By Heather Hahn • UMNS originally posted on GCConversations
The 2012 General Conference just voted 395 to 555 against referring the most recent plan to reconfigure general agencies to the Connectional Table for study over the next four years.
That means after a 20-minute break “Plan UMC” — the most recent legislation to consolidate agencies and shrink their boards — will be before the full lawmaking assembly to amend and debate. The body had earlier overwhelmingly voted to substititute “Plan UMC,” for Petition 20980, the original Call to Actionlegislation submitted by the Connectional Table.
During the debate, some delegates spoke up about their concern that they had not had time to study the new plan. Also, a delegate spoke of her concern that young people, central conference delegates, U.S. people of color and women were not included in the two days of discussions that led to the creation of the alternative plan.
The group did include women, at least one U.S. person of color and at least two central conference delegates. But the discussions included no Methodist Federation for Social Action members who helped develop that progressive caucus’ alternative restructuring legislation, which had been submitted before General Conference.
Atlanta Area Bishop Michael B. Watson, who presided over the session, denied requests to physically see the indivuals who developed Plan UMC as outside parliamentary procedure.
