Ah... day 2 - legislative time. This is the time in conference where we all get to hear and vote on resolutions - typically these are tied to some sort of social policy - but not always. The resolutions are broken up into groups of 4-5, and then the lay members and clergy who have voice and vote are split up somewhat randomly into these groups. As smaller bodies, we discuss and vote on these resolutions - sometimes adding amendments, etc. If, when we vote, it passes with 85%, then it automatically goes on the consent calendar - meaning that the resolution does NOT get discussed on the conference floor later. These resolutions can be taken off the consent calendar later - but you must get 10 signatures of people who feel they would also like to discuss it to do so. Those resolutions that do not pass with 85% do NOT go on the consent calendar and are then discussed on the floor later. It's all very political, and mostly interesting. Though I get frustrated when people don't seem to listen to all that is going on - repeating themselves often, or not understanding the words that are spoken when someone suggests something - I enjoy this part of conference.
First I'll talk about the resolutions that were in my section - most passed to the consent calendar.
Item 7 - basically had to do with full inclusion. The original Item 7 was actually out of order with the book of discipline, and they had to re-write this in order to be "in order" and able to be discussed. This item asks for the CA-NV Conference to provide financial reports on funds that have been used for disciplinary actions towards clergy who provide services to LGBTQ people as they would to non LGBTQ people. (for those of you who don't know, LGBTQ refers to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning) A few amendments later, and this still does not pass by 85% and goes to the floor to be discussed (incidentally, this does end up passing on the floor)
Item 8 - This item asks churches to use union workers whenever they contract work. It was amended to say encouraged (instead of a feeling of requirement) and also added a little item to say that this would not be to the exclusion of local businesses... a lot of discussion happened trying to define the word local. It did not pass with 85% - went to the floor and did pass - so basically, whenever possible, we are encouraged to use union businesses verses non-union businesses, but local businesses are A-OK too!
Item 10 - this one felt kind of unnecessary, but now that I think about it, it kind of was. This item encourages people to visit other places of worship at least 2 times a year. Whenever we go out of town, I'm sure many of you visit other places of worship, but have you thought about doing it while you are in town? What about visiting other religious places? Have you been going to your church so long you have forgotten what it was like to be a newbie? This item encourages us ALL to do this! I think about what we are doing with Arcata UMC and Catalyst - perhaps you would like to go to church there on any given Sunday. Bring back to your church leaders what you felt, what you learned, etc. This item passed with flying colors!
Item 11 - This item was simply to dedicate a Sunday in November to be a Filipino Ministry Sunday - where there will be celebration materials available to honor and celebrate this growing community in North America. This one passed as well with flying colors!
Item 24 - Currently there is a young adult delegate that is separate from our lay members sent to annual conference. These young adults are given voice and vote. A definition of Young Adult in the CA-NV conference is anyone between the ages of 18-35 (this is when I realized I'm still considered a young adult even though I feel so old). Currently there is only 2 allowed from each district - but this item was to increase that to 3 - which would cause no financial burden. We actually thought it should be higher, so we increased it to 4, and it passed unanimously in section!
Item 25 - was simply a reinstating of a few rules so that certain committees could keep working. These rules were suspended 2 years ago at conference, but they found that without them, certain committees had to be suspended as well. The rules are out dated and need to be revised, but by reinstating the rules, they could continue to work. Of course this passed as well.
Now, a few other items that you may be interested in - because I left early, I am sorry to say I don't know fully all that passed or did not pass, but you may be interested in these still.
Item 2 - This item has to do with our apportionment's - which is the money that we give to the conference from our church to be distributed as needed. Basically, you give an offering to the Joyful Healer - and the Joyful Healer distributes it as needed - and the Joyful Healer basically gives an offering to the conference in the form of "apportionment's". There is a big huge formula on how these are calculated, and it's often confusing. This item was to throw that formula out the window, and replace it with a simple tithe - 10% of income (not pass through funds, but income) to be given as apportionment's to the conference. It was hotly debated both in section and on the floor - but eventually passed.
Item 13 - this was the gun control resolution. The great thing about Methodists is that we have tons of different ideas on so many issues. In section - this did not pass, so it was brought to the floor - but during floor discussion, it was thought this would be a heated topic. Instead, it wasn't, and passed. This item encourages churches, clergy and lay members to ask for gun reform - specifically in banning of assault weapons, large capacity ammunition magazines and quick load detachable magazines, as well as other aspects of state and federal gun control legislation.
So... there you have it. The major business end of conference - and it almost always is on day 2! We went back to Steve and Karla's house with our gaggle of kids and adults - swam in the pool, put our feet up, had a little communion, and chatted. It was a long and eventful day. We were ready to go back again on Friday!
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