2023 Mount Pisgah Church Council Members
Ministry Area Highlights
Please be sure to check out all the wonderful things happening in and around Mount Pisgah and our ministry areas: https://www.mountpisgah.org/update
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS regarding THE UPCOMING VOTE
may 28, 2023
A Church Conference will be held on Wednesday, June 7th, at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary for the purpose of voting on disaffiliation under paragraph 2553 of The Book of Discipline.
As required by the North Georgia Conference, the number of registered members entering the sanctuary to vote AND the number of ballots distributed must match. Any discrepancy in the numbers will result in a “no” vote which means you want to remain in the United Methodist Church. For example: if 200 people register and receive a ballot, but only 150 people turn in their ballots, that automatically records 50 “no” votes which means that 50 people have voted by default to remain in the United Methodist Church.
To help facilitate this process, please follow these guidelines:
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As a member, when you check in, you will be given a ballot. The ballot serves as your entry into the sanctuary and will be used to record your vote.
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As a member, if you wish to come and only observe the proceedings with no intention of voting, please do not check in. You will be able to observe the proceedings from the Underground. Please go directly to the Underground without checking in.
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As a member, if you check in and take a ballot for entry into the sanctuary and do not vote, your ballot will be recorded as a “no” vote which means, by default, you want to remain in the United Methodist Church.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: These answers are to the best of our knowledge given the information we’ve received. We appreciate your understanding if anything changes.
Who is eligible to vote?
ONLY full members are eligible to vote at this church conference. Full members are those who have taken a vow of membership and includes any age person who has been confirmed or professed into full membership.
Because of the requirement to provide the District with our membership roster, we will not be able to welcome new members to Mount Pisgah until June 11th unless they are already on the schedule to join.
Do I have to be present at the vote? What if I have a conflict or am out town?
You MUST be present to vote. You CANNOT vote by proxy or absentee ballot. This is a rule specified in paragraph 2553 and is non-negotiable.
What is the check-in process for the church conference?
The sanctuary will be accessible through the front main doors. Entrance for the elderly or disabled will be available under the bridge for use of the elevator. A check-in table will be located under the bridge for this purpose. Please do not enter through the bridge if you are NOT elderly or disabled.
For all other members, check-in tables will be located just outside the main entrance at the front of the church. Find your check-in table based on your last name. Please state your LAST NAME and then first name to the check-in volunteer and present identification to verify your name. Once you have been verified as a full member, you will receive your ballot and be permitted entrance to the sanctuary. Please move to the front of the sanctuary for seating. Seating will be filled from front to back.
Members who only wish to observe the proceedings with no intention of voting, please go directly to the back of the church to the check-in station under the bridge. You will be able to observe the proceedings from the Underground.
What forms of identification are acceptable?
A photo ID is required. You may bring your driver’s license, government-issued ID, military ID, school ID, or any card with your photo and your name clearly printed on it.
How will the vote be conducted?
Our District Superintendent, Dr. Michael McQueen, will call the conference to order. He will explain the ballot and the voting process. When instructed, you will use your ballot to vote either “yes” or “no.” A “yes” vote will mean that you want Mount Pisgah to disaffiliate from the UMC for the specified reasons. A “no” vote will mean that you do not want Mount Pisgah to disaffiliate from the UMC for the specified reasons and will remain a UMC church. The exact wording of the ballot will be provided by Dr. McQueen. Designated individuals will collect all ballots and counting will begin immediately.
What if I can’t get there by 6:30PM? Can I show up late and still VOTE?
We will start checking people in at 5:00 PM and ask that you arrive by 6:00 PM to ensure we can check in everyone by the start of the meeting. Check-in will end at 6:20 to allow for registrars to enter the sanctuary as well. Once the meeting is called to order, you will NOT be permitted entrance and CANNOT vote. Punctuality is imperative for this important meeting! Please plan accordingly to allow yourself time to park, check-in, and be seated.
How long will the meeting take?
We expect the meeting to last from 6:30PM to 7:30Pm, but it may go longer.
Do I have to stay for the entire meeting?
You are not required to stay for the duration of the meeting, but we strongly encourage you to do so. In the rare event of a count that’s too close to call, we will have a re-vote. For this reason, we request that all members stay until the conclusion of the meeting.
How will the vote be decided?
The decision to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of professing members present at the church conference. This is NOT a 2/3 vote of the entire registered membership.
When will the outcome be announced?
The outcome of the vote will be announced by Dr. McQueen as soon as the count is verified by auditors that evening. We expect the announcement by 7:30 PM.
When will the disaffiliation be finalized?
If the vote to disaffiliate meets the 2/3 requirement, the disaffiliation will be ratified at a Special Called Annual Conference on November 18th in Athens.
