2012 UPDATE Eden UMC and Clarence Center UMC

Recently the pastor of Eden United Methodist Church e-mailed me and reminded me I have spoken with her (Rev. Helen Hadley). Again, I concluded based on the presentation of the facts, that Eden UMC is contemplating a series of needed renovations rather than a project exceeding 25% of the value of the ministry campus and property.

In the past week I have received word that Clarence Center United Methodist Church is proceeding with renovations to its parsonage that do not trigger the need for a formal meeting to consider and approve them at the District Board level.

As I am engaged in these transactional discussions, I am careful to copy the District Superintendent and the District Office in.

I will continue to summarize work that does not require our meeting, but which is consistent with our responsibilities. When I call a meeting it will be for matters that require the Board to meet.

I encourage you all to contact me as chair whenever you have an interest or need, preferably by e-mail, at gcrispell@gmail.com.

Process for Property Sale (2011)

Process for Property Sale (2011)

== Note: this process is subject to revision as the 2012 Book of Discipline is published.==

References:
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church – 2008 [2008 Discipline]
Upper New York Conference Session 2011, pages 70-76 [UNYAC 2011]
 
NOTES:
Provisions of The Upper New York Conference govern all parts of this process that are not mandated by the 2008 Discipline.
 
All congregational leadership should review their own copy of the 2008 Discipline to understand the full text of relevant paragraphs, and the process described in this memorandum, in context.
 
The full policies on clergy housing as adopted by UNYAC 2011 are incorporated into this document my reference.
 
2008 Discipline applicable mandates:
 
2540 Incorporated Local Church Property-Sale, Transfer, Lease, or Mortgage (Unincorporated Churches use 2539)
2541 Disposition and Mortgage of Church Building or Parsonage
2542 Restriction on Proceeds of Mortgage or Sale
 
 
The process begins with a conversation with the District Superintendent to determine the future action of the church. If this conversation results in an affirmative decision by both District Superintendent and church, the following procedure will fulfill requirements of the 2008 Discipline and UNYAC 2011:
 
 
1. 2540.1- A Special Church or Charge Conference should be called with the stated purpose to be consideration of the sale of the parsonage. State the physical address in the announcement. Keep a record of the timely notification by bulletin announcement and pulpit announcement. Note that only those matters stated in the call to the Special Conference can be included in its business.

2. 2540.2- A majority vote of those present and voting is required to pass the resolution authorizing the sale. The physical address should be stated in the resolution. The Board of Trustees should be directed to accomplish this sale (copy the provision by inserting the Board fo Trustees for the “corporation's board of directors” and duplicating 2540.4). The proceeds of the sale are restricted (see 7 and 8 below), so this should be defined in the resolution.

3. 2540.3- The written consent requirement of pastor and district superintendent should be fulfilled exactly.

4. 2540.5- A Board of Trustees so empowered and directed can take the appropriate actions and make any related resolutions without recourse to a subsequent Church or Charge Conference.

5. 2540.6- Note that two officers of the Board of Trustees are to act as signatories for the church in these legal matters.

6. 2541- The Board of Trustees is bound to manage, control, disburse, and expend all net proceeds of the sale in conformity with the direction of the Church or Charge Conference.

7. 2542.1- Principal proceeds of the sale are not to be used for current expense except in the provisions of 2542.3.

8. UNYAC 2011 specifically provides for the use of the proceeds as follows: HOUSING ALLOWANCES, 3.c.) A charge may use the annual income and capital gain from the sale of a parsonage over the rate of inflation to help support the housing allowance.

Memorandum Subject to Review by District Superintendent
Niagara Frontier District Board of Church Building and Location
August 2011 – Parsonage Property Sale Process​

Summary Memorandum June 2012

DBCBL Memo 2012

I'm writing this summary memorandum to care for our relationship as chair and Board of Church Building and Location for Niagara Frontier District. As chair, I am committed to calling the Board together when certain matters require our action.

I do respond as chair to telephone or e-mail inquiries, and I offer counsel to the District Superintendent in matters that do not require convening our Board.

Meetings will be scheduled only when an agenda supports the need: Construction or projects (#3 below), Parsonage purchases to support coordination with Conference parsonage residence standards (#4 below).

Consultation on the sale of parsonages (#1 below) is our most common contact in the past eighteen months. General consultation (#2 below) is to answer questions about the aggregation of periodic maintenance costs (e.g. roof + landscaping + elevator replacement), or renovation that does not meet the 25% requirement for our meeting as a body.

==> Please note I have attached a PDF document that summarizes some key guidelines for the sale of parsonage residences, when the church elects to provide a housing allowance rather than a home. <==

I list only the churches that have consulted with me as chair, or that have received our attention as a Board. Let me say we have not met in many months, but we will do so when an agenda requires the Board to act. I will try to have at least two weeks' notice when calling a meeting. Please RSVP in some manner-- preferably e-mail-- to me at gcrispell@gmail.com, so I know whether to expect you for a particular meeting.

Thank you for your agreement to serve as a member of this Board.

Contact me at any time with your questions, or input. I prefer e-mail so we will both have a record of the conversation for later reference.

God bless you in your life and ministry.

Greg Crispell

MATTERS INVOLVING THE CHAIR OF NFD BCBL since April, 2011

(1) Parsonage consultation summary:
South Park UMC
Cleveland Hill UMC
Elma UMC
Batavia First UMC
Gowanda UMC
Johnsonburg UMC

(2) General questions on church renovation
Williamsville UMC
Arcade UMC
Hope UMC of Niagara County

(3) Construction or projects constituting more than 25% of value of church ministry campus and improvements
Medina UMC - consultation to support previous work

(4) Parsonage purchases:
NONE

(5) Coordination with Conference Property Management Consultant Rev. Tom Clemow
Former Buffalo Korean UMC, Colvin Ave

(6) Special Projects
Inventory of Furnishings, Former Roland Avenue UMC Lackawanna
Review by UNYAC Board of Trustees of Meadowview Dr. NF District Parsonage

MEMBERS:
Larry R. Baird (Clergy)
Cheryl Althoff Brown (Clergy)
Richard Davidson
M. William (Bill) Barber
Vergie Oettinger
Greg Crispell (Clergy) (Chair)
Wayne Butler (Clergy) (Niagara Frontier District Superintendent)