SECTION IV
SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The United Methodist Church
Organized 1972
Continuing the South Carolina Conference (1785)
And the South Carolina Conference (1866)
Sunday, June 5, 2016 – Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Florence Civic Center
Florence, South Carolina
Bishop Jonathan Holston, Presiding
CONFERENCE THEME:
“Creating Space for God to Work”
The First Day – Sunday Evening
Day 1 and Day 2 morning and afternoon PDF
June 5, 2016
Registration: Registration began at 1:30 P.M. at the Florence Civic Center. Each registrant received a conference badge, an electronic voting device, a registration booklet including additional reports and other information, and information regarding the Florence area.
Clergy Session: Bishop Jonathan Holston called The Clergy Session to order at
5:30 P.M. in the Exhibit Hall. Bishop Holston opened the meeting with a word of prayer. Reverend Wayne Horne thanked those who serve on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and district committees for their service in the past year. Reverend Ted Walter made the report of the Administrative Review Committee. Reverend Mel Arant presented the Business Questions on behalf of the Board of Ordained Ministry.
Reverend Wayne Horne, Chair of The Board of Ordained Ministry thanked Reverend Ken Nelson for his assistance and support to him in this position. Reverend Horne introduced the persons newly elected in the following positions: Reverend Kathryn Hunter as Chair, Order of Elders, Reverend Karen Jones as Chair, Order of Deacons and Reverend Alphonso Jones as Chair of the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associates.
Clergy members were presented with a full written report for the questions. Business Questions 19, 20, 22, 23, and 24 were presented as information and moved to
Record; as no vote was required.
Motion 1: Business Question 25, 26, 29, 35, 36, 37, 43, 44, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, and 57-59 as reported by the Board of Ordained Ministry, were offered as part of the Clergy Session “consent Calendar.” It was approved by more than two-thirds vote of the Clergy Session.
Motion 2: Authorized the Registrar and Office of Clergy Services to make editorial changes where necessary for the Annual Conference Journal. The Clergy Session acted to approved each of the following Business Questions separately: 18a, 18c, 21, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 42, 45, 46, 48, 50, and 73. More than a two-thirds majority approved questions 32, 33, 34, and 50. More than a three-fourths majority approved question 73.
Following the reading of the names of clergy who had died during the past year, as listed under Question 48, Bishop Holston offered prayer in remembrance and appreciation of their service to Annual Conference. There being no further business, Bishop Holston offered the closing prayer, reminded the members of the evening worship session, thanked them for their presence and participation, and declared the Clergy Session adjourned. The materials distributed during the Clergy Session are attached for reference.
Lay Orientation: The Board of Laity conducted an Orientation Session for the Lay Members of the Annual Conference at 5 P.M. in the Arena of the Florence Civic Center. The session began with a welcome by Ms. Barbara Ware, Conference Lay Leader. All lay members present were provided information and instruction by the Conference Lay Leader and others concerning the agenda, movement, procedures, and parliamentary process of the 2015 Annual Conference.
The Opening Service of Worship began at 7:30 P.M. in the Civic Center with Bishop
Jonathan Holston presiding. The Bishop’s sermon entitled “One More Thing!” was based on Romans 8:31 – 39. His message was a passionate reminder of God’s inseparable love for us. The Mt. Zion UMC, Kingstree, SC presented the music during the service. The attendees celebrated Holy Communion. The offering received during this service assisted SC United Methodist Conference Disaster Recovery fund. Delegates departed from the Civic Center for the evening.
The Second Day
Monday Morning
At 7:30 A.M., the Conference began in the Civic Center with a service of Holy Communion. The Reverend Jason Everson, was the celebrant for the service.
At 8:32 A.M., Bishop Jonathan Holston called the Conference into order and invited those in attendance to sing the historic opening hymn, “Are We Yet Alive.” Reverend John Hipp, Florence District Superintendent and Rev. Mike Henderson, pastor of Highland Park UMC welcomed conference attendees
Rev. Ken Nelson, Conference Secretary offered the following motions: to approve the tellers, to approve the attendance register as the official roll of the conference, and approval of the bar of the conference. Each motion was approved by the delegates. Ken advised that daily the written proceedings of the conference will be available online, and the daily Advocate will be distributed so that attendees may share these summaries with their local churches. Ken then reviewed the contents of the pre-registration packets – specifically the voting recognition form and the ballot forms in the registration packet. He then emphasized the importance of completion of the evaluation form in the registration packet.
