istry Council holds $45,500 in reserve for large and unexpected maintenance that require immediate attention.
2. Routine or regular maintenance was for $3,442 on the Conference Center. In addition, gutters were replaced for $2,605 as old gutters were pulling away from building and in rough shape. Building was tested for mold at a cost of $846. This is done routinely to ensure the basement air quality is safe for employees and visitors.
The Leola farmland lease was renewed with the current renter for $100/acre for three years. Churches were notified and advised concerning the bankruptcy filing of the Boy Scouts to help protect their ministries in the event that sexual misconduct occurred within a church-sponsored group. The Trustees worked with the Cabinet in the Dickinson Prairie Winds UMC disaffiliation. Submitted by Jeff Pospisil, Board of Trustees 4.9.6 Dakotas Conference Disaffiliation Process updated May 2022 REVISED PROCESS FOR DISAFFILIATION (PARAGRAPH 2553) PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 2023 STEP 1: INITIATION OF THE PROCESS 1) The governing body (such as Administrative Board, Leadership Team or Church Council) of the local church writes a letter to the district superintendent expressing a desire to disaffiliate “for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of The Book of Discipline paragraph 2553 related to the practices of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of selfavowed practicing homosexuals … or the actions or inactions of its annual conference related to these issues …” a. Church members shall be notified through church communication channels that this request has been made. 2) Within 30 days of receiving the letter, the district superintendent: a. A District Superintendent (DS) and a representative of the Conference Board of Pensions/conference staff will meet with church leadership and pastors to share the following. Financial Obligations: 1.
The local church shall pay any unpaid apportionments for the 12 months prior to disaffiliation, as well as an additional 12 months of apportionments (BOD 2553). The amount for the additional 12 months of apportionments shall be equal to the amount of a church’s unpaid 2020 apportionments.
2.
The local church shall pay the pension liability in full to the Dakotas Annual Conference Board of Pensions by the disaffiliation date set forth in the disaffiliation agreement with the Dakotas Conference Board of Trustees. *pending approval from the Board of Pensions.
3.
The local church shall urchase the church building and property from The United Methodist Church (UMC) for $1.00 and transfer title to the new incorporated name. All costs for transfer of title or other legal work shall be borne by the disaffiliating local church. 4. Other obligations may apply, such as loans and grants identified by conference treasurer. Clergy Credentials: 5.
6.
If the pastor(s) of the disaffiliating congregation(s) intends to join the Global Methodist Church (GMC); they are responsible to notify the Dakotas Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and Conference Secretary in writing of their intent to withdraw (paragraph 360.1) to unite with another denomination. The pastor will follow the process outlined by the GMC to obtain credentials. Once the GMC has approved the credentials, this becomes the date of withdrawal from the UMC. a. The pastor surrenders all membership in the annual conference, including membership on committees or boards, the ability to attend conference events as a member and conference funds for continuing education. b. Pension and Health Benefit changes will occur. See Wespath for more information. If the pastor of a church disaffiliating to the GMC, desires to remain United Methodist, the pastor will be reappointed to a United Methodist congregation as soon as prudent, but no later than the next appointment cycle (July 1 start).
Other: 7. Congregation members will lose access to any staff provided by the conference once the disaffiliation is complete unless an agreement for shared staff has been reached. 8. Lay members of the disaffiliating church will surrender all membership in the annual conference, including membership on committees or boards, and the ability to attend conference events as a member. 9. Lay persons of the congregation who wish to remain UMC will be assisted in transferring their membership to another UMC in the Conference and may continue to participate in conference events and leadership. 10. Pastoral coverage and supervision will become the responsibility of the GMC and their process.
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