The 2013 Annual Conference Sessions present
The Legislative Reports
Prepared by Gretchen Engle
Petition #1-1 – IMMIGRATION REFORM
- The PNW Conference voted to support comprehensive Immigration Reform on the Federal Level as it is presented in the legislation before congress.
- The time required to wait for citizenship should be no longer than 7 years.
- Work permits should be provided to those waiting for citizenship, along with the same wages and working conditions as citizens.
- Limit the citizenship process to no more than three years.
- Allow those born in this country and elsewhere, that have lived here for more than ten years to access education grants and loans even if they are citizens whose parents are not documented, and that no tuition increases be levied against them because of their status.
- Block the deportation of parents who have citizen children when no serious crime has been committed.
Petition #1-2 – GUN CONTROL
The body supported a recommendation to the Washington and Idaho legislatures to ban assault weapons and large ammunition clips, require background checks on all purchases, even those at gun shows and private sales, and that the state provide funding to enable the legislation.
Petition #1-3 – MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Our Conference voted to go on record as supporting a comprehensive renewal and overhaul of the Mental Health Services in Washington and Idaho, and to increase services and reopen community mental health service centers. The petition also encourages people to write to their state legislators regarding this issue.
Petition #1-4 – RESOLUTION FOR WEAPON-FREE PROPERTIES
This petition was referred back to the Connecting for Mission – Domestic body to review and revise to give the petition more clarity.
Petition #1-5 – SUPPORT OF ACTION BY THE 2012 WESTERN JURISDICTION CONFERENCE
The PNW Conference voted to affirm and embrace the concept of “Gospel Disobedience” which was adopted by the 2012 Western Jurisdictional Conference. The statement of Gospel Disobedience tenets are: The UMC church is in error on the subject of “homosexuality’s incompatibility with Christian teaching” and therefore, bishops, clergy, local churches and ministry settings should operate as if the statement does not exist.
Petition #1-6 – WELCOME AND INCLUSION OF ALL GOD’S PEOPLE
The PNW Conference reaffirms its previous position to work for full civil and ecclesiastical rights and privileges of all persons and declares its opposition to restrictions of church laws on the participation of LGBTQ people in the UMC.
Petition #1-7 – RESOLUTION SUGGESTING PENALTY FOR CLERGY OR BISHOPS CONVICTED OF CONDUCTING A SAME SEX MARRIAGE OR ORDAINING OR APPOINTING A SELF-AVOWED, PRACTICING HOMOSEXUAL
The PNW Conference affirmed and supported the resolution of the 2012 WJ Conference that the penalty for those convicted of the offense of ordaining or appointing a self-avowed practicing homosexual is a suspension of 24 consecutive hours and that those clergy found guilty of performing a same-sex marriage or using a UMC building receive the same suspension.
Petition #1-8 – 2013-2014 CONFERENCE ADVANCE SPECIALS APPLICATIONS
The following agencies were designated as Conference Advance Specials:
- Tacoma Community House
- Atlantic Street Center
- The Church of Mary Magdalene
- PNW Conference and Retreat Ministries
- Disaster Relief
- Early Response Teams (renamed from UMVIM – Disaster Response Teams)
- P.E.T. (Personal Energy Transportation)
#2-1 – JAMAA LETU ORPHANAGES IN THE CONGO
The Conference reaffirmed its commitment to encourage churches to support the orphanages, with churches helping through donations to their scholarship fund for higher education.
#2-2 – ALIGNING INVESTMENTS WITH VALUES REGARDING PALESTINE/ISRAEL
The Conference voted to instruct its investment managers, Westpath and the NW United Methodist Foundation, to exclude Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions and Hewlett-Packard from Conference portfolios until these companies end their involvement in the Israeli occupation and that PNW UMC boards, agencies, churches and individuals consider doing the same.
#2-3 ELECTION OF CONFERENCE SECRETARY OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES
Joan and Keith Hackett were elected to be co-Conference secretaries of Global Ministries for 2013/2014.
Petition #5-1 – ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ( formerly COUNCIL ON FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION)
The PNW Conference budget for 2014 was approved, which includes the Office of Connectional Ministry. Officers for the CFA for 2014 are Wendie Hansen (chair), Robin Pentland (vice-chair) and Bill Green (secretary).
Petition #5-2 – COMMISSION ON EQUITABLE COMPENSATION RECOMMENDATION ON MINIMUM COMPENSATION
The minimum salary for full-time service was set at $38,159 per year.
