is the first frame and the rest of the lay persons. Now vote for one person using a number that corresponds with the name. All right, when the light goes on please vote. OK, now this is the second ballot. So you will cast your second vote. When the light goes on, please vote. All right, thank you.
Now I believe we're ready for the slate of the clergy. All right, now we have the first frame for the clergy and the rest of the clergy names. All right, you have all in front of you, and you will vote for one person, please. When the light goes on, please vote. The screen will appear again, and then you will vote for the second person. There it is before you. When the light goes on, please vote.
All right, it will take a little while to tally the results, but it sure is better than the old system. We've just gone through an election of General Conference and Jurisdictional Conference delegates, you'll remember, and how long that takes to tally when you don't have the technology, so we're grateful. I want to turn to Carolyn Marshall because we also need to elect persons on the Commission to General Conference. Carolyn will you help us with that item?
CAROLYN MARSHALL: The persons who have been nominated to the Commission on the General Conference are listed on page 25 left hand column about a third of the way down in the April 17th edition. Please note that it's the April 17th edition. That was before the error of beginning with renumbering again every day was caught. So you've probably got more than one twenty-five.
The names that are in brackets are continuing that list, the entire list for the Commission on General Conference, by classes, and only the ones that are without brackets around them are those which are before us now for election. They have been presented by the Council of Bishops. Bishop Bashore. [Nominees are found on page 25, volume 3, number 2]
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. These names are before us.
MARSHALL: Bishop Bashore, also to note a correction that was in your DCA a day or two ago, and that is the substitution on line 11, "central conferences of Rololfo Beltram for Maximo Dizon." That is a nomination to fill an unexpired term.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Yes, the card back here. Microphone 9, I guess.
WILLIAM A. HINES (West Ohio): I'd like to make a motion, bishop. In the light of the pronouncement of the 15, we now request before an afternoon vote on this matter, that all United Methodist bishops who support unrevised scriptural standards, unrevised ...
BISHOP BASHORE: I'm sorry. We can listen to that motion at another time, but we are right in the midst of election right now. Will you hold that, can we handle that at another time, please.
HINES: Will you call me back, sir?
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. I may need to be reminded, but please, we will need to finish this process. All right? Thank you. Yes, microphone 1, please.
SHIRLEY PARRIS (New York): Bishop Bashore, I would like to suggest to the General Conference Commission, that for the next, in the year 2000 for elections, that they provide the delegates with a sheet with the numbers of the candidates, the names and the numbers of the candidates, that we can refer to while the election is going on, rather than having to wait to see them on the screen. I think that would be very helpful.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. I'm sure that that suggestion has been heard, and will be referred. Now, we're ready, I think, to elect the Commission on General Conference. Does somebody want the floor? I think we're ready to elect, and since we're dealing with the technology for the other issue, we'll do this by hand.
If you will approve these persons and elect these persons as the Commission on the General Conference, indicate with the uplifted hand, please. Thank you. Those opposed, like sign. And they are elected. Thank you. Now, are we ready for the continuation of the vote? We'll have the results of the lay ballot.
Valid votes, 1841; valid ballots, 942; need to elect, 461; invalid ballots, 22. There is no election. You have the names in front of you as AsKew 407, Matheny 388, Geis 260, Gray 197, Plowman 139, Hill 101, Bonney 65, Sessums 63, Panganiban 49, Lett 47, Gordon 34, Church 33, Danburam 22, Kolasa 18, McLane 18. Now we should be ready to have the screen in front of us for our next ballot. We will again need to have two ballots for the laity side.
All right, I guess we're going to get the clergy results first. Valid ballots 1852, valid ballots 937, need to elect 464, invalid ballots 22. I need to raise a question. Thank you, I'm sure you are as confused as I was, because if your arithmetic is at all decent, you wondered about the "need to elect." You must first, we should say, total ballots instead of valid ballots. Then you need to subtract the invalid ballots, and that is why the majority "need to elect" seem to be lower than what it should be. But then it will make some sense. All right?
So we need to elect 464. Now may we have the results. There is an election. [applause] Rex Bevins has been elected to the Judicial Council. Now, if you will note the rest: Corry 415, Tews 259, Brockwell 250, Sweet 107, Chalker 98, Collins 70, Topolewski 49, Pickens 42, Eckert 26, Cain 19. The next screen, please. I guess that's it. All right.
Now, we'll see what comes on the screen. Now, there will be, to vote for lay persons on the Judicial Council, so you will still have two ballots. Vote one time now for the lay persons. When the light is on, please vote.
All right, thank you. Now we'll wait until the lay persons come back on the screen again for your second vote. All right, there it is. Now, will you cast your second vote for a lay person on the Judicial Council. When the light goes on, please vote.
