news article
CVA Task Force update
March 4, 2024 / By CVA Task Force
In December, the Child Victims Act (CVA) Task Force asked you to join your prayers with ours as we began the weighty work of developing a plan for allocating Upper New York’s share of the payment of Child Victims Act case settlements and legal fees.
Understanding that these settlement costs represent only a token of recompense for the survivors of abuse, we considered the costs to the Upper New York Conference with great care as we discerned the best plan possible to present to the Conference Leadership Team (CLT).
Centering values of deep care, responsibility, and intentionality over the course of our work, we developed a report from which the CLT has created legislation to present to the Conference. We are committed to communicating the outcome of this work as transparently as possible; to that end, there is a plan to invite members of the Upper New York Conference to see the legislation and participate in at least one online FAQ experience prior to the AC session. You will be hearing about these opportunities in the coming weeks.
We thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for the Annual Conference, survivors, and all involved as we proceed with the remaining responsibilities of settling these cases.
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.