Clergy Tellers:
Anderson District:
Rev. Carleathea Benson
Rev. Matt Turner
Rev. Mary Teasley
Columbia District:
Rev. Meredith Dark
Rev. Shay Long
Florence District:
Rev, Lee Johnson
Rev. Tenny Rupnick
Greenville District:
Rev. Don Brown
Rev. Matthew Greer
Rev. Davon Harrelson
Greenwood District:
Rev. Daniel Eplee
Rev. Tyler Strange
Rev. Webb Belangia
Marion District
Rev. Anthony Alford
Rev. Henry Altman
Rev. Jonathan Harris
Orangeburg District:
Rev. Harry Lee Brown
Rev. Louise Wright
Rev. Sara Relaford
Rev. Jon Hoin
Rev. Terry Flemming
Rock Hill District:
Rev. Tony Adams
Rev. Eric Shepard
Rev. Bill McCown
Spartanburg District
Rev. David Bauknight
Rev. Merritt Wentz
Walterboro District
Rev. Tim Soucy
Rev. John Williams
Rev. Latonya Dash
Lay Tellers
Anderson District:
Larry Fetterly
Charlene Fetterly
Rayford Prince
Charleston District:
Richard Thompson
Ed Kennedy
Betty Davis
Alfreda Hill
Ruby Hannah
Columbia District:
Francis Hipp
Maeward Belk
Tommy Glenn
Marlene Sipes
Millie Hopkins
Greenville District:
Mike Henson
Ellen Henson
Greenwood District:
Tony Watson
Ron Taylor
Hartsville District:
Travis Feagin
Marion District
Ed Curlee
Bob Elwood
Rock Hill District:
Eddie Knox
Sylvai Knox
Joe Wix
Spartanburg District
Vickie Harvey
Steve Whitaker
Mildred Tillerson
Walterboro District
Richard Infinger
Genora Kennedy
Eartha Pinckney
Committee on Standing Rules report was provided by the Chairperson, Mr. Willie Robinson. He directed the attendees to the registration packet for the full report. Amendment to standing rule 28 concerning election of clergy delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences. The motion is for the creation of a ballot consisting of all eligible clergy names. The attendees approved the motion.
Secondly standing rule 53 concerning the election and composition of the Board of Trustees of Claflin University. The composition of the Board shall include 3 members (clergy or lay) from the SC Annual Conference and these candidates will be vetted and approved by the. This motion was unanimously approved by the attendees.
Thirdly standing rule 54 concerning the election and composition of the Boards of Trustees of Columbia College and for Wofford College. The motion was unanimously approved by the attendees
Fourthly, standing rule 70 concerning submission of petitions to the General Conference was unanimously approved. Standing rule 71 was considered, Rev. Roger Grambling proposed an amendment to the motion Resolution to the annual conference may be submitted by any clergy member(s), and any elected Lay Members (s), or any organization or body affiliated with the Annual Conference. There were no amendments against this motion. The amended motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Martha Thompson introduced Dr. Luther Smith from the Candler School of Theology to the Conference who would present the morning Bible Study concerning children in poverty. Dr. Smith thanked Bishop Holston, Ms. Thompson and the task force on Children in Poverty for their exemplary work. The theme of the Bible Study for the week is “Making Space for God to Work” and Luke 18:9 – 17 was the scriptural text with emphasis on verses 15 – 18 for this morning’s session. Dr. Smith assigned Luke 9 as homework for tomorrow.
Following the Bible Study, Reverend Barbara Reid, Chairperson on the Committee on the Episcopacy, provided the committee report. The Committee is responsible on providing residence for the Bishop and Mrs. Holston. She highlighted some of the bishop’s many accomplishments including the Bishop’s Bash, his leadership of trips abroad, his popularity as a guest preacher, and that he is the recipient of several honorary degrees. Rev. Reid then highlighted Mrs. Felecia Holston’s prolific missions work in our Conference including co-chairperson of No More Malaria. Rev. Reid presented Bishop and Mrs. Felecia Holston to the Conference attendees. Bishop Holston and Mrs. Holston addressed the Conference and thanked them for their support. The report of the Committee on Episcopacy was unanimously approved.
Bishop Holston presented the Quadrennial officers: Parliamentarian Rev. Timothy McClendon, Secretary, Rev. Ken Nelson, Conference Chancellor Kay Crowe, Assistant Secretaries: Rev. James C. Lane, Rev. Angela Ford Nelson, Rev. Mary Johnson, Rev. Jeri Katherine Warden Sipes, and Rev. Mel Arant, Jr.. The slate of quadrennial officers was unanimously approved by the delegates.
