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Recap of Methodist General Conference 2012 decisions and updates on pension plans. Details on legislation, clergy retirement, and Comprehensive Protection Plan adjustments.
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District Clergy Meeting Fall 2012 Bishop Peggy A. Johnson
Legislation • Retained Current Structure • Retained current language around homosexuality • Eliminated Guaranteed Appointment but then Judicial Council reinstated it (10/12)
Rejected “Set Aside Bishop” • Full Communion with several Pan-Methodist bodies • Officially made the UM Women autonomous • Created a ministry for Pacific Islanders
Retained the number of church members needed to maintain an episcopal area (NEJ will keep 9 bishops) • Adopted a $603.1 million budget (first time lower) Allotted significant funds to European and young adult scholarships • Decided not to divest from 3 companies whose products are used by the Israeli military in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Increased number of youth, young adults and persons from central conference on the GC commission • Agreed to translate GC materials into Kiswahili • Revised the judicial trial process
Changed “Lay Speaking” to “Lay Servant Ministries” • Learned that the decision to have each of the 5 jurisdictions bear the cost of their bishops separately was unconstitutional • Eliminated long-standing provision for individuals to petition GC. In the future it must come from a local church council or other larger UM unit • Elected 4 new members to the Judicial Council
Other events • Repentance Service toward the Healing relationships with Indigenous Peoples” • NEJ Bishop Weaver gave Episcopal address • There was a young people’s address and laity address • There was lively worship led by Marcia McFee • There was a celebration of the achievements of the 4 areas of focus and our many ministries • Collaborations between caucus groups (tent)
Changes to Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP) • Current Plan: • 65% - 100% Lifetime Annuity at GBOP • 2. 0-35% Other Options • Change effective 1/1/14: • 65% Lifetime Annuity with GBOP only • 2. 35% Other Options Only
Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP) Other Options for 35% of MPP funds: • Purchase Lifetime Annuity with Insurance Co. • Set up Cash Installments at GBOP • Leave on account at GBOP and draw as needed • Take partial or lump sum as taxable income • Move funds to an IRA
Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) • Each Annual Conference will need to determine whether or not they are going to cover ¾ time and ½ time local pastors. • ¼ local pastors will no longer be eligible for coverage under this plan.
Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) • The formula for determining the defined benefit (DB) component will change from 1.25% to 1% of the Denominational Average Compensation (DAC) at retirement multiplied by years of service
Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) • For Defined Contribution, the standard Church contribution will be 2% of compensation. • If a participant contributes to the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP), the church will deposit up to 1% matching funds into the participant’s CRSP DC accounts.
Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) For the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, the billing to the Local Church will continue to be billed at 12% • 2% will be deposited to the participant’s DC Account. • Up to an additional 1% will also be deposited to the participant’s DC Account if the participant contributes up to 1% to his/her UMPIP account. (If participant makes no contribution to his/her UMPIP, the 1% paid by the local church will go to the Pension Endowment Fund.) • Remaining 9% is pooled and paid as a Defined Benefit (DB) at retirement
Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) • Conferences will no longer subsidize the cost of spousal benefits. • The initial dollar amount of the benefit paid to a married participant will be reduced to offset the value of spousal benefits.
Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) • Participants may designate a disabled adult child as a secondary contingent annuitant. • The initial participant benefit will be reduced to pay for this extra benefit.
Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) General Conference changes effective 1/1/13 • Increased death benefit for retiree - $20,000 • Increased death benefit for spouse - $15,000 • Increased death benefit for surviving spouse - $10,000 • Increased death benefit for child - $8,000
Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) General Conference changes effective 1/1/13 • Increased years of death benefit eligibility for clergy retiring after 1/1/13 • New limits on long-term disability duration • Enhanced return-to work program (for persons coming off disability)
Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) New benefit effective 1/1/2013 through 12/31/2020 Voluntary Transition Program • Facilitate “grace-filled” exit from ministry for eligible ordained clergy who choose to withdraw from ministry • Must have 5 years as FE and be in good standing, and must surrender credentials
Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) New benefit effective 1/1/2013 through 12/31/2020 Voluntary Transition Program (continued) • 2 weeks severance pay (housing plus cash salary) for each full year of continuous service, up to six months’ pay • Paid health coverage, moving expenses up to $3,000, 90 days outplacement services provided, and active death benefits
NEJ Conference Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, West Virginia Area
Other items • New Conference Staff • Cross Cultural Appointments • UM Insurance options now available • Safe Sanctuaries and liability insurance
Three Goals • New Congregations (8 in 8 years) • New Faith Communities (10 in 8 years) • Renewed Existing Faith Communities (Goal is 50% of existing churches increase by 5% per year over 4 years)
Ongoing Concerns • Congo Partnership • Imagine No Malaria • Call to Action • Camp Pecometh
Dates to Remember • Youth Rally – January 4-6, 2013 • Mid-winter Retreat – January 8-10, 2013 • Lenten Day apart – February 12, 2013 • Restoration – March 1-2, 2013 • Confirmation Rally – March 16, 2013 • May 10, 2013 – Clergy-Lay Banquet
Annual Conference 2013 • June 6-8, 2013 – UMES “Diversity” • Rev. David Anderson “Gracism” • Ordination – June 7, 2013