MCC Virtual Forum11 April 2015

Elder Affirmation forRev. Ines-Paul Baumann, Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Rev. Tony Freeman,

Rev. Dwayne Johnson, Nancy Maxwell, Rev. Margarita Sánchez De León, Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis

Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson

Presiding Elder/ModeratorChair of MCC Governing

Board

Rev. Onetta BrooksChair, Governance

CommitteeMember, MCC Governing

Board

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Business Forum AgendaFacilitated by MCC Moderator, Rev. Dr. Nancy

Wilson

1. Opening Prayer – Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson

2. Opening Forum Comments & Introductions - Rev. Onetta Brooks

3. Presentation of the Elder appointees - Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson

4. Questions for Elder appointees - Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson

5. Voting Process - Rev. Onetta Brooks

6. Type Questions about Voting process in Chat Box to be answered in FAQ to accompany publication of webinar recordings.

7. Closing Prayer - Rev. Onetta Brooks

Logistics

• This webinar is intended to be an hour.

• As we progress, write your questions in the Chat Box. We will answer as many as time permits.

• Both webinar sessions will be recorded and posted on the GB website: http://governingboard.mccchurch.org/

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Why a Business Forum?

• Since the 1979 General Conference, MCC has used forums to provide an

informal time for clergy and lay delegates to understand issues they will

be voting on and to ask questions about those issues. This is our second

virtual business forum in preparation for our second Special General

Conference, to be held 6 and 7 May 2015.

• There are two forums. This will allow ample time for each Elder

Appointee to speak and answer questions. Links to both forums will be

available for download to share with congregations.

• The Moderator of MCC presides during the forum with the assistance of

the Chair of the Governance Committee of MCC’s global Governing

Board.

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How did we get here? Let’s Review: The Moderator issued a letter on 2 July 2014: Expanding The Council Of Elders: MCC's Moderator Requests Your Input

 

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• Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of MCC, is preparing to appoint up to five additional MCC members to serve on the Council of Elders, which serves in a pastoral role and directs the spiritual life of MCC. The appointment process will conclude by June 2015, at which time the Council of Elders will consist of the Reverends Nancy Wilson, Darlene Garner, Hector Gutierrez, Mona West, and the new members. 

• The Moderator is asking for the assistance of current and former Elders, members of the Governing Board, MCC clergy, and Lay Delegates to identify prospective appointees from among lay and clergy members of MCC. To submit a recommendation, complete the online recommendation form (Click Here for Form) by 31 July 2014.

How did we get here?

General Conference Mandates regarding the Council of Elders (UFMCC Bylaws Article V.E.3.a and b) (excerpt)

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COUNCIL OF ELDERS:  The Council of Elders of the UFMCC

is that body authorized by the General Conference to serve

in a pastoral role and direct the spiritual life of the

Fellowship. This Council shall consist of a Moderator and

Elders appointed by the Moderator, subject to approval by

the Governing Board and affirmation by General

Conference. All UFMCC Elders are deemed professional

ministers and are authorized to perform all of the Rites and

Sacraments of the church.

How did we get here?In addition to meeting the qualifications of Elders as defined in UFMCC Bylaws, prospective appointees must meet the following selection criteria:

 

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•Be loyal to MCC and to MCC's Mission, Vision, and Values

•Have demonstrated giftedness in pastoral and spiritual

leadership

•Be sensitive to cultural difference

•Be able and willing to embrace diversity

•Be MCC clergy or a graduate of the MCC lay leadership

development program (Leadership Empowered for Active

Discipleship, L.E.A.D.)

•Possess demonstrable theological depth

•Be committed to global justice

•Model excellence and high standards in ministry

•Be capable in ecumenical and interfaith ministry settings

How did we get here?

Once the recommendations have been submitted, the

Moderator will then ask the prospective appointees to

complete an application form and to indicate their willingness

to participate in the selection process that has been designed

by the Moderator and approved by the Governing Board.

 

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How did we get here? Let’s Review: (excerpt)

In reviewing the applications, we chose those who:

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•Already have a deep and demonstrable spirituality, call, and commitment

•Represent well the faith, values, and vision of MCC, and are loyal to our denomination

•Will be an asset to and able to transfer their allegiance to the next Moderator

•Embody a variety of gifts, creativity, competence, and the kind of diversity we seek

•Are trustworthy and will not come with their own agendas, but will be able to serve all of the people and churches of MCC with integrity

•Will be able to blend well as a team

•Together, with our current Elders, will enjoy serving and integrating into a new, energized Council of Elders

Excerpt from Introducing Elder Appointees to the General Conference of Metropolitan Community Churches

3 February 2015

• At the beginning of the Elder selection process, we had expected to appoint no more than five new Elders. Instead, we chose seven, based on the strength of their applications and believing that having more people in this role will help the Council of Elders to be even more responsive to the needs of our churches and our people.

