Meeting Minutes List

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Ecumenical Relationships Commission (via teleconference)
November 11, 2025, 2:00 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time
Members present: David Duggan, Scott Field, Han Koh, Bishop Carolyn Moore, Ed Murphy, and Debbie Smalley. Also present: Teresa Marcus; Not Present: Patti Molik, Zak Vakadewatabua and Vatroslav Zupancic.
Chair Bishop Carolyn Moore called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m., U.S. ET.
Devotional: Ed Murphy shared from “Dear Unity” about obstacles to receptive ecumenism then opened the meeting with prayer.
Minutes: The minutes of the 9/22/2025 meeting were unanimously approved following a correction to the budget report.
Budget Report: David Duggan highlighted discrepancies between the ERC spending report and the GMC's, particularly in airfare and lodging expenses, which he planned to investigate further with Matthew Conover and Molly. The ERC budget shows expenditures totaling $12,110.70 with a balance of $224,139; whereas the GMC budget shows our expenditures totaling $10,413.53. The discrepance may lie with the GMC report only reflecting expenditures through the third quarter.
Bishop Moore acknowledged her responsibility for discrepancies in financial reporting and requested Duggan to send her the relevant numbers for review. Duggan shared positive updates on agreements for sponsorships, registration fees, and ground transportation, noting that the budget submitted in October was final unless additional stab requests were made which they will not be.
ERC Curriculum Project:
Scott Field explained the ERC curriculum project's goal to develop a six-session local church resource fostering missional impact, unity, witness, and evangelism, with Murphy emphasizing the importance of church unity in sharing the gospel message, as discussed in John 17.
Spirit-Led Church Unity Discussion
Why is this important in developing a curriculum? Murphy discussed how Jesus intercedes to the Father for unity among believers saying, “so that the world will believe that I have sent you and that our love is like God’s love.” Murphy pointed out that this isn’t about unity but about the biblical concept of oneness, like Christ has with the Father. Oneness is what we want to share around the globe because we are called to lead others to live under the oneness of God. The message to the local church is that the Gospel message is contingent on us being one in spirit. Jesus didn’t command this – He prayed for it. We need to recognize and have it revealed to us that
we are to love each other as Jesus loves us. This unity must be revealed and experienced through the Holy Spirit. Murphy also addressed the challenge of rolling out a curriculum to churches in different geographical locations and situations than in the United States, acknowledging that some Global Methodist churches are resistant to change due to fear of unfamiliar spiritual practices, while others are on the brink of revival. He proposed the need for resources that cater to both groups, potentially involving outside input from charismatic or Wesleyan networks to aid spiritual growth.
Church Curriculum Development Proposal
The logistics of getting the curriculum written and published were discussed with Duggan presenting a proposal for a freelance consultant, John Harrell, to help edit and manage the project over a six-month period. Teresa provided an update on a previous meeting with Higher Education Ministry representatives, clarifying that while they are responsible for clergy education standards, they are not involved in local church training.
Ecumenical Curriculum Development Project
The team approved a motion by Duggan with a second from Murphy to go forward with a contract for the following: a proposal to develop a downloadable curriculum for the Ecumenical Relationships Commission, with a contract cost of $16,200 over six months with John Harrell as the project manager. Harrell will do an edit, a draft, and the proofreading as well as the layout design. Field explained that there will be 2 meetings per month with the ERC team and the curriculum would be available for free download during the General Conference plenary session in Johannesburg. Field has talked with Patti Molik who is willing to be a reader for us on this and will also recruit a reader who is a pastor in South Carolina with plans to incorporate perspectives from various countries and cultures and potentially make certain sections editable for local context. The team agreed to start the project on January 1st, with Scott and Ed planning to prepare materials before handing them off to John Harrell.
ERC Vision Approval by the Assembly of Bishops
Bishop Moore reported that the Assembly of Bishops approved their shift from high-level ecumenical conversations and building covenants to focusing on local church partnerships. The emphasis will now be focused on what happens on the ground at the local church. The hope is that each conference will have a mission church, and each church will have a mission partner across town regardless of theological beliefs.
BoDD revisions of the ERC description
The group discussed revisions to the Book of Doctrines and Discipline involving the description of the ERC. Duggan and Murphy volunteered to review this section of the BoDD with revisions
reflecting the change on the ERC emphasis. It was noted that per Tom Lambrecht the deadline for these changes is May.
Connectional Updates
a. Fiji – It is going slowly.
b. Cuba – We will know more in January after the trip there by Bishop Moore, Murphy, and Duggan.
c. Korea - Han Koh reported on the progress in their relationship and the potential for delegates to attend the upcoming General Conference. Koh will obtain the names of these delegates and ensure that they are aware of funding/expense details.
ERC Second Term of Service
All commission members were asked by Bishop Moore to prayerfully consider reapplying for service on the commission when nominations are opened for the General Conference in September of 2026 and to also consider others to nominate for this commission. Bishop Moore reported that she had checked with Mike Schaefer and that there will be no support for someone getting funded as an ERC member.
New Business
Bishop Moore reported that Mike Schaefer is requesting a monthly recap of each commission’s work/meetings.
The next meeting of the ERC will be on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. U.S. EST. Murphy closed the meeting in prayer.
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. U.S. EST.
Minutes submitted by: Debbie Smalley, Secretaryze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.