Beaumont United Methodist Church issued the following announcement on December 21.
My friends, we have taken a substantial step forward in our efforts to maintain our compassionate support for survivors of abuse, while safeguarding the security of local United Methodist churches affected by the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy case.
This week, the United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee, which was tasked with advising and supporting the lawyers who are representing UMC congregations that have chartered BSA units, signed a settlement agreement that would provide both healing and support for survivors and legal protections for local churches. For more details about the settlement, I encourage you to read the statement from United Methodist Communications below.
While much remains to be done to finalize this settlement, we are grateful for God’s grace and guidance and the dedicated work of many throughout this difficult process to date.
Those churches who previously filed proofs of claims with the Bankruptcy Court and voted “no” on the initial proposed bankruptcy plan will be contacted by your District Superintendent with procedures to change your vote to “yes” and approve the plan. The court-mandated deadline for voting on the plan remains December 28.
Every effort will be made to accomplish this vote in a safe and efficient manner during this season of Advent as Christmas Day approaches.
Please keep in your prayers all of those victimized by abuse, as well as the local and national church leaders working on our behalf to bring this difficult process to a fair and just resolution.
Grace and peace,
L. Jonathan Holston
Resident Bishop
South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church
Original source can be found here.
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