Key: A – Adopted, AA – Adopted as Amended, D – Defeated, R – Removed
Action Items
|
Item |
Title of Legislation |
Action |
|
101 |
In Support of Creating a US Regional Conference |
A AA D |
|
102 |
Supporting the Removal of Discriminatory Policies |
A AA D |
|
125 |
Budget |
A AA D |
Holy Conferencing Items
|
Item |
Title of Legislation |
Action |
|
151 |
Banning the sale, transfer and manufacture of assault style weapons |
A D |
|
152 |
Addressing Israeli Detention of Children |
A D |
Consent Calendar/Recommended for Adoption List
|
Item |
Title of Legislation |
Action |
|
201 |
Designation of 2023 Conference Advance Specials |
A AA D R |
|
202 |
2024 Special Askings |
A AA D R |
|
203 |
Loan Guarantee Ceiling |
A AA D R |
|
204 |
Approval of Years of Service for Pension Credit |
A AA D R |
|
205 |
Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan for 2024 |
A AA D R |
|
206 |
Retired Clergy Subsidy Years of Service |
A AA D R |
|
207 |
Rental/Housing Allowances for Retired/Disabled Clergy |
A AA D R |
Elected Leaders (Will be available before Annual Conference Session)
Resolutions for Discontinuances of Churches (Provided week prior to Annual Conference Session)
Resolutions for Disaffiliations of Churches (Provided week prior to Annual Conference Session)
Rules of Procedure
|
Item 101 |
In Support of Creating a US Regional Conference |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated |
Submitted By: Minnesota Reconciling Congregations Leadership Team; Contact: Walker Brault, Facilitator, minnesotareconciling@gmail.com
Action: Whereas, the seven Central Conferences and five U.S. Jurisdictions of The United Methodist Church engage in mission together in 136 countries; and
Whereas, the connectional ties between the church in the United States and the Central Conferences are significant and vital to the continued mission and ministry of the worldwide United Methodist Church; and
Whereas, the existing structure of The United Methodist Church at the general church level has historically impeded each region from effectively tailoring its ministry to its specific contexts; and
Whereas, the existing structure of The United Methodist Church at the general church level diminishes our ability to be a vital and effective church and needs to be re-envisioned to achieve more fair and equitable church governance; and
Whereas, the Apostle Paul offered a beautiful example making clear the value of a church established in diverse places with shared beliefs, alongside local and regional differences in structure, worship, and style best suited to particular contexts; and
Whereas, the creation of a U.S. Regional Conference and the conversion of the Central Conferences to Regional Conferences, as outlined in the Christmas Covenant, developed by Central Conference leaders in Africa and the Philippines, would establish structural parity throughout the worldwide church; and
Whereas, the creation of a U.S. Regional Conference, as outlined in legislation put forward by the Connectional Table will establish the governance necessary to allow each region to design ministry for its particular contexts, and thus more effectively make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world; and
Whereas, the Minnesota Annual Conference aspires to vital, thriving, multicultural, and diverse ministries that are open to all people and can be a beacon of hope for the worldwide United Methodist Church, and
Whereas, in November of 2022, and in historic fashion, a resolution in support of a U.S. Regional Conference was adopted at all five Jurisdictional Conferences.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Minnesota Annual Conference supports the expressed intents of the Christmas Covenant and Connectional Table legislation, including the creation of Regional Conferences in Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and the U.S., respectively; and
Be it further resolved that the Minnesota Annual Conference recognizes and supports the leadership of our Central Conferences in the creation and furtherance of the Christmas Covenant as well the Connectional Table’s future visioning on behalf of our worldwide fellowship; and
Be it further resolved that the Minnesota Annual Conference urges the Council of Bishops to expedite the process of voting on the constitutional amendments necessary to enact the regional conferences legislation, calling special sessions of annual conferences where necessary; and
Be it further resolved that in line with the intent of the non-disciplinary petition submitted by the Connectional Table, the Minnesota Annual Conference requests the Council of Bishops to immediately appoint a 20-25 member Interim Committee on Organization for a US Regional Conference to develop and propose to the 2024 general conference the structure and organization of a US Regional Conference. In line with the CT’s legislation, this body would organize and plan for the establishment and functioning of a new United States Regional Conference comprising the five jurisdictions of the United States. Committee membership should have a minimum of 3 members of each US jurisdiction, 3 central conference members and shall meet standards of racial and gender diversity. The Committee should recommend a structure for the US Regional Conference including considerations such as its membership, committee structure, meeting time, agency, and function; and
Be it further resolved that the Minnesota Annual Conference secretary shall send copies of this resolution to all delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences, including alternates, to the Commission on the General Conference, and to the Council of Bishops.
Relationship to the Scriptural Imperatives and Rationale: The UMC is an international, connectional church. Healing a broken world also means healing a broken church built on structures of inequity. If we are to grow in love of our church siblings around the world we must continue to work for a more just church structure.
Implementation: The Minnesota Annual Conference affirms its value of being engaged in the work of justice and reconciliation including the work that needs to be done across the United Methodist Church. The conference secretary will communicate the adoption of this resolution as described above.
Outcome: The Minnesota Annual Conference joins its voice with other annual conferences where this petition has been submitted and continues to support more just and equitable structures in our denomination with the hopes of seeing those implemented at the next session of General Conference.
Resources Required and Potential Financial Impacts: Minimal to no financial impact. It is recommended the conference secretary communicate by email where possible.
|
Item 102 |
Supporting the Removal of Discriminatory Policies |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated |
Submitted By: Minnesota Reconciling Congregations Leadership Team; Contact: Walker Brault, Facilitator, minnesotareconciling@gmail.com
Action: Whereas, a more diverse and fully welcoming UMC is a testament to a more complete image of God, which includes persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and
Whereas, a more diverse and fully welcoming UMC allows all United Methodists to offer their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness, as followers of Jesus, to further Christ’s mission, and
Whereas, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God calls and includes all persons into the life and leadership of the Church, transcending the limitations of human categorization, and
Whereas, the current language in the Book of Discipline places limits on Christ’s teaching and example of God’s universal love, and
Whereas, the current language in the Book of Discipline falls short of embodying the spirit of John Wesley’s simple rules to do no harm, do all the good we can, and love God, and
Whereas, legislative changes to the Book of Discipline would reduce barriers and allow movement toward wider diversity and inclusion in our United Methodist Church.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Minnesota Annual Conference supports the removal of all discriminatory policies and harmful language related to sexual orientation, and urges delegates to adopt the following petitions; petitions already submitted and that will be before the voting body of the next General Conference:
Petition No: 20730-CB-¶161-G;
Entitled: Revised Social Principles-161 and 162
Summary: Removes the statement that affirms marriage as only between “one man and one woman.” Removes the statement that only affirms “heterosexual” marriage. Removes, “The UMC does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Petition No: 20177-FO-¶304.3
Entitled: A Simple Plan #3
Summary: Removes ¶304.3 which states, “self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.” Also removes the corresponding footnote stating that “self-avowed practicing homosexual is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual; or is living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union, or is a person who publicly states she or he is a practicing homosexual.”