Is childcare provided?
Childcare is available from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM by reservation only for ages Birth – Pre-K. Please e-mail Jennifer Harriman at jharriman@mountpisgah.org or nursery@mountpisgah.org. The deadline for reservations is June 5th.
If I’m not a member, can I still attend the meeting and just not vote?
Please respect that this meeting is for full members only. Non-members will not be permitted entrance.
I’m not sure I’m a member. How can I verify my membership status?
You may call the church office during regular business hours (9:00 – 4:00). The phone number is 678-336-3000 OR contact Sarah Cavanaugh at scavanaugh@mountpisgah.org. If you received the email on May 22nd announcing the church conference, then you are considered a full member and we ask that you refrain from checking your status.
Will there be security at the meeting?
Yes, we have contracted security through the Johns Creek Police Department for the church conference.
PREPARATIOn FOR THE JUNE 7TH
CALLED CHURCH CONFERENCE
May 23, 2023
Dr. Michael McQueen, our District Superintendent, has scheduled our Called Church Conference for June 7, 2023 at 6:30 PM. The sole purpose of the meeting is to allow members of Mount Pisgah the opportunity to vote to either disaffiliate from or remain with the United Methodist Church. As we begin to prepare for the upcoming June 7th Called Church Conference, the following informational points may be helpful as you begin to prayerfully discern how you will vote.
1. The date of the meeting was set by our District Superintendent and cannot be changed.
2. This is an in-person only meeting that will begin at 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary. No absentee ballots nor proxies will be allowed.
3. Only members of Mount Pisgah registered on our roll will be able to vote.
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If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact Helen Caudill (hcaudill@mountpisgah.org) and she will forward your inquiry to the appropriate person.
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Because of the requirement to provide the District with our membership roster, we will not be able to welcome new members to Mount Pisgah until June 11th unless they are already on the schedule to join.
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The vote must pass by a 2/3 supermajority vote of the members present at the June 7th Church Conference. It is not a 2/3 vote of the membership roster.
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An abstention will be considered a “no” vote.
4. Tables will be set up alphabetically by last name for check-in. Prior to entering the Sanctuary, everyone will need to check in at the appropriate table to receive your ballot.
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A photo ID is required by the District in order to vote.
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Check-in will begin at 5:00. Plan to arrive in enough time to be seated by 6:30.
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Childcare will be provided from 5:30-8:00 PM. Reservations must be made no later than June 5th by emailing jharriman@mountpisgah.org.
5. The sole purpose of the meeting is to allow members of Mount Pisgah the opportunity to vote to either disaffiliate from or remain with the United Methodist Church.
6. Frequently check this Church Council Updates webpage for ongoing updates.
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Direct questions to churchcouncil@mountpisgah.org
UPDATE ON NEXT STEPS
May 21, 2023
As you know, we joined a group of 186 churches as litigants working with NCLL to lift the pause in the disaffiliation process that was implemented by the outgoing bishop in December of 2022. Earlier this week, we received a favorable ruling from the judge lifting the pause. We also received a letter from our District Superintendent, Dr. Michael McQueen, informing us of a date for our Church Conference to hold a vote by professing members to either disaffiliate from or remain with the United Methodist Church. The date is scheduled for June 7, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary. This is an in-person meeting only. Updates will be forthcoming and will be posted on the website.
UPDATE ON HEARING TO LIFT PAUSE
MAY 16, 2023
Thank you to all who have prayed and continue to pray over the hearing to lift the pause. Although the judge issued a favorable verbal ruling today, indicating that the pause will be lifted, we believe it is wise to wait until the written ruling is released to update the website with further details. We will keep everyone informed in the days ahead and encourage all to continue to pray.
UPDATE ON DISAFFILIATION PAUSE
MARCH 31, 2023
In the spirit of Matthew 18, Mount Pisgah has acted in good faith by reaching out directly to our district superintendent with a rationale justifying the pause being lifted for our Church. Unfortunately, we have not received a response. Additionally, a formal settlement proposal was sent to the North Georgia Conference by the attorney representing numerous churches, including Mount Pisgah. Our attorneys have not received a formal response, nor do not they expect to receive one in the near future, if at all. Our preference has always been to settle this matter by negotiating an agreement that allows us the option to disaffiliate under the same terms and conditions offered to the 70 churches that did so earlier, prior to the pause that was put in place on December 28, 2022. We recognize that taking legal action against the UMC is a drastic step. Be assured that every possible alternative has been explored to avoid this moment. We trust that this present course will restore the process so we all can continue on this journey toward a Church Conference vote by our congregation.
