Meeting Minutes List

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Ecumenical Relationships Commission (via teleconference)
February 17, 2026, 3:00 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time
Members present: David Duggan, Scott Field, Han Koh, Patti Molik, Bishop Carolyn Moore, Debbie Smalley, Zak Vakadewatabua, and Vatroslav Zupancic.
Also present: Teresa Marcus and Lauren Yates. Not Present: Ed Murphy
Chair Bishop Carolyn Moore called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m., U.S. ET.
Devotional: Lauren Yates shared from Psalm 113 and gave the example of sunrise and sunset as a visual reminder that God cares about all nations, and His name is exalted everywhere. Because of the work of the ERC, we will help to make God’s name famous all over the globe. Yates then led the group in prayer lifting up various countries and expressing a global vision for their work.
Minutes: The minutes of the 1/20/2026 meeting were unanimously approved.
Budget Report: David Duggan reported that the GMC now has a budget in place. The ERC has spent $8,380.86, which includes a\iliation fees to the Wesleyan Holiness Connection of $2,500.00; payments to John Harrell of $5,400.00; and $480.86 for the room we paid for two pastors to man our table at the Wesleyan Holiness Women's Conference. This leaves a balance of $115,919.14, including a balance in the curriculum and training line item of $69,600.00. Duggan explained the purpose of the digital disbursement form, emphasizing its importance for those seeking direct deposit reimbursements.
Prayer Initiative Update: Lauren Yates reported that her team is praying for the following: The persecuted church especially the Open Doors Connection; the local church curriculum; the Wesleyan Holiness Women’s Conference on February 23; the GMC church in Australia; praise for the church in Cuba; Fiji; Canada; and Bishop Leah Hidde-Gregory in Costa Rica. Prayer requests were mentioned for Ed Murphy, for positive feedback coming from the curriculum being sent out globally, and for Zac’s daughter.
ERC Curriculum Project: Scott Field reported on the progress of the curriculum project with John Harrell completing revisions for six sessions. Field reviewed the status of video uploads from various international contributors and planned to distribute invitations to be in the review group to people in Liberia, Korea, North Carolina, Central Europe, India, and the Philippines. Scott reported on the development of a PowerPoint presentation on Wesleyan distinctives with narration by Tim Tennant. The curriculum is on course to be ready for a June launch. Field will submit a blurb to Teresa Marcus about the ERC Curriculum Project for the GMC newsletter.
BoDD revisions of the ERC description: The commission unanimously approved a motion by Duggan with a second from Field, to submit a petition that reflects changes involving the description of the ERC in the Book of Doctrines and Discipline with the deadline set for May 1st.
Connectional Updates: Bishop Moore and Zac Vakadewatabua reviewed church group progress in Australia and Fiji where 14 churches expressed interest in joining. They agreed to meet with the Fiji churches on February 23rd to explore joining the Global Methodist Church (GMC) directly, rather than
pursuing a covenant. They also reviewed a plan of union from the Methodist Church of Venezuela which aims to join the GMC. Carolyn outlined the requirements for this union, including a statement of vision, doctrinal alignment, and a plan for ministry integration. The group discussed the need to gather more information about the Venezuelan church's current number of churches and doctrinal beliefs before moving forward with the union process.
Patti Molik made a motion to allow the Venezuela Methodist Church to enter into the Global Methodist Church (GMC) under paragraph 813.7. The motion was seconded by Vakadewatabua and was approved by a unanimous vote.
WHWC Change of Leadership: Molik announced her resignation from the Wesleyan Holiness Women's Conference board due to health reasons with Reverend Donna Mills appointed as her successor. Molik made a motion that the ERC accepts her resignation and accepts Mills’ nomination. The motion was seconded by Field and the commission unanimously voted to approve it. Molik also provided an update on the upcoming conference, noting over 600 registrants and plans for denominational lunches.
ERC Second Term of Service: Bishop Moore emphasized the importance of re-nominating members for the ERC to maintain continuity. Each current ERC member should contact their Annual Conference to inform them that they wish to be re-nominated.
New Business:
• Yates will add the February 23 meeting in Fiji to the prayer request list
• Vakadewatabua will make arrangements to attend the Glen Mary retreat in April and submit reimbursement form to Duggan
• Duggan will provide a financial report by email before the 3/24/26 meeting
• Field and the curriculum project team will prepare a 3-minute video about the project and possibly other work by the ERC for the General Conference report
• Vatroslav Zupancic will introduce ERC work and discuss cooperation with Open Doors International during the Vienna meeting on March 24.
The next meeting of the ERC will be on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. U.S. EST. Molik will give the devotional/prayer.
Yates closed the meeting in prayer.
The meeting adjourned at 3:52 p.m. U.S. EST.
Minutes submitted by: Debbie Smalley, Secretaryze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.