Petition No: 20469-OM-¶341.6
Entitled: A Simple Plan #5
Summary: Removes ¶341.6, which states (under unauthorized conduct), “ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.”
Petition No: 20181-FA-¶613-G
Entitled: A Fully Inclusive Way Forward-Part 6 of 8
Summary: Removes ¶613.19, which prohibits annual conferences from giving “United Methodist funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality . . “
Petition No: 20190-FA-¶806-G
Entitled: A Fully Inclusive Way Forward-Part 7 of 8
Summary: Removes ¶806.9, which tasks GCFA with “ensuring that no board, agency, committee, commission, or council gives United Methodist funds to any gay caucus or group . . . “
Petition No: 20304-HS-¶415.6-G
Entitled: Next Generation UMC #11—Amend Episcopal Responsibilities
Summary: Removes statements prohibiting bishops from commissioning, ordaining, or consecrating persons determined to be “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.”
Petition No: 20387-JA-¶2711.3-G
Entitled: Next Generation UMC #22—Penalties
Summary: Removes predetermined, mandatory minimum penalties for clergy who officiate same sex weddings.
Petition Number: 20365-JA-¶2702.1-G
Entitled: Next Generation UMC #21 - Chargeable Offenses
Summary: Removes chargeable offenses that target “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” and clergy who conduct same-sex weddings.
Petition No: 20420-OM-¶310.2d-G
Entitled: A Simple Plan #4
Summary: Removes statements from Footnote 3 that repeat phrases being removed from other paragraphs in the BOD.
Be it further resolved that the Minnesota Annual Conference secretary shall send copies of this resolution to: all General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates and alternates, the Commission on General Conference; and the Council of Bishops.
Relationship to the Scriptural Imperatives and Rationale: As a conference we have committed ourselves to be inclusive of all persons and engaged in the work of justice and reconciliation. Removing the exclusionary language brings us closer to first doing no harm and reduce barriers allowing us to fulfil the great commission and reach new people.
Implementation: The conference secretary communicates as described above.
Outcome: The Minnesota Annual Conference continues to support more just and equitable structures in our denomination with the hopes of seeing those implemented at the next session of General Conference.
Resources Required and Potential Financial Impacts: Minimal to no financial impact. It is recommended the conference secretary communicate by email where possible.
|
Item 125 |
Budget |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated |
2024 Recommended Apportioned Budget
2024 Budget Executive Summary
The Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) recommends a 2024 apportioned budget totaling $5,480,000 with an uncollectible of $375,000 for a total apportioned budget of $5,855,000. This amount is flat with the 2023 approved budget and within ceiling guidelines.
From 2020, we have reduced the apportioned budget $1.2 million or 17%.
.png)
We are grateful for the connectional support received that allows us to continue credentialling and moving clergy, providing district superintendent support, and fulfilling our ministry initiatives. However, our apportioned receipt rate is declining. The percentage collected has steadily declined from 89.1% in 2014 to 78.7% in 2022. This means our actual uncollectible was $1.2 million in 2022 compared to the budget of $375,000. We used $1.2 million of reserves to cover operations. This, coupled with disaffiliations and church closures, will require us to do a zero-based budget for 2025. This gap year of 2024 allows Bishop Lanette, the Transitional Table, and our ministry leaders time to plan for this change in the conference.
CFA Recommended Budget
Following a collaborative process that included input from the director level staff, conference ministry teams, boards, and agencies, CFA recommends an apportioned budget of $5,480,000 with the uncollectible contingency of $375,000, the total to be apportioned is $5,855,000. The uncollectible contingency accommodates anticipated shortfalls in some church’s apportionment payments. The CFA agreed to use investment earnings and a portion of reserves to reduce this uncollectible from $725,000 to $375,000 again for 2024. However, this is not sustainable and will need to be reviewed as part of the 2025 budget process.
As the CFA developed the 2024 budget in collaboration with the others described above, we continue to invest in these strategic areas that drive our Journey Toward Vitality:
The 2024 apportioned budget recommendation is organized around our primary work, expressed in the following missional areas:
.png)
The 2024 apportioned budget represents approximately 30% of the total budget of $19.6 million. The total overhead in the 2024 apportioned budget of $1,200,121 (including staffing of $602 thousand) represents 21% of the apportioned budget and 6% of the total budget. The total apportioned salary and benefit budget of ministry areas of $1,671,424 Represents 29% of the apportioned budget while the general church apportionments of $1,193,867 represents 21% of the apportioned budget.
Approximately $2 million of local church health and pension expenses are funded through investment returns from the Minnesota Conference Board of Pensions, Inc. (MCBPI). In addition, MCBPI funds $1 million in apportionments that had historically been included in the apportioned budget. In 2022, MCBPI formed a task force on clergy well-being. In consultation with the Cabinet and the Director of Clergy Area Well-Being, MCBPI has identified several new initiatives to support well-being and has set aside significant resources to help launch those initiatives.
The 2024 MCBPI budget has not been completed. The funding for 2023 included conference lay staff benefit support ($124,825), retiree clergy health subsidy ($600,000), district superintendent (DS) pension ($55,651), new church plant, and clergy well-being initiatives ($1.1 million not fully determined or utilized to date). The conference 2024 budget assumes continued support for conference lay staff benefits, retiree clergy health subsidy and DS pension.
The remaining non-apportioned budget includes funding through the Reach · Renew · Rejoice capital campaign donations, camping and youth ministry, voluntary group workers’ compensation, and other non-apportioned conference ministries.
