US Regional Conference
Publication of proposed legislation to enact the "Christmas Covenant" from Philippines United Methodists has prompted the denomination's Connectional Table to clarify the relationship between the covenant and its own recommendation for a U.S. regional conference.
In essence, the Connectional Table statement affirms that its recommendation is accurately reflected in the Christmas Covenant. It adds that much of the Christmas Covenant refers to matters primarily affecting the Central Conferences, that is, regions of The United Methodist Church outside the United States.
The Connectional Table also prepared a detailed chart comparing its legislation with that of the Christmas Covenant. The chart can be downloaded here.
Shortly before the Connectional Table released its statement, UM & Global, the collaborative blog of United Methodist Professors of Mission, recommended that General Conference delegates and others interested in the proposal read the Christmas Covenant legislation. Following is the post by Dr. David W. Scott, UM & Global's blogmaster.
"The legislation from the Christmas Covenant group is now publicly available online.
"As the subtitle for the legislative package indicates, this legislation is intended to create 'An Equitable Structure of Global Regionalism.' The eight petitions draw upon but go beyond the Connectional Table's proposal to create a US Regional Conference. The Christmas Covenant legislation also converts central conferences into regional conferences, thereby establishing parity across the world.
"The legislation was developed primarily by United Methodist leaders outside of the United States, especially from the Philippines. The principles of the Christmas Covenant have been endorsed by leaders from the Philippines, multiple African countries, and Norway. The Philippines Annual Conference - Cavite voted last month to endorse the legislation and send it to General Conference. In so doing, PAC - Cavite linked the Christmas Covenant and the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation together.
"The Christmas Covenant proposal has also received support from within the United States. General Conference delegates from Florida and the Western Jurisdiction have indicated their intention to support it, in conjunction with the Protocol. The Inter-Ethnic Strategy and Development Group has asked that the Christmas Covenant be the first item of business to be considered by General Conference, to be followed by the Protocol.
"The Christmas Covenant regionalization plan is thus one of the central proposals that will come before General Conference, and this legislation deserves to be closely read and carefully considered by all General Conference delegates."