All right. Hopefully, we'll see the clergy... [Bishop Bashore confers with Bishop Yeakel and Bishop Skeete] They need to reset this matter, so I'm going to turn now to Paul Ervin, I think, from the discipleship, so we can begin to handle calendar items. And, in between, we will continue the election process. Paul?
PAUL R. ERVIN JR. (North Georgia): Thank you, bishop. We have two matters to bring before you. The first will be Calendar Item 1681, page 386, of the blue book. Larry Powell from the Desert Southwest Conference will present it, and will be assisted by Gil Hanke from the Texas Conference.
LARRY POWELL (Desert Southwest): Bishop, members of General Conference. Item 1681 will be found in the blue DCA on page 386. That would be Volume 3, number 7, dated April 23. Should be able to locate that in the left-hand column, lower left-hand column. We'll also relate to Volume 2, the white book, on page 1285, also in the left-hand corner of that one. The Petition 20712. The title is the General Commission on United Methodist Men, and basically what the petition calls for is a new commission on United Methodist Men. The commission would be amenable to the General Conference; and during the period of time when the General Conference is not in session, it would relate to the General Council on Ministries.
It does have monetary significance--would have to be referred to GCFA if it were passed here. However, the petition itself is written in such a way as to be self-sustaining and not have a significant budget impact as far as the dollars that are already allocated to United Methodist Men. There is also a provision in it that requires that if the commission is unsuccessful in becoming self-sustaining within the next four years, then it would revert back to something similar to where they are currently lodged within the General Board of Discipleship. Bishop.
BISHOP GEORGE BASHORE: All right, this matter is before the body. Any discussion. Yes, over here, at the side. Microphone 6, please. Will this be speaking for or against?
MARY ALICE MASSEY (Florida): For.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you.
MASSEY: As a wife and mother of three sons and a United Methodist Woman, I know personally the blessing of having a Christian father who was a wonderful spiritual role model, but I also know that not everyone has been blessed to have that same experience. In an age when we need more spiritual male role models, I celebrate the United Methodist Men and their Christian leadership. If a new structure will help facilitate their ministry, then I wholly, fully support it and ask you to support it as well.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. It's been called to my attention that there may be a mistake on the top of page 387 in the blue DCA, the very top line in the first column. The College of Bishops should be the Council of Bishops, I believe. That's just so that we understand that's a correction. Now we need a speech against this. A question, microphone 4, please.
DON MENDENHALL (Iowa): I would like to ask again for a little more clarity around the financing, mainly because if things do not work out, does that pull from other agencies or boards? More clarification around the financing.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you.
GILBERT HANKE (Texas): As the petition is written right now, the financing that would already be allocated to Methodist Men's programs in the budget of GBOD, General Board of Discipleship, that monies would be transferred over into the new commission. So there would be no additional funding requested in the petition.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Now, does anyone wish to speak against? Yes, microphone 8 please.
DONALD WILLIAMS (West Michigan): Bishop, I offer a substitute motion.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right.
WILLIAMS: I move that rather than the current Calendar Item 1681, that the Board of Discipleship prioritize for the coming quadrennium the study in needs, concerns of men in our church and provide every programmatic and structural support to address the needs of United Methodist Men rather than a United Methodist Men commission.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Is there support for this amendment? Yes, I hear a second. You may speak to it.
WILLIAMS: I would raise a couple of issues. Yesterday we spent a great deal of time debating downsizing, restructuring. I am amazed that we would add a new structure at the same time that we talked of restructuring. Secondly, I feel that the Board of Discipleship is equally able to address the needs as I understand them in my reading of this petition. I urge your support of the substitute motion.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Now the substitute amendment is before us. Does anyone wish to speak against the substitute? Yes, right here in the center, please. Again microphone 8, please.
JUDY BENSON (Oklahoma): The United Methodist Men has been lodged under the Board of Discipleship, but the United Methodist Men feel that really hasn't met their needs. That's been kind of like a secure nest. However, that environment and attitude of a secure nest has not always allowed for the achievement of the highest potential. We feel that risking a free-standing committee will allow for growth and leadership and empowerment of United Methodist Men in meeting their needs and concerns on all levels, which hasn't really been done before. So we believe that a vote against this will be for growth for United Methodist Men, a restructuring for mission, and a freeing of the spirit.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Thank you. Now does anyone wish to speak for the amendment? Yes, back in the far corner. Microphone 14.
PHYLLIS FERGUSON (Pacific Northwest): I'm not against men and I have father, grandfathers, great grandfathers, and great great grandfathers. I have a husband, five brothers--not in that order--and I have one son, innumerable uncles, and male cousins. I am not against men. But as a speaker of this amendment, I cannot understand why United Methodist Men cannot work with Board of Discipleship to achieve whatever it is they want to achieve. Thank you.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. That was for the amendment. Now is there anyone who wishes to speak against the amendment? All right. Over here. Microphone 9, I guess.