.png)
None of these non-apportioned programs would be possible without the internal support system provided by staff, technology, stewardship, and management processes funded by apportionments in the budget category of “aligning our work – support of the annual conference.” This internal support system allows 100% of donations for ministries and Advance Specials to go to the specified cause. Apportionments provide avenues of giving so that we can be strong local churches and annual conferences, both missional in our context and connected in mission around the world.
Jump to top|
Missional Budget Areas |
|
Developing Missional Leaders: $1,283,812 (22%) We train, coach, and support leaders as they increase in their skills and commitment to ensure our churches reach new people, grow in love of God and neighbor, and heal a broken world. Includes: racial justice and equity work (including GCORR and CONAM, equity initiatives, and translation services), camping youth ministries, clergy leadership development, reflective supervision, attracting and developing the next generation of clergy leaders, board of ordained ministry, candidate travel and seminary visits, lay leadership development, and training fund. |
|
Equipping Missional Congregations: $482,468 (8%) We resource congregations to catalyze innovation, encourage revitalization, generate multiplication, and support connections in communities here and around the world. Includes: new church starts, congregational development, Fresh Expressions, investing in congregation grants, safe sanctuaries work, congregational vitality, and staff. |
|
Extending Missional Impact: $173,813 (3%) Our missional impact is local, national, and global. It is developed through relationships and resources. We engage in tangible actions to assist with human needs and address systemic issues. Includes: North Central Jurisdiction, Minnesota Council of Churches, ministries of compassion and justice, small church Volunteers in Mission scholarships, school-church partnership grants, other United Methodist and local and connectional giving (Minnesota Conference and General Conference Advance Specials, UMCOR, Special Sundays, Love Offering, etc.), and staff. Extending Missional Impact – General Conference Apportionments: $1,193,867 (21%) Our national and global missional impact is accomplished through our general conference shared connection. This budget is distributed as follows:
|
|
Generating Missional Resources: $233,414 (4%) We tell stories of lives changed, leverage apportioned dollars, and encourage cycles of generosity through resources for churches and individuals. Includes: Communications and staff. |
|
Aligning Our Work – Leadership of the Annual Conference: $856,255 (15%) Leadership of the annual conference develops vision and strategy; works to align all parts of the conference; addresses adaptive challenges in our geographical, cultural and demographic context. Includes: Bishop and Cabinet, Area office, Episcopal residence, District Offices, District Superintendents, elected leaders and volunteers, Annual Conference sessions, delegate expenses for General and Jurisdictional conferences, Official Journal and Yearbook, and staff. |
|
Aligning Our Work – Support of the Annual Conference: $1,200,121 (21%) Internal support systems provide accounting, accountability, risk management, insurance, legal, property, and good stewardship of all resources. In addition to providing internal support systems for all Minnesota Conference outcomes, internal support systems paid by apportionments allow 100% of gifts to advance specials and all other benevolences to go to the designated mission or ministry. Also, includes space and equipment for all staff. Includes: discontinued church property, Archives & History, financial administration, finance office, audit, risk management, insurance, legal, central office rent, equipment, supplies, property and liability insurance, group workers’ compensation policy, staff in finance, archives, technology, general office, plus human resources administration and certain costs and benefits for staff in all ministry areas. |
Total Operating Budget
There are significant other sources of funding in the total operating budget of the annual conference. The total operating budget includes approximately $13.7 million in other sources of revenue in addition to the amount apportioned. Some of the items in the total operating budget are pass-through items where 100% of the amount donated is remitted to the appropriate ministry or mission of the church without reduction for administrative costs. Even though the funds are pass-through, they are stewarded and accounted for in accordance with our responsibilities under the United Methodist Book of Discipline and generally accepted accounting principles.
The 2024 total operating budget for the Minnesota Annual Conference is shown on the last two pages.
Questions?
Additional information on the conference budget and conference finances may be found at www.minnesotaumc.org. Please contact Director of Finance, Administration, and Conference Treasurer Barb Brower at barbara.brower@minnesotaumc.org or 612-230-6135 with any questions.
| Apportioned Budget | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | $ Variance | % Change | Notes | ||
| Developing Missional Leaders (Total$$) | $1,283,812 | $1,176,951 | 106,861 | 9.1% | ||
| Clergy Health Pension Benefits | $14,000 | $12,000 | 2,000 | 16.7% | ||
| Camping | $105,525 | $105,525 | ||||
| Support to Sites/Camperships/Promotion | $88,300 | $88,300 | ||||
| Travel/Tech | $17,225 | $17,225 | ||||
| Racial Justice and Equity | $92,000 | $20,000 | 72,000 | 360.0% | Annual Conference Mandate | |
| GCORR/CONAN/Native American | $28,000 | |||||
| Well-Being/Crisis Intervention | $28,000 | |||||
| Equity Initiatives | $18,000 | |||||
| Translation Services | $18,000 | |||||
| Developing New Leaders | $43,000 | $58,000 | -15,000 | -25.9% | ||
| Recruitment, Eli Project, Clergy Academy, | $20,000 | $35,000 | -15,000 | -24.9% | Eliminated the Eli Project | |
| Youth Ministry (include budget and contract) | $20,000 | $20,000 | ||||
| Lay Ministry | $3,000 | $3,000 | ||||
| Supporting New Leaders | $172,213 | $174,075 | -1,862 | -1.1% | ||
| Shmita, Clergy Events, Reflective Supervision, MN Source | $73,000 | $73,000 | ||||
| MEF Grants | $54,213 | $56,075 | -1,862 | -3.3% | ||
| Coaching, Peer Training | $20,000 | $20,000 | ||||
