2021 Annual Conference Resolutions

Budget Implications: None
Rationale: Updating the Rules to reflect a constitutional amendment
Submitted by: Mark Gorman, on behalf of the Rules Committee

RESOLUTION:

Whereas a constitutional amendment was approved by the General Conference in 2016 and, subsequently, by two-thirds of the aggregate votes of the annual conferences of The United Methodist Church, that added the requirement that all delegates to General Conference and jurisdictional conferences be elected by a minimum of a simple majority; now

Therefore, be it

Resolved, that Paragraph 3012.10.c) of the Rules of the Annual Conference Session be amended to read as follows: Clergy and lay delegates to the General Conference shall be elected first by separate ballot, to be followed, after all the delegates to the General Conference have been elected, by balloting for delegates to the NEJ. After all NEJ delegates have been elected, four clergy and four lay persons shall be elected as alternates to the NEJ. All delegates and alternates must be elected by a minimum of a simple majority of the votes of the members present and voting, clergy members voting for clergy delegates and lay members voting for lay delegates.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately upon approval

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c., this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.

“At a meeting on Aug. 28, 2021, the Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.”

Budget Implications: None
Rationale: Updating the Rules to clarify the setting of deadlines for reports and resolutions to the Annual Conference
Submitted by: Mark Gorman, on behalf of the Rules Committee

RESOLUTION:

Whereas in 2018 the deadline for resolutions to be submitted to the Conference Secretary before Annual Conference was moved to April 1 (2018 Conference Journal p. 303);

Whereas it is unclear from the Conference Journal whether the Annual Conference intended to make that change permanent;

Whereas Conference Communications has said an April 1 deadline is unrealistic for having materials prepared for Annual Conference; and

Whereas the Rules Committee had intended to change the deadlines for both resolutions to Annual Conference and reports from the various committees and agencies due to the Annual Conference each year; now

Therefore, be it

Resolved, that each year the Conference Secretary, in consultation with Conference Communications and the Connectional Table, shall set a deadline for resolutions to Annual Conference and a deadline for reports from the various committees and agencies (the deadline for resolutions and the deadline for reports may be the same date); and

Be it further Resolved, that the Conference Secretary shall announce the deadline(s) for resolutions and reports at least ninety (90) days in advance of the deadline(s) on the Conference website, in the UMConnection, and in the e-Connection.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately upon approval

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c., this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.

“At a meeting on Aug. 28, 2021, the Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.”

Budget Implications: Funding from Conference Trustees’ Sale of Closed Church Proceeds and new streams of revenue
Rationale: Improve care and maintenance of the Conference’s historic cemeteries and other cemeteries that become the Conference’s responsibility after church closures
Submitted by: 
John Strawbridge, Conference Board of Trustees, Chair
Sheridan Allmond, Conference Board of Trustees, Vice-Chair

RESOLUTION: 

Whereas the Baltimore-Washington Conference has three historic cemeteries known as Mt. Auburn Cemetery (2614 Annapolis Rd, Baltimore, MD 21230), Mt. Olivet Cemetery (2930 Frederick Ave, Baltimore, MD 21223), and Mt. Hebron Cemetery (Mt. Hebron Rd, Keedysville, MD 21756);

Whereas the historic cemeteries are unique denominational treasures which include the Bishops’ Lot and the graves of Francis Asbury, Robert Strawbridge, Jesse Lee, Bishop Enoch, Bishop Waugh, and E. Stanley Jones, the site of the first meeting house of the United Brethren, and the historic burying ground for African-Americans once known as "The City of the Dead for Colored People" since it was the only place a person of color could be buried;

Whereas the historic cemeteries were originally operated by consortiums of congregations, some of whom have closed and transferred their assets to the Conference;

Whereas the care of the Conference historic cemeteries is currently coordinated by local churches, a method that is no longer viewed as sustainable and has resulted, in general, with insufficient care and maintenance that has led the Conference Trustees to assume increasing levels of funding and management;

Whereas the Conference Trustees are responsible for receiving real and personal, tangible and intangible property of closed churches, including cemeteries, as set forth in paragraphs 2540 and 2541 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (2016);

Whereas the Conference Trustees are coming into ownership of many additional cemeteries from closed churches, especially those in rural areas; and

Whereas the Baltimore-Washington Conference wants to be sensitive to the significant ethical and legal liabilities associated with these cemeteries and the formation of a separate Cemetery Association will provide some additional protection for the Conference as a whole; now

Therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Baltimore-Washington Conference Trustees are authorized to form a Baltimore-Washington Conference Cemetery Association which will have overall responsibility for the three historic cemeteries and additional cemeteries that are specifically acquired by the Conference from the closed church transfers;

Be it further Resolved, that the Conference Trustees will designate a portion of closed church sales proceeds under their direct control for endowing the care and maintenance of the cemeteries under the responsibility of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Cemetery Association; and

Be it further Resolved, that the Baltimore-Washington Conference Cemetery Association will be authorized to receive and use additional streams of funding under their direct control for the care and maintenance of the cemeteries under their responsibility.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 31, 2021

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c., this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found consistent with the current Book of Discipline

“At a meeting on Aug. 28, 2021, the Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.”