JEROME K. DEL PINO (New England): Bishop, I have a question.
BISHOP BASHORE: Yes, Jerome.
DEL PINO: I would appreciate it very much if the presenters of the motion would clarify specifically what would be the financial implications of this for the long term, especially vis-á-vis entry into local United Methodist churches.
HANKE: May I speak to that?
BISHOP BASHORE: Please.
HANKE: It has been a--I have had the honor of chairing the Long Range Plan for the National Association of United Methodist Men's presidents. And it has been a long-standing goal of our organization, the United Methodist Men, to be independent financially. We currently raise a significant amount of the funds used to operate that office now, and those funds will continue. And we think being a free-standing agency will increase giving to that agency. So it is our intent, and with the work we have done on this we feel that the current petition that is before you will not cost any additional funds, and in four years when we meet again, we will be financially independent, which has been our long-term goal and desire. So that those world service funds that we currently use can be freed up to use, to build up other programs within our church.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Now, we still have an opportunity for a speech against the amendment. Yes? Question? Microphone 5.
MEL BOWDAN (Kentucky): I'm a little concerned about what I hear from the presenters about we feel this, we think this, about the financing, financial impact. The programmatic money going to United Methodist Men is one thing, and I'm a little concerned--I want, the question I have is, have you looked at what that financial impact is when, in fact, you then begin to look at salary for general secretaries and associate secretaries and staff, and can that be absorbed in the current money that's set aside for United Methodist Men?
BISHOP BASHORE: All right.
HANKE: Yes.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Now, speech against? Yes, right here. Microphone 3. This is against the amendment.
WILLIAM R. AUVENSHINE (Central Texas): I rise to speak against the amendment.
BISHOP BASHORE: Bill.
AUVENSHINE: I've served two quadrenniums on the Board of Discipleship. During that time, the Methodist Men have gone from, we can say infancy into mature status. At this time, they ask to stand on their own. We're simply, with the original motion, asking that they stand on their own.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Thank you. Now we've had two for and two against. Are you ready to vote on this? Well, all right, microphone 7.
THOMAS W. FLINN JR (Baltimore-Washington): I have a question for the chairs. Could you be very specific and tell me exactly what would be accomplished by moving from the General Board of Discipleship to independence that you could not already accomplish being a member of the General Board of Discipleship?
HANKE: That's an excellent question. Many of the things that we are able to do right now as a division within the Board of Discipleship, when an idea comes up, an area of ministry that we want to pursue, we are unable to pursue that completely on our own. It sometimes slows our ability to interface with other agencies of the church because we need to use the structure of the Board of Discipleship to facilitate that. We feel that we could have, just as we do in many annual conferences, direct access to areas of ministry in a much more rapid time period to provide better ministry. Three of the areas--the three areas of United Methodist Men's ministry is in the area of evangelism, mission, and spiritual growth. Being an independent commission will allow us to pursue those more directly, more rapidly, with the leaders of those different areas of ministry.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. I think we are about ready to move on, are we not? OK, that seemed to take the cards down, so I think we are ready to vote. This is on the amendment. Do you recall the amendment? That basically is to give the Board of Discipleship the opportunity to study this matter of finding ways to bring about intensity of faithfulness on the part of the United Methodist Men. All right. If you favor this amendment, indicate with the uplifted hand, please. Oh, we're ready for the other. All right, now we can do the other. When the light is on, will you vote, please? [Results: yes, 262]
All right, the amendment is defeated. Now, we're ready for the main motion. Are we ready to move along on the main motion? All right, I believe that's the body's wish. When the light appears, please vote. [754 approved] That is approved. All right. Thank you very much.
Now we are ready to move onto the results of the election. So we'll hear the results of the election and take ballots, and then we will have the opportunity for the offering for the pages and the marshalls, and then we'll have a break. All right, now you have the names before you. You'll notice that number one already says elected. If you vote for number one, that will be an invalid ballot. So you have the list of clergy. Please vote for one person when the light is on.
All right, while we are waiting for the lay ballot, we will have the opportunity to receive an offering for the pages and the marshalls. These are persons who are here, who have served us and continue to serve us in such wonderful fashion and often come at their own expense, and we need to be generous as we share our appreciation in an offering. Yes? Is this related to this. All right, microphone 4, please.
EDWARD A. KAIL (Iowa): If we wanted to write a check, to whom should that be made out?
BISHOP BASHORE: Just make it to the General Conference, if you want to write a check. Now, I think we are ready to receive the offering. While we're doing this, is there any chance that we can sing a song or have some music. (Bishop Bashore leads group in hymn, Blessed Assurance.)