| Cabinet | $25,000 | $25,000 | ||||
| Deploying Leaders | $262,000 | $262,000 | ||||
| Moving Fund | $125,000 | $125,000 | ||||
| LeaderWise Contract | $40,000 | $40,000 | ||||
| Board of Ordained Ministry | $25,000 | $25,000 | ||||
| On-Boarding | $7,000 | $7,000 | ||||
| Practical Church Leadership | $20,000 | $20,000 | ||||
| Strategic Compensation Grants | $45,000 | $45,000 | ||||
| Hospitality, mileage, & professional fees/education | $15,000 | $0 | 15,000 | |||
| Staffing | $580,074 | $545,351 | 34,723 | 6.4% | ||
| Equipping Missional Congregations (total $$) | $482,468 | $666,477 | -184,009 | -27.6% | ||
| Church Multiplication | $30,000 | $194,500 | -164,500 | -84.6% | Funded through Reach Renew Rejoice | |
| New Project Grants | $0 | $170,000 | -170,000 | -100.0% | ||
| Content of Program | $30,000 | $24,500 | 5,500 | 22.4% | ||
| Fresh Expressions | $40,000 | $40,000 | ||||
| Church Resourcing | $152,000 | $184,000 | -32,000 | -17.4% | ||
| Investing in Congregations | $125,000 | $125,000 | 5,500 | 22.4% | ||
| Mission Insite & Ministry Lab | $7,000 | $39,000 | -32,000 | -82.1% | Eliminated Support to Ministry Lab | |
| Church Consulting/Workshops/Safe Sanctuaries | $20,000 | $20,000 | ||||
| Hospitality, mileage, & professional fees/education | $15,000 | $0 | 15,000 | |||
| Staffing | $245,468 | $247,977 | -2,509 | -1.0% | ||
| Extending Missional Impact (total $$) | $1,367,680 | $1,362,822 | 4,858 | 0.4% | ||
| Connectional Giving | $1,263,067 | $1,233,198 | 29,869 | 2.4% | ||
| General Apportionments | $1,193,867 | $1,165,443 | 28,424 | 2.4% | ||
| Jurisdictional Apportionments | $13,200 | $11,755 | 1,445 | 12.3% | ||
| Minnesota Council of Churches | $56,000 | $56,000 | ||||
| Ministry Teams | $60,000 | $60,000 | ||||
| Ministry & Action | $10,000 | $10,000 | ||||
| Higher Education | $50,000 | $50,000 | ||||
| Conference Initiatives | $23,500 | $32,000 | -8,500 | -26.6% | ||
| Mission Trip | $0 | $8,500 | -8,500 | -100.0% | Eliminated Conference Mission Trip | |
| Global Partnerships | $10,000 | $10,000 | ||||
| Disaster Relief | $3,500 | $3,500 | ||||
| Church-School Partnerships | $5,000 | $5,000 | ||||
| Mission Promotion | $5,000 | $5,000 | ||||
| Hospitality, mileage, & professional fees/education | $2,000 | $0 | 2,000 | |||
| Staffing | $19,113 | $37,627 | -18,511 | -49.2% | Reduced to contract | |
| Generating Missional Resources (total $$) | $233,414 | $234,368 | -954 | -0.4% | ||
| Communications | $52,400 | $62,400 | -10,000 | -16.0% | ||
| Hospitality, mileage, & professional fees/education | $4,000 | $0 | 4,000 | |||
| Staffing | $177,014 | $171,968 | 5,046 | 2.9% | ||
| Aligning Our Work - Leadership of the Annual Conference (total $$) | $856,255 | $792,416 | 63,839 | 8.1% | ||
| Bishop and Cabinet | $779,755 | $732,916 | 4,839 | 6.4% | ||
| Episcopal Office and Residence | $20,000 | $14,000 | 6,000 | 42.9% | ||
| Districts/ Staffing and Clergy Nurture | $759,755 | $718,916 | 40,839 | 5.7% | ||
| General/Jurisdictional/Annual Conference Sessions | $25,500 | $8,500 | 17,000 | 200.0% | ||
| General/Jurisdictional Delegation | $4,000 | $4,000 | ||||
| General/Jurisdictional Staff Travel | $7,000 | $0 | 7,000 | |||
| Annual Conference Session/Journal | $14,500 | $4,500 | 10,000 | 222.2% | ||
| Leadership Training and Meeting Expense Pool | $51,000 | $51,000 | ||||
| Aligning Our Work - Support of the Annual Conference (total $$) | $1,200,121 | $1,158,966 | 41,155 | 3.6% | ||
| Office Rent/Equipment/Audit/Payroll | $510,000 | $494,227 | 15,773 | 3.2% | ||
| Insurance/Legal | $80,000 | $80,000 | 0.0% | |||
| Hospitality, mileage & professional fees/education | $8,000 | $14,500 | -6,500 | -44.8% | ||
| Staffing | $602,121 | $570,239 | 31,882 | 5.6% | ||
| Ministry Reserve | $56,250 | $88,000 | -31,750 | -36.1% | ||
| Uncollectible | $375,000 | $375,000 | 0.0% | |||
| Total | $5,855,000 | $5,855,000 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Ceiling Budget | $6,077,000 | $6,077,000 | ||||
| TOTAL BUDGET | ||||||
| Apportioned Budget | $5,855,000 | $5,855,000 | ||||
| Advance Specials & Special Askings | $1,195,000 | $1,195,000 | ||||
| MCBPI (2024 not complete) | $9,500,000 | $9,542,000 | ||||
| Camping (2024 not complete) | $1,642,000 | $1,642,000 | ||||
| Lilly, OC Ministries & Other, | $910,000 | $910,000 | ||||
| Workers Compensation, Investment Fees, Reserves & Other | $506,500 | $497,000 | ||||
| Total Budget | $19,608,700 | $19,641,700 | ||||
|
Item 151 |
Banning the sale, transfer and manufacture of assault style weapons |
Adopted/Defeated |
Submitted By:
Minnesota Church and Society Team: Gail Chalbi, chair, gchalbi1146@gmail.com
COSROW, cochairs: Debra Collum & Faye Christensen, revdeb54@gmail.com & faye.b.christensen@gmail.com
United Women in Faith, President: Cindy Saufferer, cindy.saufferer@gmail.com
Minnesota Hopeful Earthkeepers: Susan Mullin, susan.mullin@comcast.net
Action: WHEREAS gun violence has become increasingly frequent in United States society and
WHEREAS mass shootings in particular have become more frequent with both tragic deaths and long lasting psychological harm and
WHEREAS assault style weapons are most often used in mass shootings and
WHEREAS the federal assault weapons ban, which prohibited the sale and manufacture of certain military-style semiautomatic weapons and high capacity magazines in the US, expired in 2004 and
WHEREAS bump stocks are trigger accelerating devices that can be attached to semiautomatic weapons to increase firing speed and
WHEREAS the United Methodist Church has a long history of opposition to violence as stated in the Social Principles Paragraph 162
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Minnesota Annual Conference go on record as being against the sale, transfer and manufacture of assault style weapons in any way except to/for the military and that the sale of devices to change guns to assault style guns be likewise prohibited and
FURTHER be it resolved that the Minnesota Annual Conference shall send letters to the members of the Minnesota Legislature in St. Paul, the Governor of Minnesota, the U.S. President and Vice-President, and the Minnesota Congressional members in Washington indicating the Conference’s position on the sale of assault style weapons and devices to increase the speed of firing and urging lawmakers to pass laws banning such sales, transfers, and manufacturing of assault style weapons and the devices to change guns to assault style guns.
