news article
A call for prayer for wise discernment
December 6, 2023 / By Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost on behalf of the CVA Task Force
The Conference Leadership Team has been tasked “to provide a comprehensive examination of every feasible funding source… for payment of the Child Victims Act (CVA) case settlements and legal fees to be reported back with recommendations to the Conference no later than Annual Conference 2024. In the meantime, the sources of any funds spent in the next year on the resolution of CVA cases must be tracked and understood that such funds may be restored by the Annual Conference.”
This weighty work has begun by a task force comprised of Upper New York laity and clergy, a group that covets your prayers. We keenly feel the serious nature of this work, and the deep emotions surrounding it. Understanding that these settlement costs represent only a token of recompense for the survivors of abuse, we also know that the costs to the Upper New York Annual Conference must be considered with great care. There is no perfect solution, and no solution which will be acceptable to everyone; our task is to discern the best way forward for the Conference, as transparently as possible.
We begin our work by asking for your prayers. Please pray for wise discernment, open minds, receptive hearts, and clear heads for each of the task force members. The task force consists of the following individuals: Peter Abdella, Upper New York Conference Chancellor; Rev. Sara Baron, Chair of the Conference Board on Pension and Health Benefits; Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost; Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Director of Missional Excellence; Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II; Bob Flask, Conference Treasurer; Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the Bishop; Dr. Scott Johnson, Conference Commission on Religion and Race; Rev. Pam Klotzbach, Conference Chair of Board of Trustees; Holly Roush, Conference Chair on Finance and Administration; and Jessica White, Conference Lay Leader.
Please join us in our prayers for healing and justice.