Thank you very much. We will now continue in our election process. All right, we should have the lay results in front of us. Valid votes 868, total ballots 940, need to elect 468. Invalid ballots 20. There is one election, AsKew, with 515. All right, results of vote: AsKew 515, Matheny 399, Geis 261, Gray 194, Plowman 125, Hill 82, Bonney 67, Sessums 42, Panganiban 40, Lett 38, Gordon 35, McLane 23, Church 20, Kolasa 14, Danburam 13.
Now we have the list in front of us and remember, well I hope...This is the clergy. These are the clergy results, but we didn't have the first frame. We need the summary. While we're waiting, microphone 1, please.
JANE A. MIDDLETON (New York): Thank you Bishop. Just for a quick moment of personal privilege, and an affirmation, and a word of gratitude to the General Conference for joining in singing "Blessed Assurance," written by Fanny Crosby who comes from our neck of the woods.
BISHOP BASHORE: Thank you very much. Thank you Jane. All right, are we ready? I think its time to take a break, my watch says 10:20, would you be back please by 25 minutes before 11 a.m. and ready to work.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, let us come to order, please. We've been grateful to Cynthia and also to S.T. for the fantastic guiding in the music area for us this week. Can we come to order please. We will be ready to take another ballot.
All right. Will we come to order, please. Now there have been some questions raised about this afternoon about our belongings. Someone wanted a definition of bag, as to what's included in that. I think, over here we can get some help at microphone 1, please. Microphone 1, let us be in order now please.
RICHARD NICODEMUS (New York): Roger Cruse, our general manager, business manager, has agreed that delegates may take their bags, their tote bags which weigh 20 pounds or better, to their respective legislative rooms and leave them there during the entire afternoon session, and then collect them prior to, or after, coming back from dinner. The rooms will, in fact, be monitored by marshals and pages, so they will be relatively secure.
BISHOP BASHORE: Wait just there, please. One of the questions was related to, I understand those bags, but what about purses? That was the question.
NICODEMUS: I understood that purses can be brought in. Ladies can bring their purses in, but other briefcases and bags cannot be brought back.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. I think there is an announcement. Before we adjourn, there will be an additional announcement regarding that matter. Thank you.
Now, are we ready to proceed? All right, now. Let's have your attention please. We have the lay persons in front of us. One person has been elected. So, I want to give just a point of advice. If you are voting multiple numbers, that is two numbers like a 10, 11, 12, 13, make sure you press those quickly. Do not delay, because it may come out just 1, if you're voting for 13. You can see on your own monitor and check that. All right? Now, we're ready. We'll vote just for one person on the lay side. When the light is on, please vote.
All right. Thank you. All right. You can see that we have the results in front of you, both the numbers and percentages. Matheny 329, Geis 189, Gray 114, Plowman 57, Bonney 37, Gordon 24, Hill 20, Panganiban 19, Lett 10, Sessums 10, Church 6, Danburam 6, Kolasa 5, McLane 1.
All right. We are ready now. You had the results. We're speeding up the process. This, again, is the lay person on the Judicial Council that is before you. When the light is on, please vote. All right. You have the results of that vote, I think. Do you want me to keep reading the tally? Good. You can read them. Let's have the next screen. Matheny 370, Geis 196, Gray 110, Plowman 49, Bonney 29, Gordon 22, Hill 22, Panganiban 16, AsKew 13, Church 9, Danburam 8, Kolasa 4, Lett 4, Sessums 3, McLane 1.
All right. Do you have the results of that? Now we're ready again for the slate. All right. The names are before you. Vote for one person. When the light is on, please vote. (Still no election). Matheney has 47.0 percent at 419 out of 892, Geis 213, Gray 101, Plowman 45, Bonney 22, Gordon 21, Panganiban 20, Hill 15, AsKew 11, Church 9, Danburam 4, Lett 5, Sessums 3, McLane 3 Kolasa 1,) All right, you now see the results.
OK. The next screen please. All right. I believe we're ready now for the listing for the ballot.
BISHOP BASHORE: You know we need a majority fifty plus one in order to elect. All right, ready to vote? When the light is on please vote. All right. Thomas Matheny has been elected [he received 477 votes] and now that completes the lay side, we need to move to the clergy side. AsKew and Matheny have been elected. All right. Yes, microphone 9, please.
ROBERT SWEET (New England): I've been deeply honored by the nomination to the Judicial Council by my annual conference delegation. However, I think there's something far more important, and that's the racial inclusiveness of the council, and so I would like to withdraw at this time.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Are we ready? All right, now we have one person yet to elect on the clergy side. You see the slate in front of you. Vote for one person. When the light is on please vote. All right John Corry has been elected. [he received 478 votes] So Corry and Bevens have been elected on the clergy side. We've completed the elections of the Judicial Council. Yes, there's a card over here microphone 5, please.
