30 April 2008
Reports from GC – Day 6: Apr 28
My how time flies when you’re halving funds! Budgetary items have been the order of the day, since GCFA has to have all the legislation with financial implications tonight so that they can finalize a budget to be passed by the entire General Conference plenary on Friday. Estimated total is $642 million for the next quadrennium. Among other things, this means that any requests for study commissions have to be done today.
The ayes prevailed for an another ministry study and another study of the worldwide UMC restructuring. On the latter, I was struck by how many US delegates simply didn’t know much about the details of our worldwide polity variations. Much misinformation and ignorance hampers any real decision-making about these details. After much discussion, the conference decided to adopt a detailed set of non-binding guidelines for the study commission.
The big news today was the Judicial Council elections. All of the recommendations of the Council of Bishops were embraced (read: the IRD’s preferred slate of candidates was NOT elected). MFSA and others breathed a sigh of relief.
In other news, we approved a full communion agreement with the ELCA, which will be ratified by that denomination in 2009. We should arrange a celebration and/or study with St. John’s Lutheran to explore the possibilities now open to us.
One Comment so far...
Dan Says:
30 April 2008 at 9:56 am.
Darryl, I think that your idea of a celebration and/or study with St John’s is an excellent idea! Another positive step toward unity and away from division is always a good thing.