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Answer: The Church congregation is currently experiencing a discernment process to determine where God is leading us in regard to denomination affiliation.  This process will conclude with a special charge conference to determine whether we remain affiliated with the United Methodist Church on March 11, 2023 at 10 AM.  We anticipate this determination will then be finalized in June 2023 at the Pen-Del Annual Conference.  After we determine who we are as a church we will then reinitiate the Associate Pastor hiring process.

Answer:

This a personal question regarding Pastor’s Becky’s spiritual and employment paths and is inappropriate for a public discussion. The church’s discernment path is separate and distinct from our pastor’s discernment path, each being conducted irrespective of the other.

Answer:  Courtesy calls are being made to members on Mariners’ membership list to determine if they consider themselves active members of Mariners Bethel UMC and asks if they are willing to participate in the active disaffiliation process being conducted by the Church.  The calls also allow an opportunity for members to ask other questions regarding the Church. Future efforts will be made to reach them by email or letter if members can not be reached by phone.  

Answer:  The Finance Committee has been meeting monthly since August reviewing the financial position (actual and forecast) of the church on a monthly basis.  Our course of action was to reduce costs in every area feasible without jeopardizing our staff, ministries and the safety of the Faith and Hope Center and the attendees.  The church continues work on outreaching to the community through its ministries, programs/events, and communication.

Answer:

• A summary and discussion of all previous listening post sessions will be held on Wednesday, January 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary
• An information session will be held with District Superintendent Rev. Archie on Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
• A second opportunity is being offered for the 4-week “Living Faithfully” study in January and February.  
• A forum on “Human Sexuality and the Church” will be held by District Superintendent Archie on Saturday, February 25 at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.

A Special Charge Conference will be held on Saturday, March 11 at 10.00 a.m. in the sanctuary to vote on the issue of Disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church.  If Disaffiliation is approved, a second vote will held to determine if our congregation will join the Global United Methodist Church.

Answer:  The Enrichment of Hope Program was suspended in January due to a lack of participation by both students and volunteers. The Mariners Shepherding Council will reassess the program in the summer months of 2023, after Mariners representatives meet with officials of the Indian River School District and Lord Baltimore Elementary School, to determine our future course.