JUNE GOLDMAN (Iowa): Thank you Bishop Bashore. I rise for a point of inquiry. I wish to inquire whether a response is in process to the request that I made last night that a cross be placed somewhere on the platform as a focus for our General Conference. Bishop Dew in his address to us this morning said that words do not mean much unless they are accompanied by action. We speak a great deal about Christ-shaped servanthood but we have no cross to command our attention. We talk about the cross being central to our faith, but there is no cross for us to look at at the front. We sing "Lift High the Cross," but there is no cross. I would request respectfully, once more, that the appropriate committee place a cross somewhere on the platform that we might focus on it.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right thank you, June. That matter, I've been told, has been referred to the Commission on General Conference. Are you going to speak to that, Bill? All right. Microphone 8, please.
WILLIAM QUICK (Detroit): In response to that request, though we're all beneath cross of Jesus, we'll see that a cross is there for the afternoon. Thank you.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you very much. Now I need to remind everybody that we're really not done with the election because we need to elect alternates. So we need to have six alternates on each side, so we'll be in this process for a little while. All right, way back in the corner, microphone 14.
THELMA JOHNSON (West Ohio): I would like to move that the top six vote getters be the alternates.
BISHOP BASHORE: I wish that we could do that, but the Discipline indicates that we need to have a majority vote for each one. Thank you very much. The order in which persons are elected is also the order in which they would serve, and we'll need to go through this process. I wish we could honor that. All right, yes microphone 7.
SARAH MILLER (Wyoming): Bishop because the agenda was changed in order to facilitate the consideration of the Korean-American missionary conference, can we postpone these additional elections until another time?
BISHOP BASHORE: Well, yeah, we can. Yes. Is that a motion Sarah?
MILLER: Yes.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, there is the motion and support that we postpone these elections to another time that will be brought before us so that we can move to some of the items scheduled this morning. If you favor that postponement, please vote when the light is on. [772 yes] Yes, you want to move along. All right, I think we'll turn now to George Hunter.
GEORGE G. HUNTER, III (Florida): The first day I began chairing the Committee on Conferences, it occurred to me that chairing such a committee is analogous to trying to herd rabbits. And nowhere was this feeling more pronounced than on the remarkable day when we discussed the Korean-American missionary conference petition from the Korean-American coalition. And our vice chair Judith Siaba from the northern Illinois will present this for us.
JUDITH SIABA (Northern Illinois): Bishop, we are referring to item 751 found in the blue DCA, page 234. This item is reference to Petition 21731 which is found at the very beginning of your blue DCA. Beginning on page 31. That's the very beginning, because I understand we have two page 31's so this would be Tuesday, April 16th. The committee, after many many hours of deliberation, recommend concurrence as amended, and the amendment is found there on page 234.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Now this matter is before us. Yes, microphone 7, please.
YOUNG OK PARK (Northern Illinois): I would like to move an abandonment to this substitution that is in front of us. We'd like to add a paragraph before the first paragraph of the substitution, and that first paragraph reads "whereas Korean-American churches have a spiritual contribution within the United Methodist church we the United Methodist Church affirm and celebrate their ministry." And then we go over to the second paragraph in the current substitution, and we would like to add "representing the five jurisdictions" after and inclusive task force. So the first sentence should read "therefore be it resolved that an inclusive task force representing the five jurisdictions," and then the third line from the bottom of the second current paragraph we'd like to add "and three Korean-American lay women." And after "three transgeneration" we'd like to add "or representative from both General Commission on Status of Role of Women and General Commission on Religion and Race," and then the last one is to delete "up to." So it will now be "and three Bishops" without "at least." If there is a second, I will speak to it.
BISHOP BASHORE: Yes, there is.
YOUNG OK PARK: Transition, wherever that happens, and wherever that needs happen, always is very painful. And we, all Korean clergy women and men and also so many of you in this house, have been very concerned about and sensitive to, the pains that many, many of us are going through at this moment. So even though we all are very, very hopeful for the future of the Korean United Methodist Church's ministry, as we are beginning a new task force, which is very inclusive in terms of the inclusiveness of male and female, clergy and laity, and young and old. Still we would like to acknowledge, appreciate, affirm, respect, and recognize and celebrate the 40 years of ministry that was begun and continued through the first generation, clergy and laity, of the Korean United Methodist Church. And also including the five jurisdictions represented, by that we would like to make our task force as inclusive as possible for the present and future of the ministry of the Korean United Methodist Church's laity and clergy.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. And now there are several matters related to that. Do you have that in written form? Can that be brought, please, to the secretary's desk? If we could have that, that would be most helpful. Thank you.
Now that was a speech for these additions. Does anyone wish to speak against these additions? I don't see anyone wishing the floor, so I think we need to turn to the committee and see whether you want to give a response.
JUDITH E. SIABA (Northern Illinois): We accept that amendment and I don't think there's anything further that needs to be said.
BISHOP BASHORE: Is there any objection in the body, that these additions would be accepted?
