Pre-Conference Briefings April 9, 10, 16 2011

•Wednesday June 8th – Promise: The Upper Room

•Thursday June 9th – Power: Moving out on to the Porch

•Friday June 10th – Witness: Moving into the Neighborhood

•Saturday June 11th – Moving into Your Neighborhood

PARKINGPARKING

• All hotels are $4 per day with in/out privileges

• Convention Center is $4 per day with NO in/out

RESERVATIONSRESERVATIONS

Housing Bureau will confirm reservations

TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION Transportation to Asbury First on Tuesday, June 7th andFriday, June 10th will be provided for Laity Session andMemorial Service

MEALS – RADISSON HOTEL ROCHESTER RIVERSIDEMEALS – RADISSON HOTEL ROCHESTER RIVERSIDE(access from Convention Center via Skywalk)(access from Convention Center via Skywalk)

• Meals are included in registration

• Wednesday’s breakfast is the first meal of the package

• Note any special needs regarding food allergies on the registration

• If needed, assistance is available when getting meals

CURRENTLY SCHEDULED SPECIAL PROGRAMS/MEALSCURRENTLY SCHEDULED SPECIAL PROGRAMS/MEALS

• Methodist Federation for Social Action: Wednesday Dinner

• Camp and Retreat Ministries: Thursday Breakfast

• Young Clergy: Thursday Lunch

• Metro Branch of Genesee Valley: Thursday Lunch

• Drew University: Thursday Lunch

• Palestinian Dinner (off site): Thursday Dinner

• Committee on Native American Ministries: Friday Lunch

• Methodist Theological School in Ohio: Friday Lunch

• Faith Fellowship: Friday Dinner

Laity Session – 1:30 p.m. Asbury 1Laity Session – 1:30 p.m. Asbury 1stst UMCUMC

Clergy Session – 1:30 p.m. Radisson Clergy Session – 1:30 p.m. Radisson Grand BallroomGrand Ballroom

Retirement Dinner – 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.Retirement Dinner – 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

• Opening Worship with Bishop MatthewsOpening Worship with Bishop Matthews““Celebrating a Soul Come to Christ!”Celebrating a Soul Come to Christ!”

• General and Jurisdictional Delegate General and Jurisdictional Delegate ElectionsElections

• Mission Celebration with Africa University Mission Celebration with Africa University Choir (7-9 p.m.)Choir (7-9 p.m.)

Mark MillerMark MillerDrew Theological School Drew Theological School and the Institute of and the Institute of Sacred Music Sacred Music at Yale Universityat Yale University

First Ballot taken Wednesday, June 8First Ballot taken Wednesday, June 8thth

““Voter Training” 8:15 a.m. June 8thVoter Training” 8:15 a.m. June 8th

A “A “BBlloocckk PPaarrttyy” to celebrate ” to celebrate how the Spirit is Moving how the Spirit is Moving

Among Us!Among Us!

Wednesday Evening 7- 9 pmWednesday Evening 7- 9 pm

•Bible Study (Thursday and Friday mornings)Bible Study (Thursday and Friday mornings)

•Laity Address by Dr. Scott JohnsonLaity Address by Dr. Scott Johnson

•““Table Talk” discussionTable Talk” discussion

Bishop L. James McCleskey, Executive Vice President for Development of Africa University

An opportunity to talk with one another An opportunity to talk with one another about the about the mission and ministry mission and ministry of the Upper of the Upper

New York Annual Conference.New York Annual Conference.

•Bible Study w/ Bishop McCleskey (Thursday Bible Study w/ Bishop McCleskey (Thursday and Friday mornings)and Friday mornings)

•Memorial Service @ Asbury First UMC 7 p.m.Memorial Service @ Asbury First UMC 7 p.m.

““Do this in remembrance of me…”Do this in remembrance of me…”

Ordination/Commissioning Ordination/Commissioning Saturday Saturday

@ 10 a.m. at the site@ 10 a.m. at the site

• Bar of Conference: “…the voting area …shall be the floor area of the Convention Center.”

• GC/NEJ Election Process (pp.6 -7)o All persons eligible for election according to BOD

remain eligible on every ballot (DELETE Organization Motion 4.d and 4.g).

• Commission on Equitable Compensation (p. 23)• Ministry Oversight Teams (p.24)• Commission on Religion and Race (p.24)• CommisSion on Native American Ministry (p. 25)• Committee on Disability Concerns (p.25)• Commission on the Status and Role of Women (p.

