Bishop Jones to preside over afternoon session
Bishop Scott Jones will be presiding over the afternoon plenary today, May 3. The first item scheduled for this afternoon is clergy pensions. You can watch a live stream by going to
http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.8033183/k.8586/General_Conference_2012_Live.htm

May 2 wrap: Delegates approve new structure
After several false starts to create a new structure, the May 2 session of the 2012 General Conference approved a modest realignment of the 13 general agencies that serve the 13 million-member United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Scott Campbell, a pastor in Cambridge, Mass., called for a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on whether any part of the structure plan is unconstitutional. The request was granted, 505-344, well in excess of the required 20 percent of the delegates.

Costs of the new structure will be evaluated by the General Council on Finance and Administration and the Connectional Table for a final vote during the May 4 closing session.
The plan retains GCFA and four general program boards — Higher Education, Global Ministries, Church and Society and Discipleship.

The general commissions on the Status and Role of Women and Religion and Race will be combined as a Committee on Inclusiveness no later than June 30, 2013. An effort to continue the two commissions failed, 459 to 453.

Read the full story.


UMNS posts Plan UMC Representation as amended
During the debate on the Plan UMC proposal, an amendment was offered to increase representation on the general boards and agencies from the Central Conferences. The amendment, which was the only amendment adopted on the plan, created some confusion among delegates in trying to make sense of the new representation on boards and agencies.

View the graphic.

BLOG: Restructure plan passes
Rev. Mark Holland shares his thoughts on the new restructure plan process on his Urban Ecclesiology blog.


Delegate Photo Galleries
See your delegates at work online at www.kansaseast.org/galleries.