I don't see any at all, so that will be incorporated into the whole matter. Thank you. Now the whole matter is before us. Yes, right here in the middle, microphone 9, I believe, or 8, whichever one, 9.
LUCILLE V. VANZANT (Oklahoma): As chairman of the subcommittee who worked on this, I would like to give a special thanks to the Korean clergymen and the Korean clergywomen who worked untiringly with us on this matter. No matter what you might have heard, this matter was thought through very carefully for over six hours. People were tired, but they were not willing to give up, and at this time I would like for the conference to stand in appreciation of the hard work that these Korean brothers and sisters went through for this. Thank you.
BISHOP BASHORE: Will you give your name and conference, please. Thank you, All right. [applause] Thank you, I think that was a speech for, is there anyone who wishes to speak against? Yes, a question. All right, microphone 3.
BECKY HAASE (California-Pacific): I have a question for clarification. In terms of the second paragraph, there is a question of the, there is a term "inclusive" task force, and we have a designation now for lay men and lay women, but they will be Korean American. I would just like to clarify that that is the only place that there is specific designation that they will be Korean American? Is that correct? Yes.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Over here? Is there a speech against, or, microphone 1.
ERNEST S. LYGHT (Northern New Jersey): Bishop I'd like to make an amendment.
BISHOP BASHORE: Go ahead, Ernie.
LYGHT: I'd like to move an amendment to the resolution that is before us. If we would look at the resolution where it is on the second column, top of the column. It ends by saying "within The United Methodist Church structure." I would insert a period there. And then, by addition, add these words, "During the quadrennium, as appropriate, the task force should be in consultation with all the general church agencies, especially the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The United Methodist theological schools and the annual conferences, where there is a Korean American presence and/or participation regarding the implementation and coordination of recommendations, initiatives, and programs, that these entities can undertake within their existing budgets without General Conference approval." And then it would continue.
BISHOP ?: All right is there support? Yes there is.
ERNEST LYGHT: My concern is that I would affirm the resolution as it is before us that we would be able to profit from recommendations resulting from study during the quadrennium. However, there are learnings which will occur in that process, and the possibilities which arise from those learnings should not be held until General Conference meets again. In addition, that which we learn ought to be applied to the resources that we have to undergird our commitment to the development and enhancement of Korean-American ministries within this great United Methodist Church. Thank you
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. That amendment is before us. Does anyone want to speak against that amendment? Yes, right here. Microphone 4.
MAREYJOYCE GREEN (East Ohio): I support the amendment, but it seems as though, assuming that the amendment would be acceptable, that this work should be more appropriately coordinated by GCOM as opposed to the Board of Global Ministries. Is it appropriate to make such a motion?
BISHOP BASHORE: Well, you want to amend the amendment?
GREEN: Yes. Is that appropriate?
BISHOP BASHORE: I'm trying to see...
GREEN: It's simply, it's an add-on to the amendment. There was nothing in the amendment that spoke to its coordination.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. That's appropriate, if you want to make that as an amendment to the amendment.
GREEN: Yes. That it be coordinated by GCOM.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Is there support for this amendment? I don't hear a second. Yes, there is. All right. Does anyone wish to speak in opposition to this amendment to the amendment? Yes, microphone 8.
DOROTHY A. RAVENHORST (Virginia): The reason it was given to the Board of Global Ministries to administer is because the Board of Global Ministries has been for many years working with the Koreans. And they have developed 11 points from the Korean community, which they will be working with, and it seems appropriate to leave it where there is already structure and staff who have been working with them.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Thank you. Anyone wish to speak for the amendment to the amendment? Yes, microphone 9.
MONA MAE WAYMIRE (Oklahoma): Are the $150,000 referred to there in the Board of Global Ministries budget as now, or are those funds which will need to be arranged for later by GCFA?
GREEN: It is my understanding that this money is not included in the budget that has been considered.
BISHOP BASHORE: Yes. This matter will have to be referred depending on your action. Now we're back to the amendment to the amendment, and that is the place of coordination. Anyone wish to speak in favor of this amendment to the amendment? I don't see anyone, so I believe we're ready then to vote. Is there a question? All right, microphone 7.
DEAN S. H. YAMAMOTO (Oregon-Idaho): I wanted a clarification. I heard that GBGM was not listed and the substitute to GCOM, but GBGM does arise after four sentences after "therefore" in the document.
BISHOP BASHORE: Yes, I believe that is for the administering of the funds. This was an addition to the amendment to the amendment--I mean, to the amendment, I'm sorry. Yes, right here. Microphone 8.
DAVID SEVERE (Oklahoma): It would seem that this properly belongs with the Board of Global Ministries not with the General Council on Ministries. This is strictly in the area of our work with global ministries, and I think that it would be best to keep it with the General Board of Global Ministries.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. That's another speech against. Anyone wish to speak for the amendment? I think we are ready to vote. All right, microphone 3. This is the amendment to the amendment.