25)• Council on Older Adult Ministries (p.26)• Council on Youth Ministry (p.26)

Sherri L. MackeyTreasurer and Director of Administrative Services

BUDGET 2012 - BASIC ASSUMPTIONSBUDGET 2012 - BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

• Total 2012 Budget = Total 2011 Budget

• Total 2012 Ministry Shares = Total 2011 Ministry Shares

• New Ministry Share Formula

MINISTRY SHARE FORMULA FOR 2012MINISTRY SHARE FORMULA FOR 2012

• Basic Formula: 15 % of 2010 “Operating” Income

• Source of Operating Income: Church reported amount on Line 67 of Table III from the 2010 GCFA Statistical Report

• Cap on change for 2012: Change to the ministry share amount for each church will be limited to a 10% increase or 10% decrease from the 2011 ministry share figure

• Important: Accurate, complete, and timely reporting of statistical information

Recommendations from the Recommendations from the Conference Board of Pensions and Health BenefitsConference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits

PAST SERVICE ANNUITIES (p. 40)PAST SERVICE ANNUITIES (p. 40)

• Pre-1982 pension payments to retired clergy

• $564 per service year for the year 2012

• 2.2% increase over the 2011 rate

• 1.02% of the Denominational Average Compensation

RECOMMENDATION FOR GOLDEN CROSS SUNDAYRECOMMENDATION FOR GOLDEN CROSS SUNDAY(p. 40)(p. 40)

CBOPHB takes responsibility for the distribution of funds collected on Golden Cross Sunday to benefit health and welfare ministries within the conference area.

REVISION TO PRE-7/1/2010 RETIREE PREMIUM (p. 40)REVISION TO PRE-7/1/2010 RETIREE PREMIUM (p. 40) • Clergy who retired prior to 7/1/2010 will pay on the same scale as Post-7/1/2010 retired clergy

• Conference obligation = 3% of premium per full time equivalent years of service

• Maximum of 30 years

• 5 years vesting

REVISION TO RETIREE CONTRIBUTION POLICYREVISION TO RETIREE CONTRIBUTION POLICYfor retirees under age 65 (p. 41)for retirees under age 65 (p. 41)

• Conference obligation = 3% of premium per full time equivalent years of service

• Maximum of 30 years

• PLUS clergyperson will pay 5% of premium for each year the clergyperson is under age 65

• At age 65, the retiree will pay the years-of-service formula only

REPLACE RETIREE HEALTH SUBSIDYREPLACE RETIREE HEALTH SUBSIDY(Non-Conference Plan) (p41)(Non-Conference Plan) (p41)

Subsidy for retired clergy in non-conference health care plan will be provided through 2011

... WITH RETIREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM... WITH RETIREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

• Provides financial assistance to retirees

• Annual income from all sources less than the current minimum compensation for a full time local pastor

• Not to exceed $5,000 annually

• Surviving Spouses with an annual income from all sources less than 75% of the minimum compensation for full time local pastors are also eligible

HOUSING/RENTAL ALLOWANCE RESOLUTIONHOUSING/RENTAL ALLOWANCE RESOLUTION(p. 41)(p. 41)

RETIREMENT MOVE POLICY (p. 41)RETIREMENT MOVE POLICY (p. 41)

• Will fund one retirement move

• Pastors retiring from a local church appointment or conference staff appointment

• One year prior to retirement or up to two years after retirement

RETIREMENT MOVE POLICYRETIREMENT MOVE POLICY

For each year of service in the Upper New York Conference (and four former conferences), 3% of the following amounts will be paid toward the retirement move:

Full time (at time of retirement) $3,000 ($90 per year of service) Three-quarter time $2,250 ($67.50 per year of service) Half time $1,500 ($45 per year of service)

Partners in Wellness Partners in Wellness

UNY Conference is partnering with the General Board of Pension & Health Benefits to provide clergy and laity the programming, information and inspiration needed to promote wellness in all its dimensions – physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial.

COMMISSION ON EQUITABLE COMPENSATIONCOMMISSION ON EQUITABLE COMPENSATION

• No actions for Annual Conference

• Proposals brought by Clergy Compensation Task Force

• Interim Commission and policies in place to act on July-December 2011 Grants

COMMISSION ON EQUITABLE COMPENSATIONCOMMISSION ON EQUITABLE COMPENSATION

• ALL salary support grants through Commission

• Equitable Salary – Mission Priority - Transitional

• Congregation – New Church – Leadership – Ethnic Local Church

• Application form on UNY Website

• Submit to District Superintendent by April 30, 2011

•Churches in the Upper New York Annual Conference who have the resources should provide the church office and the pastor access to Internet services provided at an affordable price,

•Each church should have an email address to use for electronic communication, and

•Each church name a person to serve as a communications coordinator to help in guiding the communication strategy of that individual church.

GENERAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONThe communication team supports a

resolution to be submitted by UMAC that requests that the position of the Director of Communication be an Extended Cabinet position. The team requests support from this AC Session since we are the leaders in this regard.

•Report includes new teams included in Organizational Rules. •Editorial corrections to [email protected]

• Make Paragraph 660 of The Book of Discipline mandatory for each district, changing the word in the Paragraph from “may” to “shall”, empowering the District Lay Leader to establish a District Leadership Team as outlined in Para. 660. This will ensure cohesive and consistent lay leadership across the conference and facilitate effective communication between the laity, local church, District Superintendents, and Conference Leadership structure.

