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Delegates race with clock to finish work As the final day of the 11-day quadrennial session began, delegates had one eye on the long day of business awaiting them, and the other eye on plane tickets in anticipation of the closing worship late in the night. Happenings An ongoing report from the United Methodist General Conference Last updated 6 p.m., May 12, 2000 Friday afternoon happenings A ticking clock would have been a good symbol today for the United Methodist General Conference. As the final day of the 11-day quadrennial session began, delegates had one eye on the long day of business awaiting them, and the other eye on plane tickets in anticipation of the closing worship sometime late in the night. Much of the afternoon was spent on the denomination’s budget for 2001-2004. In a variety of other calendar items, the church’s 250-year tradition of supporting schools was affirmed "at a time when public education has become a political battleground." The church, delegates said, has a moral responsibility to strengthen, support and reform public schools. In another action, the conference mandated that each of the church’s agencies must have on its governing board at least one member from among the three historically black Methodist denominations. The additional members will have voice and vote on the boards. Continuing the spirit of reconciliation manifest early in the session, the General Conference adopted a constitutional amendment calling for a commitment to eliminating racism in every aspect of the church’s life. The proposal must be ratified by the annual conferences to become effective. Members of annual conference boards of ordained ministry must participate in intensive training to help develop multicultural sensitivity for more effective recruitment and support of United Methodist pastors. Backers of the action said communities surrounding United Methodist churches are becoming more racially and culturally diverse. A proposed specialized missionary conference for evangelicals in the West was rejected by a 615-312 vote. The push for a new conference came from the Evangelical Renewal Fellowship, a conservative group whose members feel marginalized in the California-Nevada Annual (regional) Conference. The Judicial Council held that the church’s constitution does not support creation of a lay assistant category of ministry under appointment of a bishop. The idea came from the United Methodist Rural Fellowship as a solution to the growing need for ministerial leadership in small membership churches. After a dinner break, the delegates were back in their places to complete the last of 1,600 calendar items and have a closing worship service. The next session of the General Conference will be April 25-May 7, 2004, in Pittsburgh.
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BISHOP SWENSON -- Bishop Mary Ann Swenson gives the sermon during morning worship at the United Methodist Church's 2000 General Conference. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey Photo number gc2kL01, 5/12/00 KOREAN CHOIR -- The choir from the Korean Community United Methodist Church of New Jersey sings during morning worship at the United Methodist Church's 2000 General Conference. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey Photo number gc2kL02, 5/12/00 UMs adopt Constitutional Amendment on Racism The spirit of reconciliation and repentance of racial injustices continued with the adoption of a constitutional amendment May 12 calling for commitment to eliminating racism in every aspect of the church’s life. NCC
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Agenda for Friday, May 12 Experience the music and worship services of General Conference by viewing the daily video coverage. Closing Worship, May 12 |
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