Relationship to the Scriptural Imperatives and Rationale: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. (Micah 4:2-3)
God deplores violence in our homes and streets, rebukes the world’s warring madness, humbles the powerful and lifts up the lowly.
And so shall we.
(2016 Book of Discipline, “A Companion Litany to Our Social Creed”)
The stunning imagery of Micah’s dream is the transformation of weapons into instruments of harvesting food...God does not collect or hide the weapons from the nations, nor does God transform the weapons outside of human effort...the nations themselves “shall beat their swords into plow- shares, and their spears into pruning hooks.”
Violence, in so many ways, is fueled by fear and self-protection. Iron plows and pruning tools can be used as weapons. Yet, in Micah’s vision, genuine peace and security are given to all people by God after the weapons of violence are transformed: “they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid.” Culture as well as weapons will be transformed: Indeed, “neither shall they learn war anymore.”
Whether it happens in the towns of northeastern Nigeria, a suburb of the United States, the streets of Australia, or an office in France, gun violence has become an all-too-frightening phenomenon. We need the reality of Micah’s vision more than ever. (2016 Book of Resolutions, #3428, “Our Call to End Gun Violence”)
Implementation: The Conference Secretary will send letters to the members of the Minnesota Legislature in St. Paul, the Governor of Minnesota, the U.S. President and Vice-President, and the Minnesota Congressional members in Washington indicating the Conference’s position on the sale of assault style weapons and devices to increase the speed of firing and urging lawmakers to pass laws banning such sales, transfers, and manufacturing of assault style weapons and the devices to change guns to assault style guns.
Outcome: The sale, transfer, and manufacture of assault style weapons and the devices to change guns into assault style guns will be prohibited and lives will be saved.
Resources Required and Potential Financial Impacts: Staff time to send copies to the MN Congressional delegation and other Minnesota elected officials.
|
Item 152 |
Addressing Israeli Detention of Children |
Adopted/Defeated |
Submitted By: Palestine Israel Justice Project, Shirley Duncanson, Convener, (763-561-9466, sduncanson@comcast.net), Church and Society, Gail Chalbi, Chairperson, (gchalbi1146@gmail.com), and United Women in Faith, Cindy Saufferer, MN Conference UWF President (cindy.saufferer@gmail.com)
Action: The Secretary of the Minnesota Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church will petition the 2024 General Conference to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS thousands of Palestinian children, some as young as 12 years old, have been taken from homes and villages in their own land by Israeli military since 2000,1 and
WHEREAS it has been independently documented that many of the children have been abused by the Israeli military or by settlers,2 and
WHEREAS the children who are removed from their homes are taken to settlements or to interrogation sites, and sometimes into Israel which is a war crime according to the Fourth Geneva Convention,3 and
WHEREAS UNICEF has documented that the children are often held for an extended time with no lawyer and without the presence or even knowledge of their parents,4 and
WHEREAS the Social Principles of the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church explicitly affirms the rights of children,5 and
WHEREAS United Methodist Women, (now called United Women of Faith) made the issues of incarceration of racial minorities and the well-being of children and young people as two of their priorities for the 2016-2020 quadrennium,6 and
WHEREAS the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by every member of the United Nations except the United States,7 and
WHEREAS in the previous six years, legislation has been introduced and reintroduced in the United States Congress that seeks to prevent the United States from financing Israel’s military detention, interrogation, abuse, and ill-treatment of Palestinian children,8 and
WHEREAS the United Methodist baptismal covenant binds us to accept the freedom and power God gives us to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves,” 9
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the General Conference of the United Methodist Church calls upon the U.S. government to ratify the Rights of the Child as put forth by the U.N. Convention.
FURTHER, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church calls upon the U.S. government to take seriously the ratification of legislation that seeks to prohibit Israel from using U.S. taxpayer dollars on the military detention, abuse, or ill-treatment of Palestinian children.
Relationship to the Scriptural Imperatives and Rationale: Palestinian children face undue discrimination and harsh treatment at the hands of the Israeli government. “Growing in Love with God and Neighbor” includes people who are systematically deprived of basic human rights such as the Palestinian children. “Healing a Hurting World” includes working to make a more just world for all, including the children of Palestine.
Implementation: The Conference Secretary will submit this resolution to General Conference 2024. A copy of this resolution will be sent to the MN Congressional delegation.
Outcome: Palestinian children will be treated justly and have the rights of the child that are consistent with the UN convention.
Resources Required and Potential Financial Impacts: Staff time to prepare and properly format the resolution for timely submission to General Conference and to send copies to the MN Congressional delegation.
___________________
FOOTNOTES
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2590
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2407
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4391
|
Item 201 |
2023 Conference Advance Specials |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated/Removed |
Action: The Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church approved the following groups or organizations to be designated as having Conference Advance Special Status. The Conference Advance Special program exists to enable persons and churches to support mission and ministry projects within the bounds of the Minnesota Annual Conference and world-wide where there is a Minnesota UMC missional connection. Advance Specials are ministries, institutions and agencies that are a specific mission project or a specific mission project of a broader mission agency, which requires support beyond the capabilities of its parent ministry. New projects in bold print.
