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e-HUM Announcement |
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June 9, 2007 Both United Methodist annual conferences vote in favor of uniting to form one conferenceBLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana United Methodist Bishop Michael J. Coyner announced this morning in Bloomington that both Indiana United Methodist conferences have approved to begin plans to unite the two conferences into one. The North Indiana Conference met at Purdue University in West Lafayette last week and cast ballots that were sealed and counted last night along with the South Indiana Conference ballots that were cast yesterday afternoon here at the Indiana University Auditorium. The North Indiana Conference votes totaled 663 for unity and 190 against – 78 percent approval. The South Indiana Conference votes totaled 550 for unity, 267 against and 6 invalid votes – 67 percent approval. A simple majority was needed to approve the recommendation to become one conference. In both locations, the vote was cast following a 60-minute discussion and time of prayer. Upon hearing the results of the election, Coyner said, “This is an overwhelming decision in favor of moving forward to form one Indiana conference.” During the next step of the process, Coyner will appoint an implementation team to report back to the two Indiana conferences in June 2008 with a detailed plan of implementation to unite the two conferences. A vote will be taken next year for approval of an implementation plan to form one conference in a process that began last year. Unity discussions have been taking place, formally and informally, during the past decade. Coyner said, “What this means in simplified terms is that during this year’s annual conference sessions, the two conferences became engaged by approving the recommendation of the Imagine Indiana Planning Team to unite the two conferences. Next year, they plan to get married.” If the implementation plan is approved next year, the North Central Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC also would need to approve the uniting of the two conferences. With full approval, the earliest the new conference could meet would be 2009. Reminder – Memorial service for Bishop Lawson set for Monday, June 11A memorial service to celebrate the life of Bishop David Lawson is scheduled to be held Monday, June 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 West 86th Street in Indianapolis. Visitation will precede the service beginning at noon. A private interment of ashes will follow the service. Condolences can be sent to Bishop Lawson’s wife, Martha Lawson, 765 Blue Bird Drive, Franklin, IN 46131. # # #
e-HUM Announcement copyright
2007 |
