A Reminder Regarding Discerning Pathways - Disaffiliation

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Friends,

As summer calendars and ministries are in full bloom, I truly pr­­­ay you can find some time to rest and enjoy family. Even as I have spent time in retreat, I have noticed VBS events, UM ARMY work, and mission trips occurring in the conference. I am grateful for each of you and thank God for your ministry. 

I would like to give further clarifying statements around our Discerning Pathways disaffiliation process in the Río Texas Conference. Some in our conference believe there is a need to rush or press this process since ¶2553 mentions a deadline. Please know that the disaffiliation guidelines provided by our trustees indicates using the same process even after the expiration of ¶2553.  The citation from page 5 of our Discerning Pathways – Disaffiliation document reads as follows:

Since ¶2553 is no longer valid after December 31, 2023, disaffiliations after that date will be handled under ¶2548 with the process outlined above required for the necessary bishop’s approval. This includes a 2/3 vote of the charge conference, a period of discernment, and apportionment and liability payments

Since Annual Conference, we have had only a handful of churches request to begin this process and I appreciate the spirit and sincerity offered in such requests. It is the Río Texas Discerning Pathways disaffiliation document that will be used in our conference, not information or resources from other areas. Kindly listen to a portion of my annual conference presentation that addresses these guidelines disaffiliation.

A few reminders from my address:

First, the default is that every congregation remains a part of The United Methodist Church and in connection to the Río Texas Conference. Only those congregations who believe they absolutely cannot continue in relationship have any need to consider disaffiliation. Our conference policy is different from most others because it explicitly invites every congregation, traditionalist, moderate, or progressive to remain a part of the conference. There is room for you and your church in our conference.

Second, there is no rush. Disaffiliation is full of implications; it is a serious decision. Even if your church is inclined to leave the Río Texas Conference, you can wait until GC 2024 for something like the protocol of 2020 to be adopted.  Part of inaccurate information is that this must be done before the end of 2023. There will always be a means by which a congregation can disaffiliate.

I hope this information helps clarify what can be misconstrued. Once again, please know I appreciate each one of you and all you do for the purposes of Christ and The United Methodist Church.

Robert Schnase
Bishop
Río Texas Annual Conference

Update BSA Agreement - July 6, 2022

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United Methodist leaders and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have reached an agreement about new Affiliation and Facility Use Agreements between congregations, scouting units and the BSA.

 Over the last year, leaders of The United Methodist Church engaged in the Boy Scouts of America reorganization because of sexual abuse in scouting programs over the last 80 years. United Methodist Leaders and the BSA each have worked toward ending sexual abuse and the number of cases have decreased dramatically in United Methodist scouting programs to the point that only 1% of all the claims involving UM scout troops occurred in the last 20 years. But one case is too many. The United Methodist Church does not tolerate child sexual abuse. We are all called to continue to work toward ending child sexual abuse.

 As United Methodists, we have reached a settlement by working closely with representatives for the survivors. Our agreement which includes education about safety, review of current policies and a $30 million settlement was developed by listening to and conversations with survivors.

 UM leaders also recognized that the chartering system needed to be updated. UM leaders and the BSA have agreed to a new Affiliation Agreement that replaces former charters with an Affiliation Agreement. This agreement may be found at the web link below. The agreement  clarifies the role of the congregation and increased insurance for congregations. The following are key points about the agreement.

 1.       Local churches, the Scout Units with which they are associated, and the corresponding BSA Local Councils have until October 31, 2022, to execute and implement their new Affiliation Agreement or Facilities Use Agreement. Scouting leaders from the congregation are to contact their BSA regional scouting representative to set a time to go over and sign the new agreement.

2.       All current charters and facility use agreements are to continue until BSA completes the new agreement with the congregation and its scouting unit.

3.       BSA has agreed that the insurance and indemnity provisions included in the new Affiliation Agreement – which BSA agrees will also be included in the approved Facilities Use Agreement – went into effect June 30, 2022. 

4.       Congregations may use the Facility Use Agreement with the Affiliation Agreement or as a stand-alone document if the church is only allowing BSA to use the facilities. The new insurance provisions will be included with the facilities use agreement as well.

5.       The new agreement is the standard agreement for all UM congregations and is not to be modified. If there are questions about modification, it should be sent to Steven Scheid sscheid@gcumm.org at the General Commission on United Methodist Men so that we may review and evaluate recommendations for future changes.

6.       The resources and information about the new affiliation agreement may be found here www.GCUMM.org/Scouting  or directly  www.methodistscouter.org/a-new-agreement/

Bishop John Schol

The United Methodists of

Greater New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania

 BishopJohnSchol@epaumc.church | 484-474-0939

BishopJohnSchol@gnjumc.org | 732-359-1010

 BSA Affiliation Agreement

Facility Use Agreement

Additional Information Regarding BSA Agreement - July 1, 2022

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Friends,

As you may recall, the most recent agreement to extend the “pause” on BSA charter renewal for UM local churches engaged in scouting was set to expire June 30, 2022. But our local churches, and their corresponding Local Councils, obviously need more time to fully implement and execute either the recently announced Annual Affiliation Agreement (which I expect will be posted/distributed in its final form today or tomorrow), or an approved Facilities Use Agreement (a draft of which I’m hoping to receive from BSA today or tomorrow). 