Petition #5-3 – MOVING ALLOWANCE
This petition set moving allowances for clergy & candidates, depending on appointment status.
Petition #5-4 – RETIREMENT ANNUITY RESPONSIBILITY
The body voted to fund the retirements of 19 clergy and one deacon.
Petition #5-6 – RETIREMENT GRANTS
Grants were given to former clergy who have taken Honorable Location or withdrawn from the Conference prior to 1973.
Petition #5-7 – DISABILITY BENEFITS
The body voted to provide disability benefits to six clergy.
Petition #5-8 – RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR PART-TIME APPOINTMENTS
The body voted to use a new defined contribution plan for part-time clergy, and set contribution percentages depending on the person’s part-time status.
Petition #5-9 EXTEND HEALTH FOR THOSE COVERED BY MEDICARE AS PRIMARY
Effective January 2014, those covered by Medicare will be able to choose a supplemental health coverage from a wider variety of providers than previously allowed.
Petition #5-10 – RENTAL/HOUSING ALLOWANCE FOR RETIRED, DISABLED, OR FORMER CLERGYPERSONS OF THE PNW CONFERENCE
This legislation was brought forward to reflect the inclusion of severance pay with the adoption of the Voluntary Transition Program adopted at General Conference. It has been broadened to include the housing benefits to those who voluntarily leave active ministry.
Petition #5-11 PNW CONFERENCE 2014 COMPREHENSIVE BENEFIT FUNDING PLAN
This petition lays out the plan for funding pensions, medical benefits, etc. This legislation passed.
Petition #5- 12 – DIRECT BILL CLERGY HEALTH COSTS
This petition would have required churches to directly bill their full-time clergy for health benefits. This legislation was referred to the Conference Board of Pensions.
Petition #5- 13 – CLERGY HEALTH INSURANCE
This petition would have increased the cash salary to full-time clergy to compensate for the direct billing in the previous legislation (Petition #5- 12). This legislation was referred to the Conference Board of Pensions.
Petition #5- 14 – CAP DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT’S TOTAL COMPENSATION
This petition would have capped the District Superintendent salary at $100,000 which includes cash, salary, utilities allowance, housing allowance, professional expenses, pension, disability benefit health flex premium, out of Conference travel and continuing education. This legislation failed to make it to the consent calendar, so it was not brought to a vote.
Petition #5-15 OFFICE OF CONNECTIONAL MINISTRIES BUDGET
This petition proposed to keep the Office of Connectional Ministries budget capped at the same amount as 2013. This legislation failed to make it to the consent calendar, so it was not brought to a vote.
Petition #5-16 – SEATTLE: HIGHLAND PARK CLOSURE
The body voted to accept the Seattle: Highland Park congregation’s request to discontinue.
Petition #5-17 – DISSOLUTION OF COVENANT BETWEEN WATERVILLE FEDERATED CHURCH AND THE PNW CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODISTS IN THE MINISTRY IN WATERVILLE, WA. AT WATERVILLE FEDERATED CHURCH
This petition was referred to the Conference trustees for further consideration.
This committee did not have any legislation. Their new officers for 2014 will be Karla Fredericksen (chair), Katherine Makus (vice-chair) and Helen Smith (secretary).
This committee did not have any legislation. Their new officers for 2014 will be Douglas Evans (chair), Randy Behrens (vice-chair) and Terri Stewart (secretary).
A motion was presented by Rev. Rich Lang to request time on the floor at the 2014 Annual Conference for a forum on the issue of “Can United Methodist Pastors Preside over Same Sex Marriages?” The forum would be moderated by the Reverends David Parker and Rich Lang. The motion carried and was referred to the Annual Conference Design Team for implementation.
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The Amen Report • June 14, 2013 |
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The Amen Report • June 15, 2013 |
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The Amen Report (featuring Legislative Reports) • Ω |
[…] 2013, voters at the Pacific Northwest Conference supported a resolution first approved at the 2012 Western Jurisdictional Conference that the penalty for those clergy […]
[…] 2013, voters at the Pacific Northwest Conference supported a resolution first approved at the 2012 Western Jurisdictional Conference that the penalty for those clergy […]
[…] 2013, voters at the Pacific Northwest Conference supported a resolution first approved at the 2012 Western Jurisdictional Conference that the penalty for those clergy […]