• We are excited to announce seven new Elders have been appointed to serve for a five-year term beginning 1 June of this year.

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About our selection process

About our selection process (continued)

• We hope that appointing the new Elders to a five-year

term will give the new Moderator the ability to

continuously re-shape the Council for the good of MCC, and

over time, give more persons the opportunity to serve.

• About sixty people were originally recommended from the

lay delegates and clergy of MCC. We believe this was a

strong and healthy response from MCC constituents.

• We invited twelve people to apply for Elder, all of whom

had been recommended multiple times by clergy and/or lay

leaders. Of those twelve, ten applied, and seven were

appointed.

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About our selection process (continued)

• We are confident that our seven appointees, who have the unanimous

support of our current Elders, meet this criteria without exception.

• We worked hard to balance many of the considerations of diversity with our

commitment to choose those who our people have already recommended,

and who they would easily recognize as Elders.

• Among those appointed are four people who serve as pastor or have served

as pastor for program-sized or larger churches; one who is the pastor of a

family-sized church; one lay person; three men (two are cisgender, one is a

trans-man); and one who is bisexual. The seven represent three countries

and three language groups. Two are denominational staff.

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Now, let’s meet the new Elder appointees

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Elder AppointeesOrder of Speaking

Thursday, 9 April at 11 pm UTC/GMT; 7 pm

Eastern

1. Rev. Ines-Paul Baumann

2. Rev. Pat Bumgardner

3. Rev. Tony Freeman

4. Prof. Nancy Maxwell

Saturday, 11 April at 5 pm UTC/GMT; 1 pm

Eastern

5. Rev. Dwayne Johnson

6. Rev. Margarita Sánchez De León

7. Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis

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Presentation format

• Moderator Wilson will briefly introduce each Elder

appointee.

• Moderator will ask a question: “What are your hopes for

serving as an Elder in MCC.”

• Each Elder Appointee will respond and have 3 minutes

to speak.

• Questions received in the Chat Box will be answered as

time permits. Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson will moderate the

Question / Answer time.

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Rev. Dwayne Johnson

 Former pastor of MCC Richmond in Virginia and of Resurrection MCC in Houston, current pastor of MCC

Washington, D.C., Rev. Johnson has served MCC’s clergy formation process in many ways and is a lifetime member of the Academy of Spiritual Formation.

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Rev. Margarita Sánchez De León

The first Elder nominee of Caribbean African descent. She is a pastor, published theologian and an activist, currently living in Portugal. Rev. De León currently serves on staff of the Office of

Emerging Ministries as the Program Coordinator for Iberoamerica and is the Academic Dean of the Garner Institute for Iberoamerica

Leadership Formation.

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Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis

Former pastor of MCC Washington, D.C., and current pastor of King of Peace MCC in St. Petersburg, Florida (USA), Rev. Shultis has served the denomination in many capacities, including on the Governing Board. She is currently chairing the Commission

on the MCC Statement of Faith.

What is New This Time?

• This will be the second time the Moderator will exercise the

authority to appoint Elders, which must be approved by the

Governing Board and affirmed by the General Conference. The

Governing Board approved the appointments in January 2015,

and now it is time for the General Conference to vote.

• Not all new Elders will serve as MCC staff (2 of 7)

• Five-year term appointments

• A new process of inviting nominations from lay and clergy

delegates from General Conference. 

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The Role of the General Conference:

Elders occupy a special and historic place in the hearts of

MCCers worldwide and provide spiritual and pastoral

leadership to a global MCC. Because the Elder Appointees

will serve on the Council of Elders, which is a discernment

body for the Moderator, MCC

Bylaws require that the General Conference affirm the

decision of the Moderator and Council of Elders. This is not

an election; rather, it is an opportunity for clergy and lay

delegates to voice their support on behalf of MCCers

around the world.

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 • All members of the Council of Elders will be volunteers, including

Elders who may also be a compensated member of MCC staff.

While continuing to be compensated for their work, such Elders

would not be compensated for their service as an Elder.

• The budget for the Council of Elders is developed by the

Moderator and senior staff assigned by the Moderator in

accordance with the policies and processes of the Governing

Board. The cost of all appointed Elders to attend and participate

in the General Conference and in meetings of the Council of

Elders will be borne by the UFMCC within the approved budget.

 The cost of fulfilling specific assigned responsibilities are borne

either by the UFMCC within the approved budget and authorized

by the Moderator, or by local congregations or other organizations

per the terms of a mutual agreement. 21 / Brooks

Budgetary Considerations

Current Council of Elders

• Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator• Rev. Darlene Garner• Rev. Hector Gutierrez, 2015 Council of

Elders Convener • Rev. Mona West, PhD

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If you still have questions about the Elders, type your questions in the Chat Box. They will be considered for inclusion in the FAQs

that will accompany the publication of the recording of this webinar.