|
Camping: |
|
|
Camp Minnesota Koronis Ministries Northern Pines Kowakan |
Minneapolis MN Paynesville MN Park Rapids MN Ely MN |
|
Camperships (camp scholarships) |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Fellowships: |
|
|
Grace Korean United Methodist Fellowship |
Duluth MN |
|
Mankato Korean Fellowship |
Mankato MN |
|
Faith Vietnamese Fellowship |
Eden Prairie MN |
|
Campus Ministries: |
|
|
Wesley Foundation, University of Minnesota |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Wesley Foundation, MN State University Mankato |
Mankato MN |
|
New Church Starts: |
|
|
Northern Light |
Ramsey MN |
|
Northwest Hmong Ministry |
Robbinsdale MN |
|
North Summit |
Blaine MN |
|
New City Church |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Uptown Church |
Minneapolis MN |
|
La Piedra Viva |
Minneapolis MN |
|
St. Michael Community Church |
St. Michael, MN |
|
Unique Missional Settings: |
|
|
Spirit River Church |
Isanti MN |
|
La Puerta Abierta |
St. Paul MN |
|
Other ministries: |
|
|
START Senior Solutions (Formerly ApparentPlan) |
Eden Prairie MN |
|
Bountiful International |
St. Paul MN |
|
Center for Victims of Torture |
St. Paul MN |
|
Dignity Center |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Minnesota Earthkeepers |
|
|
Emma Norton Services |
St. Paul MN |
|
Feed My Starving Children |
Coon Rapids MN |
|
Gathering House Ministries |
Owatonna MN |
|
Harbor House Crisis Center |
Superior WI |
|
Imara International |
Kenya |
|
Laos Coalition |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Mankato Holy Grounds |
Mankato MN |
|
Midwest Missions Distribution Center |
Chatham IL |
|
Mobile Ministry |
Lake Kabetogama MN |
|
Mobility Worldwide (formerly PET) |
Maple Grove MN |
|
Mounds Park Community Ministries |
St. Paul MN |
|
Multicultural Ministry |
Minneapolis MN |
|
OC Ministries |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Project AgGrad |
Golden Valley MN |
|
Se Luz Ministries |
Plymouth MN |
|
Simpson Center for Servant Ministries |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Simpson Housing Services |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Simpson Food Pantry |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Small Sums |
St. Paul MN |
|
South Side United Methodist Coalition |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Vietnam Coalition |
Minneapolis MN |
|
Volunteer Lawyers Network |
Minneapolis MN |
|
The Wesley Meal |
Minneapolis MN |
|
World Beat Connection |
Minneapolis MN |
Relationship to the Scriptural Imperatives and Rationale: Conference policies require the Annual Conference Advance Special status designations be approved at each annual conference session. Contact information for these ministries will be available on the conference website or by contacting the Mission Promotion Team.
Implementation: Mission Promotion Team, Council on Finance and Administration.
Outcome: Churches of the Minnesota Annual Conference will have the opportunity to support and become involved in mission with a variety of significant ministries that are reaching and helping new people.
Resources required and potential financial impact: Mailing labels or email list for churches will be provided (upon request to the designated group or organization).
|
Item 202 |
2024 Special Askings |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated/Removed |
Submitted by: Council on Finance and Administration, John Mitchem, President, john@albertleachurch.org.
Action: The Council on Finance and Administration recommends Special Asking status for the year 2024 for Hamline University at $1 per member and Camping at $2 per member. “Special Askings” are institutions, agencies, or ministries that have been given the right to send, with apportionments to each church, a suggested amount for the ensuing year.
Relationship to the Scriptural Imperatives and rationale: The Special Askings relate to both of the imperatives. The Special Askings provide funds for Hamline University and for the Camping Ministries of the conference that enable them to reach out to new people and to cultivate spiritual vitality in students and campers of all ages and backgrounds. The Hamline University Special Asking for 2024 is recommended at $1 per member.
Special Askings are those ministries that receive special recognition by having a suggested amount for churches to consider but are not apportioned funds. This designation as a Special Asking will allow them to be included in the annual mailing of the apportioned fund amounts to each church. The Camping Special Asking for 2024 is recommended at $2 per member.
Implementation: Council on Finance and Administration.
Outcome: The Special Askings will be included in the annual mailing to churches with the 2023 apportionment calculation.
Resources required: Minimal staff time to implement with costs covered under current budget for conference staff and printing and mailing costs covered under current budget for postage and printing.
|
Item 203 |
Loan Guarantee Ceiling |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated/Removed |
Submitted by: Conference Board of Trustees, Rachel Morey, Chair, revmorey@gmail.com
Action: The ceiling on the total amount that may be obligated by the Capital Facilities Finance & Development Commission for loan guarantees for the period ending July 1, 2024, be maintained at the lesser of $3,000,000 or the total of the following: Capital Facilities Fund, Permanent Church Extension Fund balance, conference-owned properties, and assets pledged by churches of the Minnesota Conference at the time the guarantee is made.
Relationship to Two Imperatives and Rationale: The ability of local churches to borrow for building allows them to address their work of reaching out and cultivating spiritual vitality. The amount currently guaranteed is approximately $744,000.
Implementation: Capital Facilities Finance & Development Commission reviews applications for loan guarantees. Conference Board of Trustees authorizes use of conference assets for backing guarantees. Local churches pledge assets to the program.
Outcome: Churches needing additional security for building, expansion, or remodeling loans may apply for a guarantee from the conference.
Resources required: Staff time, supplies, and meeting costs are covered under other budget areas and current amounts are adequate for supporting this work.
|
Item 204 |
Approval of Years of Service Pension Credit |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated/Removed |
Submitted by: Minnesota Conference Board of Pension, Inc., Kathleen Menne, 507-327-1938
Action: That the years of service toward retirement and pre-82 pension credit in the Minnesota Annual Conference as reported by Wespath Benefits & Investments be approved for the persons who are requesting retirement at the 2023 annual conference session, as shown in the table below.
|
Years Served Pre-82 |
Years Served Post-81 |
Total Years |
|||||
|
Ordained or Local Pastor w/ Pension Credit |
Years Served w/o Pension Credit |
Years Served toward Retirement Eligibility ¶357.2 |
*Including service not included in ¶357.2 |
||||
|
Retirement |
w/ MN |
Other |
|||||
|
Name |
Date |
Conf. |
Conf. |
||||
|
Ashton, Karen |
7/1/2023 |
21.75 |
18.5 |
21.75 |
|||
|
Beard, James |
7/1/2023 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
|||
|
Biatek, Thomas |
3/1/2023 |
32.50 |
32.50 |
32.50 |
|||
|
Doering, Carolyn |
7/1/2023 |
21 |
18 |
21 |
|||
|
Doering, Kirk |
7/1/2023 |
20.5 |
17 |
20.5 |
|||
|
Houck, Dana |
3/1/2023 |
2.5 |
41.25 |
43.75 |
43.75 |
||
|
Johnson, Daniel |
7/1/2023 |
40.5 |
40.5 |
41.5 |
|||
|
Marzahn, Paul |
10/24/2022 |
32.25 |
32.25 |
32.25 |
|||
|
Postlethwaite, Martha |
9/1/2023 |
.5 |
41.75 |
42.25 |
42.25 |
||
|
Reinhart, William |
7/1/2023 |
20.25 |
20.25 |
20.25 |
|||
|
Ruggles, Bruce |
6/1/2023 |
37 |
37 |
37 |
|||
|
Wehrman, Christine |
1/1/2023 |
11.5 |
11.5 |
11.5 |
|||
|
Zabel, Judith |
7/1/2023 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
|||
*Service not in ¶357.2 includes service as a Student Local Pastor, Part-time Local Pastor, Diaconal Minister, in a Central Conference or under the Collins Pension Plan for Missionaries, and Pre-82 years served without Pension Credit.
