Skyland United Methodist Board of Stewards
Meeting Summary
June 11 , 2024, 6pm

Attendees:  Diane Rutledge, Adam Byrd, Kathy Woods, Jack Harrison, Bob Blanke,  Michael Smith, Stephanie Knapp, Kyle Addison, Joe Tarpley

 Devotion 

• Kathy Woods- There is no such thing as a perfect decision , Scripture reference- Proverbs 3:6

Missions Working Team Report – Diane Rutledge

• Nothing to report.

Finance Working Team Report – Charles Frederick

• Kyle reviewed the financial report.

Trustees Working Team Report – Bob Blanke

• Sanctuary new seating & floor replacement is complete and sanctuary has reopened.
• Rear speakers in the sanctuary are not working and need to be checked per Jack Harrison.

Pastors Report – Nothing to report.

LGBTQ+ Path Forward Post General Conference

Skyland UMC has made no decisions on the points below.

• The General Conference changed language in the Book of Discipline regarding marriage and churches now have the option to allow gay marriage. 
• Currently Skyland has no restrictions on the use of our facility and follows the Book of 

Discipline. 

• Q & A, comments from BOS

             >Moving forward are we placing restrictions on the use of Skyland’s facilities or on the Pastor?   

             >Will Skyland allow gay marriage? 

             >Who makes the decision?  Congregation?  Board of Stewards?

             >Do we need more feedback from the congregation?  Overwhelming answer is yes.

    Attending Congregation Feedback, Questions, and Concerns

>Congregation views regarding gay marriage are diverse.

>Will need healing and clarification that Skyland is a welcoming church.

>We must communicate to the community what type of church we are.

>The church website is very important. Individuals and families often chose what church to visit based on church websites and social media.

>A survey should be objective with full results available to the congregation.

>Will decision(s) be based on survey results?

>Who will make decisions, Board of Stewards or Congregation?

>We cannot wait a long period of time to make decision.  (Timeline is below).

>Survey should be based on LGBTQ+ and path forward.

>Concerned about staying together as a church family.

>Congregation needs clear communication regarding General Conference changes.

               The above were discussion comments only.  

 Next Steps

             >Board of Stewards to develop a church wide survey.  

Important dates:    

6/26:      Complete submission and vetting of questions for survey.
                  Send possible survey questions to Kathy Woods.

7/9:        Finalize survey and release shortly thereafter.

7/30:      Review survey results.

August:  Schedule town hall meetings.  

8/13:      BOS meeting. Who makes decision(s)

September:  Decision(s).

  >No decisions have been made at Skyland.  

Other Items

• May 2024 Board of Stewards meeting minutes were approved

 

Prepared by Michael Smith
June 18, 2024