SEOG WHAN CHO (California- Pacific): I just have a question. The amount proposed to do this task is $150,000. I wonder whether that amount of money will be enough to do the things which is being asked to do by this task force?
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Can we hold on that so we can finish the process here, and then we'll turn to the committee and have them respond to your question? We're on the amendment to the amendment right now, which is before us. Do you want to speak? You've already spoken to this matter? OK, microphone 4. Nobody else wants the floor.
GREEN: Bishop, there is clearly no interest at all in this amendment, and I will therefore withdraw it.
BISHOP BASHORE: Anybody object to this being withdrawn? All right, I don't see anyone. So we're back to the amendment. Over here. All right, now. Does anyone want to speak against the amendment? Yes, microphone 9. We need a copy of this amendment over here, please. All right, he's working on it? Thank you.
S. STEPHEN FOSTER (Wisconsin): Bishop, I have a question. Does this amendment we are dealing with enable the work to begin or is this more study? Please tell me.
BISHOP BASHORE: We'll turn to the maker of the amendment. Ernie? Does this enable the work to begin or is this calling for more study? Microphone 1, please.
ERNEST S. LYGHT (Northern New Jersey): The intent of the amendment is to allow the general boards and the theological schools and other appropriate agencies to do work that they're able to do before waiting until the next General Conference.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Now this is the amendment before us. I don't see anyone wishing the floor. I think we are ready to vote on this amendment. The Lyght amendment. Do you want to say anything about this? All right. We are ready to vote. When the light is on cast your vote, please. [Results: yes, 582; no, 314] All right, thank you. It's approved. Now we're back to the original presentation as amended. Yes, all right, microphone 13 in the back. Yes, OK, come to eight. Microphone 8.
MYUNG J. KIM (Virginia): I'd like to commend the legislative committee for such a fine work they have done, and I believe a colleague from California raised a question concerning the funding. If I may be permitted to express my feelings and my understanding, I'll appreciate it.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. You're going to respond to that question?
KIM: Yes. Our commission from Jesus Christ is to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel of Christ and lead people to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And our challenge as United Methodists is to encourage people, the children of God, to be a part of The United Methodist Church to help our great denomination fulfill its mission in the world. There are hundreds of thousands of Korean and Korean-Americans living here in America who are yet to be won to Christ. Truly the fields are white unto harvest. Of the ones who are followers of Christ and involved in churches, The United Methodist Church is far from having its proportionate share of these Korean and Korean-Americans. Other denominations have run circles around us in this area. Today there are many Korean and Korean-American pastors who are hurting because of inadequate itinerant system as a result of cultural as well as language difficulties. I believe this resolution, the recommendation coming from committee, will help the Korean United Methodist pastors and Korean Methodist pastors, as well as those churches that are hurting, and it will also help all of us, the United Methodists, to strengthen our ties during this transitional period.
Now, in order to accomplish our mission, I believe, $150,000 for the next quadrennium would be inadequate. And I would like to suggest that this amount be raised to $400,000; in other words, $100,000 per year for these people to really come and put their hearts and minds together and work together. Thank you.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you for that speech. Now we'll turn--can we turn to the committee to respond to the question that was raised about the amount being adequate?
JUDITH SIABA (Northern Illinois): This amount that was recommended was just an estimate that we are sharing with you. It was very difficult, Oh, if our brother could speak to it, he was on the subcommittee and also the maker of the amendment.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Can you speak to this matter? Microphone 4, please.
DAVE RICHARDSON (California-Pacific): I did make the substitute; and it was in conversation with a person from GCFA dealing with what would be, we thought, adequate. It has been added to substantially since I made the substitute with regard to responsibility. So I do agree that it's not adequate any more. I couldn't come up with a magical figure now, but I know that we will need more than $150,000. I don't know if that was a motion already made.
BISHOP BASHORE: No.
RICHARDSON: If it was not a motion, I would like to make an amendment to that number at this point and amend it upward to $200,000.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Is there support? Yes, there is. Now the amendment here is to move this $150,000 figure to $200,000. That is what is before the body. Anyone wish to speak against this? Do you want to speak against this? All right, microphone 3, please.
SEOG WHAN CHO (California-Pacific): The original amount asked by the transgeneration group was $500. As you know, many Korean pastors and lay people went out and started a new church by praise. And we have seen some tension and conflict between one camp against another camp; one camp was supporting for the proposal for creating a Korean mission conference and another camp against it. And the TG Group tried to work on something for reconciliation, and that was the proposal made by this group. So, well, I don't know how much would be adequate, but maybe double this amount to $300,000, maybe better than $150,000.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. That's a speech against the amendment which is to move it to $200,000. Thank you. Does anyone wish to speak for the amendment? Microphone 1 over here.