|
Item 205 |
Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated/Removed |
Submitted by: Minnesota Conference Board of Pension, Inc., Kathleen Menne, 507-327-1938
Action: The 2016 Discipline ¶1506.6 requires each annual conference develop, adopt and implement a formal comprehensive funding plan or plans for funding all of its benefit obligations. “The funding plan or plans shall be submitted annually to the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (Wespath) for review and be approved annually by the annual conference, following the receipt and inclusion of a favorable written opinion from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits.” (Wespath) This summary document is only a portion of the information contained in the actual signed funding plan. As such, it might not contain all the information required for a comprehensive view of the benefit obligations of the conference. You may request the full contents of the 2024 comprehensive benefit funding plan from your conference benefit office.
The MN Conference submitted its 2024 Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan (CBFP) and received a favorable written opinion from Wespath. Following is the summary of the CBFP for the 2024 conference benefit obligations:
Rationale and Resourcing:
Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC)
Effective January 1, 2014, the Minnesota Annual Conference election for Fulltime Equivalent (FTE) eligibility requirement for CRSP-DB participation is 50% and greater. Based on the election of 50% and greater the required contribution as of 12/31/2024 and 12/31/2023 CRSP-DB is $1,089,653 and $1,081,542 respectively, which will be funded by funds collected through conference billing to the local church for CRSP-DB and benefit reserve funds.
Effective January 1, 2014 the CRSP-DC was modified by action of General Conference to 2% of compensation non-matching contribution along with a matching contribution of up to 1% of compensation of the clergy’s contribution to the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP), a 403(b) pension fund. The CRSP-DC non-matching portion (2% of compensation) is billed to/collected from the local church/salary-paying-unit and remitted to Wespath monthly. The CRSP-DC matching component of up to 1% of compensation will be funded by benefit reserve funds in the Deposit account invested at Wespath beginning in 2014 and continuing through 2024 with an estimated annual cost of up to $150,000 each year.
Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP)
The MPP Annuities as reported by Wespath has a funded status as of 1/1/2022 of 129.84%, requiring no contribution in 2024.
Pre -82 Benefit
The 2024 Past Service Rate (PSR) will be $829, a 2.0% increase from 2023. The PSR increase is funded by the dedicated assets in the Pre-82 plan funds at Wespath. For the foreseeable future, the PSR will increase at a rate of 2% until the pension plan funding for all plans are funded and sustainable. The Minnesota Annual Conference funded ratio as of 1/1/2022 for 2024 as calculated by Wespath is 114% based on the conference funding plan of 2% PSR increases. Benefit reserves are sufficient to fund a contribution due based on the 2% PSR increase, if needed.
The Minnesota Annual Conference did not redirect Pre-82 surplus in 2022. The redirection arrangement allows a conference with sufficient surplus to redirect surplus funding for required contribution of defined benefit obligations of the conference or another conference, if with another conference, then receive the same amount of funds into a benefit reserve account under the control of the receiving conference. The Minnesota Conference Board of Pension, Inc. recognizes the use of surplus redirection increases the possibility of future Pre-82 contributions.
Post-Retiree Medical Benefits
The Post-Retiree Medical premium subsidy is based on a fixed rate or a fixed rate times years of service depending on the retirement date era. The retiree subsidy, averaging $600,000 annually beginning in 2011, is funded through benefit reserve funds for retiree benefits, both pension and medical. The Retiree Medical Valuation as of January 1, 2023 reported an Expected Postretirement Benefit Obligation (EPBO) net cost of $8,630,041 and an Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation (APBO) net cost of $7,463,312 for plan year ending December 31, 2022. These amounts are a decrease from the prior valuation report of $5,860,812 and $4,121,348 respectively, as of January 1, 2023. The valuation decrease reflects a 3.09% increase in the discount rate used by the actuary for the future cost projections. Discount rates are based on prevailing long-term, high quality bond yield rates as of the valuation measurement date which have increased since the prior valuation. The Retiree Medical Valuation Report is completed every two years, the next valuation will be as of January 1, 2025.
Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP)
The Comprehensive Protection Plan is directly billed to the local church based on appointments and compensation of clergy. The billing rate of 1% of compensation for all ¾ and fulltime appointments to the local church effective as of 1/1/2017 will continue through 2024 with consideration for 2025 and the foreseeable future.
UNUMLife Options
The UNUMLife Options welfare plan provides death and disability benefits to conference lay employees working 30 hours per week or more. The UNUMLife Options welfare plan also covers UM elders and deacons appointed ½ time in the local church as they are not eligible for the Comprehensive Protection Plan. The premiums for local church clergy participants are billed to the local church. The UNUMLife premiums for conference lay employees are funded through benefit reserves beginning 2017 removing this cost from the apportioned budget. The 2023 conference lay staff UNUMLife Option premiums will be funded by benefit reserve funds in the Deposit Account, the estimated cost is less than $20,000.
United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP)
The conference office lay employees working an average of 20 hours per week or greater are eligible, after six months of employment with at least 1040 hours, for a pension contribution of 6% of salary. Lay employees are encouraged to contribute personal funds toward their retirement through payroll reductions to the UMPIP. The conference contribution will continue to be funded from benefit reserves; the 2023 estimated cost is $83,000.
Active Medical Benefits
The HealthFlex medical benefits offered to active clergy and lay employees of the Annual Conference are funded by: the salary-paying church/conference, participant and reserve funds determined by the Minnesota Conference Board of Pension, Inc. (MCBPI). There are no requested funds for active medical benefits in the 2024 conference apportioned budget by the MCBP, Inc. The MCBP, Inc. will receive 2024 HealthFlex premium rates from Wespath in March 2023 to determine the 2024 reserve usage and premium shares.
Current active participant premiums are paid by the local church and the clergy or lay employee participant. In 2022 the health plan reserves will fund an estimated $1,156,000 of the active plan cost. The 2024 reserve usage estimate will be determined by the MCBP, Inc. at their September meeting or earlier. Lay employees of salary-paying-unit sponsoring the HealthFlex Plan for their lay employees are eligible if they work 30 or more hours per week and the employer must fund at least the church share determined for local church lay employee coverage by the MCBP, Inc.
