Dr. David Peele, Board of Trustees Chair, continued the session from Thursday, speaking to the consideration of the Conference Trustees report and the three remaining motions.
Much of the work of the Trustees over the last year has focused on managing Conference properties, Conference legal matters, and continuing our work on local church disaffiliations in accordance with paragraph 2553 of The Book of Discipline.
During the report on Thursday afternoon, David Peele provided an update on the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy proceedings. “Our Conference and local churches worked hard over the last year to be responsive as requested to the legal matters related to the court case. As reported throughout the year, we are happy that the bankruptcy settlement agreement has been reached so that the important ministries made available to young people through the Scouts will continue.”
Our Annual Conference has paid its required financial contribution into the settlement trust fund holding account at General Council on Finance and Administration. The North Carolina contribution was $598,276 and was funded by the Council on Finance and Administration from Conference Reserves.
In addition to many churches named in sexual abuse lawsuits related to Boy Scouts, the NC Conference was named in 17 suits claiming the conference did not do enough to ensure local churches protected young people from predators. When the Boy Scouts bankruptcy settlement is fully implemented, 16 of the lawsuits against the Conference will be dismissed, as well as Scout-related suits against churches included in the settlement proceedings.
In addition to the financial payment toward the trust fund, our Conference agreed to several healing action steps for the Scouts to continue. More information about a renewed and increased focus on protecting scouts and others through our Safe Sanctuaries programs will be shared. Peele said, “We pray God’s blessings for comfort and healing for all survivors of abuse and commit to do our part in our Annual Conference response.”
Two church closures were brought for individual vote. The first motion was the closure of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church in Wilmington, NC. “In accordance with paragraph 2549.3(b) of The Book of Discipline and with the recommendation and consent of Bishop Shelton, the unanimous Cabinet, and the Harbor District Board of Church Location and Building, the Board of Trustees moves for approval of the formal closure of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church.”
Several members of the Annual Conference asked questions of clarification, including the timeline in which the closure and disaffiliation process took place, as well as the financial health, membership, and worship attendance trends.
Rev. Paul Stallsworth requested a decision of law by asking the following five questions about the closure of Fifth Avenue UMC Thursday afternoon.
- Does the initiation of the disaffiliation process by a local church under Paragraph 2553 prevent the bishop, district superintendents, and district board of church location and building from declaring exigent circumstances for that church under Paragraph 2549.3.b? That is, which takes precedence — the local church’s limited right to disaffiliate under Paragraph 2553 or the ability to declare exigent circumstances and seize church property under Paragraph 2549.3.b?
- Can the local church’s intent to initiate, or initiation of, the process of disaffiliation under Paragraph 2553 be considered an exigent circumstance under Paragraph 2549.3.b?
- Where title to local church property vests in the conference board of trustees under Paragraph 2549.3.b, because of a declaration of exigent circumstances, does due process require that the local church be given the opportunity to challenge the declaration of exigent circumstances in an appropriate forum?
- Did the bishop violate Paragraph 414.2, and the district superintendent violate Paragraph 419.4, by the way they announced exigent circumstances at, and seized the property of, Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church under Paragraph 2549.3.b? If so, does such violation render the declaration of exigent circumstances null and void?
- Does the seizure of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church’s property under Paragraph 2549.3.b and that congregation’s closure violate the plain reading of Paragraphs 414.2, 419.4, 2549.3.b, and 2553 of The Book of Discipline?
Bishop Shelton has 30 days from the close of Annual Conference to make a ruling, which will then go to the denomination’s Judicial Council. In accordance with our Conference Rules, after three speeches for and three against, the motion was passed.
The motion to close Community UMC in Raeford, NC, also passed based on the detailed information provided in the Conference Workbook. Finally, the complete Board of Trustees report, as printed in the Conference Workbook, including the list of closed churches on page 89, was approved by a vote of the body.
Rev. Jim Bolyard offered a prayer for healing as we continue our shared and often difficult work, acknowledging our lament at churches that have closed or have chosen to disaffiliate.
The Board of Trustees report can be found in the Conference Workbook on page 89.