The Bishop does not have a veto or a vote. 13. Nothing has changed in the Book of Discipline. While that opinion may exist, it is not appropriate to challenge ones personal opinion or motives in their decision to support disaffiliation. He never contemplated wholesale changes in Methodism. If there is a violation in our Conference then the Bishop of our Conference guides the process of response based upon the Book of Discipline. There are so many ministries that could be affected by disaffiliation: Wesley Foundation, ARM, The Children's Home, Blue Lake Camp, Huntington College, and UMCOR among other outreach ministries of the Methodist Church. We also do not have refrigerators available (except in the nursery) so ice packs or non-refrigerated food items are good ideas. This meeting is to address questions the entire congregation may have about disaffiliation, or the process involved. And as noted in the Finance section of the FAQ, our financial support remains healthy and strong. First, Leading with Integrity, passed 2-1, without amendment. Thus far, approximately 47 churches have disaffiliated from the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference, including 8 in June 2021, 4 in June of 2022, and 38 in November of 2022. $100 non-refundable annual registration and supply fee per child, $650 for the full 8-week term 2 days per week, $1295 for the full 8-week term 4 days per week, $150 non-refundable annual registration and supply fee per child. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God., And finally, as John Wesley reminded us:In essentials, unityIn non-essentials, liberty, andIn all things, charity, We feel that diversity is one of our greatest strengths at Auburn UMC! While those schisms were very serious, they do not happen often. In 2021, the budget was $3.63 million, 2022s budget was $3.28 million, and for 2023, the budget is $2.97 million. 2. AUMC received $357,946 in 2021 from COVID 19 Relief Funds. Are we having this discussion because of changes in our Methodist doctrine that allows ordination of LQBTQ clergy and recognizing marriage between LGBTQ individuals, or is this about whether those individuals should be a part of our church at all? If so, won't that discourage new members from joining? Will this expenditure affect funding for missions such as our food pantry and work at Loachapoka Elementary School? If the decision is made to disaffiliate and be independent, the governing board of the new organization will be responsible for finding a pastor. 10. Giving. What is the number of people in the roughly 140 (200) churches who have disaffiliated in the AWFC? The implication of paragraph 2553 is that if 2/3 of the membership of AUMC disagree with the requirements and provision of the Book of Discipline regarding this issue, disaffiliation is an allowable path. How is this not sinful? How will our church function under each of the two options (staying UMC vs. Why are there so many of the same people on several committees? I understand that the Methodist Book of Discipline prohibits practicing homosexuals from being ministers and prohibits UMC ministers from performing same-sex marriages. activities. If allowed as members, would these individuals be welcome to take/serve communion, serve as ushers, teach Sunday School even to youth groups (assuming that the standard background check is passed)? 26. Many people continue to attend worship services online. We agree that COVID affected every local church. Can you please outline what changes have already been made (over the past 10 years) and what changes are being proposed? Our apportionment funds go to the payment for the salaries of every bishop in the UMC. 5. The process was fast tracked by the AB in order to speed up the process of their research and report. Since AUMCs membership and attendance are down, some are saying that disaffiliation would solve that problem and would cause our membership to increase. Children's Day Out First United Methodist Church of Denton It is our prayer that we would put our efforts toward our mission as a church and seek the healing that can only come when we live into our mission to Love God, Love neighbors, and make passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. People are exhausted by the constant drumbeat of those wishing to vote and divide. Paragraph 2549 specifically deals with the closure of church property, not the transfer of it. The only difference will be that if we disaffiliate, we will preserve the traditional beliefs that our church has held for 200 years, as opposed to going in a more progressive direction with the UMC. If a minister decides to remain in the UMC, but the church where he is appointed chooses to disaffiliate from the UMC, the Annual Conference cabinet will seek a new appointment for them; they can retire; or they can seek an administrative post in the UMC. In addition, here are the numbers of members who have been removed by Charge conference (i.e. I think information needs to be presented on how the church will function and what it would look like if it were to disaffiliate from the denomination. Wind & weather forecast Wassertrdingen (Bird's-eye view - Windfinder The vote for a Church Conference has to be in person and every effort can be made to get people to the church at that time. 4. First Baptist Opelika shared they already have 610 kids registered for VBS this year. We know that in Gods word, The Holy Bible, we read again and again the phrase, Do not be afraid. Promoting untruths that the Bible is changing, and the Lords Prayer is changing is untrue and unhelpful. 