Budget Implications: None
Rationale: As followers of Jesus, called to live into the reality of God's dream of shalom as described by Micah, we must address the epidemic of gun violence ... (and) therefore we call upon United Methodists to prayerfully address gun violence in their local context" (2016 Book of Resolutions, #3428, "Our Call to End Gun Violence"), in an effort to help quell the gun violence that is killing and maiming a growing number of children, youth, men and women in our communities and causing ongoing trauma to families, friends, witnesses, and co-workers who are also impacted.
Submitted by: Susan Bender, Gun Violence Prevention Lead of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

RESOLUTION:

Whereas in an average year, 724 people die and 1,747 are wounded by guns in Maryland^[i] and guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in the state. In Maryland, an average of 58 children and teens die by guns every year, and 82% of these deaths are homicides;

Whereas Black people in Maryland are 17 times more likely than white people to die by gun homicide;

Whereas in an average year, 119 people die and 448 are wounded by guns in the District of Columbia; the District of Columbia has the 4th-highest rate of gun violence in the US, and guns are also the leading cause of death among children and teens in the District of Columbia;

Whereas a 6-year-old girl was killed in a drive-by shooting on July 16, 2021 walking down the sidewalk in D.C. with her parents^[ii], and whereas a 17-year old boy was shot and killed on Christmas Day 2020 in Charles County by a 13-year old girl relative by accident^[iii], and whereas a one-year old was shot and killed in his carseat in the backseat of the car driven by his father in D.C. in December 2020^[iv];

Whereas “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NRSV); and

Whereas the 2016 Social Principles demand that, “Providing the care needed to maintain health, prevent disease, and restore health after injury or illness is a responsibility each person owes others and government owes to all, a responsibility government ignores at its peril. In Ezekiel 34:4a, God points out the failures of the leadership of Israel to care for the weak: “You don’t strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strays, or seek out the lost;” now

Therefore, be it resolved, that every congregation in the Baltimore Washington Conference respond to gun violence as a community-wide health care emergency by entering into courageous conversation on the causes and effects of gun violence and by taking steps to prevent violence. We affirm “Our Call to End Gun Violence” (2016 UM Book of Resolutions #3428) and will prioritize: universal background checks on all gun purchases; ensuring all guns are sold through licensed gun retailers; prohibiting all individuals under restraining order due to threat of violence from purchasing a gun; prohibiting persons with serious mental illness, who pose a danger to themselves and their communities, from purchasing a gun; ensuring greater access to services for those who have mental illness; banning large-capacity ammunition magazines and weapons designed to fire multiple rounds each time the trigger is pulled, (this issue has been addressed at the federal level); and promoting new technologies to aid law-enforcement agencies to trace crime guns and promote public safety.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Immediately.

CO-SPONSOR(S):

Beth Reilly, Co-Chair of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Racial Justice Legislative Advocacy Work Group
Mittie Quinn, Lay Member to Annual Conference, Dumbarton UMC
Lois Weaver, Chairperson, Gun Violence Prevention Team, National UMC

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c., this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.

“At a meeting on Aug. 28, 2021, the Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.”

[i] All statistics are from EveryStat.org. Averages based on a five-year average from 2015-2019. Children and teens include ages 0-19. EveryStat uses CDC data from the Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER)
[ii] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/girl-shot-homicide-washington/2021/07/17/0a265544-e716-11eb-b722-89ea0dde7771_story.html
[iii] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/indian-head-teenager-shot/2020/12/26/1abcf518-47b4-11eb-b0e4-0f182923a025_story.html
[iv] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/carmelo-duncan-fatal-shooting-dc/2020/12/03/fa0486de-3560-11eb-a997-1f4c53d2a747_story.html

Budget Implications: None.
Rationale: It is critical that people of faith come together to reverse Global Warming and save all of God’s creation, including the children of God around the planet who are most in danger of results of climate change.
Submitted by: Rebecca Vardiman, Retired Elder.

RESOLUTION:

Whereas part of being faithful Christians is fulfilling our role as God’s caretakers for creation. We were formed from the earth and created for relationship with God and all God’s creation. If we do not change our ways, creation is in jeopardy and our brothers and sisters around the world who are most vulnerable will be the first to suffer; and

Whereas Paragraph 254 in the Discipline lists "Earth Advocacy" (among other roles) as a named ministry to "fulfill the mission of the local church;” now

Therefore, be it

Resolved, that churches within the Baltimore/Washington Conference will address creation care through one or more of the suggested actions or others of their choosing:

1. Do a study of creation care, using Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action, edited by Pat Watkins, or other Climate/Environmental Book with consultation with and input from the BWC Creation Care Action & Advocacy Team.
2. Support and encourage one or more members to do the Earthkeeper online training (https://umcmission.org/EarthKeepers).
3. Create a Green Team that will organize to educate and activate their church in creation care. These teams are encouraged to create relationships with Interfaith Power & Light (ipldmv.org) and Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (interfaithchesapeake.org), both of which are important regional partners in creation care

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2022

CO-SPONSORS:
Jim Beck, Mount Vernon Place UMC
Liz Feighner, Emmanuel UMC
Foundry’s Sacred Resistance Ministry Team, Rev. Ben Roberts 
Foundry Green Team (Jill Barker, Deborah Bombard, Chris VanArsdale, Jackie Wright)
Richard Gillum, M.D., New Hope Union UMC
Mike and Sherie Koob (Middletown UMC)
Bev Talbot (Bel Air UMC)
Judy Smith (Chevy Chase UMC)

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c., this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.