Active Clergy Benefits
Churches pay direct cost of clergy benefits with some subsidies: Health Plan reserve usage to moderate premiums for active participants is included in the calculation when determining the church and participant share. The CRSP-DB subsidy of $550,000 is funded by benefit reserve funds and will continue in 2024. The CRSP-DC match, up to 1% is funded by benefit reserve funds thru 2024 or implementation of pension plan change by Wespath. The CPP is billed by Wespath at a rate of 3%. The CPP bill to the local church is 1%, the 2% difference is funded by reserve funds. The salary-paying-unit supports the remaining benefit costs of the appointed clergy.
Outcome: The Minnesota Annual Conference participates in many clergy and lay employee benefit plans through Wespath Benefits of the United Methodist Church as directed through the 2016 Book of Discipline and the plan documents. The Minnesota Annual Conference as an employer accepts the responsibility of providing adequate and sustainable benefits for the appointed clergy and lay personnel of the district and conference offices. The Minnesota Annual Conference encourages all local churches to provide adequate and sustainable benefits for their lay employees.
|
Item 206 |
Retired Clergy Subsidy Years of Service |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated/Removed |
Submitted by: Minnesota Conference Board of Pension, Inc., Kathleen Menne, 507-327-1938
Action: That the 2024 year of service as calculated by Wespath Benefits & Investments be counted towards retired clergy health insurance premium subsidy at the same subsidy rate as for years of service prior to 2024.
Rationale: Additional time is needed for research and analysis for the Minnesota Conference Board of Pension, Inc. to determine what retiree health insurance alternative will work best for the clergy and the Minnesota Annual Conference for those with active service beyond 2023. This one year extension will allow additional time for review and analysis of an ever changing healthcare environment. The Minnesota Conference Board of Pension, Inc. will continue to study the best approach for the Minnesota Annual Conference to provide medical subsidy in retirement. All eligibility, rates and determination of subsidy rates will remain as stated in Item #509 from the 2003 Annual Conference except that the years of service with subsidy of $4 per month per credited year of service will be extended to 12/31/2024.
Outcome: Retired clergy will receive credit for the 2024 service year as calculated by Wespath Benefits & Investments towards Minnesota Annual Conference health insurance premium subsidy as approved in Item #509 at the 2003 Annual Conference.
Implementation: Conference and Wespath Benefits & Investments
Resourcing: The addition of one year of service will not change the current requirement for retiree medical subsidy in the apportioned budget since it is funded by benefit reserves, and therefore no addition to the 2024 conference budget is required for this item. Adding the 2024 year of service should not increase the total unfunded retiree health insurance subsidy liability significantly above the 2003 actuarial projection of $12.1 million. Population, demographics, mortality table, financial assumptions used and premiums change the liability projections overtime. The most recent Actuarial Valuation of Postretirement Health Care Plan as of January 1, 2023, completed by PRM Consulting Group, used the RP2014 mortality table projected with scale MP-2020 along with an increased discount rate (5.19%). The valuation reports the Expected Postretirement Benefit Obligation of $8.63 million and the Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation of $7.46 million.
|
Item 207 |
Rental/Housing Allowances for Retired/Disabled Clergy |
Adopted/Adopted as Amended/Defeated/Removed |
Submitted by: Minnesota Conference Board of Pension, Inc., Kathleen Menne, 507-327-1938
Action: That an amount equal to 100% of the pension, severance, or disability payments received from plans authorized under The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (the “Discipline”), which includes all such payment from Wespath Benefits & Investments (aka. General Board of Pension and Health Benefits), during the year of 2023 and 2024 by each active, retired, terminated, or disabled Clergyperson who is or was a member of the Conference, or its predecessors, be and hereby is designated as a rental/housing allowance for each such Clergyperson; and
That the pension, severance, or disability payments to which this rental/housing allowance designation applies will be any pension, severance, or disability payments from plans, annuities, or funds authorized under the Discipline, including such payments from Wespath and from a commercial annuity company that provides an annuity arising from benefits accrued under a Wespath plan, annuity, or fund authorized under the Discipline, that result from any service a Clergyperson rendered to this Conference or that an active, a retired, a terminated, or a disabled Clergyperson of this Conference rendered to any local church, annual conference of the Church, general agency of the Church, other institution of the Church, former denomination that is now a part of the Church, or any other employer that employed the Clergyperson to perform services related to the ministry of the Church, or its predecessors, and that elected to make contributions to, or accrue a benefit under, such a plan, annuity, or fund for such active, a retired, a terminated, or disabled Clergyperson’s pension, severance, or disability plan benefit as part of his or her gross compensation.
Implementation: The Minnesota Annual Conference adopts this resolution.
Outcome: The rental/housing allowance may be excluded from a Clergyperson’s gross income in any year for federal income tax purposes under IRS Code Section 107(2) for pension, severance, or disability payments from plans, annuities, severance, or funds authorized under the Discipline as a result of the Clergyperson’s service.
Resources required: None
Rationale: WHEREAS, the religious denomination known as The United Methodist Church (the “Church”), of which this Conference is a part, has in the past functioned and continues to function through ministers of the gospel (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 107) who were or are duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of the Church (“Clergypersons”);
WHEREAS, the practice of the Church and of this Conference was and is to provide active Clergypersons with a parsonage or a rental/housing allowance as part of their gross compensation;
WHEREAS, pensions or other amounts paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled Clergypersons are considered to be deferred compensation and are paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled Clergypersons in consideration of previous active service; and
WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Service has recognized the Conference (or its predecessors) as the appropriate organization to designate a rental/housing allowance for Clergypersons who are or were members of this Conference and are eligible to receive such deferred compensation;
NOTE: The rental/housing allowance that may be excluded from a Clergyperson’s gross income in any year for federal income tax purposes is limited under Internal Revenue Code section 107(2) and regulations thereunder to the least of: (1) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the Clergyperson’s employer or other appropriate body of the Church (such as this Conference in the foregoing resolutions) for such year; (2) the amount actually expended by the Clergyperson to rent or provide a home in such year; or (3) the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances (such as a garage), plus the cost of utilities in such year.
Rules of Procedure
2023 Minnesota Annual Conference Session
Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 400 Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 870-0058