Since our attempts to reach a settlement have been unsuccessful, we have joined a lawsuit with 186 other churches in the North Georgia Conference, including 22 of the largest 100 churches in the Conference participating. The suit was filed yesterday. The lawsuit includes a request that the pause be lifted so churches may proceed with congregational votes on whether to disaffiliate under paragraph 2553 of the Book of Discipline.
Mount Pisgah Board of Trustees, through an established Steering Committee, has monitored the progress of the discussions to date and will oversee the litigation on behalf of the Church as it is filed and moves through the legal process. The National Center for Life and Liberty, led by David Gibbs III, is filing the lawsuit. NCLL has considerable experience leading the legal efforts of other Methodist churches across the US in their disaffiliation efforts. It will take some time for litigation to move through the various stages of the legal system so immediate updates may not be forthcoming, but we will share news with the congregation as it becomes available.
As we have said all along through this process, Mount Pisgah's focus and dedication to our mission remains constant: to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples Here, There, and Everywhere. Thank you for your continued dedication to our mission.
Church Council Update on Disaffiliation Pause
March 7, 2023
Progress continues in conversations with representatives of the North Georgia Conference pertaining to the reversal of the pause on disaffiliation. There is more than one possible path for removal of the pause, including settlement or litigation. The Church Council voted to empower the Mount Pisgah Board of Trustees (through an established Steering Committee), to monitor the progress of the settlement discussions and facilitate the monitoring and management of the process based on any developments of significance. The Church Council will be informed of all updates when appropriate. The next two-to-three weeks are critical, so we ask for continued prayer for wisdom and discernment.
Through this process, Mount Pisgah's focus and dedication to our mission remains constant: to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples Here, There, and Everywhere.
We will continue to provide updates as progress is made.
North Georgia Conference
Announces a Pause on Disaffiliation
On December 28, 2022, our out-going bishop, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, sent an announcement to churches in the North Georgia Conference informing members of the conference that “the appointive cabinet is amending its previously presented policy and will not accept disaffiliation requests at this time nor will the conference board of trustees negotiate disaffiliation agreements.” The entire announcement can be read here.
Members of the Executive Committee of the Mount Pisgah Church Council have been in discussion on precisely what this means for Mount Pisgah and how we will proceed as a church as we gather as a Church Council to discuss our next steps.
As the newly appointed bishop to NGC, Bishop Robin Dease will be meeting with her cabinet and Sr. Pastors in the conference and will discern how to lead forward during and beyond this pause. As always, the focus and priority of Mount Pisgah will be to make disciples of Jesus Christ and build God’s Kingdom. Please continue to pray for discernment and wisdom as we continue God’s mission of Making Disciples of Jesus Christ Here, There, and Everywhere. Our mission will not change.
As new developments unfold, information will be provided.
NGC New Bishop Robin Dease
Effective January 1, 2023
The South Eastern Jurisdictional Conference met this week to elect three new bishops and announce the new episcopal appointments. Rev. Dr. Robin Dease from South Carolina will be joining the North Georgia Conference as our new Bishop in January.
Read the recent article by clicking here.
Discerning the Way Forward with hope
Please note the Mount Pisgah Church Council Executive Committee has prepared this webpage reflecting the facts and information as presently understood and communicated by the United Methodist Church. This situation has been dynamic, evolving, and changing over the course of the past several years and even as recently as the June 2022 North Georgia Annual Conference. As new information and guidance from the United Methodist Church is provided, if any, additional steps and considerations may come to bear. We will update this webpage as appropriate to continue to proactively inform the people of Mount Pisgah.
Church Council Meeting – October 20, 2022
The Church Council met for the regularly scheduled meeting on October 20, 2022 via Zoom. As part of the agenda, the vote to request a Called Church Conference for considering disaffiliation was taken. The result of the vote was 29-2 in favor of proceeding with submitting the request. As appointed clergy both Pastor Steve Wood and Pastor Mike Broome abstained. According to the North Georgia Annual Conference guidelines, the formal request will be sent to the District Superintendent between January 1 – February 28, 2023. The date for the in-person Called Church Conference will be between March and April 2023, following a formal request to the North Georgia Conference in January 2023, as required under Book of Discipline Paragraph 2553.
If you have questions, please send them to churchcouncil@mountpisgah.org
Informational Links
The following informational links have been considered and provided by the Church Council leadership in an effort to help lead us in this season of discernment on how to best live out the mission of Mount Pisgah that we have embraced now for almost 200 years.
Click To View the PP Slide Presentation
Click to View the North Georgia Website
Click To View the NGUMC: What Does It Mean To Be United Methodist
Click To View the Wesleyan Covenant Association Website
September 13 Family Gathering Speakers Presentation
Click Here To View Frequently Asked Questions