Dear Members and Friends of the
Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference,

 

Grace and peace to you in the grace of the risen Jesus Christ!

 

One of the concerns that I have as your Episcopal leader as I contemplate the need for us to grow healthy, vital congregations is the importance of the wellness of our clergy and our congregations. One of the specific areas that needs to be addressed is the issue of prevention of clergy sexual misconduct. "Misconduct" encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including but not limited to sexual abuse and harassment. The pain and destruction that are experienced by individuals, families, and congregations when clergy are involved in misconduct are devastating and long-lasting.

Our Annual Conference has demonstrated a commitment to work toward the end of incidents of clergy sexual misconduct. We adopted our "Sexual Ethics Policy for Clergy" in June of 2008 making a strong statement for prevention of misconduct. That policy can be found reprinted in the 2009 Conference Journal, Volume 2, beginning on page 248. It can also be found on the Conference website at www.umoi.net/policies/715-sexual-ethics. This June at our Annual Conference session, additional legislation is being proposed to further address the need for awareness and education in our congregations.

But adopting a policy is only one element that contributes to success in eliminating misconduct. Another essential element is congregations that are willing to learn about the problem and put into practice preventive measures. An additional vital element is clergy who are willing to learn and reflect and within the clergy covenant that binds us, to hold each other accountable.

An important requirement set forth by the Policy (see the paragraph near the bottom of page 250) is that a workshop or continuing education event reviewing this clergy sexual ethics policy be provided annually by the Board of Ordained Ministry. It is mandatory that clergy and those who are in ministry as "lay person assigned" engage in at least one such event each year. The Board of Ordained Ministry has developed a simple process for fulfilling this annual requirement for 2010. They have designed an on-line test process that is easily accessible to all. When passed, clergy and lay persons assigned can utilize this on-line test to fulfill the requirement. The details of how our clergy and lay assigned persons in ministry will access this test will be sent directly to them.

I hope that all those who are in leadership in each local congregation of United Methodists as well as in all other ministry settings, will take this requirement seriously. We do not always look kindly upon those things that are "mandatory." I hope that all clergy will understand that we agreed to this requirement because of our covenantal agreement to care for our churches and for one another. Please do take the test and pass it. Upon successful completion, a letter certifying that you have passed the test and have fulfilled the requirement for continuing education in the area of clergy sexual misconduct prevention will be sent to your district office.

For those reading this who are leaders in local churches or ministry settings, please assist your clergyperson to fulfill the requirement. Laity as well as clergy have a responsibility to secure the safety of our churches, camps, retreat centers, and other settings where United Methodism is at work. Please contact your district superintendent if you have any questions or concerns about this requirement.

My prayer as we attend to this commitment to guard the safety of our congregations and churches is the eradication of clergy sexual misconduct and the health and vitality of United Methodism in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. As we work toward that goal, we will be participating in the vision of a church where God's grace and love are proclaimed, practiced, and known within the safety and sanctity of Christian community.

In Christ,

 

Gracious God our Creator, we who love and serve the Church give you thanks for the means of grace in Jesus Christ that is preached and proclaimed and practiced in our congregations and in our lives. We confess with heavy heart the ongoing need to learn more about the prevention of sexual misconduct. As we strive to make your churches safe places, let our words and our actions reflect the best of what you created us to be, made in your image, proclaiming your Gospel in the love of Jesus Christ.  Amen.