Monday, June 7 News

Written by Ken Schoon and Desirée Baird, Next Generations Leaders Summer Interns

Photography by Benjamin Derkin

LAKESIDE, OHIO:  Greeted by sunny skies and a cool, waterfront breeze, nearly 2000 lay and clergy members of the West Ohio Conference converged upon Lakeside yesterday for the beginning of the 2010 Annual Conference. 

The day was filled with many topics in session and covered everything from potatoes to feeding the homeless to UMCOR responding to tornadoes in the Toledo area. But the hot button issue was the nomination of Bill Brownson to the position of Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services.

Morning worship kicked off as Rev. Jorge Acevedo, senior pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in southwest Florida, shared the story of that congregation's growth in the past decade.  To attract new worshippers to church, Rev. Acevedo implored the conference to preserve the best of tradition while averting traditionalism.

After lunch, Bishop Bruce Ough used his Episcopal Address to reflect on the theme of the conference: Love in Action, Building Bridges Out of Poverty, linking church growth to its commitment to be in ministry with the poor.  As examples of how the church has and should continue to follow this commitment, Bishop Ough lifted up the church's mission work in Haiti, Vietnam, The United Methodist Children’s Home and at the United Methodist Church for All People.

Conference business began as the body approved by two-thirds majority the Unity Task Force proposal to suspend conference rules regarding the nomination of Bill Brownson as Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services. Rather than follow standard procedures in which only two speakers each would be allowed to speak for and against the nomination, the conference voted to allow five speakers to speak to the nomination, with each side allowed fifteen minutes total to make its point.  

There were many heartfelt speeches given, those for Mr. Brownson’s election calling us to decide this vote based on his qualifications and not his sexual orientation. Cited often were the United Methodist Social Principles which directs United Methodists not to discriminate in any way against persons who are gay.  Those against, while affirming Mr. Brownson’s exceptional qualifications, called for us to abide by the Discipline’s statement that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, extending the restrictions on who can be ordained clergy to leaders who are laity. 

The overall discussions were enlightening and each side spoke their views well. All involved made clear that these were not easy issues to deal with here at conference or in our individual church communities. There was much hope among those gathered that we would be able to set aside our differing opinions and continue to hold on to our sense of Christian community. The vote came back with the results of 948 for and 920 against, confirming Mr. Brownson as Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services for the next four years.  The conversations and reactions to the debate and results were prayerful and respectful by all, with each side affirming the importance of unity after the election.

The Council on Finance & Administration then offered its report and the votes continued, including the support of the Conference to push for the abolition of human trafficking.   Rev. Stan Sutton, retiring conference treasurer, was recognized by the conference for his year's of service.

Recommendation #1 Resolution to Support Abolishing Human Trafficking (PASSED)

Recommendation #2 Budget  (PASSED)

Recommendation #3 Commission on Equitable Compensation (PASSED)

Monday evening brought the Laity Address by Valarie Willis, West Ohio Conference Co-Lay Leader, during which the new Certified Lay Ministers were recognized and presented with their certificates.  Retiring Director Greg Traucht gave the Council on Development report and was recognized for his year's of service to the conference.

Today was a full first day of conference, it was a blessed one and we pray that God continues to hold his hand over those gathered here as we go through the rest of this week and the topics to come.