Rev. Joseph James, Jr. provided the report on nominations found on pages 75 – 94 of the Conference Packet. He asked the delegates to submit any changes to the Conference Secretaries prior to the election of the slate of officers that will take place on Wednesday. Rev. James thanked his entire team and those who support the work of the team. He welcomed Rev. Kyle Randall to the committee. Rev. Bishop Holston then opened the floor for nominations. Rev. John Hipp of the Florence District page 85, line 45 – substituted Mr. Sam Clarkson with Mrs. Rosa Cherry.
Rev. Ken Nelson presented the Consent Calendar discussed how the calendar would be maintained.
The Conference Chancellor, Ms. Kay Crowe stressed the importance of each church having a complete insurance package. The Trustees are responsible for an annual review of the insurance coverages. This annual review must be referenced in the meeting minutes. The Conference no longer provides bond coverage. This is the individual responsibility of each church. The Conference has adopted a standard listing of coverages that each church should have. She then discussed the process for the sale, transfer, and mortgage or leasing of a church property. She emphasized that the trust clause must be included in any related documents. The delegates unanimously received the report.
Ms. Emily Evans made a motion that the two alternate clergy and lay delegates to the 2016 Jurisdictional Conference receive funding for the SC Annual Conference equal to that received by delegates from the Jurisdictional Conference, inclusive of lodging, meals, and travel. The delegates unanimously approved the motion.
Rev. Wayne Horne recognized the Board of Ordained Ministry and the members of the District Committees. He then presented the report of the Board of Ordained Ministry. He celebrated those who will be licensed, commissioned and ordained today.
The candidates for commissioning include:
Anthony Griffith Carosiello
Bette Ann Hedden
Beverly CroweTipton
Jon August Hoin
Shawna Michelle Darnall
James Stewart McDowell
LaTonya Monique Dash
Brian Edward Preveaux
Eleanora Coaxum Ellington
Sara Elizabeth Relaford
Katherine Marie Haselden
Sylvia Freeman Watson
James Timothy Whited
The candidates for ordination include:
Deacons –
Eric Philip Hendrickson
Bernett William Mazyck
Andrew Thomas Jones
Elizabeth Adams Murray
Martha Ann Timmons
Elders –
Doris Regina Bright
Erik Kenneth Grayson
Meghan Lindsey Sweeney Cook
Kayla Brooke Harward
William Wallace Culp III
Miriam Wilson Mick
Lillie Kerns Davis
James Lawson Morgan
Zackary Harmon Dillard
Charlie Thomas
Sharon Spann Gamble
Carly Kirsten Wicklund
Michael Eugene Goldston
James Elbert Williams
He mentioned the diligent preparation and examination that each candidate undergoes. He then discussed the outcome of the Board of Ordained Ministry’s planning retreat wherein it was agreed to evaluate a four year cycle of continuing education and a team that will be responsible for assisting pastors who are struggling in their assignments. Lastly, he recognized churches for sending persons into ministry and encouraged the delegates to continue in this important work. Rev. Karen Jones celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the ordination of deacons and presented a video highlighting the varied ministries of deacons to the delegates. She recognized all deacons and thanked Bishop Holston and the order of Elders for their support. Rev. Wayne Horne also celebrated 60 years of the ordination of women in the clergy. Rev. Jim Arant recognized Ms. Sallie Anna Barton who completed Children’s Ministry and Christian Education certification and Ms. Anne-Louise Shelton who completed Christian Education certification. Rev. Wayne Horne thanked Rev. Ken Nelson and Ms. Martha Long of clergy services for their support. The report was received unanimously by the delegates.
During the presentation of the Board of Ordained ministry the following persons were licensed:
Minnie Pearl Anderson
Laura Nicole Benson
Tammy Abee Blom
Patricia Peterson Bowman
Timothy Warren Burleson
Willie Mae Cannon
Jeffrey Weldon Childress
Gerald Farrow Clinkscales
Joe Wesley Conner
Karen E. Dowdle-Wells
James L. Drummond
Michael Eugene Evans
Daniel Kaye Fortney
Alisha Christine Hansen
Anthony Allan Harder
Richard Kent Herd
Roger Dale Hovis
George Palmer Hudson
Annie Kathryn Jackson
Marcus Allen Johnston
Clayton Jonathon Jones, Sr.
Harold Ray Kessler, III
Stewart Comer Kidd
Mary Ann Perine Lewis
Rebecca Robin McCorkendale
Patsy McCrea
John Edward McLeod, Jr.