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Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson

Presiding Elder/ModeratorChair of MCC Governing

Board

MCC Virtual Voting Process

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Rev. Onetta BrooksChair, Governance

CommitteeMember, MCC Governing

Board

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Instructions for (Online) Voting at 6 – 7 May 2015

Special (Virtual) General Conference for

Elder Affirmation

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I. Who can vote?

II. Test ballot prior to voting

III. The process for survey monkey voting

IV. The process for tabulating the ballot

I. Who can vote?

LAY HOUSE delegates•Lay Delegates*Churches as of 28 February 2015 current on assessments and/or have current signed covenant in place

•Interim Pastoral Leaders•Lay members of the MCC Governing Board•Lay members of the Council of Elders

CLERGY HOUSE delegates •Clergy with license to practice•Retired Clergy

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Instructions for (Online) Voting at 6-7 May 2015

Special (Virtual) General Conference for Elder Affirmation

II. Test Ballot prior to voting

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• RevVickeyGibbs@MCCchurch.net

• Will send a test ballot to all eligible Clergy House and

Lay House delegates to the address of record prior to

the 6-7 May 2015 voting.

• Tentatively the last week of April 2015.

III. The process for Survey Monkey voting

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1. You must have access to a computer and the

Internet in order to cast your vote.

 

2. When the Online Voting Polls open on Wednesday, 6

May 2015 at 1:00 PM GMT / 9:00 AM Eastern Time,

a Survey Monkey ballot will be sent to your email

address of record.

• If you do not receive a ballot by 2:00 PM GMT /

10:00 AM Eastern Time on 6 May 2015, please

contact RevVickeyGibbs@MCCchurch.net

3. Cast your SURVEY MONKEY BALLOT.

NOTE: You must cast a vote for each Elder

Appointee individually and not as a slate/group.

Sample ballots are on next slides.

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Rev. Dwayne Johnson

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Rev. Margarita Sánchez De León

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Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis

4. After you cast your ballot, you will not be able to re-

do or re-enter the virtual polling booth online.

5. Online Voting Polls close on Thursday, 7 May 2015 at

9:00 PM GMT / 5:00 PM Eastern Time, and no more

ballots will be accepted.

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IV. The process for tabulating the ballot

Quorum: 20% of eligible Lay House (PLUS) 20% of

eligible Clergy House of ballots cast electronically

via the Internet

Tabulation: Simple majority =

o greater than 50% of votes cast of Lay House

(PLUS)

o greater than 50% of votes cast of Clergy House

Official ballots tabulated independently and verified

by Balloting firm

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Declaration of Quorum

CLERGY HOUSE:

The total number of MCC clergy eligible to participate

in Special (Virtual) General Conference is XX.

The number required to achieve quorum is YY.

After 6-7 MAY voting:

The number of active MCC Clergy present for virtual

online ballot was PP.

o Rev. Onetta Brooks, Chair of the Governance

Committee of the Governing Board, will declare that

a quorum was achieved in the Clergy House.

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LAY HOUSE:

The total number of laity eligible to participate in

Special (Virtual) General Conference is XXX.

The number required to achieve quorum is YYY.

After 6-7 May 2015 voting:

The number of Laity present for virtual online ballot

was PPP.

o Rev. Onetta Brooks, Chair of Governance

Committee of the Governing Board, will declare that

a quorum was achieved in the Lay House.

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• Voting results will be recorded within 5 business days. 

• Voting results will be announced in the MCC Headline

News electronic newsletter. 

• Voting results will be recorded in minutes of the Governing

Board meeting on 28 May 2015. 

• Record of Actions (minutes) will be posted on the MCC

Governance webpage following the Governing Board

meeting: http://governingboard.mccchurch.org/

Next steps: After the voting is completed

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If you still have questions about the Voting Process, type your questions in the Chat Box.

They will be considered for inclusion in the FAQs that will accompany the publication of the recording of this webinar.

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Rev. Onetta BrooksChair, Governance

CommitteeMember, MCC Governing

Board

General Conference 2016 - VICTORIA

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Elder AppointeesOrder of Speaking

Thursday, 9 April at 11 pm UTC/GMT; 7 pm

Eastern

1. Rev. Ines-Paul Baumann

2. Rev. Pat Bumgardner

3. Rev. Tony Freeman

4. Prof. Nancy Maxwell

Saturday, 11 April at 5 pm UTC/GMT; 1 pm

Eastern

5. Rev. Dwayne Johnson

6. Rev. Margarita Sánchez De León

7. Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis

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Closing Prayer

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