No entity of The United Methodist Church, including the West Ohio Conference, is asking any clergy person or congregation to disaffiliate. However, we understand that a few are considering or have decided by their own choice to leave. The following provides clear and accurate information about the West Ohio Conference’s process.
Summary Disaffiliation Process
EXPLORE:
- Contact your DS
DISCERN:
- Include the whole church
- This is not a leadership-only matter
- Contact your DS for support with structuring a productive discernment process
- Schedule a meeting with your DS and church members and leadership to review your discernment process, and to receive and review together the Local Church Checklist for Disaffiliation
INITIATE DISAFFILIATION PROCESS:
- By March 15th, request in writing your desire to have a Church Conference and include a list of your Professing Members with your request
- Send the request to your DS, and to Bishop Palmer and Conference Treasurer, Bill Brownson
BEGIN THE DETAILED WORK:
- Work through each item on the church disaffiliation checklist
- Send requested information to this email address: p2553 [at] wocumc.org
- Through your DS, request an estimate of pension liability share
DS CONVENES A CHURCH CONFERENCE:
- Scheduled by DS
- Minimum 10 days’ notice to all professing members provided in two ways
- 2/3 vote of professing members present and voting required to disaffiliate
IF DISAFFILIATION VOTE PREVAILS:
- Complete the detailed work following the checklist
- This work is designed to complete a legal separation and assist the new church with matters it must consider
ANNUAL CONFERENCE VOTE:
- All items must be completed and submitted in advance of Annual Conference session
- May 15 is the deadline for consideration at the June 2022 Annual Conference Session.
- Final share of pension liability is provided by the Conference
- An affirmative vote by the Annual Conference is necessary for disaffiliation
CLOSE OUT THE PROCESS:
- Church presents the conference with a check for the cost of disaffiliation
- Legal agreements are executed by the disaffiliated church, district superintendent and conference representatives
- Trust clause is released and deed(s) transfers(ed) are notarized and executed