Trevor Alvia Miller
J. William Quarles
Juanita B. Raber
Caroline Adams Salmans
Sherri Priscilla Scott
Javon Acosta Seaborn
Kyu-Seok Shin
Matthew Kirk Snelgrove
Stephen Craig Turner
Eric Andrew
Vickery Gerald
LeRoy Watford
Sylvia Freeman Watson
Lisa Montique Way
Barbara Jean McDowell Webster
Gwendolyn White
Kendrick Williams
Mr. Scott Cochran, President of Spartanburg Methodist College provided the report of SC United Methodist colleges and universities beginning on page 24 of the Conference materials. He thanked the SC Annual Conference for their support and shared stories of how our colleges and universities have impacted the lives of many in South Carolina. Bishop Holston thanked the leaders of the colleges and universities and expressed an invitation for them to travel with him and the delegation of pilgrims to Zimbabwe and South Africa in 2018.
Dr. James Salley presented the report on Africa University and thanked the SC Annual Conference for leading the way and enabling resolutions that continue to provide funding for the University. He also thanked the Conference for 104% giving to the Africa University Fund and presented a banner to celebrate this accomplishment. The University will celebrate 25 years in ministry this year with more than 7,000 graduates since its inception! Remember March 20 – 25th on the campus on the university – the celebration of the 25th Anniversary – all are invited. Lastly, Dr. Salley share a video wherein students and university staff members offered words of thanks. The report was unanimously approved by the delegates.
Mr. Herman Lightsey, chairperson and Mr. David Anderson, Conference Pension and Health Benefits Officer provided the report of the Board of Pension and Insurance. Mr. Lightsey began by thanking the Board for their fine work. Mr. Lightsey presented the Charles L. Calkins award, conferred by the General Conference, to Mr. David Anderson for excellence in compensation and benefits administration. Mr. Anderson shared that there will be no changes to clergy pension plans in 2017, active rates for health care will increase on average by 12.4%. The delegates unanimously approved report 1 and the Group Insurance report (page 34). Mr. Anderson reported that we are fully funded in all aspects of our benefits package except for Retiree Medical. The remaining reports were unanimously received for information by the delegates.
Rev. Cathy Jamieson of the Columbia District asked for a point of personal privilege to ask for greetings to be sent to the family of the late Mr. Rhett Jackson, in care of his wife Mrs. Betty Jackson, in light of his significant contributions in the area of race relations in our Conference. Bishop Holston led the delegates in the unanimous approval of this request.
Rev. Wayne Horne recognized the candidates who will be commissioned and ordained this evening.
Rev. Ken Nelson made conference announcements and offered reminders for the Conference delegates. He then acknowledged special guests, Bishop and Mrs. McCleskey, Dr. Smith – our Bible Study Leader, Mrs. Josepha Bethea Walls, Mr. Gary Henderson, Rev. Sonya Broom, Dr. James Salley, and Rev. Dr. Clayton Childers. Bishop Holston recognized Ms. Bettye Rivers, his executive secretary for her support.
At 11:51 a.m. Bishop Holston adjourned the morning session following a closing prayer.
Monday, June 6, 2016
The Afternoon Session
At 2:01 p.m. the conference delegates reconvened. The afternoon session began with the singing of “Shine Jesus Shine”.
Rev. David Surrett, chairperson of the Council on Finance and Administration directed the delegates to the financial reports beginning on page 1 of the pre-conference materials and the financial reports beginning on page 108 for review. The delegates will be asked to approve these reports later in the session. Rev. Surret introduced Ms. Elizabeth Westbury, the Conference treasurer. Rev. Surrett awarded the delegates of the Walterboro district for payment of 100% of their apportionments. Rev. Surrett nominated Ms. Elizabeth Westbury for the upcoming quadrennium. Bishop Holston led the delegates in consideration of the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. After highlighting the contents of each of the financial reports, Rev. Surrett advised that the overall net budget increase for consideration is only $272.00. Rev. Surrett shared an article from the October 1997 Advocate which discussed the 13 steps to insure safe church accounting. He reminded the delegates of their responsibilities to employ strong financial controls.
Bishop Holston thanked Rev. Surrett and the Council on Finance and Administration for their report. He then recognized Bishop McCleskey and Rev. Dr. Betty Clark, the Sr. Pastor of Mother Emmanuel AMEC in Charleston, SC.
Rev. Marvin Caldwell presented the report for the Committee on Resolutions. These resolutions will be distributed to the delegates for consideration. Rev. Caldwell and his committee will meet with those who are bringing resolutions after the afternoon session in the Pee Dee room.