BETTY J. YOUNG (North New Jersey): I have a question for clarification. Is this amount, that is being presented to us, an amount to cover the costs of the committee for the study or is it a cost for ministries?
SIABA: It is the cost for the study for the committee's use.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Does anyone wish to respond to that? Someone needs to respond. All right. It's left hanging, then. Yes, could you respond to that? Thank you.
SIABA: Yes, I could. It's for the committee's use.
BISHOP BASHORE: Oh, I'm sorry. It's for the committee's use. All right, thank you. Microphone 3, please.
SONG JA PARK (California-Pacific): If we amended the amendment from that side--I don't know the gentleman's name--I think he said that this would include study as well as the ministry that's starting as soon as possible. So it is not just a study. I think it is for the amount that we are going to amend, would mean the study plus the ministry.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, thank you. Now we have the amendment before us which is to increase the amount of money from $150,000 to $200,000. Does anyone wish to speak to that? Yes, microphone over here, 9. We need to move along because we're coming close to our adjournment time. I hope that we can complete this item very shortly.
JEROME DEL PINO (New England): As a member of the subcommittee which considered and received this substitution, it is my understanding that all of the discussion resulted in the fundamental conviction that what is needed is a study. There are many, many perceptions about what would be appropriate ministries that could be initiated or supported. But rather than entering into them, without clarity regarding what ought to be a priority, that there needs to be, therefore, a coming around the table in order to develop something that is coordinated and, hence, all funds that are requested in the original motion of the committee are funds that are reserved strictly for study. That's the priority now, that's the reason and the direction that this General Conference is being asked to go in this motion.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right. Yes, microphone 3.
PAT STROMAN (Central Texas): Bishop, I move to suspend the rules so that we may move on all that is before us.
BISHOP BASHORE: OK, the motion is to move on, close debate on everything that is before us. If you, will, when the light is on, please vote on whether you wish to close debate on everything before us. [862 approved] Yes, you obviously want to move on. That means that we will move immediately to the amendment which was to increase the amount from $150,000 to $200,000. Do you want to say anything about that? [directed to Siaba] No? Thank you.
Well, we're ready to move, I think as a body. I think we need to move along. We have the amendment before us. If we're ready to vote, when the light is on, please vote. [Results: yes, 536; no, 361] All right, that amendment is approved, so the amount has been increased to $200,000, and now, the whole thing is before us as has been amended, and we're ready to vote on this matter. When the light is on, will you please vote? [839 approved] Thank you. This is approved.
I think we need to turn to the secretary. Now I know I have seven different sheets of paper here of people who want the floor and flags are waving all over. We must be adjourned in five minutes, and so I'm going to turn to Carolyn Marshall and you'll have to talk with succeeding presiding officers about your concerns. So let's turn to Carolyn Marshall.
CAROLYN MARSHALL: First announcement is that the jazz band, which we heard already this morning will be in concert at 1:15 in the perfunctory room downstairs by the ballrooms. A notice to Church and Society Legislative Committee, I'm sure you will rejoice in having another meeting. It will be in room A109 to 111. However, you will also be very pleased to know that it will be short. Perhaps about five minutes.
I've been asked to announce that there is an error in the DCA today regarding the lunchtime fellowship for African and African-American clergywomen. The lunch is to be on Thursday, tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. in room A207.
Now, for the announcement that many of you have been waiting for as far as plans and what is allowed for this afternoon. I apologize to many of you who have sent notes up here asking about specifics on cameras and purses and so forth. The normal procedure is to try to answer every note that comes up here. I apologize to you, it has not been possible this morning to do so. Hopefully, this announcement will take care of all the requests that have come. Immediately upon adjournment, everyone is asked to move immediately to the nearest exit, because we do need to clear the room. Please take with you, all bags, purses, boxes, brief cases, whatever. You may leave books. Anything that's a container that holds things must go with you. Any bags or boxes or any of those things which are left will be searched and are subject to removal by security. The note that was given to me was, if in doubt, take it with you.
We hope to be able to have the hall open again for seating this afternoon by 1:20. Now, for what you can do as you come back in, which seems to be the majority of the questions. You may bring back your purses and your bags when you come back in. It's just a case that the bags must be removed in order that when the sweep is done, they will not be here at that time. So anything you take with you, you can bring back in. You're just going to have to shepherd it during lunch.
Question has also come as far as cameras and video recorders, video cameras. Those may be used this afternoon. However, the request is that they be used without flash. Hopefully that answers your questions and you'll know what to do as you come back in. Please do leave after adjournment just as quickly as possible in order that we may be prepared for the afternoon.
BISHOP BASHORE: All right, now we're going to conclude with Bishop Hermann L. Sticher who is out of the former Evangelische Gemineschaft Kirche in Germany, and he will conclude our time together with prayer. Let us pray.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Floor Proceedings, April 24
1996 United Methodist General Conference