“At a meeting on Aug. 28, 2021, the Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.”

Budget Implications: None
Rationale: Everyone deserves the right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. Everyone. Yet our laws in Maryland do not currently protect this right. We can change that.
Submitted by: Mike Koob, on behalf of the BWC Creation Care Action and Advocacy Team

RESOLUTION:

Whereas all creation is the Lord’s and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it[v];

Whereas we believe clean air is a basic right and necessity for all life. Air pollution puts at risk the health of our communities and threatens to forever alter the climate. … We believe water is a sacred gift from God. We further believe water is a basic human right[vi];

Whereas everyone deserves the right to clean air, clean water, a healthful environment, and a stable climate[vii];

Whereas Maryland law does not protect that essential right and while this affects the welfare of all, low-income communities and communities of color often bear the heaviest burden of pollution in our state;

Whereas the Maryland Environmental Human Rights Amendment establishes in the state constitution the right to a healthy environment for all;

Whereas the BWCUMC Creation Care Action & Advocacy team voted to add its name to the sign-on letter in support of the MDEHR Amendment; and

Whereas Rev. Dell Hinton, an elder in the BWC, is on the advisory circle of the organization building support for the MDEHR Amendment[viii]; now

Therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Baltimore-Washington Conference endorses the passage of the Maryland Environmental Human Rights Amendment and encourages BWC congregations in Maryland to publicize this endorsement in their respective church bulletins, newsletters, and on their websites.

EFFECTIVE DATE: upon passage

CO-SPONSOR(S):
Rev. Dell Hinton, Gwynn Oak Arlington Lewin UMC
Sherie Koob, Middletown UMC
Rev. Rebecca Vardiman, Frostburg UMC
Mittie Quinn, Dumbarton UMC
Liz Feighner, Emmanuel UMC Green Team, Laurel
Jill Barker, Foundry UMC
Richard Gillum, M.D., Good Hope Union
Jim Beck, Mount Vernon Square UMC
John Barnes, Glen Mar UMC
Judy Smith, Chevy Chase UMC
Rev. Victoria Starnes, Calvary UMC, Frederick

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c., this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.

“At a meeting on Aug. 28, 2021, the Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.”

[v] The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2016, ¶160
[vi] The Book of Resolutions of the UMC, 2016, ¶1033
[vii] http://mdehr.org/
[viii] http://mdehr.org/about/

Budget Implications: None
Rationale: It is beneficial for the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, as a whole, to endorse and support the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation that resulted from the work of many leaders including Bishop Easterling. The Protocol has been endorsed by numerous annual conference gatherings, yet experiences opposition in various pockets around the world. Endorsement by this body, joining the voices of other Annual and Jurisdictional bodies, helps support the timely consideration of this agreement by General Conference delegates. The BWC Delegation to the postponed General Conference 2020 has announced formal support for the Protocol. The BWC Discipleship Council stated that the agreement provides a way forward for the church's mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, while also acknowledging the deep division, pain, and conflict within our church in recent decades.
Submitted by: Rev. Debbie Scott BWARM Advocacy Chair and Greg Witte Vice President WCA Baltimore Washington Chapter

RESOLUTION:

Whereas a diverse group of United Methodist leaders including our own Bishop Easterling, called by the late Bishop John Yambasu and presided over by Kenneth Feinberg, PC, negotiated an agreement (the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation, hereinafter the “Protocol”) providing for an orderly process for amicable separation;

Whereas the Baltimore-Washington Conference (BWC) delegates to the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences have voted to endorse the Protocol in anticipation of its consideration at forthcoming conferences;

Whereas BWC leaders are confident that the resulting separation, should the Protocol be implemented, will continue the rich heritage of the Methodist movement that has such deep roots in our Baltimore-Washington community, while enabling all to share their respective witnesses for Christ; and

Whereas legislation to implement the Protocol has been approved by several annual conferences and submitted to the Commission on General Conference pursuant to ¶507.6 of The Book of Discipline, thereby making same proper for consideration at any general conference; now

Therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference endorse the passage of the Protocol when said legislation comes before a special called General Conference or a regular session of General Conference.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective immediately upon successful passage of the resolution.

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c., this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.

“At a meeting on Aug. 28, 2021, the Connectional Table voted concurrence on this resolution.”