Bishop Holston directed the delegates to a video presented by United Methodist Seminaries.
Rev. Tim McClendon and Ms. Barbara Ware presented the report of the delegation to General and Jurisdictional Conference. He began by presenting the delegates who joined him on the stage and then by presenting a video highlighting the 2016 General Conference which was held in Portland, Oregon. Rev. McClendon thanked the delegation for their faithful service. He then shared highlights of the discussions that took place during General Conference. It is possible that there may be a called General Conference to discuss the issues and resolutions that were not concluded. Rev. McClendon presented a slate of 45 nominees for Jurisdictional Conference consideration. This slate was approved by the delegates. Ms. Barbara Ware extended her thanks to the SC delegation. She shared that the delegation had the opportunity to meet the 14 Episcopal nominees. She then presented Rev. Tim McClendon as the Episcopal nominee from the SC Annual Conference. Bishop Holston presented the nomination to the delegates, and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Stanton Adams, Clemson UMC asked Bishop Holston to consider a motion for the Council of Bishops to do the following concerning the matter of Human Sexuality which is before the General Conference: (1) name the members of A Way Forward Commission as soon as possible, but no later than August 1, 2016; (2) include members of the LGBTQ1 on the Commission; (3) invite established experts to provide information; (4) provide forum for receipt of input from churches and members; (5) report to the annual conferences once a quarter; (6) provide a final report in advance of any called General Conference; (7) a moratorium on the processing of any current or future complaints. This motion was signed by 68 members of the Annual Conference. Bishop Holston assured the delegates that no decisions concerning this matter have been made by the Council of Bishops; and that any decisions will be made with transparency and consideration. Read the Letter to the Bishops Here
Rev. Sara White presented the report of the Conference Board of Congregational Development. She presented a word cloud which included the words that were used below by the team. She remarked that the name Jesus was foremost in the word cloud. Rev. White discussed the many accomplishments of committee including a 90% success rate for the creation of new ministries by the 1st class of Discernment Academy attendees. The delegates unanimously approved the report.
Rev. Tom Wall, campus ministry are USC presented the report for Campus Ministries. He asked all who have been impacted by campus ministries to stand. Each of the campus ministers introduced themselves and they received thanks from Bishop Holston and the delegates.
After a 15 minute break, Bishop Holston reconvened the session at 3:46 p.m. with the singing of the hymn, the “Church is One Foundation.”
Ms. Barbara Ware presented the Annual Conference Lay Leader report found on pages 9 – 10 of the Conference packet. She introduced the Associate Lay Leader, Mr. Donald Love. Donald thanked all of the participants in the Mission Fair. He then recognized the District Lay Leaders, Lay Servant Ministries director, the United Methodist Men director, the Youth Ministries director and representatives of the Bishop’s Cabinet. Mr. Love presented gifts of thanks to members who were retiring from service after serving on the team for 8 years. Ms. Ware recapped what has occurred in the shared ministry of laity and clergy since 2012. She remarked that Bishop Holston’s goal of open and honest communication with the goal of building trust is being realized through the listening sessions, the road shows and the barbeque bashes. Over 4,000 persons have attended these avenues for communication. She then presented a video which showcased our shared lives together over the past year. Ms. Ware made a motion to accept the report as the official report as Conference Lay Leader. The delegates unanimously approved the report.
Rev. Susan Leonard-Ray presented the report of the Cabinet found in the preconference materials on page 54. Rev. Ray offered a quote to begin her report: “The first responsibility is to define reality, the last is to say thank you, and in between is to be a servant leader!” She then presented a video to recap all that has happened in our shared ministries in 2016. Rev. Joe Long echoed the importance of establishing trust through relationships in our churches. He highlighted the Bishop’s work to hear from laity and clergy across the Conference. He asked the delegate to get ready for the Bishop’s “Power of Love” tour! The church expects as part of the superintendent ministry that the superientendent will be the chief mission strategist. In order to do this the superintendents are challenged by our Bishop to be strategic thinkers. Lastly Rev. Long emphasized that to move forward we have to be agile. We have to be focused on giving new ideas a try because the world has changed and the kingdom is coming! Rev. Leonard-Ray thanked Rev. Patricia Parrish and Rev. James Friday for their leadership over the years and wished them well as they leave the Cabinet. The delegates unanimously received the report.
Bishop Holston recognized Ms. Ella Mae Colbert a member of the United Methodist Church in SC for her 100th birthday and the Conference sang “Happy Birthday” to her!
Bishop Holston adjourned the session with a prayer at 4:44 p.m.