To account for the delay, we’ve reached two agreements with BSA:

  1. As you may already know, BSA and the UMC representatives have agreed that UMC local churches, the Scout Units with which they are associated, and the corresponding BSA Local Councils will be given until October 31, 2022, to execute and implement their new Affiliation Agreement or Facilities Use Agreement. All current charters and facility use agreements that are in use now are to continue until BSA completes the new agreement with the church. 

2.      Meanwhile, BSA has agreed that the insurance and indemnity provisions included in the new Affiliation Agreement – which BSA agrees will also be included in the forthcoming approved Facilities Use Agreement – will go into effect June 30.  A copy of an “Interim Agreement” making that commitment is attached, and it includes a complete and verbatim recitation of the indemnity and insurance provisions that are going into effect today and will be repeated in the approved Affiliation Agreement and Facilities Use Agreement.  The new insurance provisions will be included if only the facilities use agreement is being used.

If a church is using the new agreement, it is the standard agreement for all UM congregations and is not to be modified. If there are questions about modification, it should be sent to Steven Shied at GCUMM.

Information about the new affiliation agreement may be found here www.GCUMM.org/Scouting  or directly  www.methodistscouter.org/a-new-agreement/

  BSA and GCUMM Interim Agreement for your information.

 

A Message Regarding Migrant Deaths in San Antonio

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Our hearts are broken over the news from San Antonio last night of the deaths of at least 50 migrants, with more hospitalized. The mass loss of life in our state, including children, yet again is overwhelming to process. We grieve their loss and will continue to work for justice through our United Methodist connection. Hebrews 13:12 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Our conference and church have a long history of working with partners throughout the connection and the border to provide safe and welcoming places of care and dignity. Clearly, there is much more work to accomplish. I am grateful for the ministries like Corazon Ministries at Travis Park Church, under the leadership of Pastor Gavin Rogers, who works directly with our migrant community.

Pastor Gavin states, “At least fifty lives were lost in San Antonio! Dear God, hold everyone close. Words cannot express the hurt our region has felt over the last weeks. At this tragic time, we stand and support our migrant siblings seeking to find better lives. The lives lost in a trailer in San Antonio is devastating and our hearts grieve with every family affected. May we all find the compassion and grace to continue to care for migrants in ways all are honored and respected. Our prayers extend to all at the City of San Antonio Department of Human Services, city leaders in San Antonio District four, Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, and Mayor Ron Nirenberg during this time. We also pray for the Corazon migrant overnight staff for caring for our siblings each night in our basement so that some have a chance of safety.” 

Our United Methodist social principles remind us that, “We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.”

I pray for the families and first responders and for all who have experienced loss and pain from this tragedy. I pray we continue to work towards justice so that these kinds of occurrences will not happen again. Lord, in your mercy, hear our pain and prayers.

 

Bishop Robert Schnase
Resident Bishop
Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church

A Message Regarding the Robb Elementary School Shooting

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“Our hearts are broken for the people of Uvalde, Texas. We are devastated over the multiple lives lost during the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School. We mourn those who died today and fervently pray for the families of the victims and surround the larger community of Uvalde in prayer. We have been in touch with our own Rev. Steve Peyton and are grateful for his presence and the presence of other clergy on the ground. We are grateful for those who care for the wounded and care for the families. More details will come forth, and we know more will need to be done, but for now the grief is indescribable and deeply painful. Lord have mercy; hear our prayers.”

Robert Schnase
Bishop
Rio Texas & New Mexico Annual Conferences

Delegate Do's and Don'ts for Annual Conference

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Each local United Methodist congregation elects a Lay Delegate, or Lay Delegates, to represent the church at Annual Conference. This election took place at your Charge Conference, for most churches that was in the fall of 2021. The form in your Charge Conference packet should have been returned to the Conference Secretary as outlined in the instructions on the bottom of the form.

Since these are elected positions, a church cannot just decide to send someone else. Lay Delegates must be elected at a Charge Conference. That is why churches are asked to also elect an Alternate Delegate. So, if First UMC elects Jane to serve as Delegate and John to serve as Alternate Delegate and Jane cannot attend, the pastor can notify the Conference Secretary in writing (npyle@riotexas.org) that John will be serving in place of Jane. However, if both Jane and John decide on June 6 to fly to Africa for a mission trip on June 7, First UMC will not have the time to hold a Called Charge Conference and elect a new delegate. No Lay Delegate will represent First UMC at Annual Conference 2022.

In much the same way, District At Large Delegates are elected by the districts. Alternates can be last minute substitutions, but new names cannot be added without an election.

A previous Unidos article outlining FAQ’s about Lay Delegates can be found here

Thank you for planning ahead to make sure your congregation is represented at Annual Conference 2022!