7. This amount is $1,208,339. The good news is that in the United Methodist Church we celebrate an Open communion table. It shall envision, plan, implement, and annually evaluate the mission and ministry of the church. Not only does paragraph 2553 state that it allows for disaffiliation only for reasons of disagreement over human sexuality, it calls for such disaffiliation only when a church disagrees with the 2019 change to the Book of Discipline (which made the denominations stance more conservative with regard to LGBTQ issues) or when the church disagrees with actions of its conference dealing with human sexuality. Not all of the UMC leadership follow the BOD. An individual would have to decide at that time whether they would have the desire to remain in a denomination with these standards. Can you review the process that was agreed upon to determine if we should go through formal discernment and any deviations from that plan that have taken place? 4. In order to achieve that, we need to begin the formal discernment process ASAP. What is the process to remove/withdraw a member from the membership roll? Most, if not all members did not know until recently that the local church did not own the property. Contact the COMPASS/MDO Director; MDO & COMPASS Calendar 2022-2023; Land For Sale; Event Category: Children. In October 2022, Brother George was asked to meet with our District Superintendent Jeff Wilson and our pastor Cory Smith. We cannot speak to what might take place should the church disaffiliate and fail. We will be staying at an apartment in Ansbach (my mom's hometown) from December 23rd through 27th. AUMC has not made a formal request of the DS to have a Town Hall and enter into Discernment. Any local church that votes to disaffiliate using Paragraph 2553 will gain complete ownership of its church property after paying the designated exit fee. Acts 2 Children's Day Out will begin open enrollment for Summer 2023 and the 2023-2024 school year on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. If a member is removed/withdrawn from the roll or transfers their membership, do they have to inform our membership secretary in writing that they want to be removed/withdrawn or that they want to transfer their membership? If the Administrative Board votes for us to enter Formal Discernment, we will enter the Discernment period and learn all the facts and vote concerning disaffiliation. Emphasis is placed on developing good manners . 17. REACH is the Respite ministry which helps so many in our community living with dementia. There are so many families that are ministered to through these programs. It is also important to note that no pastor would ever be forced to officiate a wedding in which he/she disagrees. This was Wesleys way of controlling rogue churches. Why cant we as Christians meet in our church ASAP to discuss discernment? Our structure, beliefs, outreach and mission to Love God, love neighbors, and make passionate followers of Jesus would remain unchanged. How will cost for disaffiliation be paid for if we vote to disaffiliate? Then, it will have to be ruled on and approved at General Conference in April 2024. No vote is taken at a Town Hall meeting. Bishop David Graves has stated that he will not overturn the decision made by AUMC. No vote is taken at a Town Hall meeting. 2549? 9. In the winter and spring of 2023 our Listening and Learning Task Force has met and an Informational Meeting was held in March of 2023. Per the Book of Discipline, members are only removed from the roll if they move/transfer their membership OR after being listed on the Inactive Membership list at Charge Conference for 3 years. No one has characterized our situation as dire at the moment. I know in some parts of the country that these rules are not followed. Since listen and learn is not part of the protocol outlined by the church, what can you do with this information? A discussion of finances needs to be a priority for the Church after this decision has been made. If AUMC disaffiliates from the United Methodists Church, are we current members of AUMC no longer a United Methodist Church member? Yes. AUMC does not own the Wesley Foundation, so nothing will change for them either. Only a local pastor guides their local church into Discernment or not, This is not the case in the Alabama-West Florida Conference. There was also a church wide online presentation in November of 2022. What does it look like if AUMC votes to disaffiliate as far as pastors and staff? 13. Email. We are grateful that we have held conversations during the church and Sunday School hour in the summer of 2022. There are now 470 churches in our Alabama West Florida Conference. The Judicial Council has ruled that how the provision is actualized is up to the annual conferences. They are the one of the recipients of the connectional giving of Auburn UMC. The Disaffiliation Fee is roughly comprised of two years of apportionment and a calculation of unfunded pension liabilities. Are we really willing to kick these vital ministries to the curb? Why has AUMC not proceeded to vote as so many other churches have? 12. The request of the AB has been completed with a report submitted to the AB on March 30, 2023. Since many members will probably leave if we disaffiliate, how is our membership going to increase if we disaffiliate? That would ensure our ability to survive and thrive. I hear repeatedly that many recent Bishops and District Superintendents are proposing and/or have made changes to the Book of Discipline. It wouldnt cost the church members any more to find a new leader, since the salary is already in our budget. So why the voice of doom and despair? 4. We give thanks that over 50 people have joined Auburn UMC already this year and that our Easter attendance was higher than it has been in years. What is known is that regardless of any change, AUMC itself would make a wedding policy decision concerning church property. An individual UMC Christian or local Church may have a unique opinion about matters, but no one person or church speaks for the entire denomination. 1. Neither our pastor nor our district superintendent has asked Dr. Mathison to stay away from AUMC.
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