•Continue work of the Districting Task Force under the direction of the Bishop and the Conference Leadership Team, with funding provided by the Conference Leadership Team.

That all church/charge, districts, agencies and ministry groups shall adhere to The Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuaries policy and the governing body [e.g. Church Council/Administrative Board] of the church/charge shall be responsible for its implementation, complying with the following baselines and deadlines:  1.Each church/charge, district, agency and ministry group shall have a Safe Sanctuaries committee or team in place no later than December 31, 2011;

2. A copy of each agency and ministry group’s Safe Sanctuaries policy shall be on file in the Office of the Director of Connectional Ministries by May 31, 2012;

3. The implementation of this policy in conference ministries other than local churches shall be the responsibility of the Office of the Director of Connectional Ministries and shall be implemented by May 31, 2012.

4. A copy of each church/charge’s Safe Sanctuaries policy shall be on file in the appropriate district office by December 31, 2012.

5. The minimum standards and procedures contained in The Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuaries policy shall be implemented by December 31, 2012 and reviewed annually thereafter by the church’s Charge Conference.

BE IT RESOLVED that The Upper New York Annual Conference establish the Committee on Sexual Ethics to address these issues of longer training, accountability, and crisis response as it relates to:

1. Sexual Ethics for clergy and laity -- providing education resources and support for training. (2008 Book of Resolutions, page 136; 134 – 135; 2008 BOD paragraphs 341.5, 361, 605.8)

2. Safe Sanctuaries -- providing training programs and assisting local churches and Conference ministry programs in reducing the risk of abuse to children, youth and vulnerable adults.

3. Crisis Response – providing a policy and procedures for crisis response, and appropriate training and resources for responders, as well as local churches/charges, clergy, and laity. (2008 Book of Discipline, paragraph 361)

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the team will be established by the Bishop and the Conference Leadership Team in consultation with the Nominations and Leadership Development Committee, with initial funding provided by the Conference Leadership Team.

Minimum Base Compensation Schedule:

Min. Base Comp. =

base salary + credential increment +

time in grade +# of additional churches in charge.

• Base Salary: $35,000• Credential Increment:oFull connection: 10% ($3,500)oProvisional: 8% ($2,800)oAssociate: 6% ($2,100)oFT LP completed Course of Study 4% ($1,400)oFT Local Pastor: no addition

• Time in Grade (# of years @credential level): $200/year up to 15 years.

• Number of Churches/Charge: $500/church over one

Phase-In Recommendation: Charges with a 2011 Base Compensation lower than the

2012 Minimum Base Compensation may take up to three years to attain each year’s Minimum Base Compensation established by Conference, according to this schedule:

2012: Increase by 1/3 of the difference between the 2011 Base Compensation and the 2012 Minimum Base Compensation.

2013: Increase by 2/3 of the difference between the 2011 Base Compensation and the 2013 Minimum Base Compensation.

2014: The full 2014 Minimum Base Compensation will be paid.

No Salary Decrease and Recommended Increase

BE IT RESOLVED   that whatever action is taken by the Annual Conference in regard to its minimum base compensation, no pastor’s salary can be decreased as a result of this recommendation, as long as they retain their current appointment.

BE IT RESOLVED that, in addition to the Minimum Base Compensation, clergy at or above the minimum, receive a salary increase of no less than 1.75% for 2012.

Accountable Reimbursement Plan and Time Off Policy outlined on pp. 68-70 be adopted.

  Clergy Housing Compensation Policy

outlined on pp. 70-76 be adopted.

Honorarium for Pastor Supply be set at $90 for one service and $75 for each additional service for 2012.

•Africa University Scholarship (pp. 78-79)

•All other Resolutions and Petitions published in May

•Conference Leadership Team Conference Leadership Team (pp. 80-91)(pp. 80-91)

•All other reports published in May All other reports published in May

• April 10 – 2:30 p.m. Christ UMC, Olean, NY• April 12 – 6 p.m. Webcast pre-conference

briefing• April 16 – 8:30 a.m. Sarah Jane Johnson

UMC,Johnson City

• April 16 2:30 p.m. Saratoga Springs UMC,Saratoga Springs

LeaderLeader::

You have called us, O God, to do the work of your church as careful and efficient stewards. To this end we bind together our congregations and govern them through the work of the Upper New York Annual Conference in which we consult and consider together pressing matters before the church.

PeoplePeople: :

Give us wisdom and vision to serve as members to our Annual Conference. Let not the weariness of our duties distract us nor the emotion of the issues we face prejudice us in the decisions we must make.

LeaderLeader::

Give us a love for your whole church – a desire not only to serve you as we now can but also a determination to bring unity to divided churches, that the world may more readily receive the Gospel

PeoplePeople::

And find in our manner of living it out the way of peace and unity.

AllAll::

Through Christ who is the head of the body, the church. Amen.